Sylvent

The Sylvents are an ancient race deeply intertwined with the natural world, created in the early days of Mordia by the Great Dragons, who are revered as their divine progenitors. These humanoid, tree-like beings serve as living testaments to the balance between life and magic.

Sylvents are beings of both physical and spiritual beauty, their forms resembling a seamless blend of flora and humanoid design. Standing between 5’5” and 8', their skin transitions between bark-like texture and petal-soft material, adorned with glowing veins or floral accents. Their "hair" can take the form of vines, moss, or blossoms that reflect their personality and life stage.

They are a long-lived people, maturing over 50 years and living for up to 450 years. This slow growth instills a deep sense of patience and connection to the world around them. As saplings, they are curious and adventurous, but they grow more contemplative and rooted with age, often rejecting change to preserve traditions.

Sylvents are nurtured within Nurseries, sacred groves where Seedtenders care for sprouting pods until the Sylvents "bloom" into saplings. This unique birth process, along with their visible connection to the natural world, reinforces their mystical image among the other races of Mordia.

Religion and Philosophy

The Sylvents worship the Great Dragons as divine creators and protectors of magic. While they respect other gods and their Spheres, their devotion remains singular, centered on the celestial guardians who shaped their destiny. They honor the Paragon of Life as their Great Dragons’ perceived closest ally, holding her in particularly high regard.

Sylvent culture revolves around gratitude for the natural world, the cycles of life, and the magical forces that sustain existence. They have only one temple in their homeland, which houses shrines dedicated to each Paragon, symbolizing their recognition of these entities' contributions to the world.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Sylvents are first planted as seed pods into the Nursery where Seedtenders take care of their every daily need. They take roughly 2-3 years per seedpod to reach maturation before splitting open to reveal the sapling.

Growth Rate & Stages

After the gestation period, the sylvent sapling grows slowly over the course of 50 years to reach adulthood.

1. Sprouting Stage (0-5 Years)

• Physical Features:
• Height: 3 to 4 feet.
• Their body appears delicate and twig-like, with thin bark covering their frame.
• Sparse "hair" emerges as budding leaves, moss, or small flowers depending on their essence.
• Limbs are slender and slightly pliable, resembling saplings swaying in the breeze.
• Magical Connection:
• At this stage, their bond with the earth is strongest; they instinctively absorb nutrients from their environment to grow.
• They are hyper-sensitive to natural energies, often reacting visibly to changes in the weather or magic nearby.
• Behavior:
• Highly curious and adventurous, they explore their surroundings with wonder.
• They display a playful demeanor, akin to young animals, often engaging in games that mimic the movements of wind, water, or animals.
• This stage is crucial for developing their connection to their grove and community.

2. Leafling Stage (5-15 Years)

• Physical Features:
• Height: 4 to 5.5 feet.
• Their limbs thicken slightly, becoming stronger and more defined, with subtle muscle-like structures forming beneath the bark.
• Hair becomes more pronounced, taking on fuller, more intricate forms like cascading vines, blooming flower clusters, or denser moss.
• Small, ornamental growths like glowing sap veins or delicate root-like tendrils may start to appear on their skin.
• Magical Connection:
• Their magic begins to manifest, often in the form of minor control over plant life or healing abilities.
• They develop the ability to communicate with plants and animals, forming symbiotic relationships with their surroundings.
• Behavior:
• They remain adventurous but begin to show glimpses of individuality, crafting early expressions of their identity.
• This is a learning phase, where they are taught the ways of their grove, including history, culture, and their role as stewards of nature.

3. Budding Stage (15-30 Years)

• Physical Features:
• Height: 5.5 to 6.5 feet.
• Their frame becomes more proportional, with stronger limbs and a more humanoid shape.
• Bark transitions into a smoother, leathery texture that resembles petal skin, with natural markings like tree rings or leaf veins becoming more prominent.
• Hair grows longer and fuller, showcasing their individuality. Some may sprout intricate shapes or seasonal blooms that change with the environment.
• Magical Connection:
• Their magic matures, allowing for more deliberate control over their abilities.
• They can now shape the environment around them, creating shelters, enhancing crop growth, or defending their grove with enchanted flora.
• Behavior:
• Budding Sylvents are focused on honing their skills, often apprenticing under elder Sylvents or guardians.
• They take on responsibilities within their community, such as caring for saplings, tending to the grove, or aiding in rituals.
• This stage is marked by increased reflection, as they start to understand the balance between curiosity and caution.

4. Blooming Stage (30-50 Years)

• Physical Features:
• Height: 6.5 to 7.5 feet.
• Their body reaches full maturity, with a perfect balance of strength and grace. Bark patterns solidify, creating intricate designs that symbolize their life experiences.
• Hair becomes a defining feature, often treated as a reflection of their inner self. For example, a Sylvent with flowing willow strands might be nurturing, while one with bright blossoms might exude vitality and passion.
• Their scent also intensifies, becoming a signature that identifies them within the grove.
• Magical Connection:
• Their magical abilities reach their peak, enabling them to perform complex spells or enchantments tied to nature.
• They become deeply attuned to the rhythms of the earth, capable of sensing distant disturbances or subtle changes in the environment.
• Behavior:
• They may take on leadership roles within their community, guiding younger Sylvents and protecting the grove.
• Blooming Sylvents begin to develop their life’s purpose, whether it be as a guardian, healer, explorer, or creator.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

"Hair":

• Sylvents do not have conventional hair but instead sport growths such as:
• Mossy crowns.
• Cascading vines.
• Blossoming flowers that change with the seasons.
• Wispy willow-like strands.
• Spiny or twig-like protrusions for more stoic individuals.
• These features can vary widely in color, from verdant greens and fiery oranges to iridescent whites or shimmering blues.

Their eyes glow faintly, resembling droplets of dew catching the morning sun. Common colors include amber, green, blue, pink, and silver.

Unique Features:

• Many Sylvents have bioluminescent accents, such as faintly glowing veins, flower buds, or the edges of their "hair," particularly visible at night.
• Patterns of bark or veins on their bodies might tell their personal growth story, akin to the rings of a tree.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Common names are:

• Wyrrth
• Eselis
• Dryth
• Loewn
• Maryn
• Wynell
• Fenwreth
• Melordl
• Astyl
• Ceingr
• Hedylyc
• Rewen
• Ialuen
• Tamnil
• Belynn

Common Dress Code

They favor natural attire often woven from plants and other organic materials.

They adorn themselves with jewelry made from polished stones, garden seeds, etc.

Lifespan

350-450 years

Average Height

5'5 to 8'

Average Weight

150 to 250lbs

Average Physique

Their frame is humanoid but lithe and slightly elongated, resembling a slender tree trunk. Their movement has a fluid grace, as though they are swayed by an unseen breeze.

Limbs:

• Their arms and legs resemble flexible branches, with fingers and toes tapering like roots or delicate twigs.
• Some Sylvents develop moss or vine wraps around their forearms and calves, which they might manipulate consciously for tasks.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin:

• Texture: A soft transition between leathery, petal-like material and smooth bark. The bark might form natural patterns or ridges on their limbs, torso, and face, resembling growth rings or vines.
• Coloration:
• Shades range from muted greens and browns to more exotic hues like dusky lavender, pale gold, or deep crimson, reflecting the foliage or flowers they embody.
• Some might display streaks of contrasting colors, such as glowing amber veins that pulse faintly with their innate magic.

Geographic Distribution

• Verithia