Coexistence
The clash and harmony of rootlings, humans, animals, and magic.
Rootlings live in a world with humans too. This relationship is a complicated one.
History
There was a time long ago when the lands had only just begun to breathe. Elden Roots and humans lived amongst each other. The Elden Roots are great, powerful beings who were born straight from the earth itself. They possessed and indescribable amount of lumesse magic, and they used it to mold and shape the world. Humans saw the Elden Roots as sacred, and it became tradition to take good care of the earth in their honor. Villages of people in certain biomes would see some Elden Roots much more than others, and they would construct statues and temples for them throughout their regions.
Peace could not last forever, however. Greed is a powerful adversary, and one warrior was obsessed with the magic power of the Elden Roots. He believed that he would be able to slay one and harvest that magic for himself. It was a foolish endeavor, as no man could ever bring down such a creature, but it caused a great stir amongst the Elden Roots. They considered how this would only be the beginning of hostility, and that as civilizations continued to grow and develop the battles would only become more often and more destructive. So from that day they decided to vanish from human sight. It is not known whether they made themselves invisible, transcended to the celestial plain, or dove back into the earth from whence they came.
Before the Elden Roots left, however, they scattered their magic across all the animals of the earth. The magic fell on those with pure hearts who would strive to be good, those who were deserving of second chances, those to be saved from the brink of death, and those who cared deeply for the wellbeing of the land. These were crowned with lumesse and became the first rootlings. Since that day the rootlings have held the traditions that the Elden Roots set before them. Being good stewards of their lumesse magic gifts, they pass it on to creatures of the same pure hearts and significant circumstances as was first chosen.
There was a time long ago when the lands had only just begun to breathe. Elden Roots and humans lived amongst each other. The Elden Roots are great, powerful beings who were born straight from the earth itself. They possessed and indescribable amount of lumesse magic, and they used it to mold and shape the world. Humans saw the Elden Roots as sacred, and it became tradition to take good care of the earth in their honor. Villages of people in certain biomes would see some Elden Roots much more than others, and they would construct statues and temples for them throughout their regions.
Peace could not last forever, however. Greed is a powerful adversary, and one warrior was obsessed with the magic power of the Elden Roots. He believed that he would be able to slay one and harvest that magic for himself. It was a foolish endeavor, as no man could ever bring down such a creature, but it caused a great stir amongst the Elden Roots. They considered how this would only be the beginning of hostility, and that as civilizations continued to grow and develop the battles would only become more often and more destructive. So from that day they decided to vanish from human sight. It is not known whether they made themselves invisible, transcended to the celestial plain, or dove back into the earth from whence they came.
Before the Elden Roots left, however, they scattered their magic across all the animals of the earth. The magic fell on those with pure hearts who would strive to be good, those who were deserving of second chances, those to be saved from the brink of death, and those who cared deeply for the wellbeing of the land. These were crowned with lumesse and became the first rootlings. Since that day the rootlings have held the traditions that the Elden Roots set before them. Being good stewards of their lumesse magic gifts, they pass it on to creatures of the same pure hearts and significant circumstances as was first chosen.
The Elden Roots will still appear before the rootlings at special times. They are vessels of mighty wisdom who arrive on their own accord.
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Communities
Humans have formed various villages, settlements, and towns throughout the world. There are kingdoms scattered about as well! Each of them is different and will have unique ways of seeing and treating the rootlings. Players are encouraged to create such communities for their own stories, if they wish to have humans included. How do the humans and rootlings feel about each other? Is there any special features of the land that is of great importance to either party? Are they at odds, or do they work together? Do they have special traditions? Does your rootling seek to destroy them?
Humans have formed various villages, settlements, and towns throughout the world. There are kingdoms scattered about as well! Each of them is different and will have unique ways of seeing and treating the rootlings. Players are encouraged to create such communities for their own stories, if they wish to have humans included. How do the humans and rootlings feel about each other? Is there any special features of the land that is of great importance to either party? Are they at odds, or do they work together? Do they have special traditions? Does your rootling seek to destroy them?
Friend
Some developments will cherish and love the rootlings. Rootlings' lumesse magic allows them the opportunity to become elemental masters, and these powers can be very useful for humans. Although some still believe they can harvest lumesse to weild for themselves, there is no way for humans to use magic in this world. The magic only belongs to the rootlings. Some humans and rootlings will form a special bond and work on special jobs that are benefited by the use of an elemental power. There are certain families who are still loyal to the Elden Roots who will raise animals specifically to become rootlings through a coronation when they come of age. These families often include one rootling with a bonded human who instruct and teach the young animals as they grow. Players who are designing or storybuilding with a friendly human development should consider how the settlement functions and why that is important to the story they are telling.
Some developments will cherish and love the rootlings. Rootlings' lumesse magic allows them the opportunity to become elemental masters, and these powers can be very useful for humans. Although some still believe they can harvest lumesse to weild for themselves, there is no way for humans to use magic in this world. The magic only belongs to the rootlings. Some humans and rootlings will form a special bond and work on special jobs that are benefited by the use of an elemental power. There are certain families who are still loyal to the Elden Roots who will raise animals specifically to become rootlings through a coronation when they come of age. These families often include one rootling with a bonded human who instruct and teach the young animals as they grow. Players who are designing or storybuilding with a friendly human development should consider how the settlement functions and why that is important to the story they are telling.
Foe
Quite often it is found that humans are hateful, distrusting, envious, and opposing to the rootlings. People may feel challenged by their higher intellect, although they are animals, and feel jealousy. They might be infatuated with the magic and seek to complete the old warrior's goal by finding a way to take it. "surely there must be a way!" - they think. Humans might see rootlings as pests that must be eradicated, or valuable pelts to be taken and sold. Rootlings may be aggressive toward communities who are careless and disruptive to the land, who pollute the environment, and endanger certain animals. Rootlings are guardians of the natural world and they will protect imbalances, even if it means doing harm to humans. See the slain for more on this topic.
Quite often it is found that humans are hateful, distrusting, envious, and opposing to the rootlings. People may feel challenged by their higher intellect, although they are animals, and feel jealousy. They might be infatuated with the magic and seek to complete the old warrior's goal by finding a way to take it. "surely there must be a way!" - they think. Humans might see rootlings as pests that must be eradicated, or valuable pelts to be taken and sold. Rootlings may be aggressive toward communities who are careless and disruptive to the land, who pollute the environment, and endanger certain animals. Rootlings are guardians of the natural world and they will protect imbalances, even if it means doing harm to humans. See the slain for more on this topic.
Travelers
Some people travel amongst the earth, be it alone or in a group. They don't belong to any specific settlement, they just live a nomadic lifestyle for one reason or another. Travelers may have a wide array of feelings about the rootlings and may be portrayed in any manner. If a player is creating a character to be a traveler playing a specific role in their rootling's story, then they also invest that traveler's view of rootlings and why it is that way.
Some people travel amongst the earth, be it alone or in a group. They don't belong to any specific settlement, they just live a nomadic lifestyle for one reason or another. Travelers may have a wide array of feelings about the rootlings and may be portrayed in any manner. If a player is creating a character to be a traveler playing a specific role in their rootling's story, then they also invest that traveler's view of rootlings and why it is that way.
Hunters
These are groups of humans who seek to destroy the rootlings. They want to harvest their lumesse magic, or kill them for some valuable part of their form. They want to profit from their beauty and they do not care what costs that comes at. The hunters a player designs may be antagonistic, evil, or simply well-meaning people trying to make a living somehow. They may see the rootlings as just another animal with no significant importance, do not believe the Eldin Roots ever existed, or not have any knowledge of their intellect. A hunter might be slaying rootlings to support a family because it is the only job manageable to get in that area. The lore and reasoning is up to the player's imagination.
These are groups of humans who seek to destroy the rootlings. They want to harvest their lumesse magic, or kill them for some valuable part of their form. They want to profit from their beauty and they do not care what costs that comes at. The hunters a player designs may be antagonistic, evil, or simply well-meaning people trying to make a living somehow. They may see the rootlings as just another animal with no significant importance, do not believe the Eldin Roots ever existed, or not have any knowledge of their intellect. A hunter might be slaying rootlings to support a family because it is the only job manageable to get in that area. The lore and reasoning is up to the player's imagination.
Bonded Humans
Bonded humans as mentioned above have their own page explaining their game mechanic that can be found here.
Bonded humans as mentioned above have their own page explaining their game mechanic that can be found here.