Phlorin (Floor-RIN)

"My cherished creations... This land belongs only to you. Do not let any harm come you nor it, no matter what. I wish not to weep once more at such a saddening sight." -Wood God Lignum

"Cute little things..." -Calliope Argyris

Phlorin are creatures who've come to be part plant, all thanks to the blessings of their Woodland God. The only place you can find them is on their secluded continent of Askor, provided you can get in through the only entrance available. Both the Phlorin and the Woodland God they worship are very mistrusting of outsiders, and the only people who have secured entrance to Askor are usually people who have brokered some sort of deal- the people of Lahar are a good example, as their ash is a great fertilizer for the Phlorins' crops they offer in return.
If you came here from Feerin, then you'll know that Phlorin can shift forms. Phlorin are, by default, always in their True Form as quadrupedal opossum-cats, with each individual's plant sprouting from their backs. Phlorin cannot go into Break Form, instead, able to instantaneously go to their Mask Form by choice (although this is rare, and even in some instances culturally frowned upon). Phlorins in their Mask Form are identical in every way, save for their markings and the flora of the individual that gets incorporated into their form in various ways.
Phlorins are never seen outside of Arbor unless exiled, and by extention this means they are never encoutered outside of Raxodin, as to my most current knowledge (the date of this being January 21st, 2023) there exist no bridges to other worlds within Arbor. In fact, the waters of Arbor are not even connected to Umbra Mare.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Quadrupedal opossums, one type of plant sprouting off of them- plants vary between individuals, as does size and musculature. Phlorin average about 9in tall and 18in long sans the tail, but rarer individuals with trees as their plants can be as large as 3ft tall and 6ft long, possibly even larger.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivorous, with a preference for fruits, berries, and vegetables.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Those who grow plants that produce fruits, berries, and vegetables- self explanatory.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

If there are no other sources of food available to a Phlorin, they may utilize their plant's method of gaining nutrients to sustain them.
All Phlorin are born with the same blessings bestowed upon the first few members of their species- a single gravitational magic, allowing them to create a barrier (radius determined by size of Phlorin) within which a perfect environment is maintained, and no destructive forces may enter (think of Shinra Tensei). Using this requires concentration, and can be maintained so long as the individual doing so does not tire out. Recast is determined by how long the barrier was up.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Plants grow as part of their bodies

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Named after the plants they sprout.

History

The Woodland God, Lignum, once made the very first plants. Through their nurturing and care, these first plants eventually grew and became the first-ever forest. However, the God of Fire, not yet used to his powers, set fire to Lignum's forest, killing its inhabitants and causing it to become what it is now known today as the Petrified Woods. Lignum had closed himself off following this incident. He created his own island far away from where the other gods were, and lined its edges with insurmountable stone mountains, leaving but one entrance where water may flow to the heart of the land. It was here he planted new seeds, grew new plants, and fostered new forests.
The survivors who once lived within Lignum's first forest were shepherded to this new continent by their god, whereupon he blessed them and told them that this land belonged only to them. He made them promise that they would do all within their power to never let what happened to the first forest happen again. This new continent was named Arbor.
The Phlorin, much like the god they worship, are wary and mistrusting of outsiders. They've become largely xenophobic, and only allow foreigners in if they are of some benefit to their land. The small harbour town of Lahar is one such privileged place, as they come to trade fertile ash in exchange for the abundant crops grown within Arbor.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Xenophobic- interactions are made solely out of necessity.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Feerin

Scientific Name

Dryadalis Bestialis Silva

Lifespan

300 (determined by plant type)

Average Height

9in

Average Length

18in

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Earthy tones