The Simic Hybrids are among the youngest peoples in all of Andórë and exist only because of one of the greatest atrocities of the Great War.
During that terrible conflict, the Velhelsinese biomancer Simic Holimion conducted magical experiments upon captured Oreinerian Elves and Beastfolk prisoners, seeking to create a new race of soldiers that combined the strengths of both peoples. His experiments resulted in the creation of the Simic Hybrids, living beings whose bodies had been magically altered with animal characteristics and enhanced physical abilities.
To some within the Empire, Simic was a visionary and a genius.
To others, he was a monster.
The Simic Hybrids themselves inherited the consequences of his ambition.
Originally created to serve as soldiers, laborers, and servants of the Velhelsinese Empire, many Simic Hybrids spent the earliest years of their existence in bondage. Following the end of the Great War and the signing of the Marate Peace Accords, they were granted their freedom and recognized as people rather than property.
Despite this, their numbers remain extremely small.
Unlike nearly every other people of Andórë, the Simic Hybrids possess no ancestral homeland, no ancient traditions, and no culture of their own. Their entire history spans little more than a century, and many living Simic Hybrids personally remember the circumstances of their creation.
A Simic Hybrid may possess fins, claws, unusual skin, gills, chitinous plates, or other animal features, depending upon the nature of the magical alterations performed upon them. No two individuals are entirely alike, though most retain the general appearance of their original ancestry. Some appear almost entirely elven, while others bear obvious Beastfolk characteristics.
Because of their origins, many people regard Simic Hybrids with a mixture of sympathy and unease.
Some see them as victims.
Others see them as living reminders of the horrors of the Great War.
A few still regard them as unnatural.
The Simic Hybrids themselves often spend much of their lives answering a question that no other people are forced to ask:
"What am I?"
Some embrace their elven heritage. Others identify more closely with the Beastfolk. Still others reject both and seek to define themselves entirely on their own terms.
History has afforded them little time to answer these questions.
They are a people born not of ancient legend or divine blessing, but of war, suffering, and the dangerous belief that the ability to create life grants the right to shape it.
Sub-Cultures¶
The Simic Hybrids possess no true sub-cultures of their own.
Their numbers are too small, their history too brief, and their origins too varied for a distinct civilization to have emerged.
Instead, most Simic Hybrids adopt the customs of the societies in which they were raised or eventually settled.
Those who found refuge in the Kingdom of Oreinerius often embrace Oreinerian traditions of scholarship, stewardship, and harmony with nature. Others have integrated into Beastfolk communities, particularly among peoples willing to judge individuals by their actions rather than their origins.
A small number remained within the Velhelsinese Empire after emancipation. Their relationships with the Empire are often complicated. Some still consider themselves loyal citizens, while others view the Empire as the source of their suffering.
Many Simic Hybrids feel a sense of displacement regardless of where they live.
The elves do not always regard them as truly elven.
The Beastfolk do not always regard them as truly one of their own.
And there are too few Simic Hybrids in the world to form communities composed entirely of their kind.
As a result, many become wanderers, mercenaries, scholars, sailors, artisans, or adventurers, seeking places where they may define themselves by their deeds rather than by the circumstances of their creation.
Among the Simic Hybrids, there is an old saying:
"We did not choose how we were made. We choose what we become."
Naming Traditions¶
Unlike nearly every other people of Andórë, the Simic Hybrids possess no ancestral naming traditions.
The earliest Simic Hybrids were not born into families or clans but created within the laboratories of the Velhelsinese Empire. Many were never given family names at all, while others lost any connection to the names of their original parents and ancestors.
As a result, modern Simic Hybrids traditionally use a single personal name and do not employ surnames, family names, or clan names.
Their names often contain repeated sounds and common endings that scholars believe originated among the earliest generations of Hybrids, though no written records survive explaining precisely how these naming conventions emerged.
Male names frequently end in sounds such as -ulad, -tash, -hareth, or -jor, while female names commonly employ endings such as -nari, -ashana, -vakri, or -moira.
Some scholars have suggested that these similarities arose because the earliest Simic Hybrids created names for one another rather than inheriting them from previous generations. Others believe the names may have originated from laboratory designations, fragments of old elven names, or simple attempts by the first Hybrids to create a sense of shared identity.
No consensus exists.
Because they lack family names, many Simic Hybrids place great importance upon their personal names. A name is often regarded as an expression of individuality and proof that one is more than a creation or an experiment.
Some Hybrids who settle permanently among other peoples eventually adopt family names, particularly when marrying or raising children. Such cases, however, remain uncommon.
Among the Simic Hybrids, there is an old saying:
"We inherited no names, so every name we bear is our own."
Male Names¶
Adkas, Adren, Aewraek, Ballamin, Balmaris, Balris, Basiulad, Bawaulad, Bewtash, Bonoulad, Bowtash, Bozaulad, Bulad, Catash, Cevtash, Chamelk, Chosiulad, Chulad, Ciskosh, Ciwiulad, Colaulad, Covoulad, Daexalim, Dariulad, Demelk, Deyhareth, Dimelk, Doveulad, Dulad, Elaberos, Elajeon, Elaqen, Elsandoral, Eryarus, Fargolor, Farpetor, Farquinal, Farsandoral, Gakosh, Gasoulad, Gekosh, Genric, Ghiniulad, Gihareth, Giniulad, Glynjeon, Goyoulad, Hakosh, Heitumal, Herlar, Hetash, Hohareth, Ianmaer, Ianyarus, Iliris, Ilixalim, Iliydark, Keanorin, Keaxalim, Kelro, Kelzeiros, Ketash, Kharhareth, Khetash, Khoniulad, Kulad, Lalmelk, Leoxidor, Lirtash, Lucan, Lujor, Mahareth, Maytash, Mesiulad, Miraric, Mizaulad, Morcan, Morfir, Mostash, Moyaulad, Neroulad, Nevkosh, Nikhad, Nizeulad, Normaer, Noryarus, Olojor, Olomaer, Olowarin, Oloxalim, Omadithas, Omanan, Pajor, Petjor, Qitumal, Ralojeon, Ralokas, Ralowraek, Romaer, Roydark, Savaulad, Sekosh, Tazoulad, Tehareth, Tentash, Themaris, Tirkosh, Tomelk, Trajeon, Trawraek, Tulad, Vakian, Vantash, Vaquinal, Vazeiros, Vihareth, Virjor, Vulad, Waeshice, Waeslamin, Wrancan, Wranran, Yelbalar, Yelgolor, Yelhice, Yelhorn, Yelquinal, Yinlar, Yinsalor, Zanmelk, Zewaulad, Zikhad, Zinlar, Ziskhad, Zulad, Zumneiros, Zumren, Zumris, Zumsalor.
Female Names¶
Adxisys, Arabanise, Aralana, Aralee, Araqirelle, Arazorwyn, Bewtara, Biralei, Bonari, Bonnari, Bryphyra, Caibanise, Caidove, Cairie, Calaishara, Caniashana, Cashtai, Cazvakri, Cetara, Chasvakri, Chaziashana, Chotara, Ciweashana, Daemoira, Daethyra, Daleashtai, Daroashana, Dishara, Diziashtai, Donaashtai, Doyvakri, Eilmys, Faesatra, Faethyra, Farora, Faxisys, Gernari, Gezaashtai, Ghashana, Ghatara, Ghenari, Ghinari, Ghiraishara, Ghivakri, Gillee, Gregella, Greharice, Grena, Grephyra, Helexisys, Holawenys, Iarmoira, Inamys, Inarel, Joharice, Katara, Kelvakri, Keybanise, Keystina, Khanari, Khashtai, Khetara, Kisoishara, Kitara, Koynari, Krislynn, Krisxisys, Kriszorwyn, Laynari, Liacyne, Liazana, Liwtara, Loleashana, Lorahana, Lorawynn, Loraynore, Lotara, Magmoira, Mashtai, Mishara, Miziashtai, Nanvakri, Nashana, Natara, Nerijyre, Nerilynn, Nerivyre, Neviashana, Newaashana, Ninari, Nishara, Nonari, Notara, Olaqirelle, Olazorwyn, Orihana, Orilynn, Presvyre, Qicaryn, Ravadi, Ravana, Ravavaris, Reyfina, Reylee, Setara, Sewnari, Shayra, Sishara, Sonaishara, Sosnari, Syldove, Sylzana, Tavnari, Tawnari, Telnari, Tenari, Teyaashtai, Tishara, Toriashtai, Tormoira, Torynore, Towiashtai, Ulalana, Vashtai, Venhana, Veyaishara, Volaashtai, Vosnari, Vozaashana, Xilfiel, Xilroris, Xyrvaris, Yesfiel, Yesnala, Yesthyra, Yeszorwyn, Yllacaryn, Zashana, Zinhana, Zinralei, Zonari, Zylbanise, Zylmoira.
Beauty Ideals¶
The Simic Hybrids possess no universal standards of beauty.
As beings created from both elven and Beastfolk stock, their appearances vary enormously. Some possess only subtle animal features, while others bear fins, scales, unusual eyes, chitinous plates, claws, or other striking characteristics.
As a result, beauty among the Simic Hybrids is perhaps more diverse than among any other people of Andórë.
One Hybrid may find beauty in elegant elven features, another in powerful horns or vibrant scales, and another in characteristics that no natural creature has ever possessed.
Many Simic Hybrids also reject the notion that beauty should conform to any established ideal. Having spent much of their history being treated as creations designed by others, many are deeply uncomfortable with the idea that their worth should be measured by their appearance.
Among their kind, confidence, self-acceptance, and the courage to embrace one's unusual nature are often considered attractive qualities.
Ordinary folk, however, frequently struggle to understand the Simic Hybrids.
Some view them as exotic or fascinating, while others find their unusual combinations of features unsettling or unnatural. A Simic Hybrid who is considered handsome in one community may be regarded with discomfort in another.
Consequently, many Hybrids learn early in life that beauty is often a matter of perspective.
As one old saying among the Simic Hybrids goes:
"If every mirror shows something different, perhaps the mirrors are the problem."
Gender Ideals¶
The Simic Hybrids possess no shared traditions regarding gender roles or expectations.
Because they lack an ancestral culture of their own, most adopt the beliefs and customs of the societies in which they were raised.
A Hybrid raised among Oreinerian elves may hold very different views from one raised in a Minotaur clan or a Tabaxi caravan.
At the same time, many Simic Hybrids develop a somewhat independent view of identity in general.
Having spent much of their lives answering questions about what they are, many become skeptical of rigid expectations regarding who they should be.
As a result, Simic Hybrids are often more willing than many peoples to define themselves according to their talents, interests, and personal convictions rather than according to traditional social roles.
This is not the result of any shared philosophy or political movement, but simply a consequence of their unusual circumstances.
A people who must decide for themselves what it means to be a Simic Hybrid often become comfortable deciding many other things for themselves as well.
Among the Simic Hybrids, there is an old saying:
"We were made by others, but we belong to ourselves."
Relationships and Courtship¶
As with so many aspects of their lives, relationships among the Simic Hybrids are shaped by uncertainty.
Because their people are so few in number, many Simic Hybrids spend years without ever meeting another of their kind. When they do encounter one another, friendships and romances often form quickly, born from the simple comfort of being understood by someone who shares similar experiences.
Relationships between Simic Hybrids are therefore not uncommon despite their rarity.
At the same time, many Hybrids have found homes among the peoples of Oreinerius and the Beastlands. Though initial encounters are often marked by pity, curiosity, or unease, many communities eventually come to regard individual Simic Hybrids with affection and acceptance.
As a result, relationships between Simic Hybrids and elves or Beastfolk are far from unheard of.
Indeed, some scholars have remarked that the Simic Hybrids often possess an unusual appreciation for kindness and acceptance, having spent much of their history being regarded as experiments, victims, or curiosities rather than simply as people.
Courtship among the Simic Hybrids generally follows the customs of whatever society they have adopted as their own. They possess no unique marriage rites or traditions, though many place tremendous importance upon honesty and mutual respect.
There is, however, one question that lingers over nearly every long-term relationship involving a Simic Hybrid:
How long will they live?
At the time of this writing, no Simic Hybrid has died of old age.
The Great War ended only one hundred and thirteen years ago, and the oldest of their kind have not yet reached the end of their natural lives. Consequently, no scholar can state with certainty whether Simic Hybrids possess the longevity of elves, the shorter lifespans of many Beastfolk, or something entirely their own.
This uncertainty occasionally causes anxiety among the Hybrids themselves and among those who love them.
A young Hybrid may someday discover that they will outlive their spouse by centuries.
Another may find that their years are unexpectedly few.
For now, no one can say.
Among the Simic Hybrids, there is an old saying:
"We were not given ancestors, so we cannot yet know what awaits our descendants."
Another, spoken more quietly, is often heard among those who have fallen in love:
"Love is difficult enough without wondering who will be left behind."
Common Etiquette¶
Because the Simic Hybrids possess no ancestral culture of their own, they generally adopt the etiquette and social customs of the societies in which they live.
Nevertheless, certain behaviors have become widespread among their people.
Many Simic Hybrids are notably sensitive regarding questions about their bodies and origins. Asking a Hybrid what animals were used in their creation, whether they were "grown" or "born," or requesting to touch unusual physical features is generally considered impolite.
Likewise, many dislike being treated as curiosities or living specimens.
Having spent generations being studied, pitied, or feared, most prefer to be regarded simply as people.
Among themselves, Simic Hybrids often place great value upon honesty and self-determination. They are generally reluctant to make assumptions about another person's identity or history, knowing from experience how painful such assumptions can be.
It is also common for Simic Hybrids to introduce themselves by name rather than by ancestry or occupation. To many, who they are matters far more than how they were created.
Common Dress¶
The extraordinary diversity of Simic Hybrid physiology makes clothing a matter of practicality as much as personal taste.
Some possess fins, scales, claws, gills, or chitinous plates that require specially tailored garments, while others appear nearly indistinguishable from ordinary elves or Beastfolk and dress accordingly.
As a result, there is no distinctly Simic fashion.
Most Hybrids simply adopt the clothing of the culture in which they live, making whatever modifications their bodies require.
Those with visible alterations often develop a fondness for practical and durable clothing that accommodates movement and unusual anatomy.
Others deliberately wear clothing that emphasizes their distinctive features rather than concealing them, viewing such traits not as deformities but as part of who they are.
Jewelry and personal adornments are also common, particularly items that express individuality and distinguish one Hybrid from another.
Among a people with so little shared history, personal expression often carries great importance.
Customs and Traditions¶
The Simic Hybrids possess no ancient customs or inherited traditions.
In their place, many have developed practices centered upon memory, identity, and self-determination.
Some observe the anniversary of their emancipation from the Velhelsinese Empire as a personal day of reflection or celebration.
Others keep journals, sketchbooks, or collections of keepsakes that record the story of their lives, believing that a people without a long past must be especially careful to preserve its history.
Many Hybrids also make a habit of learning the traditions of the communities that welcome them. Participating in local festivals, holidays, and ceremonies is often viewed as both a sign of gratitude and a declaration that they belong.
Among themselves, stories of the earliest generations of Hybrids are passed down with great care. Because so much of their history remains within living memory, personal accounts and oral histories are highly valued.
Perhaps more than any other people, the Simic Hybrids understand how easily a history can be lost.
Common Taboos¶
Among the Simic Hybrids, there is perhaps no greater insult than to suggest that they are property, experiments, or unfinished creations rather than people.
Likewise, many deeply resent being compared to monsters or referred to solely by their physical traits.
Another common taboo is making assumptions about an individual's ancestry or claiming that one is "more elf" or "more Beastfolk" than another.
Most Hybrids regard such distinctions as meaningless.
Many also find it deeply offensive to speak approvingly of the experiments that created their people, regardless of one's admiration for Simic Holimion's magical talents.
To praise the creation of the Simic Hybrids while ignoring the suffering that produced them is considered both cruel and profoundly insensitive.
Finally, many Simic Hybrids are uncomfortable with attempts by others to define who they should be.
Among their people, there is an old saying:
"Nothing made us. Someone made us."
Another, often spoken with quiet determination, is equally common:
"I am not an experiment that succeeded. I am a person who survived."
Historical Figures¶
Stats¶
Scientific Name
Homo sylvanus chimaera
Lifespan
Approximately 120 years.
Average Height
5'6"–6'2"
Average Weight
140–230 lbs.