Fey Folk History

Although widely referred to as a single race by the peoples of Tymora, the Deschani are in truth a collection of three distinct races, the Saen, the Timur, and the Garlu, each with their own unique origin, culture, and evolutionary history. Over time, these three peoples developed similar physical traits: feline features, fur-covered bodies, enhanced senses, and agile, graceful movements. These similarities have led outsiders to group them together under the blanket term Deschani, a name that has become deeply ingrained in common usage across the world.

Among themselves, however, calling one Deschani by the name of another group is often seen as a deep insult and a sign of ignorance or disrespect. The Saen see themselves as the true children of the wild, the Timur as hardened survivors of the harshest lands, and the Garlu as the enlightened inheritors of forgotten knowledge. Each group takes immense pride in their lineage and legacy and fiercely guards their cultural identity.

Though they all reluctantly acknowledge the name Deschani, if only because it’s too late to change the perception of an entire continent, they do so with a quiet disdain. Within their own enclaves, among family and kin, they speak the names that truly matter: Saen, Timur, or Garlu. To them, Deschani is not a word of unity, but a label born of misunderstanding. And while their paths may occasionally cross, cooperation between the groups is often strained, complicated by centuries of divergence, conflict, and pride.

Still, despite their differences, all three share a common truth: the world sees them as one. And sometimes, when the threat is great enough, that shared perception becomes a rare source of reluctant alliance.

The Saen

The Saen are the most widespread and populous of the Deschani peoples, known for their harmony with nature and strong spiritual traditions. Often mistaken for spirits of the forest, desert, or mountains, the Saen are as much a part of their environment as the beasts and winds themselves. They are nomads, foragers, hunters, herbalists, and protectors of the natural order. Among the Deschani, they are considered the “heart” of their kind, gentle in peace, fierce in protection.

Origins and Lore

The Saen believe they were born from the world itself, crafted by the Great Spirits to watch over the balance of life. According to their legends, each Saen clan was gifted a domain by the spirits, one to guard, protect, and draw strength from. These might be deserts, plains, mountains, jungles, or deep forests. From these places, each clan's identity was formed, their appearances shaped by the local great cats who watched over them, lions, cheetahs, ocelots, leopards, jaguars, and more.

Clan Society

Saen society is deeply matriarchal, structured around clans and families led by Den Mothers, wise, respected women who serve as both leaders and caretakers. A gathering of Den Mothers is overseen by a Clan Mother, who speaks for the clan in matters of diplomacy, war, and inter-tribal discussion. Each level of Saen leadership is based on consensus rather than dominance. No decision is made without every voice being heard, a practice that is time-consuming but reflects their value of balance and unity.

Clans are semi-nomadic or rooted in sacred groves or ancient lands. They live in structures adapted to their environment, woven tree-homes in jungles, bone and leather tents in the plains, or sandstone caves in the desert. Every item they use is drawn respectfully from nature, and every item returned to it.

Clan Law – The Living Code

The Saen follow a spiritual philosophy referred to as Clan Law. Though scholars have called it animism, the Saen reject such labels. To them, the law is not a religion but truth, the understanding that everything has a spirit and must be respected: animals, trees, rocks, rivers, even the wind.

Core tenets of Clan Law include:

• Respect All Life: All creatures have a purpose. Only prey may be hunted, and only for food or defence.
• Use All Parts: Waste is sacrilege. Every part of a slain beast must be used, meat, bone, skin, and spirit.
• Do Not Kill Predators: Those who hunt to live are kin in spirit. Predators are never eaten.
• Honour the Spirits: Every mountain, grove, and river has a guardian spirit. These must be honoured and never defiled.
• No Theft, No Murder: To steal or kill without cause is to defy the natural order.

Saen who break Clan Law are cast out, marked with ritual scars and forbidden to speak their clan’s name. These exiles become rootless and lost, often descending into madness or becoming prey to darker powers.

Appearance

Saen take on feline traits based on their homeland. A Saen from the plains might resemble a lion, with broad shoulders, golden fur, and a proud mane, while one from the jungle may bear the sleek coat and patterned markings of a jaguar. Their attire is always crafted from local materials, bone beads, feathered cloaks, hide armour, and bark-dyed fabrics. Colours are natural, muted to match their surroundings.

Magic and the Elements

Saen are natural elementalists, channelling power from their environment. They see the land as a living force that gifts them strength.

Their magic is less about dominance and more about balance, correcting the flow of nature where it has gone awry.

Relations with Others

The Saen are cautious around outsiders. While many of their people have acted as guides, scouts, or wilderness protectors for other races, most Saen hold a deep mistrust of city-dwellers and settlers. Too many sacred lands have been burned, herds poached, or waters fouled by the so-called “civilised” folk.

Still, they are not hostile without cause. The Saen believe in second chances, and those who show respect and humility may be welcomed, if not into the tribe, then at least as a friend of it.

In recent years, the Saen have become deeply troubled. The spirits grow silent or angry, the seasons shift unpredictably, and rumours of Deschani turning Feral are spreading. Ancient prophecies speak of a Sundering of Clans, a time when the Deschani must choose to unify or fall. Some say the Garlu have angered the spirits with their machines. Others whisper that the darkness comes from within.