Lares
Spirits of the planes manifest to a sapient form. When they manifest there is a connection to the collected knowledge of their local verdure, beasts, acari, sprites, wisps, and any other vita infused life. Theirs is an elemental existence. A lares presence makes it easier for other vitalized forms to develop. When they are dispelled their acquired knowledge and vita rejoins the land. Any developed personality or individualism is also absorbed and lost in the mix. Any subsequent manifestation would have the memories but not the personality of the previous one. Once born they will remain for millennia or until dispelled, so long as they have regular access to their home range. If they stay away for too long they will begin to weaken and eventually fade back into nature, its Vita absorbed by whichever area it is in at the time. If the original region that spawned it dies or loses its vita then so will the lares, unless it can take root and supplant the region it is in at the time. Found across the planes, but especially around the Arresadi River, Faraus Ofim Catior, Elysud, and other such locations with strong vita.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Normally manifesting as either bipedal or quadrupedal, depending on the amount of civilization around. These beings range from very human looking to monstrous. Appearance from hair and skin color to height and weight are determined by the area in which they manifest. If the area is fertile and full of life then the manifestation will be young and vibrant. If the area is in decay the manifestation will be aged. And if in the midst of drought it will appear sickly. The manifestations do not change in appearance with their environment but rather remain as reflections of when they were originally born.
Biological Traits
There are various subgroups within this species. From which plane they are born to, to the areas within the plane they inhabit. The Cirvaeon mold the lares into their chosen servants
giving them a form of the hall to which they were bound. All are some sort of elemental equine called an angietto.
- Those bound to the hall of the losalf are of the air element. They have white fur, mane, and tail. Their hooves are golden and have a thunderous step. They have wings more than double their own body length, with feathers that grade from dark gray to white.
- Those bound to the hall of the dokkalf are earth elementals. They are white furred with a light blue mane and tail, their hooves have a silver sheen. Some have spots or stripes of gray in various parts of the body. And they have an ivory horn spiraling from their forehead.
- Those bound to the hall of the maralf are of the water element. They take on a greenish blue hue. Equine front half with a dolphin-like rear, they have fish scales covering their bodies. Their hooves are brown, as are the spots that come up their legs to their bellies. They have deep blue fins on the rear of their legs, along their neck, back, and tail.
- Those bound to the hall of the svartalf are born of fire. They have a burgundy color with mane, tail, hooves, and claws black as pitch. They have the scales, forelegs, and tail of a lizard. Their eyes are a bright red. With an iridescent orange sheen to their bodies.
- The flame breeds an elk with massive flaming antlers. Black scales cover its body, covered in magma filled veins, glowing orange. It breathes fire, glowing from deep in the chest, and leaves black smoke where it treads. Their manes and tails are black as night, eyes red with fury, and hooves a deep crimson.
- The shadow breeds a quadrupedal serpent draped in darkness with gray armor like scales, venomous bite, and fiery claws. Its bright green eyes peer from the darkness. Rust colored hair covers its head and jawline, its ankles, and down the center of its back.
- From the earth are the pygmy. Bipedal hominids, usually male, with flesh the color of dirt and teeth like stone. They have hair like grass. And usually stand at no more than 5 ft. tall.
- From the waters rise the undine. A bipedal hominid, usually female, with translucent skin and vine-like hair. Their forms easily meld with the waters they swim.
- The fire forms the salamander. A quadrupedal lizard covered in flames. Their appearance leads the fellowship to believe that fire is innately uncontrollable.
- Floating aloft the winds is the sylph. Normally female, this bipedal hominid has an ethereal look to it. Coming and going at whims as fickle as the wind itself.
Genetics and Reproduction
Rarely, they can manifest directly from a vita rich area. This is how the first of the species were born. They can reproduce with any member of the species, regardless of subgroup or affiliation. The foal takes on the traits of the mother and carries very little, if anything, from the father. The gestation period is approximately 10 years.
Growth Rate & Stages
Able to stand and walk from the moment of their birth, for the first 100 years of their life they are foals that need to feed off pure vita from the source. The next hundred years is their centling stage, where they have been weaned off vita and start to consume nectar and other vita rich foods, but still require sheltering. The next 300 years is spent traversing their home plane, learning to get a handle on their abilities. They are not full grown until around their 500th year. They tend to retire to seclusion on their 2,500th year, and can live up to another 500 years.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They are manifestations of nature itself, and as such do not need to eat or drink. They do however need to replenish their Vita, usually coming from the area they manifest from. They can consume vita directly, or its components, for sustenance. They can feed directly off the planes and their ambient energy. The more life within their domain, the more it sustains them. They can also consume nectar given to them by the gods.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Those who seek power seek to dominate the Lares in order to access their strength and wisdom.
Those born within the halls of Elysud serve as messengers of the cirvaeon. Called Angietto, they can cross planar boundaries as easily as crossing a stream. They are sent as guides to point the way for those who care to notice. Especially as envoys to the Church of the Great Mother. And upon a mortals death, they guide the souls of the dead safely across Vosculhu and into the halls of the chosen in Elysud. They are placed on the material plane as guardians of their secrets, fighters of their enemies, and agents of their miracles.
Those in service to the baalim are called Nyxir, and they serve as agents of their will in the physical world. They come at the beck and call of the Colacho, furthering the spread of the taint.
Average Intelligence
Have the collected experiences of every other regional Lares that came before it.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
They can see the Vita flows and have 350 degree perception, hear their true names being called upon from across planes, and smell the emotional state of those around them. When in their home range they can perceive the emotions and vita the beasts, acari, or verdure in the area feel.
Lifespan
3,000 years
Average Height
6 ft. at the withers.
Average Weight
1,200 lbs.
Average Length
9 ft. from nose to tail.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Reddish hue to their skin, golden eyes, and deep blue teeth, claws, or horns.
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