Erlking

Incredibly old and rare, erlking are massive humanoids that appear to be made of animated trees and vines. Patterns of thick bark cover the broad areas on their anatomy, forming a natural armor-like appearance with dark brown and green vines working like muscles and tendons. Humans know very little about this species of fae except that they are seemingly all ancient, revered, and are among the most powerful fae races of Kaos. The connection erlking have to the world is both magical and physical. They seem to have a symbiotic relationship with their forest homes, although it is not known if they are bound to a specific location as dryads are anchored by their trees.

Erlking are physically reliant on the natural world around them and are borne by the love of their surroundings. They care for the ecology and ecosystems around them by their very existence. Erlking innately understand the underlying connections of an ecosystem, passed through genetics or mysticism.

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Appearance

Geographic Location

The only known erlking are in the southern continent of Kriio. Given their influence on life around them, it is believed that there are no erlking living on Allegri.

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Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Erlking have long, branch-like extensions from the sides of their heads that serve dual purpose; the first is as a audio sensory organ, and the second is a type of whisker that can sense minute movement in the air around them and provide exceptional awareness of the area around them.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Fey

Lifespan

unlimited/unknown

Average Height

10'-16'

Average Weight

400lbs.-600lbs.

Geographic Distribution

• Kriio

Rare Knowledge

Unknown Origins

Despite their innate power and knowledge, even the erlking don't completely understand their connection to the natural world. There have only been eight known erlking and over the centuries one has died for reasons that are not understood by the survivors. The death of a powerful being is concerning to those among the fae that know about it because the erlking provide a great deal of protection and stability among the other chaotic fae that otherwise might not be capable of peacefully co-existing with others.

The Eight Wands

Among humans the tale of Eight Wands is folklore and legend but to the erlking, some of whom have been on Kaos nearly as long as the primis, the Eight Wands are mysterious truths so far back in memories that it's nearly impossible to remember. The erlking know the Eight Wands are real but have no clue that the wands are what bring arcana to the world - or that one of the Wands was destroyed long ago.