Paolig
Basic Information
Anatomy
Paolig possess 2 forms. The first is that of bipedal humanoids with feline features, standing on digitigrade legs ending in 4 digit paws with pads and retractable claws. Their arms, similar in makeup and proportions to those of the Bediz, end in 4 digits as well, 3 fingers and an opposable thumb, also with claws. Paolig typically possess long tails to assist in their balance and are covered entirely in fur.
Paolig can also take a form similar to that of a domestic housecat, retaining the colouration and fur patterns of their other form. Paoligs in this form are typically indistinguishable from their mundane counterparts, save for the intelligence in their eyes and the ability to speak.
Genetics and Reproduction
Paolig reproduce sexually in a typical mammalian fashion, producing litters of 2 or 3 kittens.
Ecology and Habitats
Paolig are found across Alvez in both Faerie and Bedouar, thriving in all manner of terrains and biomes. Paolig typically associated themselves with other species, particularly the Bediz, Tuatha de Danaan and Fomorii, establishing themselves at the outskirts of population centers or seeking the patronage of individuals with their contracts (See Culture). Unattached Paolig tend to live in small communities, either as individuals or more rarely, small families, operating within other people's cultures rather than their own clans or troupes.
As a result of these associations, Paolig are typically found in more developed regions, or living a nomadic lifestyle along the Imperial roads or trade routes. Isolated rural populations are rare, and even these are typically associated with smaller settlements rather than existing on their own.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Paolig are carnivorous, eating a diet of birds, fish and rodents when left on their own. Their palettes are more developed than their mundane counterparts, and as they often attach themselves to the households of their patron individuals, they have adapted to eat much of the same foods as the Bediz, Tuatha and Fomorii, consuming physical food over Foyson when possible.
Despite their ability to consume a wide range of food, they remain picky eaters, developing their own tastes and habits on an individual level.
Biological Cycle
Paolig have life stages similar to the Bediz, reaching physical maturity after 9 cycles of Summerrule/Winterrule, and living a natural lifespan of 99 cycles. At this time, a Paolig will leave their community. Paolig have a strong belief in reincarnation, and stories of Paolig returning to the world rejuvenated in a new region seem to back up this position. Paolig culture dictates that this pattern continues for 9 cycles. While personalities and nuances of appearance shift between cycles, Paolig are able to access the memories of their past lives.
Paolig irises change colour with the phases of the moon.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Paolig are solitary sidhe, rarely forming communities of their own, instead living as nomadic wanderers or attaching themselves to the patronage of another creature. As such, Paolig lack the intricate social structures of other faerie peoples, generally regarding each other without any special hierarchy or privilege, placing the wishes of their patrons over those of other Paolig.
In rare cases, however, Paolig have founded small groups, typically in large urban areas, aimed to support traveling or orphaned paolig. The one or two Paolig who run these shelters are typically well-regarded among their peers, making them an informal exception of the otherwise classless and solitary society.
Facial characteristics
Paolig faces are a mixture of bediz and feline features, including muzzles, soft, padlike noses and pointed ears on the top of their heads. Unlike cats, Paolig have longer manes similar in appearance to bediz hair.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Since their introduction to Kornôgel, they have spread along the trade routes and roads as far as Iram of the Pillars, perhaps beyond, reaching the same distribution as the Bediz.
Average Intelligence
Paolig have a reputation for cleverness, even among the fae, excelling at unorthodox problem solving and quick thinking. They tend to be easily bored and distractible, however, and generally do not do well in more focused academic pursuits, although some individuals break this trend, apprenticing to arkanists, scholars and alchemists to great effect.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Paolig have exceptionally acute senses beyond those of the Bediz, on par with more mundane feline species. They are particularly adept at seeing in dim light, although they are unable to operate in total darkness. These exceptional senses, and quick reflexes have given the Paolig a reputation of possessing a "sixth sense", allowing them to suddenly react to otherwise unnoticed dangers.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
While capable of independent habitation, Paolig prefer to take on a sponsor from another sapient race, providing their services in exchange for food, shelter and some specific consideration per the terms of their contract. These contracts are most commonly made with Tuatha, Formorii and Bediz.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
As a result of their solitary nature, the Paolig rarely form lasting organizations, instead operating as individuals. There are however, a few exceptions to this rule:
Clowders
- It is unknown what prompted the creation of the Chat Noir, an underground complex of flophouses, gambling dens and watering holes in the Montsang District of Per-Ys, catering to wayward Paolig who arrived at the Gallian capital as a stopover to other regions. Operated by an enigmatic Paolig grifter named Thomas Salis, the club became a success, with similar organizations popping up in Naoned, Roazhon and Port De Lune. These operate as gathering spots, entertainment venues and shelters for the Paolig. Frequently linked, not always fairly, to criminal activity, these tend to operate in the slums and other overlooked places in urban areas.Beauty Ideals
The Paolig have a reputation of being vain divas placing a good amount of importance on maintaining an elegant and poised bearing and put together appearance, judging each other on both the maintenance of their coats and their clothing. This attitude extends to both the Paolig and their patron and so many take great care to exert proper grooming of themselves and their patrons.
Gender Ideals
A ruggedly individualistic group of solitary fae, the Paolig have little difference between male and female Paolig on a societal level. Without large communties to sustain, there is little need for a gendered division of labour. The exception to this comes during childrearing, a task which typically falls to females. Males generally remain with the family for a short time, providing food and protection until the kittens are capable of supporting themselves. Family groups rarely stay together for long, and the wanderlust of the Paolig sends all members off on their own after a period of time.
Courtship Ideals
A common role of the Paolig in popular culture, one they have frequently supported the spread of, is assisting their patron in the goal of capturing the attention of a romantic partner. This in turn, has pressed the Paolig to adopt clever, often dramatic and complex methods of courtship themselves. Grand, often public displays of affection are common among the Paolig, as are jealous rivalries over the affections of a potential partner.
Paolig typically court other Paolig, but it is not unheard of for a Paolig to fall in love with other peoples as well. Their intense loyalty to their patron may prove a double-edged sword if they develop affection to or jealousy of their patron or the object of their patron's advances. The Paolig do not take rejection well, often lashing out with passive or active aggression.
Average Technological Level
While the Paolig are quite clever and adept at complex problem solving, their lack of focus and solitary nature does little to develop their technological prowess as a people. Instead, they rely on the technology of their patron communities, sometimes making additions or adjustments to their own purposes, but these are rarely shared or developed further.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Paolig, despite their mercenary natures, are immensely loyal to their contractees if well-treated, even interceding in the event that this person accidentally runs afoul of other Faerie peoples, such as Fées-des-Houles with pierced glamour or Tohoseguéannets whose cromlechs have been disturbed.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Ar c’hazh arc’hant (Money Cat)
- Paoligs have become associated with a particular type of ere-hud, often called a crossroads deal or kalvar contract, these names referring to their common place of formation, which take place at crossroads at the edge of settlements under the shadow of the Kalvar. A contract is formed when a single drop of blood, taken from the forefinger is dropped into a crystal vial. Once formed, a contract grants the service of a Paolig for the duration of the contract. If well cared for, a Paolig will return each morning with a pouch, carried around their neck, containing nine gold coins in the local currency. The Paolig carries out tasks for its contractee, ranging from simple errands to more complex tasks like intelligence gathering or diplomacy. In exchange for these services, a Paolig demands a task to be fulfilled in exchange. These can be quite esoteric or even seemingly impossible, such as weaving a tapestry of gold and silver from the sand of a particular beach by moonlight. Those who fail to fulfill their contract are punished, typically with escalating bad luck. In some cases, a breacher will be transformed into a feline form and made to serve as an indentured apprentice to the Paolig, becoming a paolig themselves upon the payment of their debt. "Ownership" of the Paolig can be transferred 8 times, but the ninth must bear the consequences of their contract without exception.Enneaphile
- Paolig have a fascination bordering on obsession with the number nine. Most Paolig contracts will revolve around the number in some way, which extends to many smaller aspects of their behavior.Common Taboos
A Nod to Sovereignty
- Paoligs will not engage in dealing within the confines of a settlement, as defined by the borders of the Kalvar, without the express permission of the recognized Sovereign. If this is granted, the ere-hud is lifted for that settlement and is difficult to reinstate.Cat Out of the Bag
- If one brings a dead hen in a linen sack to a 5 road crossroad at midnight, one may be able to capture a paolig. The bag must be secured by string and carried to one's homestead, never deviating from the most direct route or looking behind, no matter what sounds occurred. Auditory hallucinations, created by the Paolig and their allies, aim to distract a kidnapper. Once inside the protection of a home, the Paolig can be transferred to an Oaken chest and locked inside. In exchange for freedom, the Paolig will offer to fill the chest with gold or fulfill a single task for their captor.History
Paolig claim that they originated it the Fortunate Isles on the twin islands of Pif and Paf, a location that has never been verified by any reputable Bediz or Fae source outside of the Paolig themselves, leading many to believe this origin is a fiction. Many scholars instead posit that the Paolig may have originated in the Northern Highlands of Albia or on Shadowsisle.
Following the purges of Boermerzh in Albia under Magnus Maximus, Emperor of the West, the Paolig fled to the Armorican Peninsula taking refuge in the plains of Poher, in what would eventually become the Meneziou Are, making alliances with rogue arkanists and outlaws as Conan Meriadoc, High King of Breizh brought Maximus's campaign to the region. Unlike the Korrigan, the Paolig did not join with Gradlon Mwar in the War of the Two Brothers, remaining a neutral force throughout the Empire of Ys, mistrustful of Meriadoc's sons.
Thus driven to the outskirts of society, the Paolig gained a reputation for antisocial behaviour, equated with demons and witches, a reputation furthered by the mercenary aspects of their dealings. Frequently blamed for misfortune, the Paolig adopted a largely nomadic tradition, spreading outside of the Meneziou along the Imperial Roads and shipping routes, using their shapeshifting and glamour to further their wanderings disguised as ship's cats or bediz sailors. It was during this geographical spread that tales began to spread of loyal cats bringing fortune to their patrons through cleverness and mischief. Paolig were soon found throughout both Kornôgel and Alkebulan.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Bediz
- The Paolig have a complicated relationship with the Bediz. Long persecuted and shunted to the edges of Bediz society for their esoteric and unyielding contracts, as well as their association with dark magic and crime, many Paolig treat the Bediz with some mistrust. They live on the fringes of society, both culturally and physically, in many places, engaging in moonlit deals on the crossroads. At the same time, they are quite enthralled with the Bediz, traveling across Bedouar and living amongst them. Once contracted, however, Paolig are extremely loyal if well cared for and form true bonds with patrons they like. Paolig's tend to differentiate "their bediz" from "the Bediz", and take great care to ensure their happiness or goals. Those with cruel or indifferent patrons tend to be loyal more to the contract itself than their patron. Paolig are called Matagot in Akitania and Tolosa.The Tuatha de Danaan
- Similar to the Bediz, the Paolig also form contracts with the Tuatha de Danaan, serving as messengers, spies and errand-runners for the Sidhe lords. The typical paolig relationship with other Sidhe tends to be practical and professional in comparison with the more relaxed relationship with the Bediz.The Formorii
- As the Fomorii push for greater involvement on the continent, they have found eager partners in the Paolig, their magical talents and cunning proving great assets to Fomorians who cannot rely on brute strength to achieve their goals. Finding kindred spirits as outsiders, the two groups have formed unlikely alliances to the benefit of both.The Korrigan
- Paolig do not form contracts with the Korrigan, but maintain some notable connections with some of the groups. The see the Poulpiquet as rivals and the Boléguéans as generally neutral parties capable of exerting fair judgment. Some Clowders, especially the more criminally minded sort, work with the Redcaps on a regular basis, even joining their ranks in rare circumstances.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
9 cycles of 99 years
Average Height
.6 - 1.5 meters (Anthropomorphic form)
~ .46 meters (Cat form)
Average Physique
Paolig are typically lightly built, focusing on speed and agility rather than brute strength. Highly flexible, they are capable of great maneuverability, but are physically weaker than the average bediz.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Bediz fur is similar in length, pattern and colour to that of their feline counterparts, with pure black and silver being the most common variants.
Geographic Distribution
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