Common name: Phylrouth (fɪl-ɹuθ)
Individual: Phylra (fɪl-ɹɑ)
Plural: Phylrouth
Species: Phylra
Classification: Sapiaflora
Number of sexes: 2 (male and female); a Phylra's sex cannot be determined until puberty
Adult size (mobile individuals): Small; heights generally range from 3’4” to 4’2” for males, 3’8” to 5’0” for females
Adult size (rooted individuals): Large; heights generally range from 7'8" to 14'3", though a rooted Phylra can theoretically keep growing for their entire life
Longevity: Mortal
Preferred habitat: Plains, forests, grasslands
Range: Global
Associated languages: Commercial Standard, Imperial Routhian
Debut: Sonnet (2018)
Physiology:
All sapiaflors are, taxonomically speaking, plants, but the shape of a Phylra is more or less humanoid. They are bipedal creatures with a bark epidermis (typically some range of green or brown in color), rounded cores, and a bulb of a head complete with a mouth, three gem-like eyes in a downward triangle, and a series of six holes that tunnel to the inner ears. Their legs are stocks that branch out in roots at the feet; though these do function for mobility, a Phylra can also sink their roots into the ground to absorb nutrients, or to root permanently if their lifestyle allows it. They may have any number of leafy-bearing branches ("arms") of varying lengths emerging from any part of the upper core, most of which end in a branching hand-like structure. At puberty, a flower blooms from the individual’s head, which contains stamen if male and a pistil if female; the sex of a Phylra cannot be determined until this point is reached.
Senses:
Through their roots, Phylrouth can sense motion through vibration, which is their defining sense as a species. Their epidermis also detects tactile information. While they can see and hear, these senses are quite rudimentary in comparison to those of animal species. As they do not eat (sustaining themselves instead through photosynthesis) Phylrouth neither taste nor smell; their mouths exist purely for communication. The Phylrouth can also send use their roots to send subterranean "signals" to each other, as well as to other plant-life and fungi, in order to exchange nutrients, antibodies, and other biological materials. They can also use this underground network to influence the growing conditions of an area of land, which makes them a threat to more physically-adept sapients such as the humanoids.
Magical abilities:
Phylrouth are incapable of manipulating essence and are therefore non-magical. Unlike other non-magical sapient races, however, the Phylrouth have grown to fear and despise sorcery in all forms; this aversion is originally rooted in the Phylrouth's historical tensions with the now-extinct İstaŋlar, but flourishes at present due to the teachings of the Routhian faith. As such, anything to do with magic is heavily stigmatized in Phylra culture.
Social behavior:
Due to their ability to connect with each other via their roots, the Phylrouth are a highly social people. That said, as much of their exchanges occur underground and beyond the perception of other sapients, they are often misjudged as solitary and aloof. This misconception is furthered by the fact that many Phylrouth have difficulty adjusting to the social preferences of most of the mammalian peoples. Many historians theorize that the Phylrouth-run Routhian Empire and the subsequent dominance of its official religion may have sprung from overcompensation for this unease with the humanoids. Given their preferred methods of communication, many individuals of higher standing choose to root themselves into place and relay their orders primarily through the underground, as well as to grow indefinitely in stature; most Phylrouth, however, do opt to remain mobile, particularly those who often interact with the other sapient peoples.
Reproduction and life cycle:
Phylrouth primarily reproduce sexually, the female producing seeds when pollinated by a male. While this means that pollination can occur by accident, or with an undesired partner, seeds must be consciously sown and tended, meaning that a female Phylra will not be forced to plant any seeds she may spawn. Most pollinations will also result in the release of a larger number of seeds than desired or tolerable. Unwanted seeds may be destroyed, or may be gifted to the Routhian Church of the Four-Winged Beast to be raised as future brothers or sisters of the faith. A rooted Phylra can also reproduce asexually by budding, creating a cloned offspring that may differ only in sex depending on the hormones received during gestation; as rooted Phylrouth cannot tend their own seeds, and may desire a genetically-similar successor, this method is often preferred among the higher ranks.
Family units:
While romantic attachments do occur among Phylrouth, most who desire children will seek a mate based on health and lineage as opposed to mutual affection. This most often results in friendly-enough partnerships based on a shared interest in continuing their lines, though some partnerships can turn sour enough for the pair to part ways. After any planted seeds are raised to a reasonable level of social conscious, many Phylra parents take a “hands-off” approach to their children, generally letting them come and go as they please; however, as this is generally from a place of respect for autonomy rather than one of disinterest, most parents do remain available for guidance and support should their offspring desire it.
