Alseid

Alseid are the graceful woodland cousins to centaurs. They are a fey race which blends the torsos of elves with the lower bodies of nimble deer. Because they are often seen in wooded glades of the forest some call them "grove nymphs", although they are more closely related to elves than nymphs. Alseid have antlers growing from their foreheads. Antlers grow very slowly, branching every ten years for the first century of life (so an alseid with a six point antler will be over 70 years old.) Further points are only developed with the blessing of the higher powers.

Like many fey alseid tend to be chaotic in nature, though more ordered variations are common, particularly among those who have left their people.

Alseid live in the deep forest, which seems to be their preferred habitat. Some very brave adventurers have ventured out into the wider world, and can be seen even in the great city states.

They are resident in the Melazain Forest, where logging only happens with their permission, at the will of the forest. The Danilov Leyline takes a wandering path through the deep woods of this place and the presence of raw ley energy shard crystals makes this a very aware forest, just the kind of habitat alseid seek out.

As a species alseid see the forest as an individual and a friend. As a community they are suspicious of outsiders who do not share this view. They are generally honest and true to a fault and even alseid who have spent most of their lives in the outer world tend to be trusting, until crossed, and then they can be ruthless.

Alseid tend to be organized into tribal groups, though individuals often live in isolation, particularly in their younger years. Leaders tend to be druids or rangers, although other magic users, some martial often fill the role. The tribal geographic range tends to be very large, encompassing many square miles of forest. Alseid tribes are not competitive among themselves for territory and tribes often intermingle if their territories overlap.

Alseid tend to inhabit any forest which is intersected by ley lines.

Alseid name their offspring using a combination of Elvish and Sylvan syllables. Their names are often extremely long and many alseid choos shorter names for themselves when speaking with people who aren't alseid, elves or fey. Alseid do not have family names.

Alseid males tend to establish relationships with a plethora of females, a practice that the females seem not to mind at all. Because of this many non-alseids believe that males are not loyal to their mates and don't care about their children. This is simply not true.

Males do not share females and they are very specific in the mates that they take, since their relationships tend to last for life. Female are loyal to their mate and, though they share him with others they can be very hostile to a female whose status or demeanor they do not approve of.

Alseid have a deep connection with the ancient forest and the powerful natural magic inherent in them. Alseid leaders favor the druid and ranger classes, and sorcerers and old world warlocks often arise from the deep forest glades infused with ley energy.