Inerts

The original "Inerts" were those born on Eolilgeten without magic. When a Swif (or a pair or a triad) decide they wish to have a child, they perform the ritual of reproduction before the Great Tree. However, sometimes the Great Tree gifts the Swifs with a child without magic. Such a child is considered broken, not magical but Inert, to the Swifs and cast out to live among the trees. At first, Inerts were simply left in the forest and would fall prey to the creatures of the night that roamed the lands. But soon, a kind-hearted soul took pity on the poor creatures and began to raise them in secret. When an Inert child was left in the forest, the protector would take the child to safety and raise it as her own. Soon, the Inert children grew to adults and learned to defend themselves against the creatures of the night. They avoid the magical Swifs and saved as many Inert child as they could, slowly growing their ranks. Despite their growth, they knew they were no match for the equally swelling ranks of the Muse Swifs. They could not avoid each other for long and soon an uneasy tension grew between the groups. But again the kind-soul stepped in and fostered an uneasy peace between the groups. The Inerts would serve the Muses and be given some shelter and protection but would still need to be cast out into the forest when they were not needed. In return, the Muses would let them live and grow. Inerts cannot reproduce for they are not granted access to the Great Tree. Some Swifs abhorred the ritual of surrendering Inert children to the forest but with the Inert community, their fears were assuaged somewhat. This uneasy peace remains to this day but the Inerts still live as shadows against their magical counterparts and a growing hatred swells each passing day. The kind-soul is no longer there to calm then and soon the hatred hit its peak.