Aziza
The Aziza are forest fairies who use magic to help nature grow and to bring good luck to humans.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Aziza are on average 6 inches tall in their true form, fully grown, but they may range from 4.5 to 7 inches. They have dark skin, black or brown thick curly hair, long pointed ears, and orange, white, and black streaked wings sprouting from their shoulder blades. Through magic they can disguise their ears and wings, as well as increase their height. They have to be constantly focusing in order to alter their height, and the taller they choose to be the more they have to strain, so most settle for appearing shorter than the average human.
Genetics and Reproduction
Aziza reproduce by fertilizing the seeds of the kapok tree. When the trees' white and pink flowers bloom sometime in February or March, a new Aziza may be born.
Ecology and Habitats
Optimally Aziza live in kapok trees in large groups, but more solitary ones will shrink themselves even further and live inside ant hills.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They eat fruits and vegetables, preferably fresh. In the forest they are usually hunters and foragers, but in human society they'll gather more than they need at a given time and store it.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
They have excellent eyesight and hearing in order to detect the presence of other creatures and react accordingly. They have the ability to support the nature around them; they cannot create seeds from thin air, but they can accelerate the growth of pre-existing plants and heal them if they're growing poorly. They also bring good luck to any humans who offer them fresh produce. They most commonly partner with hunters and warriors and watch over them to help them maneuver through dangerous situations.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Aziza are usually named after types of plants or animals in the Fon language, but some are given human names.
Gender Ideals
The Aziza have no inherent concept of gender, but human interaction has led to some deciding on a gender for themselves.
Relationship Ideals
The Aziza are non-monogamous by nature, and most will have multiple romantic partners at any given time. It is not unheard of to have a single partner, but those who go that route are often stereotyped as rude and standoffish.
Common Etiquette Rules
In their natural habitat Aziza will not speak to humans unless they have made an offering. Even if the human has gained their favor, the Aziza will typically bless them and then part ways, but if a human then wants to speak further then it is up to the individual whether or not to oblige them. Aziza dwelling among humans are much more lax about the initial rules regarding contact, but will usually decline to speak first out of habit.
Common Dress Code
In the jungles and forests, Aziza often go without clothes, since they lack certain human body parts and therefore lack human modesty. However, Aziza who regularly interact with human settlements will typically adopt those humans' dress codes. Regardless of human fashion, they prefer loose clothes and bare feet, and tops that can be easily modified in order to unleash their wings if they need to.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Although most Aziza still try to keep Dahomean culture alive in Benin, many were sold off as slaves, and so some Aziza have incorporated American, British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Brazilian, Haitian, Jamaican, and Yoruba culture into their lives.
Common Taboos
Aziza are strongly opposed to killing for sport; killing for sustenance or in defense is natural, but killing for the fun of it is abhorrent.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Aziza are generally on good terms with humans, as long as they're shown the proper deference. They get along well with most other nature Whims.