Woodwatchers

The Woodwatchers are horned spectral beings that roam Verrin’s woodlands, tundras and mountains- guardians of cosmic and celestial knowledge. Released from their service to the god Hruntir, they now lead reclusive lives in the untouched parts of the world. They are peaceful and entirely silent by nature, and considered a good omen by the younger races.
They usually wear rudimentary clothing fashioned of hides and pelts, and amulets and talismans of animal bone.
Men believe that Woodwatchers are the guardians of mankind, sent by the gods to watch over them from afar. Giants, however, believe that they are embodiments of nature, the will of the forest made real. Dwarves and Elves revere them as ancient and wise creatures, but think nothing of their connection to the divine. In many ways, they are the inverse of the Wudugast.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Woodwatchers are exceedingly tall, sometimes up to twice the height of a Giant. They are thin, ethereal humanoids, white-blue in colour, sporting a pair of antlers atop their heads. Their features are strange and alien to look upon, as they have large, wide, unblinking eyes and a small mouth. They shed their antlers once a year at midwinter, and they are fully regrown by the early spring. Such antlers are highly prized as both crafting materials and good luck charms.
Woodwatchers have long white hair that is sometimes braided or decorated with bands of metal.
Woodwatchers show no sexual dimorphism, but whether males and females of the species do exist is a matter of debate among scholars.

Genetics and Reproduction

Woodwatchers do not reproduce, and it is not known whether there are males and females of the species. If there are, they show no differences in height, stature or general appearance.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Being the ghostly, almost immaterial beings they are, Woodwatchers are thought to be attuned to see all manner of normally unseen things, including spirits and the very essence of magic itself. It is believed by some that the Woodwatchers aren't entirely present on the mortal plane, and partially reside in the realm of the gods which explains their ethereal appearance. Their rudimentary clothing and tools also take on an immaterial quality, leading some to think that anything they remain in contact with for an extended period will also be brought into the gods' realm.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Woodwatchers use rudimentary bows and weapons, and wear clothing made from animal hides. However, this should not be taken to mean they are primitive- the true extent of their wisdom is unknown. After all, they taught the race of Men the crafts of smithing and building, which they have not been seen to practice themselves. Their ethereal nature precludes the need for shelter as they reside partially in the gods' realm, and the same can be said for their clothing and weapons which also take on an ethereal quality that protects them from harm.

History

Legend has it that the god Hruntir originally created the Woodwatchers as immortal spirits imbued with a small portion of his power to assist him with his creations, notably the race of Men. Serving him faithfully, they acted as peacekeepers in the world's earliest days and protected Hruntir's creations from those of the other gods. They also taught mankind the skills they needed to survive - agriculture, hunting, smithing and building. Once mankind had learned all they could, Hruntir released them from his service and gave them free will as a reward. The newly-freed Woodwatchers chose a life of peace, living among the trees and mountains of Verrin.
An Elven legend tells of an occasion, during the Orcish invasion of the Third Age, when the Woodwatchers marched forth from their forests to halt the Orcs' advance. With bows drawn, they held a narrow pass for four days, allowing the combined forces of the Elves, Giants and Dwarves to regroup and buying time for refugees to escape. Why these reclusive woodland spirits chose to interfere with the younger races' affairs for the first time is unknown, but perhaps a deep-seated, primal hatred of the twisted race of Orcs played a part in their decision. Some claim that they were magically compelled by Tysabian, who was at the time the avatar of the creator god Thengalir.
Invulnerable to harm, the Woodwatchers simply wandered back into the forest leaving a mountain of Orc corpses in their wake. Many speculate that they had to return to the forest to continue tending it, as they always do. Others say that they draw their power from the woodlands, and remaining outside the forest caused their strength to diminish. Whatever the truth of the matter, the Woodwatchers cemented their reputation as a force of nature.
Now, to look upon a Woodwatcher is said to bring good fortune and long life. Although they are incredibly rare and try to avoid contact with the other races, they can sometimes be spotted hunting with gargantuan bows or wandering the wilderness in groups or pairs. As far as can be told, a Woodwatcher has no need for food, so it is thought that they only hunt to keep the delicate woodland ecosystem in check and to prevent disease or overpopulation from spreading among the forest's creatures.
Some associate the Woodwatchers with The Wild Hunt, claiming that those Woodwatchers who saw battle were irrevocably changed, becoming vengeful and cruel instead of peaceful. These Woodwatchers were cast out by their brethren, and sought revenge against Tysabian for magically enthralling them. Now, they ride Verrin's plains, with that Elf-king in tow, on a never-ending hunt. Although rejected by most, this theory explains both the Wild Hunt's origins and Tysabian's mysterious disappearance.

Lifespan

Immortal

Average Height

6.0 - 7.5m