The Murmurers

Shadowy beings seen only at the edges of vision. Some claim they are lost souls, others believe they are the forest's true guardians, watching intruders silently.

The Murmurers are a mysterious and enigmatic shadowy species often described as lost souls or the guardians of the forest. They are seen only at the edges of vision, often just outside the direct line of sight, and are known for their silent presence. The Murmurers are neither fully physical nor purely spiritual beings, existing in a liminal state between the material world and the realm of the spirits. This elusiveness has led many to speculate about their true nature, and they are frequently regarded with a mix of reverence, fear, and curiosity.

While their exact origins are unclear, the Murmurers are believed to be ancient entities that have existed for as long as the forests and the natural world itself. Their mysterious ways and cryptic behaviors give rise to countless myths and legends, and their presence is often associated with the balance of nature and the protection of sacred lands.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Murmurers are ethereal beings, appearing as shadow-like figures that barely seem to interact with the material world. When seen directly, they are described as human-like silhouettes that are faintly translucent, with edges that shift and blur, as if the figure is both present and not present at once. They lack distinct facial features or any recognizable physical traits, and their bodies seem to absorb light, making them blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment.

They are often perceived as moving just outside one’s field of vision, and if looked at directly, they may disappear entirely or fade back into the shadows. Some accounts describe them as shifting, smoky wisps, while others claim they appear as full-bodied figures wrapped in cloaks of mist or darkness. It is difficult for any observer to get a clear view of a Murmurer, adding to their sense of mystery and elusiveness.

Biological Traits

The Murmurers possess abilities that set them apart from mortal beings, often attributed to their otherworldly nature. Their powers are closely tied to the shadowy realms they inhabit and the mystical forces of the Wildlands. Some of the known abilities of the Murmurers include:

1. Shadowmancy: Murmurers can manipulate shadows, both to conceal themselves and to influence the environment around them. They are able to blend seamlessly into the darkness, becoming invisible to mortal eyes. They can also reshape shadows to obscure or reveal objects or creatures in their vicinity, causing confusion or disorientation in those who intrude on their domain.
2. Silent Presence: Murmurers are rarely noticed unless they wish to be. Their ability to move silently through the land, avoiding detection, gives them an almost ghostly quality. They are often only detected through a feeling of being watched, a chill in the air, or the sudden, unexplained absence of sound.
3. Telepathic Communication: Some reports suggest that Murmurers can communicate telepathically, either with each other or with individuals they wish to guide or warn. This communication is often subtle, whispering into the minds of those who venture into the forests, offering cryptic messages or warnings.
4. Dreamwalking: There are also stories that claim Murmurers can enter the dreams of mortals, influencing their thoughts or visions. This ability is believed to be a method of guiding or cursing individuals, depending on their intentions and the Murmurers' judgment of their actions.
5. Nature’s Influence: The Murmurers are deeply connected to the natural world and are believed to have the ability to affect plants, animals, and the environment around them. It is said that they can encourage the growth of sacred plants, or even cause the earth to tremble in response to their anger or approval.

Behaviour

The Murmurers are highly reclusive and rarely interact with the material world. They are not known to speak or make any sound, and their presence is felt more than it is seen. Their behavior is often described as watchful, as they seem to observe intruders or travelers who venture too deep into the sacred or protected areas of the forest. Many believe that they guard the boundaries of ancient places, acting as silent sentinels to ensure that the natural world is respected and that no harm comes to the sacred grounds.

1. Guardians of the Forest: The most widely accepted belief is that the Murmurers are the true guardians of the forest, watching over the wilderness and ensuring the balance of nature is maintained. Their silent vigilance is thought to prevent the disruption of the natural world by outsiders, including those who would harm the land or exploit its resources. The Murmurers are said to be aware of the intentions of those who enter their domain, and they react by either guiding or deterring intruders, depending on whether the intruder respects the forest's sanctity.
2. Lost Souls or Spirits: Some legends suggest that the Murmurers are not a distinct species at all but are instead the lost souls of those who have wandered too far into the forest or disturbed its delicate harmony. These souls, unable to find peace, are said to linger in the shadows as watchful entities, neither fully alive nor fully dead. In this interpretation, the Murmurers are spirits of the past that continue to serve as silent observers, trapped between the living world and the afterlife.
3. Silent Observers: Another possibility is that the Murmurers are sentient, spiritual beings from an alternate plane, a realm of shadows and dreams. These beings may come to the material world in search of knowledge or to observe the events unfolding in the mortal realm. Some consider the Murmurers to be mysterious scholars, studying the flow of time, nature, and the forces of the world, but they do not engage directly in the affairs of mortals unless their presence is required for some greater cosmic purpose.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Due to their elusive nature, the Murmurers have no visible social structure, culture, or hierarchy that can be observed by those in the material world. They are solitary figures, moving through the forests or lands in silence, and rarely interact with each other. Some ancient texts suggest that they may be part of a greater collective consciousness, existing as individual manifestations of a larger, unified spiritual or cosmic force.

Despite this, certain accounts mention that the Murmurers may communicate among themselves through subtle, telepathic means, or through the whispering winds that carry their messages. These whispers are thought to be a kind of spiritual language that transcends time and space, a means by which the Murmurers maintain their connection to the land and to each other.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Murmurers do not often engage with other sapient species, but their presence is felt in the lives of those who live near the forests and sacred lands. Many tribes and cultures revere the Murmurers, treating them as spirits of the land or as guardians of the natural world. Some even offer gifts or prayers to the Murmurers, hoping to earn their favor or to gain their protection.

Adventurers and spiritual seekers sometimes venture into the forests in search of the Murmurers, believing that their cryptic messages can unlock hidden knowledge or provide answers to deep spiritual questions. However, few have succeeded in making contact with the Murmurers, and those who do often leave the encounter with more questions than answers.

The Murmurers remain an unfathomable enigma, existing at the fringes of the known world, quietly watching and waiting. Their purpose remains as elusive as their form, and their true nature continues to inspire awe, fear, and wonder in equal measure.

Geographic Distribution

• The Whispering Glade