Ilit

## Physical Appearance

Ilits are a relatively short race, standing to be about only 50% to 60% of typical human height. They're most notable for their small stature, their lithe bodies, their pointed ears, and the fur which covers most of their skin. Most ilits evolved, societally, to be a nocturnal species, but when they started mixing and interacting with other races very early on in their history, they grew to fit into others' diurnal schedules. As such, most modern Ilits lack the darkvision of their ancestors. Though not incredibly physically imposing, Ilits have a reputation for being intelligence and dexterous. A typical member of the ility race tends to live to around 80 years of age.

## Societal Roles

Ilits find themselves in a number of useful roles in society; in wilder places, such as in tribal communities, they make excellent hunters and trackers, their smaller stature serving as protection against wild beasts (through stealth and disguise). They also commonly serve as explorers, and can be often found in mercenary groups as burglars, and sneakier types. In more centralized communities, they often find themselves in similar roles, but also make for excellent farmers and entertainers.

## Language

The ancestral language of the Ilits is Ility, a somewhat rough and guttural speech that is still commonly used by the native population of the Enadran Archipelago. In most other places, however, ility has fallen to New Common and the differing forms of elvish, and is only ever used by ethnic groups, and some researchers and professors of linguistics. Ility does not have dialectical variants, at least not in the ways in which common and elvish have evolved. Ility is originally derived from the much more exotic and ancient tongue called Estelis (or celestial, in layman’s terms), though the association between ilits and celestials is lost to history. The prevailing theory is that Ilits and celestials somehow share a common ancestor, though how that would even be possible is anyone’s guess.

## Ethnicities

### Woodling

Much of the history of the woodlings is shared with the human river folk. They originated in the Wisperwood tribal cultures, and migrated outwards all over the continent of Maz'Aena. Similarly, they’re quite common in the Morinfruë Dominion and the Free Cities. Woodlings are typically a mix of greens and soft blues, and are usually recognized by their much longer ears and stouter builds.

### Rockling

Rocklings originated from the northeastern coastal islands of Ayisa, foraging and fishing amongst the crags. Eventually, they spread out across the coastline and beyond, and can commonly be found in Im'Shayif, the Lower Steepes, and many parts of the Enadran Archipelago. Their skin tends to play in extremes, from ebony black to snow white, but some rocklings also sport somewhat greyish tones. Rocklings’ hair also follows a similar pattern. They’re much thinner and lighter than their woodland cousins.

### Ghostling

A somewhat recent genetic subrace, ghostlings are Ilits originating from around the Ghostwell, warped by the enormous lake’s necrotic and otherworldly energy. Oddly pale and (as the name suggests) ghostlike, Ghostlings are an incredibly small ethnic group that is almost never seen outside of a select number of tribes, to such an extent that many do not even believe they exist. As such, most ghostlings will often be taken to be odd rocklings instead. Ghostlings tend to have skin tones split between dark purples and deep navy blues, and are almost always bald. Their eyes reflect similar colors as their skin, though almost always with a slightly harsher neon tint.

## Notable Ilits

* Roisin Maclay, occasional member of Adla Eyl.
* Kyrielle Quickspear, member of the party which recovered Elias Enadran's infamous 6th Volume.