Gelfling

The most widespread of Thra's native species, Gelfling have established settlements across the known world. These sophisticated fully sentient beings have been living in peace with nature since before the arrival of Aughra. Though diverse in look, manner, and culture, the Gelfling do share a number of characteristics. Gelfling are bipedal and have slender features, lithe limbs, and delicate, four fingered hands. Unlike the males. female Gelfling have a set of light, translucent wings. allow them to fly and glide.   The Gelfling are known to dreamfast, a practice that enables them to meld their spiritual consciousness. During this communion, two or more Gelfling can pass memories back and forth to one another. While there are limits to dreamfasting—for example. one Gelfling cannot pass on the memories of another—this ability has been a great asset to both learning and storytelling throughout Gelfling history.   With practice and training, Gelfling can also produce dreametchings. Similar to written language, dreametchings. are messages left on objects or surfaces. Gelfling can commune with these dreametchings, receiving the thought or memory imprinted there.   Gelfling are social creatures. In the early days of Thra, they adopted a tribal culture that ensured the survival and longevity of their species. Under the teaching and protection of Aughra, these early Gelfling tribes gained knowledge of the natural world and began to develop a more complex and unified culture   Upon their arrival, the Skeksis codified Gelfling culture into seven distinct clans, a tactic to secretly sow division. Gelfling clans are matriarchal—each clan headed by an appointed female leader known as a Maudra. The Skeksis chose their most favored clan and promoted its leader to the position of All-Mandra, ruler of all Gelfling throughout Thra.