Gwyndari

The Gywndari are a seclusive and inquisitive race of botanical humanoids. Born of the Emerald Tree, the Gwyndari are viewed with reverence, awe, and suspicion.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Gwyndari are omnivorous botanical humanoids. They resemble humans but with a fey cast to their looks, including tilted eyes, pointed ears, foliage and petals for hair, and bark like flesh. Gwyndari are smaller than the average humanoid and are much more slender, they have a similar bone structure as humans, with the notable difference being their bones are made of hardwood.
They have a vascular system similar to humans, but contain golden sap instead of blood. A notable difference is the lack of heart in Gwyndari, their golden sap flows through them naturally, not needing the pumping of a humanoid heart. They use a form of photosynthesis for energy, but in most cases gain energy by eating like other humanoid species. Do to their form of photosynthesis, the Gwyndari naturally produce pollen that falls off them as they move. They also have luminescent cells within their skin, causing them to glow softly in dark places.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Gwyndari maintain the same genders as normal humans, and are similar in every way. The notable difference being Gwyndari, although possessing reproductive glands, cannot reproduce.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gwyndari are grown in pods connected to the Emerald Tree, how long one grows inside a pod is different every time. When they emerge they are fully grown with a general knowledge of the world. They then are taught concepts that they may not be familiar with in order for them to take their place among Gwyndari culture. As far as common knowledge serves, the Gwyndari do not age and do not undergo physical change unless prompted by their environment.

Ecology and Habitats

The Gwyndari reside within the Emerald Grove, a fairly sized arboretum deep within the jungles of Kumugu. Within the Emerald Grove is a temperate paradise of maintained wild jungle. The Gwyndari thrive in this environment for its warm temperature, steady rains, and vast cuisine.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Gwyndari need to eat as much as a typical human, but the vast majority of Gwyndari are strictly omnivores. Do to the botanical nature of the Gwyndari, they are able to receive all their nutrients from plants, not requiring the consumption of meat like humans.

Biological Cycle

The Gwyndari follow a biological cycle based on the seasons of the world around them.
In the Spring, their hair grows at a quicker rate, their skin color seems to brighten, flowers may grow from their skin, etc.
In the Summer, they revert to what could be called their normal state or they manifest the same qualities of spring.
In the Fall, their hair may change color and die, their skin may take on a blander color, and they may no longer give off pollen.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Gwnydari possess the normal senses of a human, with the notable difference being they do not lose their senses as they age. Do to their connection to the Emerald Tree, they are able to share memory and experience things others have experienced even though they have not.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

The Gwyndari do not name themselves, neither are they named by others. When a Gwyndari awakens for the first time, they just know their name. Gwyndari names are hard to pin down as they are based off of their collective memory. The one rule they follow is that they do not take last names, as the concept of family doesn't exist as they are all related.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Gwyndari are typically honest, direct, and focused, they tend to take things at face value. Since Gwyndari have so much in common, they take special consideration for being unique, and are always seeking to learn and experience all they can.
Gwyndari although quite intelligent, are quite naive about some concepts. Emotion and tact are hard for Gwyndari to grasp, such as talking openly about things humans would consider private. Another foreign concept is death, Gwyndari hold different views towards death, often accepting it easier and not giving it the weight it holds in most other cultures.
Family is another area Gwyndari don't quite understand, since they are all born of the Emerald Tree. To Gwyndari, most everyone of their race are like distant relatives. The exception to this are when Gwyndari find another that they share a common goal and interest. This can lead to a romantic relationship, where love is eternal and concepts such as physical form and contact do not mean anything to them.

History

Two centuries ago, a Nordic outcast named Umarak hoped to escape the savage land, so he set sail from the frozen seas of the Shattered Isles. He traveled South, hoping to find a more peaceful life. Instead he found more war, death, and destruction. He traveled around the South exploring the Isles and finding more and more fighting.
Eventually he took up a job for a local settlement, needing to gold to continue his travels. The contract, to hunt a beast in the jungles who was oppressing the local populace. Umarak was an accomplished warrior despite his growing discontent with the profession, but felt defending a settlement from a beast was acceptable in his quest. He tracked the beast to its lair, and when he finally returned to the town a few hours later, he held in his hand the head of the beast. Little do most know, he returned 20 years older, a side effect of the mysteries that took place within the cave.
He then used his last remaining gold on a voyage to Kumugu, the largest island within the Dreadfire Archipelago. He traveled deep into the jungles, fending off Lizardmen, beasts, and many more creatures. He eventually came upon a suitable spot to complete his quest. He then took out an alien magical seed, and planted it in the earth.
He lived in solitude the rest of his days in this small grove. Nurturing and defending the tree while it grew at an unnaturally quick rate. Before Umarak died, he carved runes into a stone, they spelled out 7 proverbs that Umarak had devised during his journeys.
After Umarak died, the tree absorbed his body and finished growing to maturity. A year later, what is known as the First Emergence occurred. The first Gwyndari opened their cocoons as if awakening from a long slumber.