Vaia
Notably, they are almost like petite versions of the Efleim which sport wings, leading many to believe they are somehow connected. While the largest portion of them seem to follow one organized government, many seem to split off into other ways of life or structures of their own.
Notes
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Physical Attributes
The Vaia are a petite and winged people, most staying under 6 feet tall and averaging around 5 feet.Often, their skin may be tinted different unnatural, usually pale and pastel, hues to match their very floral aesthetic. Some may also have antennae, tattoo-like birthmarks, flowers sprouting from them, tails, or even feathers. These different traits are often seen as symbolic of or even as determining some traits of their personality and are generally very insect or bird-like, keeping them easily separated from the animalistic qualities of the Demlese or reptile-like features of the Nephelim. You definitely won’t see a Vaia with horns, scales. Another odd feature unique to the Vaia is that they may have natural scents that are more floral or sweet like candy. Many Vaia may even have shapes in their pupils or tiny points at the end of their ears, traits they share with the Nephelim and Efleim, respectively. However, the points of their ears are all the same tiny variety, unlike the many different styles an Efleim may have.
A trait which every Vaia shares are their wings, though one’s wings may vary greatly from another’s as they can take their likeness from many things. Some may have wings like that of an insect or feathered wings with patterns like those found on birds or even of angelic nature while some others may have wings that look more like leaves or the petals of a flower instead. Wingspan, size,colors, and patterns can all be very different as well. Though there are many different variations of wings that a Vaia may have it is often considered that they may be determined by their lineage in some way and simply have become more and more mixed down the line. This seems to be supported by the fact that a majority of Vaia seem to be either more bird-like or more insect based than any other sort.
The Vaia take a great pride in their wings and youthful appearances, sharing a long natural lifespan with the Nephelim and Efleim, capping around 800 or 2,000 years old at the oldest.
A trait which every Vaia shares are their wings, though one’s wings may vary greatly from another’s as they can take their likeness from many things. Some may have wings like that of an insect or feathered wings with patterns like those found on birds or even of angelic nature while some others may have wings that look more like leaves or the petals of a flower instead. Wingspan, size,colors, and patterns can all be very different as well. Though there are many different variations of wings that a Vaia may have it is often considered that they may be determined by their lineage in some way and simply have become more and more mixed down the line. This seems to be supported by the fact that a majority of Vaia seem to be either more bird-like or more insect based than any other sort.
The Vaia take a great pride in their wings and youthful appearances, sharing a long natural lifespan with the Nephelim and Efleim, capping around 800 or 2,000 years old at the oldest.
Subcultures
Since the Vaia are so divided in their ways of life, they are separated into different subcultures. However, most know the Vaia by the Piffils and/or Ninaenem as they are the most organized and interactive of the races. It is because of this that Vaia as a whole tend to be stereotyped with traits of one or the other, or else as some odd combination of the two. That is to say, in general they are seen as cheerful, helpful sort who can turn mischievous in a moment’s notice and so can’t be too trusted. Some even go so far as to assume they are merely puppets to the Efleim with no minds of their own. At the same time, because of their strange behaviors and nature, people generally assume they are all of a cookie-cutter sort of personality (ex. They are either incapable of anything but cheerfulness, or else lack emotion entirely) when, in fact, they are actually just as diverse as any other race’s people- they simply seem to have different mannerisms and ways of expressing themselves.
Piffils - Known as the “Pets of Efleim” due to the fact that they, almost exclusively, interact and ally with the Efleim.Piffils tend to be very energetic and eager to please sorts, often seen as being like the assistant or secretary to the Efleim rather than a people all their own. Notably, their government is like a unified version of the Eflaim- likely, it is based from it.
The Piffils are ruled over by a Queen which is passed down through a royal bloodline. However, the Queen does not have a Round Table to help her govern. Instead, she has Handmaidens to act as their advisors and representatives, and even bodyguards to some extent. The Queen’s Handmaidens act almost like an extension of themselves in some ways - it is even believed they may be able to connect through a strong telepathic bond.
Also at the Queen's disposal is the military, which are referred to as Drones and have codes of honor and expectations which mirror the systems of the Efleim's En'Ash.
Piffil is known for producing and exporting a special wax and a honey as well as things made from them. These products are unobtainable. Without their secrets it is impossible to make and very hard to work with, and so items made with it and the raw product itself are fairly rare and valuable.
Ninaenem - Much like the Piffils, the Ninaenem are ruled over by a Queen which is passed down through a royal bloodline, and her Handmaidens who act at her command. They also hold the secrets to a special wax and honey, though theirs is a bit different in properties than the sort the Piffil make....and still equally impossible to make and work with without them. It is because of their similar products, though, that the Ninaenem and Piffil are such bitter rivals. That, and, the Ninaenem choose to align themselves with the Nephelim over being "Efleim Pets" as Piffils are.
They, too, have Drones who serve the same purposes as those in Piffil, though their Guardians mirror the Nephelim's Warriors.
Treots - Often bearing insect-like traits, these Vaia live their lives in hiding and are known to act as mercenaries and assassins. They have 3 villages, each with their own leader to represent them and organize their people. The villages each have their own politics and opinions, and so they may be more allied with one race or Vaia Subculture over another and choose to take certain jobs that another village leader may refuse. A village leader will distribute the jobs they accept to their own mercenaries or teams of them.
It is important to note that should two Treots from different villages be wed, they will have to choose which village they wish to live in and serve, even having the option of joining a third village in which neither of them came from. However, as all of the villages are hidden from even one another...they will be forced to forget the location of their former village and leave it behind entirely.
It is also worth noting that not all Treots are assassins/mercenaries- some work other jobs within their town and their economy is simply helped and kept up by the work down outside. The mercenaries are considered the most honorable and important job, though, and many train their children from a young age to try for a place as one.
Treots have high standards for their mercenaries, and honor is of the utmost importance in their culture. The ranks for the assassins are similar to that of the ninja in the anime/manga Naruto.
Adrids - A Subculture that has formed smaller tribes to live in and prefers to keep to themselves away from other races and, for the most part, even other Vaia. They are an extremely peaceful sort and made up mostly of the more feathery winged peoples of their race. Combat is practically non-existent for these people and they prefer to take purely defensive measures. Their tribes are organized mostly by the patterns or coloring of their wings.
Slit - Slit is a term for Vaia who live outside the reach of any of the Vaia civilizations. Slits often live as individuals and by their own set of rules, though some do choose to come together as even smaller groups in towns/villages/hamlets. This term is most commonly used by those who do follow one of the 3 main Vaia governments and is thought to be an insult or slur, though many don't seem to mind its use at all and even use it to describe themselves.
The Piffils are ruled over by a Queen which is passed down through a royal bloodline. However, the Queen does not have a Round Table to help her govern. Instead, she has Handmaidens to act as their advisors and representatives, and even bodyguards to some extent. The Queen’s Handmaidens act almost like an extension of themselves in some ways - it is even believed they may be able to connect through a strong telepathic bond.
Also at the Queen's disposal is the military, which are referred to as Drones and have codes of honor and expectations which mirror the systems of the Efleim's En'Ash.
Piffil is known for producing and exporting a special wax and a honey as well as things made from them. These products are unobtainable. Without their secrets it is impossible to make and very hard to work with, and so items made with it and the raw product itself are fairly rare and valuable.
Ninaenem - Much like the Piffils, the Ninaenem are ruled over by a Queen which is passed down through a royal bloodline, and her Handmaidens who act at her command. They also hold the secrets to a special wax and honey, though theirs is a bit different in properties than the sort the Piffil make....and still equally impossible to make and work with without them. It is because of their similar products, though, that the Ninaenem and Piffil are such bitter rivals. That, and, the Ninaenem choose to align themselves with the Nephelim over being "Efleim Pets" as Piffils are.
They, too, have Drones who serve the same purposes as those in Piffil, though their Guardians mirror the Nephelim's Warriors.
Treots - Often bearing insect-like traits, these Vaia live their lives in hiding and are known to act as mercenaries and assassins. They have 3 villages, each with their own leader to represent them and organize their people. The villages each have their own politics and opinions, and so they may be more allied with one race or Vaia Subculture over another and choose to take certain jobs that another village leader may refuse. A village leader will distribute the jobs they accept to their own mercenaries or teams of them.
It is important to note that should two Treots from different villages be wed, they will have to choose which village they wish to live in and serve, even having the option of joining a third village in which neither of them came from. However, as all of the villages are hidden from even one another...they will be forced to forget the location of their former village and leave it behind entirely.
It is also worth noting that not all Treots are assassins/mercenaries- some work other jobs within their town and their economy is simply helped and kept up by the work down outside. The mercenaries are considered the most honorable and important job, though, and many train their children from a young age to try for a place as one.
Treots have high standards for their mercenaries, and honor is of the utmost importance in their culture. The ranks for the assassins are similar to that of the ninja in the anime/manga Naruto.
Adrids - A Subculture that has formed smaller tribes to live in and prefers to keep to themselves away from other races and, for the most part, even other Vaia. They are an extremely peaceful sort and made up mostly of the more feathery winged peoples of their race. Combat is practically non-existent for these people and they prefer to take purely defensive measures. Their tribes are organized mostly by the patterns or coloring of their wings.
Slit - Slit is a term for Vaia who live outside the reach of any of the Vaia civilizations. Slits often live as individuals and by their own set of rules, though some do choose to come together as even smaller groups in towns/villages/hamlets. This term is most commonly used by those who do follow one of the 3 main Vaia governments and is thought to be an insult or slur, though many don't seem to mind its use at all and even use it to describe themselves.