Erishka of Virweald Forest

📎 Quick Reference

🧠 Overview

🎨 Physical Traits

The Erishka are unique in appearance with several notable features and characteristics.

• Height: 2 to 4 feet tall
• Build: Small and nimble. The Sagebloom are better known for being quite stout!
• Complexion: Ranges from warm ivory to soft browns
• Eyes: Large and expressive! Most commonly in shades of green, gold and amber; may appear slightly luminescent in low light
• Hair: Often wild or curly; usually in earthy browns, blonds and auburns or leafy greens!
• Distinct Features:
• Subtle fangs
• Some may have tails
• Often decorated with natural elements and trinkets like inventions, feathers, moss, gears, and vines.

🌍 Region of Origin

This race comes from the Southwestern territory of Erishka, in the Virweald, a lush woodland known for it’s dense forests and diverse flora and fauna. Before the Malvigo D’arim, this area was not widely populated, most of the Erishkan inhabitants residing within the 3 established villages and their clans:

• Whimblebrook — A lively village near the Eastern river border that largely focused of trade across the territory via the expansive river, historically inhabited by the Hollowgrove Clan.
• The Verdant Circle— A medium-sized village sitting on the shore of the southernmost lake characterized by it’s massive wildflower meadows and herbal sanctuary where the Verdant Circle clan specializes in herbalism and exploration!
• Thistlehearth — A village sitting on the northern Reikainese border known for its network of treehouses and woven bridges, suspended among the tree canopies. This village was led by the Sagebloom clan. They were best known for their innovation and technology such as eyeglasses!

Although these were the most common homes of Erishka before the war, some families and smaller clans could be found established in much smaller communities all across Erishka.

🎭 Cultural Identity

Erishkan society is nature-centric and they live in close harmony with the world around them. Even from the beginning, they were guided by the land. They value community, wisdom and celebration over conquest or power and they are known to be positive, cheerful people! Not only do they have an optimistic reputation, they're also known for being clever and creative, working well on a team and being fantastic problem solvers. Erishkan communities are tight-knit, led by councils of Lifebinders and elders instead of monarchs or warlords. All Erishka are raised from a young age to respect all life, and to be grateful for everything the world offers. Everything from their lifestyle to their combat philosophies reflect that they believe they serve the world, no the other way around. They may be small but the Erishka are brave and curious, making fantastic explorers and adventurers.

📖 History

The Erishka trace their origins to the cradle of Virweald, originally the south-western forests of the continent. These Etharim were among the first to awaken, created by Ethestes during the First Moon. They were the race of Prosperity; one of the 3 races modeled after Ethestes’ affinities.

The Erishka evolved within the glades and canopies of Virweald, focusing their efforts around growth, community and the world. Their societies remained decentralized, guided by chosen Lifebinders rather than royal families. Apprentices were chosen by the Lifebinders and clans to inherit the position.

During the Malvigo D’arim, most of the Erishka sided unwaveringly with Ethestes, seeing the Hladari’s violence and vitriol as a threat upon the world. Those who were able and willing joined as healers, scouts, and archers, offering combat aid and useful resourcefulness in the field. However, the Verdant Circle clan was an outlier from this, and vanished seemingly without trace into the Deepweald. They have not been seen or heard from since, leaving it a mystery whether they had simply died off or live in secrecy deep within the Virweald.

Like the other territories, the Virweald was deeply scarred by the war, leaving the established villages destroyed, the land no longer fertile from the blood spilled. The magic combat had left Fraythane in concentrated pockets, called Fractures, all throughout the land. The accounted-for Erishka migrated with the other Etharim to the Wylds to begin the Refectionem Era as “Nova Mir”, under the guidance of the Benedicts.

The Erishka residing in Farus are usually innkeeps, herbalists, medics and healers, and inventors, though they’re free to do anything they want. The Hollowgrove and Sagebloom clan both call Farus home.

🧬 Racial Affinity / Unique Trait

Erishka posses an innate spiritual connection to Sahan and nature. Unlike other races, they don’t just use magic—they feel it. This resonance allows them to sense the health, emotion or magical potential of living beings and environments.

This connection makes them natural healers, and excellent druids, capable of coaxing Sahan from flora, detecting traces of magic, sensing imbalances, and communicating with animals. While not physically powerful, their deep connection with life and nature allows them to mend what others can’t—even souls.

⚔️ Racial Strengths

(Optional — for roleplay flavor only, not stats)

• Erishka are attuned to the flow of Sahanis, and they are able to intuitively feel changes in nature, mood, and magical presence around them.
• They have a natural gift for weaving enchantments into everyday objects, clothing, tools, and charms, especially when made from organic materials!
• Their small size and quiet footsteps make them excellent at moving undetected in natural environments, often vanishing without a trace.
• Healing magic performed by an Erishkan feels deeply personal. It restores wounds, and eases fear, grief, and emotional pain.
• As they grow magically and spiritually and take on their Enlightened of Ascended ranks, Erishkans begin to manifest fae traits like horns, insect wings, tails and glowing markings
• Animals often respond calmly to Erishka and can communicate with them! With time and bonding, they may even become allies, messengers, or companions.
• Erishka are immune to plant poisons and resistant against creature venom. They can consume just about any natural ingredient without even a tummy ache!

“Big feet miss the hidden trails.”

—Wink Rootwhistle, Erishkan Pathseeker

🎲 Trivia

• 🐝 Bees are sacred companions, and it’s considered very rude to swat one in front of an Erishka. Many even keep bees in woven braid-hives hung from their homes.
• 🌿 Erishka give names to important plants, and speak to them as kin. Not greeting these plants can be seen as disrespectful or and offensive so always say hello to houseplants in an Erishkan home!
• 🍂 Sometimes, Erishka are not able to tell that they are much smaller than the other races. This is a phenomenon known as: denial.