Cyclopes
Cyclopes are one of the sapient species that inhabit Borgalor, native to the continent of Lúrk on the southern hemisphere, where the majority of them resides to this day.
Prior to contact with human and elven explorers from Jælondis, cyclopes lived in primarily agrarian societies based on growing gourds and figs, raising equine and Suine Hippalektryons, and in the four centuries since, only the city of Hva and surrounding region have seen any significant industrialization, outside of which little has changed aside from the introduction of some new crops and textiles. On the other hand, native lúrkic figs and hippalectryons are now commonly farmed and eaten throughout Borgalor.
While cyclopean communities exist outside Lúrk, particularly in the Southlands, their sheer size alone makes it difficult to properly accommodate them.
The most striking physical feature is the single, large eye located where the nasal bridge would be on a human, which has a vertical slit pupil and brown, hazel or pale green iris. It has a nictitating membrane in addition to eyelids to prevent it from drying up while still maintaining vision.
Since thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Lúrk, the cyclopes have been able to thwart any attempts at colonizing the land, not unlike the Fairies on Teleyk Islands.
Clay is also used for simple structures and fences.
Furniture is usually minimal, beds for example consist of a low clay platforms covered in elephant seal skins, tables are traditionally large stone slabs and chairs range from simple boulders to intricately carved monoliths.
Most of their faiths are centered on deities associated with the earth on one hand and the sky on the other, but the importance of lightnings, storms and the powers they grant cyclopes is universal throughout Lúrk. For example, metals are often regarded as sacred and not to be used for mundane tools, as they are only worked using techniques that harness the power of lightning storms, and funerary rites involve casting shock magic on the dead until they turn to dust.
Prior to contact with human and elven explorers from Jælondis, cyclopes lived in primarily agrarian societies based on growing gourds and figs, raising equine and Suine Hippalektryons, and in the four centuries since, only the city of Hva and surrounding region have seen any significant industrialization, outside of which little has changed aside from the introduction of some new crops and textiles. On the other hand, native lúrkic figs and hippalectryons are now commonly farmed and eaten throughout Borgalor.
While cyclopean communities exist outside Lúrk, particularly in the Southlands, their sheer size alone makes it difficult to properly accommodate them.
Appearance and abilities
Cyclopes are among the largest peoples in Borgalor along with Trolls, though they are comparatively taller and more gracile than the latter, and while not as strong are generally quicker and have greater stamina. Their skin ranges from yellow to dark orange and is often likened to ochre, while the hair is of varying tones of olive green.The most striking physical feature is the single, large eye located where the nasal bridge would be on a human, which has a vertical slit pupil and brown, hazel or pale green iris. It has a nictitating membrane in addition to eyelids to prevent it from drying up while still maintaining vision.
Arcane Abilities
Cyclopes' arcane abilities are in some ways comparable to those of Orcs and trolls, in that they are able to perform powerful spells in relatively short bursts and take a while to recover their magical energies, but are uniquely adept at shock magic and can harness the power of lightning storms to use overcome these aforementioned shortcomings, during which there's little that stands in a cyclops' way.Since thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Lúrk, the cyclopes have been able to thwart any attempts at colonizing the land, not unlike the Fairies on Teleyk Islands.
Culture
Apparel
Clothing among the lúrkic cyclopes is usually light due the warm climate, and is usually restricted to loincloths, capes and various headgears made of dried seaweed, elephant seal hides or dried gourds along with imported textiles. Precious and semi-precious stones, including sacred fulgurites, are used as jewelry or incorporated into ceremonial clothing.Art
Architecture
Cyclopes' homes and other buildings are traditionally made of stone, ranging from simple beehive-shaped houses to larger settlements with tower-like homes and sanctuaries featuring various kinds of megaliths, the largest of which is the city of Hva. In central and southern Lúrk, many towns and villages have semi-subterranean or entirely underground homes, with nearby caves acting as shrines.Clay is also used for simple structures and fences.
Furniture is usually minimal, beds for example consist of a low clay platforms covered in elephant seal skins, tables are traditionally large stone slabs and chairs range from simple boulders to intricately carved monoliths.
Cuisine
Traditional cyclops cuisine consists primarily of figs, gourds, green laver and the meat of elephant seals, equine- and suine hippalektryons as well as the eggs of the latter, most of which is dried, smoked or sometimes boiled in large hollowed out stones.Religion
Cyclopean myths and religions are poorly understood by outsiders, as most cyclopes are -or at least are expected to be- vary of sharing details of their faith with them, and those living outside Lúrk often prefer their children to adopt local customs rather than pass on their own to maintain this secrecy.Most of their faiths are centered on deities associated with the earth on one hand and the sky on the other, but the importance of lightnings, storms and the powers they grant cyclopes is universal throughout Lúrk. For example, metals are often regarded as sacred and not to be used for mundane tools, as they are only worked using techniques that harness the power of lightning storms, and funerary rites involve casting shock magic on the dead until they turn to dust.
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