Talpidae

The Talpidae are a race of Fauna which inhabit the plant-filled, subterranean tunnels of Upper Deep. They are known for their superior digging abilities and their adaptability to the various conditions in Upper Deep.  

Subterranean Excavators

Talpidae live in Upper Deep, a region of the Deep which is characterized by warm, damp conditions and wide, winding tunnels lined with fungi, lichen, and other subterranean growth. The Talpidae are well-known for their wide, blunt claws which are used to dig into rock and stone, allowing these folk to create their own, smaller tunnels for navigating Upper Deep safely. These claws can reach around 6-8 inches in length, and are fortified with calcium and iron to reduce the risk of breakage. Once Talpidae were introduced to the craft of smithing, they began to fashion additional claw guards and armor to further reduce the damage a claw might take. The loss of a claw is considered devastating among Talpidaean society and each Talpida takes care of their claws with the utmost care and respect. Life deep underground in dim or pitch dark caverns has led Talpidae to possess extremely poor eyesight. Their eyes are tiny, well hidden by fur, and very sensitive to light. Because of this sensitivity, it is very rare for Talpidae to make journeys to the surface or even further into the Deep where the rest of the Deepfolk have settled. Because the Talpidae are functionally blind, they have developed other ways to navigate their world. The most striking feature of a Talpida other than its massive digging claws is its extraordinary snout. Where other Fauna would typically possess a beak or a small nose, Talpidae instead have a star-shaped touch organ which is extremely sensitive to touch and changes in temperature and air quality. Some say it is also sensitive to changes in electrical currents or even magic, but this is unconfirmed. It is certain, however, that damage to this sensitive organ is equivalent to blinding any folk which relies on its eyesight. Such an injury is considered the highest offense even if unintentional, and visitors to Talpidae settlements must be very aware of this before interacting with these subterranean folk.  

Talpidaean Customs

Over centuries of underground living, Talpidae have developed a very rich and unique culture. Visitors to their settlements may find some of these customs strange, but it is important to be aware of expectations before making contact. Talpidae place a lot of importance in greeting one another. No matter the situation, any Talpidae which cross one another's path always take a moment to acknowledge one another. This is a custom rooted in their history as tunnelers, where communication is essential to keeping all members of an excavation party alive and unharmed. The typical Talpidaean greeting consists of an initial verbal greeting, an exchange of touch with each Talpida's snout, and a short exchange of pleasantries. Talpidae which are actually working in excavation teams take this opportunity to update one another on the status of the project or the tunnel itself.   Talpidae also value food and the act of eating itself. Most meals are a social affair, with large families gathering in a common cave to share amongst one another. Each participant that is of age is expected to contribute to the meal in some way, whether by gathering/hunting the food, cooking it, or volunteering to clean up afterward.  Meals are served by servers designated before the meal begins. The family sits in concentric circles around a massive bowl in the center of the cave, with the eldest and most respected closest to the bowl, radiating out to young who are not yet of age at the back. Should a family member neglect to contribute in some way to the meal or otherwise shame themselves or their family, they are seated behind this last circle and served last. This position is known as being "seated in disgrace." The servers fill plates one at a time, then pass each out to one of the seated members. They serve themselves after the last circle, but before those seated in disgrace. Meals typically consist largely of cave insects, hunted each day by designated scavengers in each clan or family. Edible fungi, lichen, and algae are present, and on extremely rare occasions, a gatherer will come across a gem fruit, which is considered one of the highest delicacies in Talpidaean culture. The food is roasted over a bed of hot coals and served while still hot. Some insects are dried for several days before being consumed.

Clans and Families

The social structure of Talpidaean society is very well-defined. Each settlement typically consists of one clan. Each clan is made up of anywhere from fifteen to twenty-five families, depending on its location and ability to sustain each member. Within clans, each member who reaches their tenth year is considered "of age." All Talpidae that are of age are given a defined role in the clan based on their abilities and interests. Some of these roles include hunters, gatherers, excavators, and healers. Each clan has its own roster of such roles, and its composition varies depending on the clan's needs. Each clan is typically led by a council of elders which is headed by a chieftain selected by these elders and said to be chosen by Kivanh - the god of stone - himself. The elders in the council are the heads of each family and are typically the oldest or most experienced Talpida in a given family. Each family is allowed to have its own method of selecting a head. Clans are very hierarchical. Although all members of the clan are supported and cared for, those who contribute more to the common good receive more respect and honor within the clan. Talpidae who work hard or have a penchant for their assigned role are recognized for this and earn honor for their family. Lazy or incompetent Talpidae are looked down upon and their actions are reflected on their family's reputation. The better a family's reputation is, the better resources they are provided. All gathered food is collected together, and families are given portions of this food in ranked order, with the least respected coming last. In times of hardship, this means that lower-ranked families are left with little to no food. This hierarchical structure has led to the development of similar structures within each family itself, with those who contribute more receiving food at meal times before those who contribute nothing or bring shame to their family.