Cwninchen

Cwninchen are humanoid individuals born from magic building  up within soil. This magic buildup is often dense, and usually caused by battles above-ground. The buildup must be significant in order  to create a Cwninchen, often needing anywhere between 20-30 years  to develop a fully functional Cwninchen.  
Some exceptions exist, such as a highly magic dense entity  dying upon viable soil, or a large battle mainly utilising magic occurring on the surface. 
Following their creation, most Cwninchen fall into farming - having great knowledge of the land and flora surrounding them at birth. Cwninchen often farm rice, potatoes, wheat, and beetroot. On rare occasions, they may farm carrots, though its scarcity  is based upon the fact it's toxic for them. 
==Origins==
Cwninchen are born from a high density of magical energy within soil. This density is  commonly achieved after decades of magic being cast or lost upon the site. Due to this, Cwninchen are often found rising from graveyards, churches, town centres, training grounds, battlegrounds, gladiator rings, and other high traffic areas for magic users. 
It is worth noting that Cwninchen are sensitive to surface activity during their growth times. Similar to cocoons, any disturbance or penetration of their  burrows surface could lead to the Cwninchens death. The most common reason is infection, followed by magic seeping through cracks due to the damage. Deaths of this type will leave behind a mass of flesh from years 5-10, and a mass of flesh, hair, fur, a brain, and bones from years 11-30. However, a Cwninchen is not aware of its existence until the day it breaches the earth. The brain, before birth, is in a form of stasis until then.
Upon rising from the ground, a Cwninchen starts with only basic knowledge concerning their own language and an extremely vague idea about how to farm. This often leads to new Cwninchen neglecting extremely important lifelines such as winter clothing or shelter. If born during the winter, a Cwninchen will have an astronomically low chance of surviving due to their vulnerability in the cold. 
The reason why they come to exist after magic pooling is a simple oddity with some soil. Soil is often formed of remains - whether its rocks, flesh, or other things. Simply put, they break down into the earth we stand on. Such is why it's viable for plants. Cwninchen are brought into existence when humanoid remains within the soil are latched onto by the magic pool, forming its centre similar to a pearl. These remains may be as much as an entire body, or as small as a simple bloodied nose spilling upon the dirt.
Once born, a Cwninchen starts with an almost complete magic pool. Such makes them unneeding of magic absorption during their first few days. In spite of the rarity of Cwninchen casting spells, their magic pool is double that of a common wizard. This pool passively draws magic energy from those around it; whether such be people,  plants, remains, or remnants from casting. 
A Cwninchen’s magic pool should not need to absorb a high amount of magic within a short period unless they are intentionally starved and isolated. In that case, it is more than possible for a Cwninchen to kill a person unintentionally by absorbing every bit of energy they have.
==Biology==
Cwninchen are a sentient humanoid species, drawing biological relation to the Riverine Rabbit and Lop Eared Rabbit. They are also rumored to have relation to jackalopes, but this rumor is not confirmed. Cwninchen are born through magic piling up in one spot of dirt or soil. This magic influences what spells the Cwninchen is capable of, and may also alter their appearance. The magic infuses itself with biological material within the soil, and for unknown reasons, tethers them together. After this, magic in the area is used to create a small protective shell before proceeding into crafting the Cwninchen. This process can take 20-40 years depending on how much magic makes its way into the area. 
Any form of disturbance to the shell will often lead to the Cwninchens death. Whilst the shell can survive earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters, it does not have protection against being dug up or damaged. When damaged, the shell will attempt to fix itself. This is a highly dangerous task, and most times a Cwninchen will die due to infection during the process.
Once born, a Cwninchens appearance relies on the season and terrain they are born within. Their hair, fur, and eyes will match the surrounding terrain on birth unless altered by any magic consumed beforehand. Their coloring is almost entirely natural such as blonde, white, gray, brown, and black. Ginger Cwninchen are yet to be sighted but are likely because of their similarities to humans. 
The Cwninchen are born with a complete magic pool to draw from - needing to absorb magic in order to use their own. This pool is double that of the average magic a living entity may hold. More often than not, a Cwninchens magic pool will remain completely full because of their unique ability to draw their energy from wildlife and nature. They may be starved of magic if kept in a desolate stone cell for around a month, and then utilized as an energy absorbing weapon. This is because their energy absorption is passive and not controlled by the Cwninchen. Of course, a handler would need to either not have magic energy or be capable of locking it away from the Cwninchens passive pull. After that is done, if someone unknowing is within a 3 ft radius of the Cwninchen, their energy will be entirely absorbed, resulting in their death. This can be done twice per starved Cwninchen. 
===Mutations===
Whilst not yet seen, Cwninchen are likely prone to mutations due to their heavy reliance on magic during their growth process. Magic is already known to alter biology when exposed to flesh for prolonged amounts of time, which is exactly what biomanipulation spells are based upon. These mutations may allow for Cwninchen of altered appearance or possibly of other animalia. Whilst in theory its possible, it has yet to be proven or seen.
==Diets==
Following their births, most  Cwninchen adopt the belief that murdering any living being purely for satisfaction and without any need is strictly forbidden;  this belief tends to pop into a Cwninchens mind without any external influence, leading some to believe it may be a deity of sorts speaking to them. This is not something Cwninchen themselves see religiously, at least the few that survive their first winters.  Their diets thus follow; eating plants, animal products without  the need  to  kill, or naturally  dead animalia. 
Cwninchen often have to utilise their limited options in order to make palatable food.  After all, they are humanoid. Intelligent enough and built in such a way that flavour is a fuss for them! Protein is often an issue for Cwninchen, as crop options for protein are slim. Their common options are almonds, peanuts, and chickpeas, as they are worked into dishes seamlessly!  
Alongside this, with the high prevalence of butter, milk, and flour, Cwninchen are skilled with crafting pastries and similar goods. Their diets consist of many dishes such as stews, soups, loafs, salads, cakes, and more. 
However, with their unique biology, Cwninchen are often required to chew harsh foods in order to keep their teeth short. For most of this issue, their choices are bones and wood. For Cwninchen, they have grown accustomed to carving, utilising their teeth and chewing up bones into bone meal on the spot in  order to maintain their health and still give back to nature in some form.
==Material Gathering==
Being born from the earth,  Cwninchen often have to gather their own resources. There  are rules and beliefs regarding this - most adopting the idea that taking more than needed without giving back will curse them. 
When harvesting trees or plant life, it must always be resowed. When it comes to fishing or gathering flora, returning an offering of other flora, plantlife, or additional plants for the fishing spot is highly recommended. 
Cwninchen often pick one fishing spot in their lives due to their beliefs, maintaining them to absurd degrees and crafting some of  the more dazzling fishing areas. Oftentimes, they’ll be accompanied with a shrine to offer returns upon.
When gathering material, there must be both a purpose and offer of return  - or often referred to as reparation by those studying the species behaviours. When taking trees, a Cwninchen will often leave a small statue or carving alongside its newly planted sapling(s). 
When fishing, Cwninchen will often release any fish caught and repay the lake with care and material sacrifices upon the appointed shrine such as foods, candles, carvings, and in extreme cases, wool and leather. Wool, leather, string, and other important materials are rarely offered as return due to their importance for a Cwninchens survival - however, if the material gained from a natural resource is of high importance (or if the Cwninchen is young and inexperienced), these types of ‘high value’ returns are seen.
==Attire==
Cwninchen, whilst born with fluffy ears and tails, are not the  most warm individuals. As such, Cwninchen will often craft attire. The most common of which will be depicted below:
===Common attire===
Often used for gathering resources and their daily routines, the common Cwninchen attire is composed of a thick belt, a thin Hanten, a smaller undershirt, and a set of Tobi pants. Their shoes often vary, but are almost always a form of sandal. This attire is airy and dependable - it may have layers shed or draped thicker to  combat the heat or cold. Such is why the attire is often chosen by Cwninchen for their everyday lives. 
===Winter Attire===
Winter Attire gets complicated for Cwninchen, with their limited options for clothing and even more limited options for warmth, they often rely heavily on wool. Such is on display in their winter attire. Cwninchen often wear a Hanten, adorning a thick wool shirt underneath to maintain warmth. Their Tobi is  maintained, but adorns a set of leggings underneath, and its ankles are wrapped thickly to maintain warmth. Their shoes are traded out for boots, adorning thick woolly insides and thick wool socks.
Gloves are not often an option for Cwninchen, as viable gloves would require leather, which may be rare depending on their region. Nonetheless, Cwninchen may have leather gloves with a soft wool interior if the option is available. Due to their limited resources and abilities, the cold is often the killer for a Cwninchen - many don’t make it through their first year of life due to the complications, especially if they were born mere months before the winter. 
==Housing==
Cwinchen almost always make their homes within a week of their births.  These homes  are often burrows dug into the side of hills or mountains. When digging their homes, Cwninchen will use nearby trees to create support beams and walls. They quickly learn how to build a stable house because of their sensitive whiskers, assisting in detecting weak and fragile areas of their home. 
Their homes are often separated into sections.  The entryway serves as an area to shed shoes, coats, jackets, and other outdoor attire. Not doing so is extremely disrespectful to the Cwninchen and their home. This area is always home to stone or granite flooring, alongside a small cleaning station for one's hands, shoes, and any other items which may need cleaning.
Upon entering and exiting the home, it is recommended by most Cwninchen to clean one's hands. This is often suggested due to Cwninchens beliefs in the balance of nature. What is outdoors should stay outdoors, and what's indoors should stay indoors. In that belief, they advise cleaning oneself when entering and exiting a home. 
Other than the entryway, a Cwninchens home varies wildly. Since it's a burrow, it is assumed to be unclean by those who have not been inside. However, Cwninchen tend to cover the floors, walls, and ceilings with varying amounts of materials in order to maintain their homes' cleanliness. Alongside this, it is often noted that Cwninchen use a specific woven pattern for their flooring. A diagonal pattern is almost always used for the flooring, which is often formed of woven bamboo strips or water hyacinth roots. The reasoning is generally unknown, but some believe it could be for the floor's integrity or a common stylistic choice.
The flooring is very cushioned for this reason, making it perfect for the light-footed Cwninchen and great at keeping heat inside the home. In light of this, outsiders of the burrows have trouble when entering - as specific spots are navigable by Cwininchen and similarly light-footed species, but would cause the typical human or elf to plummet through the flooring to whatever is below if not careful. 
Their homes are almost always covered in plants of varying species, kept to be harvested for their use in foods, medicinal salves, and animal feed. It is also not uncommon for a Cwninchen to keep small animals when said animals are injured or incapable of fending for themselves. In these cases, Cwninchen are often seen taking in rabbits, rodents, birds, and, on the rare occasion, fish. Habitats within a Cwninchens home often take up a large amount of space and are of much higher quality than the Cwninchens' own bedroom.
Speaking of bedrooms, Cwninchen rarely have dedicated areas for their own rest. Instead, they actually sleep in small holes dug into the walls. These holes are often egg shaped and adorn small shelves also dug into its own walls. Blankets and pillows crafted of cotton and wool are often settled into these egg-shaped beds and used by Cwninchen often. This bed is named Cwsgwy. A less common type of bed for Cwninchen is the Ysglwch, a hole in the ground which is often adorned with shelves that double as ladders. These holes are smaller than the Cwsgwy and are more often used as emergency beds as opposed to dedicated beds.
===Habitats===
When picking a place to settle in, Cwninchen often have very little choice, as their survival trumps their personal desires. However, certain habitats benefit a Cwninchen more than others. The ideal habitat for a Cwninchen is a clear, lightly forested area. These areas are prime for farming and upkeep of nature itself. 
Other areas are less ideal but still an option, such as lightly forested areas, or heavily dense forests. Examples are regular birch forests, though the more extreme would be jungles, in which Cwninchen will struggle heavily. Uninhabitable areas for a Cwninchen are deserts, mesas, and freezing continents. This is because of their fragile form in comparison to the harsh temperatures, and deserts specifically being extremely hard for a Cwninchen to burrow in. 
These areas are highly unlikely to have a Cwninchen pop up within, but in the case one does, it’ll likely die on its first day if it is not assisted by outside forces. These fragile conditions are often the reason for their small population, alongside the fact it takes 20-40 years for one to even pop up in the first place.
== History ==
Cwninchen rarely appear in the history of any continent. Their appearances and disappearances are like blips on radar, in thanks to their short lifespans and sudden appearances compared to most other individuals. Their history, for now, is brief. 
=== Akari Population ===
During the spring of 57 AU, multiple Cwninchen popped up in West Akari. More than one Cwninchen appearing in one place is highly unusual, and lead to the spontaneous appearance of farmland along the shores. However, in the Summer of 58 AU, the Cwninchen began moving further east. Their original homes and farmland remained mostly untouched, relinquishing the land back to nature. This sudden move, as transcribed in slates left in the area, describe a curse or plague befalling the land. No tangible proof of this exists, excluding the slates themselves. 
The majority population now lives within the Shizukesa, an aspiring farming town.
Category:Races