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| − | {{Infobox |
+ | {{Infobox Race |
| + | |Image = <gallery> |
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| − | A '''nymph''' is typically any member of a large class of female mythological entities in [[human]] form. They are typically associated with a particular location or landform, such as water, forests, land, etc. |
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| + | WGW Dryad Sentinel 2.jpg|Dryad |
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| + | WGW Hamadryad Duen Canell healer.jpg|Hamadryad |
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| + | Rusalka RPG.jpg|Naiad |
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| + | WGW Nereid censored.jpg|Nereid |
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| + | </gallery> |
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| + | |Classification = Humanoid |
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| + | |Sub_races = * [[Dryad]] and [[hamadryad]] |
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| + | * [[Leimoniad]] |
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| + | * [[Naiad]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | * [[Oread]] |
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| + | |Civilizations = [[Brokilon]] {{Small|text=mostly [[dryad]]s}} |
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| + | |Languages = Dialects of [[Elder Speech]] |
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| + | |Locations = Depending on race, but mostly natural environment like forests of rivers |
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| + | |Skin_color = Often [[human]]-like but with tint of their natural environment |
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| + | |Distinctions = Exclusively female races |
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| + | }} |
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| + | '''Nymphs'''<ref group=N>In the novels it seems that "nymph" is rather a synonym used by common folk for certain types mentioned above rather than a term denoting a category. People can say "nymph" while thinking about rusalka, nereid or eerie wife, but the actual "scientific" name of this category is unknown.</ref> are humanoid races guarding and taking care of natural environments. Due to mutagenous substantions such as the [[Water of Brokilon]] they are exclusively female and may sometimes kidnap girls of different races to prolong the survivability of their own. |
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| − | == |
+ | == Characteristics == |
| + | === Physical description === |
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| − | * [[Dryad]]s or ''eerie wives'' (forest nymphs) |
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| + | Most of the described nymphs are slender and rather of small build, but do not diverge from average short [[human]] or [[elf]].<ref name="sod">{{SoD}}</ref> Their skin may be mistaken to this of humans, but often shows tints of the environment they live in, for example dryads' one might be a bit greenish or chestnut while nereids' slightly bluish.<ref name="wgw">{{WGW}}</ref> All nymphs are physically fit and perfectly adjusted to their environment. They are considered to be attractive by many humans, some of whom may try to mate with them<ref name="sod" /> or to kidnap and keep them in zoos and aquaria as eye-catching attractions.<ref name="yrr">{{Nonwitcher|Title=Yrr}}</ref> |
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| − | ** [[Hamadryad]]s (dryads connected with trees) |
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| − | * [[Leimoniad]]s (meadow nymphs)<ref name="GW">in {{WGW}}</ref> |
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| − | * [[Naiad]]s or [[Rusalka]]s (river nymphs; it is actually quite possible that they are one and the same) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | * [[Oread]]s (mountain nymphs)<ref name="GW" /> |
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| + | === Mental traits === |
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| − | == Creatures similar to nymphs == |
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| + | While the [[Source]]s are rare amongst them, many nymphs are able of using [[magic]] and [[Mind|psionic abilities]]. Their powers are usually connected with their habitat. |
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| − | * [[Vila]]s (inhabit hills and forests) |
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| − | == |
+ | === Procreation === |
| + | As they can be only female, nymphs use males of other humanoid races to procreate. Their strategies and approaches vary; [[naiad|rusalkas]] are known to seduce young men for one-time meetings spent on mutual pleasure,<ref name="wgw" /> while [[dryad]]s mate with visiting elves or kidnapped humans without forming any emotional bond.<ref name="sod" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | Many types of nymphs are known to kidnap girls of other races and raise them as their own.<ref name="tlw">{{TLW}}</ref> According to folk tales, rusalkas may kidnap an unattended child and replace it with an ugly replacement on the [[Saovine]]'s eve.<ref name="ttots">{{TTotS}}</ref> In truth however, humans themselves may leave an unwanted, ill child near nymphs' habitat in hope of spreading disease; such children are however healed and, if possible, brainwashed and transformed into nymphs using mutagens such as the [[Water of Brokilon]].<ref name="sod" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | == History == |
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| + | While certain obscure legends state that nymphs were created by [[elf|elves]] to fight humans,<ref name="gwent">{{Gwent standalone}}</ref> most of the sources agree that they appeared in the [[world]] much earlier than either [[Nordling]]s or [[Aen Seidhe]], amongst the first living creatures to colonize the [[Continent]].<ref name="wgw" /> When [[dwarf|dwarves]] arrived, brutal conflicts ensued over the cultural differences; the dwarves perceived nymphs as savage barbarians,<ref name="boe">{{BoE}}</ref> while the nymphs felt hatred towards an industrial race polluting the natural environment. The arrival of [[Aen Seidhe]] caused much less trouble and certain types of nymphs even started to admire elven desire for beauty. |
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| + | |||
| + | The most shocking impact on the nymphs was caused by the [[First Landing]] and subsequent Nordling colonization of the Continent. Humans perceived nymphs as [[monster]]s, [[demon]]s who had to be either expelled or destroyed in order to obtain new lands. [[Leimoniad]]s and [[oread]]s faced near extinction, the number of [[hamadryad]]s were decreasing with each cut tree.<ref name="wgw" /> Only after time the two species learned how to coexist. |
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| + | |||
| + | == Culture == |
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| + | The best known nymph culture is ancient dryad realm of [[Brokilon]]. Formed primarily by dryads and hamadryads,<ref name="sod" /> it hosts also a number of naiads.<ref name="wgw" /> Nereids in turn form an underwater society together with [[merpeople]] in the [[Great Sea]].<ref name="sod" /> |
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| + | |||
| + | Many nymphs do not form large societies, instead living in small groups or solitary in the wild.<ref name="wgw" /><ref name="yrr" /> |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Notes == |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == |
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| + | * [[Vila]] |
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| + | * [[Sylph]] |
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| + | |||
| + | == Footnotes == |
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| + | <references group="N"/> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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| + | |||
[[de:Nymphe]] |
[[de:Nymphe]] |
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| − | [[pl: |
+ | [[pl:Nimfa]] |
[[it:Ninfa]] |
[[it:Ninfa]] |
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[[pt-br:Ninfa]] |
[[pt-br:Ninfa]] |
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Revision as of 20:37, 17 January 2020
Nymphs[N 1] are humanoid races guarding and taking care of natural environments. Due to mutagenous substantions such as the Water of Brokilon they are exclusively female and may sometimes kidnap girls of different races to prolong the survivability of their own.
Characteristics
Physical description
Most of the described nymphs are slender and rather of small build, but do not diverge from average short human or elf.[1] Their skin may be mistaken to this of humans, but often shows tints of the environment they live in, for example dryads' one might be a bit greenish or chestnut while nereids' slightly bluish.[2] All nymphs are physically fit and perfectly adjusted to their environment. They are considered to be attractive by many humans, some of whom may try to mate with them[1] or to kidnap and keep them in zoos and aquaria as eye-catching attractions.[3]
Mental traits
While the Sources are rare amongst them, many nymphs are able of using magic and psionic abilities. Their powers are usually connected with their habitat.
Procreation
As they can be only female, nymphs use males of other humanoid races to procreate. Their strategies and approaches vary; rusalkas are known to seduce young men for one-time meetings spent on mutual pleasure,[2] while dryads mate with visiting elves or kidnapped humans without forming any emotional bond.[1]
Many types of nymphs are known to kidnap girls of other races and raise them as their own.[4] According to folk tales, rusalkas may kidnap an unattended child and replace it with an ugly replacement on the Saovine's eve.[5] In truth however, humans themselves may leave an unwanted, ill child near nymphs' habitat in hope of spreading disease; such children are however healed and, if possible, brainwashed and transformed into nymphs using mutagens such as the Water of Brokilon.[1]
History
While certain obscure legends state that nymphs were created by elves to fight humans,[6] most of the sources agree that they appeared in the world much earlier than either Nordlings or Aen Seidhe, amongst the first living creatures to colonize the Continent.[2] When dwarves arrived, brutal conflicts ensued over the cultural differences; the dwarves perceived nymphs as savage barbarians,[7] while the nymphs felt hatred towards an industrial race polluting the natural environment. The arrival of Aen Seidhe caused much less trouble and certain types of nymphs even started to admire elven desire for beauty.
The most shocking impact on the nymphs was caused by the First Landing and subsequent Nordling colonization of the Continent. Humans perceived nymphs as monsters, demons who had to be either expelled or destroyed in order to obtain new lands. Leimoniads and oreads faced near extinction, the number of hamadryads were decreasing with each cut tree.[2] Only after time the two species learned how to coexist.
Culture
The best known nymph culture is ancient dryad realm of Brokilon. Formed primarily by dryads and hamadryads,[1] it hosts also a number of naiads.[2] Nereids in turn form an underwater society together with merpeople in the Great Sea.[1]
Many nymphs do not form large societies, instead living in small groups or solitary in the wild.[2][3]
Trivia
- Nymphs are creatures of ancient Greek mythology, minor divinities associated with nature, frequently 'targeted' by Satyrs. They have various associations with the great deities of the pantheon, such as Poseidon, Artemis, Apollo and Demeter.
Notes
- In The Witcher, Geralt meets several nymphs: the dryad Morenn, a nayad at the Lakeside, and the Lady of the Lake.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ In the novels it seems that "nymph" is rather a synonym used by common folk for certain types mentioned above rather than a term denoting a category. People can say "nymph" while thinking about rusalka, nereid or eerie wife, but the actual "scientific" name of this category is unknown.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Sword of Destiny
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Wiedźmin: Gra Wyobraźni
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 ERROR
- ↑ The Last Wish
- ↑ The Tower of the Swallow
- ↑ Template:Gwent standalone
- ↑ Blood of Elves