Nielda

What better place to start an introduction to my creation than with the most integral part of it, the Nielda themselves.

The Nielda are externally nearly indistinguishable from humans. The only possible indications are a greater density, and average height. However, under the skin are a few crucial differences. The first, and more obvious, one is their skeleton. Their skeleton is comprised primarily of an element that they refer to as 'kraje'(krah-ge). Kraje has a number of interesting properties, including a physical strength equivalent to steel, as well as several magical traits. The second biological difference is their blood, which in an ongoing fit of non-inspiration they continue to simply call blood. The most fascinating part of Nieldic blood is that it is actually not a part of the Nielda at all. It is a single cell organism that has a symbiotic relationship with the Nielda, serving the Nielda in much the same manner as the blood of other races; with the added benefit of defending itself against foreign intruders(i.e. germs, dirt, other lifeforms) violently, causing as a side effect an immunity to vampirism (though for reasons to be later explained not Lycanthropy). In fact, it is considered the 19Th most corrosive substance in the universe. It has no effect on inanimate objects, and makes an excellent, although morbid, cleaning agent.

Psychologically the Nielda are best explained by looking at the origin of their culture. Originating in the shallow swamps of the grammatically incorrect planet Danielland(will be explained later); the Nielda evolved a hunter-gatherer culture. Rather than convert to agriculture and develop society from that point as most species would, the Nielda split into a twin culture of peaceful farmers and hunter-raiders. At the date reckoned as 1/1/0 of the Nieldic calender, A tribe of raiders, recognizing the decreasing herd sizes and the cost of raiding, approached a nearby farming village and offered their protection from other tribes of raiding. They did so in what has become known as 'Nieldic flair'. Rather than simply sending an emissary and requesting a parlay with the farmers, they lay in wait for another, smaller, tribe of raiders and wiped them out as they began looting the village. By proving their military superiority over other local tribes they were able to gain a position of dominance in negotiations and establish themselves as being nobles, rather than mere mercenaries.

The violence shown in the raiding has become considered one of the Nielda's traits, as has the melodramatic 'Nieldic flair'. For these reasons many 'civilized nations' avoid dealing with Nieldic powers, with the knowledge that the Nielda will not hesitate to allow, or cause, the destruction of others simply to make a point. Many Nieldic observers and historians will swiftly point out that even if you chose not to involve yourself, you will inevitably be hated for your perceived display of pride, a trait which the Nielda thoroughly enjoy exploiting.

The true nature displayed by the Nielda by these early events is a people who are willing to do whatever is necessary to survive, and will do it in as memorable a way as possible. The Nielda love stories, but they love true stories even more. And so they have a culture unwittingly built around entertaining and teaching future generations of Nielda.

Before I conclude this I feel like this would be a good point to mention Nieldic women. The Nielda are a race with nearly 3/1 male-female ratio. This has lead to several odd phenomenon. The first is that Nielda pass surnames, family wealth, and most hereditary positions down through the daughters of the family; this in spite of a rather male dominated society. The second is that most Nieldic heroes are women; most Nieldic historians attribute this to some sort of divine balancing act. As most other races are ruled, dominated, and championed by men; the Nielda, generally acknowledged as the universe's dominant race, are championed by women who are generally superior to the male champions of the other mortal races.