Landling

Landlings (Ruulden: Druinithæ’Rathil, “Connected Ones of the Forest and Land) are a rare people of Mundus born with an innate, unusually strong attunement to Light Energy. They are typically identifiable by animal-like ears and a tail—features that vary by individual (species and coloration are not fixed). Landlings are celebrated in Ruulran as miracles of the Mother’s hand, yet their rarity and sensitivity to Dark Energy also place them at significant risk during ages of growing corruption.

Etymology

The Ruulden compound Druinithæ’Rathil literally glosses as “Connected Ones of the Forest and Land,” reflecting a traditional association with the wilds and with Light.

Characteristics

Physical traits

Landlings are marked by animal ears and a tail. These traits are present from birth; recorded examples include raccoon-like, wolf-like, and cat-like. While documented cases confirm the presence of such traits, the precise animal type differs from person to person.

Energetic attunement and abilities

Landlings are highly attuned to Light Energy, which manifests as heightened perception of aetheric currents. Many are capable Aura Readers, able to sense flows of Light and Dark around people and places.

Vulnerabilities

Because their essence leans strongly toward Light, Landlings tend to be unusually sensitive to Dark Energy. Exposure to the Nether (a realm of concentrated Dark Energy) is considered especially dangerous for them.

Rarity and birth

Landlings are exceedingly rare—sources repeatedly emphasize this in biographical and world-event summaries. In Ruulran, Landling births are commonly framed as miraculous, with children sometimes described in public discourse as “miracle” offspring. Materials do not establish a proven mechanism of inheritance; scholarly notes and sanctum tradition instead treat Landling birth as providential.

Scholastic/folk explanations. Project sources tie Landlings to the wilds via language and liturgy, and Ruulrani religious culture venerates Odivia the Mother; as a result, popular belief holds that Landlings are bestowed rather than bred. Formal doctrine does not confirm a “recipe” for their birth, but social histories often place known Landlings in learned or noble households, reflecting Ruulran’s caste and education structures rather than any verified causal link.

Cultural status

In Ruulran

Ruulran venerates Odivia and maintains a highly formal religious and social order. Within this context, Landlings are revered and often treated with ceremonial respect as embodiments of the Mother’s favor. The realm’s ecclesiastical hierarchy (headed by the Grand Seer in the Cathedral of the Mother Most Radiant) forms the backdrop for such veneration.

In Directionland

In Directionland, Landlings are largely integrated among other peoples of the Empire. Their abilities (particularly aura reading) make them valued advisers in crises involving Light/Dark imbalances.

Known abilities

• Aura Reading: Perception of Light/Dark flows.
• Light-aligned resilience: Strong alignment to Light Energy can bolster Landlings in sanctums and consecrated spaces.

Language

• Endonym/exonym: Druinithæ’Rathil (Ruulden); “Landling” (Common Directian).
• The Ruulden lexeme underscores connection to forest and land, reinforcing the traditional association between Landlings and the natural world.