Nympkin
by Kay
Singular -- Nympkin
Plural -- Nympkins Group -- Pack of Nympkins Young -- Pup Communication - Mindspeech Size Ranges – 4-25lbs, one-point-five to three feet nose to tail Colorations – Any colors and patterns Naming Conventions -- None General Personality - Varied |
General Information
The truth of how Nympkins came to be on Teragaia is something that scholars and barroom quiz masters will probably debate until the end of time. Some hold to the theory that they are children of the IF, spawned by it for the chaos they can bring. Others believe that they are not native to this world, but that on their original world powerful spellcasters banished them en masse as a species, and Teragaia was where they ended up. Others claim that they are a strange mutation of Astrum. And there are those of course who say who cares and offer treats. Personality: Nympkins are quite a varied species. No two are exactly alike in personality, even among the same rank and litter. Their intelligence ranges span from average for humans to hyper brilliant, and they Mindspeak fluently. Despite this mental variety they all share two quirks. One: each Nympkin will have a fondness for a single type of treat above all others. This treat, whatever it may be, will always be a small food item such as nuts, small candies, small fruits (like cherries, grapes, pomegranate), and other goodies that they can easily fit into their mouths. Any Bondeds would be smart to keep some such goodies on hand, just in case their Nympkin gets out of hand. Many also master opening or unwrapping their treats themselves, even sans opposable thumbs. How they do this is one of their mysteries. And two: in their vocabulary they will use the word 'nymp' as a substitution for any noun, verb, adverb, or adjective. For example: 'I'm just nymping around.' 'What a nymp!' 'That is a nymp candy!' Etc. What exactly they mean Physical: At first glance Nympkins appear much like mundane felines, save for their coloration. At full growth they are the size of any domesticated cat, and can have smooth or fluffy fur. All Nympkins regardless of body fur have thick, fluffy tails that conceal poisonous barbs; many a predator or unwary person has received a shock when they grab hold of what seems to be an easy handle only to suffer terrifying hallucinations, fever, and sickness from the poison. Their ears are roughly diamond and large in proportion to their heads, the lower 'corner' coming parallel to their noses. Their eyes are also overly large ovals, a contrast to their small muzzles and noses. Mating Information While either gender may begin a Chase it is highly rare that one is initiated for any other purpose than producing offspring. The initiating Nympkin will find some usually populated place, such as the middle of the Village marketplace, the mess hall of the Weyr, or the dragons' favored sunbathing spots, and give a call so high-pitched that only other Nympkins can hear it. Once the suitors have gathered with tokens carried in mouth the initiator will begin the Chase, bounding away with all paws close together in a 'pronking' manner. Suitors follow in a like manner wherever the initiator goes. This is a small test of agility, strength, endurance, and physical skill. During this parade the initiator will often ask questions or make statements that the suitors will have to respond to. This can literally be anything, be it a serious question or something more whimsical and nonsensical. Each suitor gives a response which is considered for the measure of their overall success. It has even happened that someone will give a response so offensive to the initiator that they will stop, turn, and call out the offender for their answer. While this does not necessarily mean they are out of the Chase entirely it does mean their odds are significantly slimmer than they were before. When they reach a location of the Initiator's choosing, the parade stops and the suitors present their tokens. These can be anything imaginable but as they must have carried them the entire parade. Which is selected indicates the chosen candidate. Which phase of the Chase was the deciding factor, if either was, is up for debate. When female Nympkins give birth they have litters up to eight or nine pups at once, regardless of rank, and at birth the pups have their eyes closed and their ears droop forward, and their horns are tiny little nubs regardless of rank. They also don't get their spine venom until their eyes open. Bonding Information Nympkin pups are weaned and ready for Bonding once their eyes have opened, their ears have perked up, and the venom spines in their tail fur has developed, though they can Bond as grown Nympkins just as easily. Though they will take to whomever they please having small treats that they may prefer - small candies, nuts, small fruits like cherries or grapes, etc - might help entice an indecisive Nympkin. Ranks Prionnsa 5* Just like the fae courts of myth, the 'queens' of the Nympkins are given the title 'Prionnsa' - or Prince - by their kind, regardless of gender. Though they are given a measure of respect by all Nympkins they only have a token authority in terms of ordering other Nympkins around. Meaning, they [i]might[/i] obey a Prince's orders if they feel like it and are sufficiently motivated to do so. Prince Nympkins look no different from other Nympkins save for they always have a five-point star somewhere on their bodies roughly three inches in size. Their horns are probably among the least impressive, being short points of a kid goat, but they can channel elemental magics from them including powerful elemental strikes both at range and in close combat. They also have a power unique to their rank: at will they can shapeshift into a mighty creature, a saber-toothed tiger of a beast with a scorpion-like stinger on the tip of their tails and in this form their horns grow, sweeping out to the side and down nearly to the ground in a graceful curve. Those who have Bonded a Prince have occasionally been known to ride upon their Nympkin friend's backs, and these horns were a handy stepping stone for a lift up! 4* Tog Tog Nympkins are identifiable by their curling ram horns and ability to lift objects by force of will alone. Granted, they can only in general lift about ten pounds at most but this can easily allow them to get that box of treats down from the top shelf of the pantry. 3* Sgaith Sgaith Nympkins have horns that many will recognize as a red dragon's style of horns growing from between their ears. Like many wild dragons they have immunity to one kind of elemental damage; either cold, fire, electricity, acid, or lightning. 2* Feidh When you see a Nympkin with a single, smooth horn on their brows like a unicorn, you're looking at a Feidh Nympkin. Look quick though! They have the gift of invisibility and can disappear in the blink of an eye. 1* Fuaim While vocally most Nympkins can only make cat-like noises, mewing and purring and the like, the pronghorn-crowned Fuaim Nympkins can mimic any sound they hear. They can't mimic speech, but can successfully duplicate even complex birdsong at will. 1*A'trom With delicate horns like small deer, A'trom Nympkins can create illusions around them. They are purely visual, so anyone trying to touch the illusion will quickly be proven false. While it can also cloak them (such as making it seem there's a potted plant in front of them, or a piece of furniture) they can't directly affect themselves with their power (like changing their appearance like a chameleon to blend in against the wall). 1*Adhair The only Nympkin that lacks any kind of horn, even the tiny nub most all have at birth, Adhair Nympkins can levitate with perfect control of their movement. They cannot lift other people or objects though. |