Sprites (Filii Lassan)

These creatures are the creation of the dragon god Lassan.
Sprites are tiny creatures with a very potent magic - the ability to manipulate emotions. It is thought that they are nearing extinction because other creatures have historically hunted them to extort this magic, however the actual number of sprites inhabiting Ancora is unknown.
Family is very important to a sprite, as they are always born as boy-girl twins. Twin sprites consider themselves to be two halves of the same individual (hence sharing a name), even living together in a dual home for their entire lives. A pair of twins will raise any children borne by the female, which leads other species to assume that all sprites are born of incest. In fact, it is an extreme taboo for a sprite to tryst with their other half, and a sprite's paternal line is often unknown. (This is perhaps the reason that sprites consider it "bad luck" to tryst with anyone born in their hometown.)
Both twins must be present for sprite magic to work.
As the saying goes, "never sass a sprite."

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sprites are the smallest sentient species at only three to four inches tall. They have two legs, two arms, two limbs (larms) that can function for either walking or tool use, and colorful wings. Their appendages are long and thin.
It is commonly known that a sprite's skin color changes when it experiences an extreme emotion.

Biological Traits

The shape of a sprite's wings vary according to gender. The female (-ti) of the pair will have large wings much like a butterfly. The male (-re) has retractable, iridescent wings covered in a colorful armor more like a beetle. Other than the wings, each pair of sprite twins looks very similar.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gestation: Eleven months
Sprites are always born as boy-girl twins. Each set of twins is considered a single sprite.

Growth Rate & Stages

Sprites have the longest life expectancy on Ancora, as they can live to be over one hundred years old.
A sprite is considered an adult when it develops the ability to use magic around fifteen years of age.

Ecology and Habitats

Sprites create small, three-chambered nests out of random objects in unlikely places. They generally prefer places that are well-traveled and warm.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They eat primarily leaves and insects.

Biological Cycle

The only way to know a sprite's age is to ask it. (Wise creatures know better than to do this.)

Additional Information

Social Structure

Sprite's family lives revolve around the twin structure. Each set of twins (a male and female, or a -re and a -ti) is considered to be two halves of the same being. For this reason, they always work and live together; it is unheard of to find a single sprite without its twin being nearby. The sprite will raise any children borne by the female - however, trysting between twins is a terrible taboo. An individual's paternal lineage is often unknown, as sprites often do not keep track of their sexual partners and are free to be intimate with anyone from a different hometown.
They are very social creatures and enjoy interacting with other sprites. The very brave will interact with other sentient species, but they are wary of any new individuals (for good reason).

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Sprites have been historically hunted and killed for their magic. Sprite magic can be used (in a weaker form) by anyone holding the wing of a -ti and the corresponding wing of its -re.

Facial characteristics

They have very large eyes, small mouths, and mere slits for a nose. They also have short, movable antennae on the tops of their heads.
Most other creatures think they are adorable.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are sprinkled all throughout Ancora, but they tend to be more heavily populated in areas that do not home other sentient species.

Average Intelligence

Sprites are incredibly smart, and many of them enjoy building contraptions.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

When both "halves" of a sprite are present, they can manipulate the emotions of other living creatures. It is for this reason that their magic is so sought-after. It is also for this reason that sprites are nearly impossible to capture, despite their size.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

None.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Each sprite is comprised of a male (-re) and female (-ti) set of twins. They consider themselves to be one individual, thus they share a name.
If you are looking at the sprite named Larkin, you will see two individuals: Larkin-ti (a female, with large wings) and Larkin-re (a male, with armored wings). The name Larkin refers to the two as a pair.
Sprites do not have last names, but they will recite their (genetically matrilineal) parentage for a few generations if asked. This would go as such: Larkin-ti, nat-Maris, nat-Fogon, nat-Sishel. (Female Larkin, child of Maris, child of Fogon, child of Sishel.)

Major Organizations

Sprites are unfortunately too far spread out to have any organizations.

Beauty Ideals

The main focus of attraction is the wings (or shell coverings, for males). Brightly colored wings indicate health and are generally more attractive. For females, larger wings are considered more attractive. For males, the pattern on the shell should be intricate (and the shell itself sturdy).

Gender Ideals

The balance between -ti and -re unique to the individual, as are their social functions.

Courtship Ideals

Since each sprite is already born as a life partner, there is no courtship to speak of. Trysting is considered to be a fun activity like any other, to be shared with friends or new acquaintances as a way to get to know one another.

Relationship Ideals

The main relationship between a sprite is the twin bond, which is meant to be an equal partnership that lasts a lifetime. This said, sprites still have parents, siblings, and good friends.

Average Technological Level

They generally do not need technology, since their diet of leaves and bugs are readily available everywhere. However, many sprites enjoy building contraptions for their own amusement; these can do any number of things.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Sprites can convey their emotions to each other, but they use their own language for speaking aloud. There is not much geographical differentiation due to the lengths of their lives, how frequently they travel, and how recently their major city in Caelesti broke up.

Common Etiquette Rules

Taboo: Sexual relations with one's other half (twin) or relatives. Bad luck: Sexual relations with anyone from one's own home town. Good luck: Sexual relations with a new acquaintance in a new land.

It is rude to address a single member of a twin pair unless one is very good friends with them.

Common Dress Code

Sprites generally wear bits of bark as armor, but customs do not require clothing.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Their culture is very open with emotions. If a problem cannot be talked through, someone generally leaves. There is very little prolonged fighting or hostility.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

A sprite will live with its parents until it develops its own magic at the age of fourteen or fifteen. At this point, the sprite is expected to move out and build its own nest somewhere far from home.

Common Taboos

Sexual relations with one's self (twin) or another family member.

History

Sprites used to be heavy populated, especially near Lake Caelesti. However, once other sentient species discovered their magic, they began trapping and killing sprites for their wings. There was even a failed attempt at breeding them for domestication (by the Merr) at one point. Although this trade is now generally frowned upon, the worst sort of creature will still know where to find a set of sprite wings... for the right price.
As a result of being slaughtered en masse, Sprites spread out from their homeland and have scattered themselves throughout Ancora. They generally avoid other species and are very wary of them for this reason. Although they are thought to be near extinction, it is quite possible that there are small, hidden cities of sprites. Thus, their true numbers are unknown.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

They are generally very wary of other sentient creatures. Only the bravest sprite will even talk to them.

Lifespan

120 years

Conservation Status

Sprites are relatively rare and thought to be near extinction.

Average Height

3 to 4 inches

Average Weight

1.5 to 2.5 oz

Average Length

1 to 2 inches, depending on whether it is using the stance of a biped or a quadruped. Sprites are equally capable of using both.

Average Physique

They are fast and agile. Even the heaviest sprite would be slender by any other standards.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A sprite's skin color varies due to its mood. When it is dead, it has no mood, and its skin changes to a charcoal color.
Each sprite has a unique color pattern on their wings. They will reflect the patterns of their twin, but due to the differing wing styles, no two sprites have identical wings.