Lomyn

A folk that long ago originated in the Kynfesan Mountains, most Lomyn now dwell in the nation of Tyldamin. Distinctive in appearance, the Lomyn are a sapient anthropoid folk who also bear partial resemblence to various types of mountain sheep, particularly in the head and legs.

The Kynfesan Exodus

Since time immemorial the various clans of Lomyn lived across almost the full range of the Kynfesan Mountains. Many of them had congregated around the magic-rich areas scattered throughout. All the clans kept in contact with each other, even with the furthest away, through messenger birds, who could impart simple messages or bear small scrolls. Though a great variety of dialects was spoken, the clans did all speak more or less the same language. Those closer together traded, might gather for festivals and intermarried.

"It seemed the earth was tearing itself apart. And those rainbow lights, oh spirits... At first I thought they were most beautiful thing I had ever encountered. Almost as if they were spirits come to save us. I have no idea what they were, but the visions they caused were akin to some sort of nightmare communion. I say visions, but there was only darkness. I thought the very stones and grains of earth were screaming at me."

But almost 1300 years ago the Lomyn were forced to leave the Kynfesan Mountains. An usually wet summer preceded an equally dreary autumn. Torrents of rain poured down onto the western slopes and rivers were flooding on both sides of the mountain range, even as the snow piled ever higher on the tops. One afternoon, about halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, it seemed as if everyone in the mountains — from the small lizards to the Lomyn — was sheltering from the drenching rain. Those few who did peer out saw strange lights drifting through the skies, almost as if ghostly rainbow-coloured animals were swimming through the air. Some called their companions and braved the rain to gaze at the strange phenomenon, others shut their doors fast in fear. Even as some were still gazing, a tremendous jolt ran through the mountains and an earthquake began, more violent than any within memory. The snow shook itself loose from the peaks and avalanches came rolling down the slopes. The earth lower down, tortured by months of rain, began to slide. The drifting rainbow lights flared and whirred through the air at high speed. Any that hit something, whether rock or building or person, exploded into razor-sharp shards. Some disappeared and suddenly reappeared inside homes, caverns, anywhere frightened folks were attempting to shelter. As the lights flashed past, anyone close enough was overcome by darkness and sensations of grinding earth, cracking stone, a crushing pressure and suffocation. Blind and panicking, few of those who were stuck in enclosed spaces with the whizzing lights survived. Most of those who survived were the small and nimble, or those lucky enough to be close to an exit. A few managed to drag those being preyed by the visions outside and to safety until their senses returned.

Many, many Lomyn died during that cataclysm; whether crushed by falling rock, trapped within their homes, caught in the mudslides or pierced by rainbow shards. Rescue operations were fraught; what few rainbow lights did not shatter, faded within an hour but the rain was still pouring down and continued to do so for days. Afterquakes caused new avalanches and landslides. Magic was almost useless for the moment, other organisms too distressed to enter into communion with the Lomyn. Some spells garnered unexpected and occasionally horrifying results. The survivors sent what messenger birds they had left to allied clans and so eventually gathered together into several groups. But with the worsening weather, the onset of winter, and the unreliability of magic, their homeland had become unbearably hostile. As weeks passed, there was no longer any hope of rescuing lost loved ones. Nature and magic alike remained in high distress, folk occasionally become trapped in visions similar to those caused by the rainbow lights. One by one, the bands of survivors left the Kynfesan Mountains — most heading westwards — in search of friendlier lands.

Lomyn Cultures of the Present Day

The exodus has resulted in a few distinct groups of Lomyn scattered across Dlynaeth.

The Taesaf

On the western side of the mountains the Lomyn flourished, particularly those who travelled all the way to the coast by the Tolach Naelath and would eventually become the founders of the Tyldamin nation. From there they spread througout the region, as many discovered they no longer particularly wished to live near the mountains. Almost all retained some degree of contact and eventually came to consider themselves as the Taesaf; those who left (despite them being not the only ones to do so). As a result of this interconnected web of various Lomyn throughout western Dlynaeth, the Taesaf all still share certains customs of dress and a language which is also the main language of Tyldamin - even through the language of Byrfenna is the main trade language of the region.
The Taesaf who live in the northeastern side of Tyldamin have organised themselves into a new clan structure, as they feel that the old societal structure is one to be respected and leads to a better distribution of power. Other Taesaf tend to feel that this doesn't outweigh the drawback of the more insular attitudes of most clans. Although not the only Taesaf to focus on this, the Taesaf of the northeast have specialised themselves in animal husbandry. Many of the clans are herders of cattle, sheep, goats or horses. As a result, the Natural Society used to have close contacts with a few clans and there was some very fruitful collaboration on magics specifically related to these domestic animals.

by Menatith

A portrait of Meñot, a Taesaf and Senior Fellow of the Natural Society.

The Fansáf

The far smaller group of Lomyn who descended the eastern slopes of the Kynfesan Mountains made a home for themselves in and near the spur of hills that extends from the mountain range. They are most reknowned for their beautiful homes, which are carved into the hillsides. There is some loose contact between them and the Taesaf, who call them the Fansáf, the hill-folk.

The Fae Lomyn

Unbeknownst to the other Lomyn, one group has remained within the mountains. Rather than fleeing the cataclysm, they trekked towards it. Now far to the north, deep within the fae-rich area amongst some of the highest peaks of the Kynfesan, the Fae Lomyn dwell within their dell. They have developed differently from the other Lomyn, their features have grown towards those of the mountain sheep. Influenced by the fae suffusing the area, their magical capabilities have increased, especially in the realms of communion with other beings, manipulating the weather, and magical sculpture.

Physical Characteristics

by Menatith

A schematic drawing of a Lomyn body of indeterminate gender.

An animal anthropoid folk, the Lomyn have several features that strongly resemble mountain sheep of various species. The most obvious of these tends to be the head, which is covered in fur; has a round cranium and round-pupilled eyes, set slightly to the front; a large elongated muzzle; long, moveable ears; and a set of curled horns.

The torso, arms and hands are anthropoid, with strong neck muscles to bear the heavy head. Most Lomyn have a short tail, more similar to that of a domestic goat perhaps than of most sheep. The hips and upperlegs are otherwise also mostly anthropoid but further downwards, especially towards the ankle more similar again to sheep. The heel is strongly defined and the foot bones are elongated and end in cloven hooves. Their hooves and elongated metatarsals give the Lomyn a great ability to climb steep hills and retain a sure footing on uneven ground. The legs are also covered in fur, to an extent that varies per individual. Coat colours vary from a light, sandy brown to almost black and many Lomyn have white or black markings.

The Fae Lomyn bear more characteristics of the mountain sheep with greater fur coverage, square-pupilled eyes, legs that are less anthropoid and, in some cases, strong-nailed hands with three or four digits instead of five.

by Menatith

A schematic drawing of a Lomyn head, seen from the front.

Magical Affinities

Lomyn have an affinity for nature related magic, in the sense of communion with other organisms and to some extent manipulating their properties or extracting use from them. Aside from this proclivity, they are a relatively mundane species.