Pyte
Pytes are the smallest bipedal sentient race in the Deepearth. Like the Ketro, most Pytes have been gathered by the Davrin Elves and Ornilleth to be enslaved for their labor.
General Appearance
Pytes stand approximately half the height of a female Davrin on average. They have short limbs and stubby digits, and their heads seem slightly too large for their gaunt frames. Their skin is pale nearly to the point of albinism, and their hair ranges from white to flaxen blond. Pytes regularly dye their hair garish hues with plant juices or use a mixture of lime and water to stiffen their hair into unnatural shapes.Davrin find Pytes to be grotesque owing to the strange proportions of their facial features. Their noses are large and their mouths wide, making them highly sensitive to tastes and scents. Their ears are stubby and stick out from their heads yet have distinct, pointed tips. Their eyes bear huge pupils that never seem to constrict. They have a highly detailed Dark Sight but cannot see much color or detail in any light. Pytes generally avoid moving close to any light source unless compelled to do so.
Culture and Heritage
Pytes are industrious collectors, gardeners, harvesters, and preservers. They seem compulsive in their need to forage, grow, and process more food than they could eat themselves. It is unclear whether this is due to a long term, subtle influence of the Elder Minds to modify their behavior before the Davrin arrived, or if this is a natural tendency. In either case, the Davrin took full advantage and captured large numbers of Pyte slaves to work the plantations of the Noble Houses of Sivaraus .Pytes require even less sleep than the Davrin Elves need Reverie and seem to move constantly, sometimes at a fever pitch. Their body language is expressive and exaggerated, and their speech so rapid that they receive regular reminders with a rod or whip to speak slowly and clearly when addressing their Elven masters. Many Davrin compare a group of Pytes in their endless toil to a colony of industrious insects. In contrast, the Davrin seem ponderous, unchanging and aloof entities to the Pytes, whose families may serve a single Matron for a dozen or more generations. Pytes live a mere twenty turns on average, and a female Pyte can bear two offspring per turn.
Magic
Pytes lack any magical or psionic abilities.
Location
Deepearth, living as slaves to Davrin or Ornilleth
Appearance
Pale skin, hair often dyed; large, caricature-like facial features.
Lifespan
Approximately 20 years.
Deepearth, living as slaves to Davrin or Ornilleth
Appearance
Pale skin, hair often dyed; large, caricature-like facial features.
Lifespan
Approximately 20 years.
