Fauna

By the Arcanist of Winter, Tallis, Alladore, -9 BJD

The Four Groups

The research carried out by arcanists across the continent, demonstrates a long period of evolution among the species it sustains.  It is thought that this occurred of several hundreds of thousands of years, and some suggest millions.

Certain lifeforms never evolved beyond the most rudimentary intelligence.  Known collectively as Babelushgas ("The Speechless"), they basically include insectoid life forms, or associated species such as arachnids.  They come in all shapes and sizes, from the smallest fruit fly up to giant spiders as large as a dog, or scorpions the size of a small house.  Recent events have caused the arcanists to revise their judgement on the Babelushgas, as it seems that the Jungle Deep is able to communicate with some of these creatures on some sort of primeval level.  Perhaps they can with all of them, although they reserve their efforts for those large enough, or venimous enough, to cause harm.

All freshwater - but not all salt water - fish are also babelushga, as are certain reptiles, but neither birds nor mammals ever are.  Contact with the Jungle Deep has also taught of the existence of giant reptiles, baptised dinosaurs by the arcanists, that are definitely babelushga.

At the other end of the spectrum are the Elaïn ("The Chosen").  There are hundreds of subspecies of Elaïn, but all have four common traits.  First of all, they are intelligent, and specifically can use complex language, for which they have the necessary morphology.  They naturally are civilisation-builders.  Second, they are bipedal, even if some resort occasionnally to quadrepedal behaviour. Third, they all have an obvious physical link with less evolved species.  Fourth, only a tiny number of them share physical characteristics with babelushgas.  The case of the "Preying Mantis" folk of the Great Forest of Nar is one of a handful of exceptions.  It is worth noting that although cross-breeding between different Eläin folk does exist, it remains uncommon, is not always biologically possible, and is typically frowned upon.

Between the two lay the Maïren ("The Sentient").  These are animal species - from which the Elaïn evidently evolved - but for some reason have not attained such a high level of consciousness.  Nonetheless they are definitely bestowed with a degree of sapience, can often understand complex instructions and some can even manage simple intelligible speech.

For most Eläin arcanists, Hu-mans ("The Small") form a fourth group, or at least sub-group.  They obviously meet the criteria of intelligence, even if their civilisations are somewhat primitive.  Their language is quite developed, but curiously unintelligible to the Elaïn - even to the most skilled arcanists - and apparently the reverse is true, as if there were some psychological barrier to mutual understanding.  Hu-Mans are bipedal.  They are clearly related to certain species of primates that are among the most remarkable of the Maïren.  They exhibit, however, behavioural traits that are unknown to other Eläin, in particular their tendency, prevalent among Maïren, to base social groups on racial criteria. 

The Eläin have of course formed numerous and antagonistic political entities such as kingdoms or empires, each with their own history, customs and languages.  Within their frontiers, species forms the basis of the family unit, but not the social unit.  In contrast, Hu-Mans keep strictly to themselves, and even appear to subdivide their cultures on the basis of physical traits such as skin colour.  These major behavioural differences are a source of constant antagonism between Eläin and Hu-Mans.

 

Last of all, there are numerous creatures that sit outside these three or four groups, known as Terras ("Monsters"). Some have no obvious connection to existing Maïren species.  Others look and behave partly like Eläin, but lack key characteristics, such as language, or the desire to live in communites.   Yet others set themselves apart by their willingness to devour any living thing, sometimes coupled with obvious cruelty.  Such monsters have always existed in the wilderness, but the coming of the Great Enemy has demonstrated they share one common characteristic in their incredible diversity - their obedience to the forces at the heart of the Jungle Deep.

 

Ecology and Nutrition

Despite their intelligence, Maïren are still characterised by their instinctive behaviour.  Some species are herbivorous, some carnivirous and others have mixed diets.  As the saying goes, "it is a maïren eats maïren world".

 

The Eläin tend in general to vegeterianism, acquiring proteins from specific plants.  Some do however continue to exhibit omnivorous behaviour, and there is a definite link to the Maïren species from which they evolved.  For example, all tiger-folk are meat-eaters, as are many wolf-folk.

Obviously Eläin do not eat each other, such behaviour being entirely psychopathological.  Seeing one's Maïren species ancestor killing and eating prey is, indeed, conspired highly inauspicious and even deeply shameful, and in many cultures requires extensive purification rites.

In some parts of the world, Eläin might eat Maïren, but the obvious association with the Eläin descendants of their prey render this practice marginal at best, and always controlled with social or religious laws.  More commonly, meat-eating Eläin will prefer to eat Babelushgas.  In some Eläin civilisations, Hu-Mans are considered legitimate prey, whilst others frown upon such ideas.

Many species of Maïren are domesticated, but they have, with their Eläin masters, a complex, almost symbiotic relationship (and they are often protected in law from mistreatment).  In Alladore, for example, many farmers have large flocks of sheep and goats, but they are never eaten, providing rather milk and wool.  While nothing is set in stone on the matter, and there are many exceptions, it is unusual for Elaïn to domesticate Maïren from species to whom they are physically linked.