The Ry (Rye: much like rye grass)

To read on the spirit, go here: Rhyliah

"The ry are a tribe quite unlike any other. Have you talked with a cat that spoke like we? Have you ridden a horse that insulted you the way? Have you laid eyes on a man with paws, or traded with a woman with claws? Such experiences are a must: and only to be had in the depths of Yulca." - Matija Saša Lučić, a spiritologist from Cathqouile university, in his memoir Hidden Corners.

The ry is the tribe that occupies the southeast of Yulca, under the spirit known as Rhyliah. Rhyliah is sometimes nicknamed the hoofed and pawed spirit: being the one who lays latent in mammals. The ry are shape changers. Their form is malleable - they are a canvas, and their art is anything in the Mammalia tree.
How this change takes place with the ry changes from person to person. Some specialise in taking the form of one animal solely, while others will adapt and change to the problem in front of them. Some remain much like us - human in appearance - and choose to change when need be. Others will take half the form of an animal, while others will spend their time full time as a creature of their choice - changing back to communicate. Some never even change back for that.
The ry are not organised into a country, although there is a name to the area: Valkenheide. Valkenheide has one central capital, Balawey, where all the tribes of the ry organise and trade. Beyond that, the tribes are organised into countless small towns and cities, remaining largely nomadic. For the ry themselves this system is simple and neatly organised. For an outsider looking in, it can appear chaotic. All tribes have a close relationship with the animal life around them, being able to communicate to a degree when adapting their vocal cords. Some tribes blend completely with the creature of their choice, while others will hold their distance. And some argue, their humanity.
The Rhyliah spirit is the youngest spirit currently in Alkgnir to anchor - having only done so 147 years ago. It replaced Leoipteryx, the spirit of arthropods, in an event called the Falling. Balawey itself is not a ry invention: being the former capital of Tainlarich, the former country that fell when Leoipteryx lost its hold. Half of Balawey remains inaccessible to those ry who do not climb by result - built for the small sizes and wings that came before.
Being the youngest spirit, Rhyliah is still subject to contention. A major storm has been brewing in the area for years called the Sangir - turning those affected into manic killers. The storm has retreated now to a small mountain range, overseen by the Lu'aeddan family. Some have even claimed to see insect winged folks on the south coast - suggesting Leoipteryx has also began to claim its territory back.

Basic Information

Anatomy

"Perhaps unlike the other tribes, us ry can express any number of presentations. The streets of Balawey you can see everything! The full plethora of life: right in front of your eyes! However many you chose to have that day!" - Esther Gautbert, professor of sociology at Balawey university

The ry can differ from person to person dramatically. Their shape being so maluable, many people chose to incorporate their favoured forms into every day. Some chose to take their animal almost entirely.
There can be a "spirit animal" culture amongst the Ry - particurly in the more fringe tribes on the edge of the continet. Some tribes have devolped a culture of pressure around this. The Adela are famous for this: a tribe that have taken after oxen - and will disavow anyone who takes other forms. This particurlaity can appear cruel on the surface. For the Adela, it's survival. Their ranks after mixed with ry and ox, and many of those who watch them theorise the herd instincts subsequently drive the Adela into a tight social structure.
Other places in Valkenheide are less strict. Balawey is famous for this: any number of animals can be spotted on the streets of Balawey. Although, this partly by nessesity. Due to it's history, much of Balawey remains inaccesible.

Growth Rate & Stages

The ry grow at much the same rates as any other creature on Alkgnir. Rather thankfully, no matter their form, their life expectancy remains at 80-90yrs old. Most ry can change their from from their birth, devolping the abilities at the same rate a child would walk. Most can fully shift by the age of 7. There are devolpmental conditions that can stunt this, however: both mental and physical. And some unlikely parents have had their young infants fully shift much earlier.

"Some told me Hilda's early shifting was a miracle. I told them it was a damn curse, that's what was! You ever dealt with a kid's head in a fucking monkey? No! You haven't!" - Baugulf Ansgar, father of Hilda Ansgar. Hilda at current holds the title of the youngest shifted ry currently known: shifting fully into a capuchin monkey at age of 4 months. Baugulf quickly assured the press that he did indeed love the girl shortly after.

Cultural Guides:

Ry phonology is largely old and present germanic, veering into French or Slavic on some occasions. Ruins tend to pull from Celtic phonology, usually Welsh or Scottish.

Naming:

Naming can be complex within the Ry. Within those who have settled, it tends to be matronymic, taking after the promient mother or grandmother figures of the family. Amongst the nomadic groups, the nomadic group will also be incorporated, as well as any honorifics that ry has gained. For instance, You may have Oda Hertha in Balawey - (Oda, daughter of Hertha). While a nomadic variation might be Oda Adela, Oda of the Adela travellers.

Origin/Ancestry

Valkenheide

Lifespan

70 years

Average Height

Highly dependable

Average Weight

Highly dependable

Average Length

Highly dependable

Other Links:

Valkenheide

The name of the land the rhyliah occupy. Not so much a country, but not un-unified either. Valkenheide is the assurance that the Rhyliah can move as they please in their territory.

Balawey

Balawey is the capital of Valkenheide. It's a melting point of all the variations of ry - all tribes come and trade within it's walls, and many take up permeant residency. It's not without it's mysteries, however, as the city wasn't built by the ry at all but the leipids - a tribe that went extinct 147 years prior when the Leoipteryex spirit unachored.