Muse

The Muses are among the most beautiful humanoid races, possessing slender, lithe bodies and delicate features. They are distinguished by their butterfly-like wings and vibrant pastel hues (blue, violet, rose, etc.) that color their skin, hair, and translucent robes.

Origins and Nature

Muses are descended from an archaic race of forest nymphs, possibly of magical origin.

• Archaen Legacy: In ancient times, the Archaens often summoned these beings for pleasure, occasionally yielding unique lineages.
• Temperament: To outsiders, Muses often appear distracted or aloof. In reality, they are deeply contemplative and highly perceptive of their surroundings.

Society and Symbiosis

The Muses have no permanent settlements, preferring to congregate in fluid groups of varying composition.

• Whisp Symbiosis: They maintain a near-symbiotic relationship with woodwhisps. Whisps serve as translators, gather food, and erect temporary pavilions of gossamer and flowering vines.
• Upbringing: Muse children are raised by the group's whisps, who teach them to fly and find food. Telempathic powers must be developed independently.

Telempathy and Communication

Muses rarely speak, finding verbal language coarse and unaesthetic.

• Thought-Images: They communicate primarily through telempathy, broadcasting emotions and mental images to others.
• Translators: When conserving telempathic energy, they rely on their whisp companions to speak for them. [^1]

Relationships and Bonding

Muses are known for their passionate and sentimental nature.

• Promiscuity: They often take numerous partners, including non-Muses.
• Obsessive Bonding: Occasionally, a Muse will telempathically "bond" with an object of affection, following them anywhere to share every experience until the infatuation passes.

Muse Characters

• Skills: Language (High Talislan - native), Language (Sylvan - native), Cultures (Muse) +5, Cultures (Seven Kingdoms) +2, Art +2 or Music +2.
• Special Abilities: Limited Flight (2 mins air / 5 mins rest), Natural Telempathy +2. [^2]
• Starting Equipment: Gossamer robe, musical instrument, wood whisp companion, nectar/stones.

Relations and Religion

• Allies: As members of the Seven Kingdoms, they are gradually becoming better understood as the utility of their telempathy is recognized.
• Faith: They revere nature spirits and have a profound love for life.
• Death: The passing of a Muse or whisp is considered a great tragedy, marked by funerals that can last for days.

Language and Names

• Tongue: Fluent in High Talislan and Sylvan, though they prefer telempathy.
• Names: Based on flowers, such as Lilyandre and Aramantus.

[^1]: Whisp "translations" can yield unusual results due to the animated and occasionally sarcastic nature of the whisps. [^2]: Muses are naturally infatuated with one specific being (chosen at character creation).