Phagean (EN Approx: feyj-E-an; IPA: feɪdʒiæn)
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Phageans are unusual aquatic fey, originally thought to be related to oozes. They have a humanoid appearance and are made of monochromatic slime that varies in color from individual to individual. They range in size from 3 to 7 feet tall, and can change size and appearance at will. The body of a Phagean consists of a semi-solid membrane filled with a viscous slime.
Genetics and Reproduction
In practical terms, Phageans are an all-female species, as they are incapable of impregnating a mate. Instead, they can use males of any species to produce offspring. When a phagean ingests a male's reproductive material, it is stored in an internal sac called a vesicle. The phagean can choose to digest or expel the contents, or insert her own reproductive material and begin gestation.
The gestation of a new phagean lasts just over four months, during which time the developing child consumes a significant portion of its mother's mass to create its own. This process is not harmful to the mother and is barely noticeable in the early stages of pregnancy. In the later months, however, the mother will seek a body of clean water in which to rest and become dormant. When the child is ready, the vesicle containing the child is pushed out of the mother's body. The newborn Phagean will have approximately the same mass as its mother (who will have lost nearly half of her initial mass) and will inherit almost all of its mother's knowledge, but will lack the wisdom gained from experience.
Growth Rate & Stages
Because Phageans are born fully grown, they do not have life stages like most other races. Instead, their mother usually spends about three months helping them learn about the world before leaving them to live their own lives.
Ecology and Habitats
Phageans require clean water to survive, as they are susceptible to contamination from toxins, microorganisms, and excessive sediment. While salinity does not affect them, they tend to live in waters far from civilization, such as lakes and springs. They prefer still waters, as they dislike being moved by currents or tides while they sleep. If a Phagean is out of water for an extended period of time, it will become dehydrated, causing its internal slime to thicken, reducing its mobility and ability to shape-shift. As with other creatures, prolonged dehydration can be fatal to a Phagean.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Phageans have a unique way of consuming organic matter called phagocytosis. This involves absorbing the material into their body and storing it in a vesicle filled with digestive enzymes. As the material slowly breaks down, nutrients are released into the surrounding slime. They primarily consume aquatic flora and fauna, including fish, aquatic eggs, and submerged plants. Some will venture outside their water body to hunt for fruit, small birds, and rodents, but they prefer smaller creatures as they are easier to digest. Due to the time it takes to fully digest exoskeletons and thick bones, Phageans tend to avoid consuming insects and larger animals such as rabbits.
Behaviour
Whether living alone or in a community, the Phageans are known for their playful nature and seek out opportunities for fun. When alone, they often engage in activities such as chasing animals and making games out of tasks. When in the company of others, they enjoy using their shapeshifting abilities to play pranks or impersonate others, often eliciting laughter from those around them.
Since the time of the First Mother, the Phageans have refused to consume creatures of near-human intelligence or higher, even among races like the Culatan who might not mind if they did.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Phageans are independent and have no social structure. Those who find their way to civilized lands adapt to the social norms of the people with whom they live.
Average Intelligence
Phageans are, on average, significantly less intelligent than the common races.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It is unclear how phageans perceive their environment. Although they have sensory organs such as eyes and ears that are shaped by their outer membrane for aesthetic purposes, it is uncertain how they actually function. It is believed that phageans primarily sense vibrations in the air and ground, which are amplified when they are submerged in water. However, there is anecdotal evidence that their method of perception may be different when they are out of the water.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Since they mostly live alone, Phageans generally do not take names. However, those who find their way to civilized lands will usually take the first name they are given or choose a random word from the local language that they feel fits them.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Phageans living outside of civilization generally speak Sylvan, the language of the fey, if they live inland. Those living near or in the sea often speak Aquan, the language of the ocean dwellers. After spending enough time in a civilization, a Phagean will learn the common language of the region she is in.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Due to their solitary nature and the fact that they leave their mothers at a young age, the Phageans generally live much of their lives in isolation and have not developed societies or cultures. They do, however, exhibit the general love of play and frivolity that many other fey possess.
History
The Phageans are a relatively new race to the world, having spontaneously formed from the union of two fey of different races. Initially, the Phageans were thought to be related to Oozes due to their organic, blob-like appearance. They were observed to behave like hostile predators toward anything in their vicinity. In one instance, a Phagean swallowed an adventurer and carried her off.
Later, the same Phagean reappeared, having gained intelligence and empathy after ingesting the adventurer. She explained the initial encounter and apologized for her actions before releasing the adventurer's bones and equipment. A druid in a new party identified her as a fey and defended her actions as a result of her lack of cognition. She was allowed to leave in peace and is now called "First Mother" by modern Phageans.
It is believed that all modern Phageans are descended from First Mother, and despite their unique origin story, they are considered a valid and distinct race in the world.
As the Phageans grew in numbers and began to interact with other races, they faced discrimination and misunderstanding due to their unusual appearance and behavior. Many were hunted and killed by those who saw them as monsters or threats, and those who survived often lived in isolation to avoid further persecution.
Today, Phageans can be found living in various parts of the world, often in bodies of water far from civilization. They tend to be solitary creatures, but some have formed close bonds with members of other races, especially those who have shown them kindness and understanding.
Despite their troubled history, Phageans have a deep love of play and frivolity, and they enjoy entertaining themselves and others with their shapeshifting abilities and practical jokes. They are a resilient and adaptable race, and they continue to grow and evolve in a world that is slowly learning to accept and appreciate their unique qualities.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Gnomes and Phageans are curious about each other and share a certain familiarity due to their common fey origins. Phageans' connection to nature and their fey ancestry also endear them to elves, who see them as unique and fascinating creatures. Dwarves, on the other hand, are wary and suspicious of Phageans due to their history of hostility and unconventional appearance, which triggers their instincts for self-preservation and defense of their communities.
Initial encounters between humans and Phageans were met with fear and suspicion due to their reputation as hostile predators. However, the story of the First Mother and the evolution of the Phageans into a more empathetic and intelligent species has become well known, and humans are becoming more open to interacting with them.
Average Height
36 to 84 inches
Average Weight
75 to 175 lbs.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The method by which Phageans change the color of their slime is not yet understood. However, it is known that phageans can gradually change their coloration. They have the ability to appear in any color they wish, but their coloration is always uniform throughout their body. In addition, by manipulating their membrane and slime, they can make certain parts appear lighter or darker, and many phageans use this ability to make their "hair" stand out from their heads.
Comments