Zephriel
From Codex Vocrotha
Physical Appearance
When they can be found in their natural form, which is none too often, the Zephriel have very little racial regularity, at least in comparison with the other Sentients. In the main they look like tiny Solindriel, though where many are toothpick-thin, others are outrageously obese. Some have features as average and plain as the plainest Human, while others have slanted, pulled features that look cartoonish -- and a rare few bear more than a passing resemblance to animals or magical creatures than to elves or other humanoids.
Their coloring can best be described as varied, and their flesh and hair tones may appear in any color of the visible spectrum. Their eyes are bright, almost unnaturally so; many have wings, while others have tails, long tongues -- the list of variants reads on and on. They are, however, universally mischevious and wise, in their own way. The number of Zephriel in the world is unknown; it is believed to be small, but who knows how many never bother to interact with the mortal world. It is well known that the Zephriel can move between the mortal world and the Spirit Realm at will, though only the oldest can remain there for significant amounts of time. Despite this, rumors speak of a great city the Zephriel have built in the Spirit Realm that can sustain them there indefinitely.
Sociopolitical Outlooks
The Zephriel tend to be solitary creatures, enjoying the lives of hermits while relaxed in their favorite environment. Many Zephriel spend centuries enthralled in the heart of a forest, watching the sun rise and set from atop a mountain peak, or drifting in warm water currents throughout the sea. Theirs is a carefree existence, enjoying their moment precisely as it is until the time it ends. They have no central governing body, nor do they generally recognize any local laws, though they are usually not stupid enough to invite catastophe upon themselves. There is some kind of racial hierarchy which appears to be based on age, but the Zephriel ignore any comments by others about "Fey matters," and pressing them on the subject will only make them surly.
Zephriel live for incredibly long periods of time -- in fact, there are no known instances of a Zephriel dying from old age -- so they may not even be sure how long they have been alive, though they may remember certain historical moments in time. Many forget, even, that time passes when involved in their "moments" -- but their moments do eventually end, and when they do, they crave companionship. In between their moments, they seek out others to learn what has happened in their absence, to enjoy the sharp contrast of mortal activity to their own timelessness. During these times they will often be found hanging about mortals, sitting on heads or shoulders, and usually where the most interesting things are. The other sentients consider the attentions of the Zephriel to be both blessing and a curse, for they are invariably as much help as they are a pain in the ass.
Allies & Enemies
The zephriel consider the Solindriel and the Tenebriel to be their children, and they have reduced the conflict between them to a sibling squabble in their eyes, though where the Solindriel have listened to their parents, the Tenebriel have rebelled to an unhealthy extreme. Zephriel will react to the Tenebriel in nearly the manner of a disappointed parent, while they will treat the Solindriel with a similar level of joy and gentle parental nagging. The Zephriel also show a strange affinity for the Kâlindival as well, though their reasons are obscure.
Most other races are treated as friends, and very few treat them with hostility, though the Zephriel hold an abiding hatred for the Dolgothros. This hatred stems from their suspicion that the Dolgothros kidnapped and tortured the Vasriel millennia ago to create the race of Gochin, though they have no solid proof. Despite their legendary self-assurance, the Zephriel are uncomfortable as most races around the Drakkhozhn, and the sheer size of the Ur makes any Zephriel a little nervous.
