Shael

Created by Alinem, the Shaels are diminutive beings, standing roughly half the height of a Sarin. They are cloaked in dense, snowy white fur and distinguished by massive, fluffy ears. Their most unsettling feature, however, is their eyes: glowing irises set against pitch-black sclera, allowing them perfect vision in the dark. While their appearance is feral, their minds are sharp; they are a species known for high intelligence and cunning. Geographically, they are concentrated on the western side of the mainland, particularly in the rugged terrain of Alinemia and the mountains of Undalia.

Shael society is built on secrecy and survival. They do not build towering cities; instead, they construct intricate, subterranean networks called Warrens. To the casual observer, a single Shael village might look like a reinforced door set into a cliff cave. However, beneath the ground lies a sprawling complex of tunnels, libraries, mines, and workshops. Some of these underground cities can be impressive, yet the Shaels remain very secretive about them, inviting very few outsiders inside—assuming the guests can even fit through the narrow access tunnels. Within this structure, they value cleverness above strength. A leader is not the strongest fighter, but the one who can outsmart the adversity.

Gender roles are distinct within the Warrens. Male Shaels are the builders and diggers, constantly expanding the burrows deeper into the earth. They are also expert geologists and ore masters, knowing exactly where to find the best materials. While the males work the depths, the females venture outside, specializing in hunting, spying, and assassination. In addition to their natural furtivity, their small stature and quiet nature make them excellent spies. In cities where they are tolerated, such as in Melarielia or Umataia, they often run the underground information networks, leading to the common saying: "If you want to know a secret, ask a Shael."

Their magical abilities complement their elusive nature. They are not blasters; instead, their magic focuses on illusion and furtivity. A Shael mage can make an entire squad of warriors silent as the grave or make a tunnel entrance look like solid rock. Legends also speak of their ability to manipulate luck, and the Shaels indeed possess a subtle form of entropy magic that causes bowstrings to snap or swords to slip. This makes them terrifying enemies to cross. In the above-ground cities, they come alive at night, trading and working under the moon while sleeping during the day; while in their underground cities they adopt the cycle they want, activity is constant.

They have established communities on the smaller continents, integrating successfully with local populations. On Melarielia, they coexist with the Norigans, providing ore and tools while the Norigans assist with agriculture and hunting. On Umataia, they share the island with the Aquelis; while they do not share the same close affinity as they do with the Norigans, they coexist peacefully, with the Shaels remaining barely noticeable as they rarely emerge from their underground cities. Conversely, they are almost nonexistent in Sarin lands. Their distinct appearance and nocturnal lifestyle terrify the Sarins, a fear compounded by ancient legends branding them as bad luck devils. Sarins hate them because they represent the unseen, the uncontrollable, and the dark. Legend says that seeing a Shael's glowing eyes in your window means death is coming—a fear likely rooted in their proficiency as assassins. As a result, they are fiercely driven away from Sarin cities. While a few manage to survive in civilized areas living in standard houses, most prefer to remain hidden in their, secretive underground cities.