Gentle Ones
The gentle ones are larger blue humanoids native to the island of Plenty. Over the course of centuries, dozens of Sapie families slowly transitioned into the modern gentle ones, and now make more than half of the population of Plenty. Infused with a combination of elemental earth and water, they have grown much closer to the natural world and have gained access to a small amount innate magic.
Gentle ones are a almost naturally patient folk, moving at a slow but steady pace as long as they have the luxury to do so. Everything about them radiates an almost sleepy calm, from the lax tone of their voice, to their ability to nap anywhere, and the light touch they employ when interacting with the world. Overwhelmingly kind, cheerful, and of good humor, to befriend a gentle one is to make a friend for life, and they give such friendship freely. The gentle ones can live in such a manner largely thanks to the lack of large predators on their home island, as well as the lack of any major threat.
While such a tranquil environment can engender passivity, and certainly more than a few gentle ones fall too deeply into the vice of sloth, one should not for once instance think that these giant men are anything close to pushovers. Gentle ones stand 2 to 2.5 meters tall on average, and their builds tend toward layers of sturdy muscle. While in possession of almost supernatural patience, once upset, the rage of a gentle one is a sight to behold. A enraged gentle one is dangerous, possessed by a berserker state that can last for minutes at a time.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Gentle ones have blue of varying shades and salt and pepper coloured hair. Their hair grows thick and all over their body, particularly on their chest and feet. They are naturally muscular, although a few tend toward being leaner, while others tend toward even more stocky physiques. They have large, prominent flat noses, and square faces. Their eyes come in all shades of brown and green, with a few manifesting a pale gold colour. Their ears are long, pointed, and droop slightly.
Biological Traits
Gentle ones have an natural affinity for water magic, even if they are attuned primarily to elemental earth, the are able to innately cast small illusions, even those that alter their appearance and temporally make themselves invisible. Gentle ones with an earth attunement still require a water attuned Elemental Focus for casting water based spells, outside of the ones granted to them naturally.
Growth Rate & Stages
Gentle ones grow at a slower rate than the other Greenborn, taking roughly 30 years to reach full maturity. On average, most gentle ones live for just over a century and a half, but a few of the eldest have survived since the dawn of their kind nearly 3 centuries ago and are still alive today.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Greenborn are much larger than the other races of Plenty, and as such, require far more food every day to maintain their growth when they are young, consuming nearly twice the amount that the average Sapie needs, about 4000 calories. Their metabolism does slow down dramatically once they reach adulthood, but even then, they still require more that 3000 calories a day.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Gentle ones have both an acute sense of taste and a sense of touch. They experience flavors in vivid detail, and are able to distinguish multiple ingredients, their freshness, and even the length they were cooked. Their fingers are so sensitive that they can feel the most minute textural difference on a given surface.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
As gentle ones are covered in an abundance of hair, proper grooming and hair care is closely linked with beauty. While some prefer a more natural look, most prefer well kept hair that has been properly styled and cultivated.
Courtship Ideals
Gentle ones court each other in a myriad of different ways, from simple complements to baked goods, but by far the most common form of courtship among them is "the giving of the rocks". Aspiring lovers will present the subject of their fancy with a number of interesting rocks, as a number of interesting minerals are found on the island of Plenty. If the courtship succeeds, the recipient will begin displaying the stones in prominent places around their dwelling. This courtship ritual doesn't end once the deal is sealed, however. Lovers who practice this tradition are always on the look out for new and interesting stones to bring to their beloved, which usually results in massive collections of rocks and interesting crystal growths.
Relationship Ideals
Gentle ones practice monogamy, modeling their relationships on the union of The Water Titan, Vishska, and The Earth Titan, Rola. Traditionally, marriage is meant to last for life, but recent cultural shifts have made divorce less stigmatized, and so, more people are able to find who they really belong with.
Homosexual marriage has always been accepted by the gentle folk, who believe that love comes in many forms, and can be between any two people.
Polyamory, unfortunately, has not found much wide spread acceptance among the gentle folk, who largely misunderstand it.
Common Dress Code
Gentle ones abhor the wearing of pelts or fur of any kind, save for that they grow themselves. As such, most of their clothing is made out of plant fibers, such as hemp and cotton. Silk is also used in many articles of clothing, particularly undergarments, due to the presence of Great Silk Worms in the interior forests of the island.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Of all the Greenborn, the gentle ones take the Right of the Guest most seriously. It is common custom to offer food as a sign of good will and friendship, leading the gentle ones to a reputation of generosity and good cheer.
Gentle ones also observe an inordinate number of holidays and celebrations over the year, celebrating everything from the phases of the moon, to the start and end of seasons, to the birthday of important historical figures. It seems that gentle ones will take any excuse to celebrate and whip out their cooking skills.
Common Taboos
The consumption of meat of any kind is a great taboo among the gentle ones, as the life of living creatures is considered sacred. While most understand that other races partake of the flesh, and hold their judgement to themselves, others take personal offence to those who eat meat. Generally, when interacting with a gentle one, it is wise to avoid the subject.
Related Ethnicities
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