Rastone
The Yemnêʻin (pl: kyemnêʻin), also known as the Rastone, is an incredibly small, rock-like species native to mountain caves and deep underground tunnels. They were discovered as the first mining exploitations started but because of the high demand in precious stones, almost faced extinction.
Although wether they are a sentient species or not is subject to debate to this day, it is commonly recognized that they're highly intelligent and great communicators, both inter and intra species.
Their size ranges from 3 cm (1.5 in) to 9 cm (3.6 in), though generally around 6 cm (2.5 in). Starting from the few moments after birth, they carry a gem-like outgrowth typically on their back, that can be as big as three time their size. Although such phenomenal outgrowth is rarely seen in the wild, intensive Yemnêʻin harvesting can lead to such result.
The color, shape and rarity of their outgrowth varies depending on the diet they consume. Not possessing any type of digestive system, the liquid they spend majority of their time bathing in seeps through the cracks of their rock-like skin, and is then flitered by their core leading to their outgrowth.
The Yemnêʻin seemingly does not have any respitory, nerve or circulatory system either, to this day the most plausible explanation as to how they are able to move and behave resides in their core. However, no one has ever been able to study them as they seem to disintegrate in the faintest light or trace of oxygen. All that is known is that if the core is wounded, exposed to outside elements or overfed, the Yemnêʻin it belongs to will no longer have a healthy outgrowth. Dust and pebbles might start to stick to it, its color looses brightness and smoothness such as presenting dark bubbles and in worst cases, the outgrowth might detach completely, causing death.
Yemnêʻin reproduction is technically non-existent as there are no male or female specimen and they have never been observed mating or raising youngsters. Nontheless, their population has been slowly increasing ever since the Dwarven Independence.
The value of the gems on their back varies grately, but even the ones of lowest value remain precious stones. As the Yemnêʻin cannot be raised in conditions other than those of the mountain tunnels they hail from, they are considered a very delicate species to raise.
Regarding their intellect, they have continuously showed signs of remembering faces, transmitting the information to their peers and even to other species. They seem to understand the concept of friendship, or at least mutual help as they will gladly form relationships with other species in order to gain protection in exchange of improved diet quality, for example.
Although wether they are a sentient species or not is subject to debate to this day, it is commonly recognized that they're highly intelligent and great communicators, both inter and intra species.
Their size ranges from 3 cm (1.5 in) to 9 cm (3.6 in), though generally around 6 cm (2.5 in). Starting from the few moments after birth, they carry a gem-like outgrowth typically on their back, that can be as big as three time their size. Although such phenomenal outgrowth is rarely seen in the wild, intensive Yemnêʻin harvesting can lead to such result.
The color, shape and rarity of their outgrowth varies depending on the diet they consume. Not possessing any type of digestive system, the liquid they spend majority of their time bathing in seeps through the cracks of their rock-like skin, and is then flitered by their core leading to their outgrowth.
The Yemnêʻin seemingly does not have any respitory, nerve or circulatory system either, to this day the most plausible explanation as to how they are able to move and behave resides in their core. However, no one has ever been able to study them as they seem to disintegrate in the faintest light or trace of oxygen. All that is known is that if the core is wounded, exposed to outside elements or overfed, the Yemnêʻin it belongs to will no longer have a healthy outgrowth. Dust and pebbles might start to stick to it, its color looses brightness and smoothness such as presenting dark bubbles and in worst cases, the outgrowth might detach completely, causing death.
Yemnêʻin reproduction is technically non-existent as there are no male or female specimen and they have never been observed mating or raising youngsters. Nontheless, their population has been slowly increasing ever since the Dwarven Independence.
The value of the gems on their back varies grately, but even the ones of lowest value remain precious stones. As the Yemnêʻin cannot be raised in conditions other than those of the mountain tunnels they hail from, they are considered a very delicate species to raise.
Regarding their intellect, they have continuously showed signs of remembering faces, transmitting the information to their peers and even to other species. They seem to understand the concept of friendship, or at least mutual help as they will gladly form relationships with other species in order to gain protection in exchange of improved diet quality, for example.
