The World of Alnmeir
Botany:
Gloritan: A special type of fungus that grows inside of caves. They usually grow to form a kind of lighted path through the cave that they are growing in. Their coloring varies, but they are usually a sort of transparent white. In rare cases, they have been seen to be red, orange, reddish-orange, or yellow with a sort of fiery glow. It is said that they form only after a female dragon has died and the earth has taken back her body, leaving a rather large cave behind.
Flame Rose: A rather rare rose that grows only in the most southern regions of Syndal. As is to be expected from its name, the colors of the Flame Rose are said to be akin to those of a fire. Also, the rose has inherited its name from the fact that the petals have a tendency to grow upwards, in the shape of a living flame. In very rare cases, Flame Roses can be found growing in close relations with Gloritan, though no one is sure why.
Tower Mushrooms: These odd mushrooms can be found growing in almost any soil that is found in Alnmeir. Usually uniformly brown, they have also been seen to be any number of colors imaginable. Tower mushrooms got their name from the fact that they grow to unimaginable heights and in unimaginable numbers. In fact, many times, when walking through a grove of Tower Mushrooms, it is like walking through an organic city. Because of their immense size and their unique structures, many creatures use Tower Mushrooms as their homes.
Fae Tree: Fae trees aren’t really trees. They are more like very tall, thin and lumpy sticks poking out of the ground. They are in fact so named because most of them are inhabited by small, fae like beings.
Cave Tree: Some unexplained chemical causes these large trees to split open at the base at about 34 years old and grow into a sort of shallow cave.
Conch Islands: A number of islands shaped like conch shells with a single hollow mountain on them. Where the islands are formed determines the vegetation and animal life that appears on the island. Though many find that conch islands -specifically the hollow mountains- are favorite nesting grounds for dragons; especially water dragons. Because most hollow mountains are quite tall, many dragons use the tops as watch towers while the hollow inside is used as a nest.
Races:
Humans: The most abundant of the land-dwelling races, humans are the ones that came up with the common tongue that is used by most of the other races. They are also usually very adaptable. In addition to being very abundant and adaptable, they are also the youngest race and usually considered to be the most prejudiced. :: In appearance, humans are the most versatile of the races, and though being very versatile, they are also the most limited.
Iasiri: The Iasiri are an ancient race full of knowledge of almost every nook and cranny that is to be found in the big wide world. And though they are an ancient race, they are only considered ancient on land and in fact their age even pales in comparison to how ancient the dragons are. Because of their wealth of knowledge concerning magic and most [if not all] living beings, there are those that sometimes wonder if they might not be related to dragons in some way. :: Taller than Elves and Humans, Iasiri are known to reach just under 7ft tall. Being distantly related to Elves, their ears are pointed though do not stick out sideways from their heads, but rather press back against their heads. Unlike their distant relatives, Iasiri have much more diverse body types and skin colors.
Elves: When compared to their distant cousins the Iasiri, the Elves are said to start blushing and rambling on about nonsense. Being only about 4ft 7in and so fair skinned that the smallest hint of sunlight can burn them, most Elves have a tendency to thrive in forests where the canopy is thick and blocks out most of the sunlight. Because of their small amount of knowledge about magic, the Iasiri usually say that they can only perform parlor tricks. :: In appearance, Elves tend to be extremely fair skinned, thin and only reach about 4ft 7in.
Mermaids: A sea-dwelling creature, mermaids are said to act sweet on first appearance to someone, but then become horribly violent. Females have been known to sun themselves on rocks and sing in lilting, sultry voices hoping to catch the attention of some poor sailors. If their ploy is successful, females will lure the sailors in closer until they crash against the rocks which will then attract the attention of the males, who will scavenge in the wreckage looking for valuables. :: In appearance, mermaids are said to look like humans from the waist up, and have the tail of a fish from the waist down.
Sweero: A mysterious type of water-dwelling creature, Sweero are said to have watery, human like forms that disappear and meld back into the water if they do not want to be seen. While not much is known about them, many have claimed that Sweero are gentle and curious, even going so far as to say that they will sometimes try to interact with someone swimming in their waters.
Gloritan: A special type of fungus that grows inside of caves. They usually grow to form a kind of lighted path through the cave that they are growing in. Their coloring varies, but they are usually a sort of transparent white. In rare cases, they have been seen to be red, orange, reddish-orange, or yellow with a sort of fiery glow. It is said that they form only after a female dragon has died and the earth has taken back her body, leaving a rather large cave behind.
Flame Rose: A rather rare rose that grows only in the most southern regions of Syndal. As is to be expected from its name, the colors of the Flame Rose are said to be akin to those of a fire. Also, the rose has inherited its name from the fact that the petals have a tendency to grow upwards, in the shape of a living flame. In very rare cases, Flame Roses can be found growing in close relations with Gloritan, though no one is sure why.
Tower Mushrooms: These odd mushrooms can be found growing in almost any soil that is found in Alnmeir. Usually uniformly brown, they have also been seen to be any number of colors imaginable. Tower mushrooms got their name from the fact that they grow to unimaginable heights and in unimaginable numbers. In fact, many times, when walking through a grove of Tower Mushrooms, it is like walking through an organic city. Because of their immense size and their unique structures, many creatures use Tower Mushrooms as their homes.
Fae Tree: Fae trees aren’t really trees. They are more like very tall, thin and lumpy sticks poking out of the ground. They are in fact so named because most of them are inhabited by small, fae like beings.
Cave Tree: Some unexplained chemical causes these large trees to split open at the base at about 34 years old and grow into a sort of shallow cave.
Conch Islands: A number of islands shaped like conch shells with a single hollow mountain on them. Where the islands are formed determines the vegetation and animal life that appears on the island. Though many find that conch islands -specifically the hollow mountains- are favorite nesting grounds for dragons; especially water dragons. Because most hollow mountains are quite tall, many dragons use the tops as watch towers while the hollow inside is used as a nest.
Races:
Humans: The most abundant of the land-dwelling races, humans are the ones that came up with the common tongue that is used by most of the other races. They are also usually very adaptable. In addition to being very abundant and adaptable, they are also the youngest race and usually considered to be the most prejudiced. :: In appearance, humans are the most versatile of the races, and though being very versatile, they are also the most limited.
Iasiri: The Iasiri are an ancient race full of knowledge of almost every nook and cranny that is to be found in the big wide world. And though they are an ancient race, they are only considered ancient on land and in fact their age even pales in comparison to how ancient the dragons are. Because of their wealth of knowledge concerning magic and most [if not all] living beings, there are those that sometimes wonder if they might not be related to dragons in some way. :: Taller than Elves and Humans, Iasiri are known to reach just under 7ft tall. Being distantly related to Elves, their ears are pointed though do not stick out sideways from their heads, but rather press back against their heads. Unlike their distant relatives, Iasiri have much more diverse body types and skin colors.
Elves: When compared to their distant cousins the Iasiri, the Elves are said to start blushing and rambling on about nonsense. Being only about 4ft 7in and so fair skinned that the smallest hint of sunlight can burn them, most Elves have a tendency to thrive in forests where the canopy is thick and blocks out most of the sunlight. Because of their small amount of knowledge about magic, the Iasiri usually say that they can only perform parlor tricks. :: In appearance, Elves tend to be extremely fair skinned, thin and only reach about 4ft 7in.
Mermaids: A sea-dwelling creature, mermaids are said to act sweet on first appearance to someone, but then become horribly violent. Females have been known to sun themselves on rocks and sing in lilting, sultry voices hoping to catch the attention of some poor sailors. If their ploy is successful, females will lure the sailors in closer until they crash against the rocks which will then attract the attention of the males, who will scavenge in the wreckage looking for valuables. :: In appearance, mermaids are said to look like humans from the waist up, and have the tail of a fish from the waist down.
Sweero: A mysterious type of water-dwelling creature, Sweero are said to have watery, human like forms that disappear and meld back into the water if they do not want to be seen. While not much is known about them, many have claimed that Sweero are gentle and curious, even going so far as to say that they will sometimes try to interact with someone swimming in their waters.