Nymph

the Ladies of the Forests

Nymph, known as Nymphe to the Normon, are female beings that dwell in specific areas of the forests, only found in Southern Jerain on the major continent of Ethae. Nymphs are bond to a tree of their forest, with several 'ethnic groups' of these creatures based on the tree type they are connected to. They are considered the personification of their tree, and by extension the natural world surrounding it.

Shy creatures, they are rarely seen by Human, especially non Somon humans, creatures they see as threats to their forest. A human entering a nymph forest should know eyes are ever on them, even if never seen. In the past this was out of curious caution. In the modern day many have vanished into a nymph wood never to be seen again, because the nymph see that person as a threat to the balance of her woodlands. The reverse can be true also. Rare as it may be tales of nymphs falling in love with a human traveler in her land are common enough. She will seduce the man into her groves never allowing him to leave again. Nymphs enjoy the company of Elf, appearing to any that enter their domain. The Fairy are deeply connected with the nymphs as the two are considered kindred spirits and children of an Elder Tree.

According to somon legend, nymphs were created by Elder Tree Hamis when Aldern was covered entirely by snow. Interpretations of this folklore place the possible creation during the Randagri Period, if true. These stories claim the tree saw the suffering of mankind in the icy world and took pity, imbuing its Anon (Magic) into them to help them survive. The children of these first people would become the nymphs.

While many believe nymphs are born, live and die, by their tree, they are near immortal beings. Should their tree die, it will weaken them into a near comatose state, in which their bodies will sink into the world. Dormant below the world, the spirit of the nymph will seek out a seed of the same type of tree as they were bonded to. She will bond with this new tree as it grows, awaking and return to the surface once the tree has reach maturity. Should no seed be found in the region around the submerged body it will slowly dissolve into the soil, becoming one with the world. A process that can take many centuries. Once her body is completely gone the spirit of the nymph vanishes into the Beyond Aldern forever. Until then, should a seed fall in her lands she will return.

If a nymph were to ever leave her forest she would fall into a deep slumber within days of leaving. Her body would become overgrown with plant life within weeks. Eventually, it would breakdown into soil becoming a human shaped mound of dirt covered in flowers. The bond between the nymph and her tree is severed and the tree will die without her. A nymph will never willingly leave her woodlands. She does not fear her own mortality, but she would never risk the life of her tree.

Nymphs are described as divinely beautiful elf-like women. The appearance varies depending on the tree of which they are bonded to. Green skin is most common, but some have brown, red, and ever blue tones. Nymphs do not wear clothing but will cake fertile mud on themselves to allow grasses, moss, and flowers to grow freely.

There are no clear numbers for the nymph population. A reclusive people, they dwell in remote areas of Jerain away from cities. Nymphs are also shy and avoid contact with non-forest dwellers. When interacting with outsiders they talk little about their own kind or their history, as if such things are a foreign and confusing topic to them. There is no recording of any of these beings north of the Cutting Mountains, nor in Anbar.

The largest population of nymph can be found in the Loslands. This is only what is known however, with many believing vast Monanad to the north being home to just as many, if not more. Few, if any, nymph dwell in regions where the Green Dragon reign. The two seem to be mutually exclusive to each other. Trees within range of a Finno Trees cannot support bonding with a nymph. In turn, nymph trees seem to repel dragons, the creatures feeling sick when nearing them. This has led most to conclude the nymphs are the reason green dragons of the central forest do not venture far into the Southern Jerain.

With the Loslands being the greatest known concentration of nymph on the continent, it gives credence to the legends that Hamis created them. The forest of the Loslands, especially around Mount Silah and Hamis have a unique quality. Where most nymph can only dwell within a few miles of their trees, and few of their kind overlap in territory, in the Losland forest, the entire forest is open to the nymphs. The range of the phenomenon is unknown but seems to cover the entirety of the Losland forests. Wanders in these thick forest deepest recesses have come back with tales of hundreds of nymphs in open groves dancing in the sunlight or traveling in groups of a dozens. It is the nature of the forest, and the power of the nymphs within, that scholars point to as the wall the natural world preventing the industrial world of the east from pushing in. A protection for the Los from falling under the normon like the rest of the continent.