#askgaian

[loominggaia]

What is the average weight range of each species?

I think this will vary dramatically depending on sex, race, cultural diet, etc. but taking global populations into account, here are the averages for full-grown adults of each species...

COMMONERS

Humans: 140 lbs

Dworfs: 250 lbs

Roshava: 220 lbs

Trolls: 600 lbs

Ogres: 1400 lbs

FAE

Elves: 80 lbs

Goblins: 110 lbs

Gnome: 1.5 lb

Sirene: 120 lbs

Cecaelia: 210 lbs (Sovereign, aka Cecaelias Georg, probably brings the whole average up a few pounds lol)

GAIANS

Satyrs: 160 lbs

Fauns: 120 lbs

Minotaurs: 500 lbs

Centaurs: 1300 lbs

Gorgons: 170 lbs

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[loominggaia]

Final question in my species-specific age equivalents: This time, how old would a 21 year old-equal be?

As always, these ages are only approximate and there is definitely some wiggle room:

Human: 21

Dworf: 21

Roshava: 21

Troll: 17

Ogre: 17

Elf: 30

Goblin: 30

Gnome: 50

Sirene: 30

Cecaelia: 50

Satyr: 16

Faun: 21

Minotaur: 16

Centaur: 21

Gorgon: 21

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[loominggaia]

In sight of my recent 6-year-old human question: How old is each species (Roughly/on average) when they're about as mature as a, IDK, 16 year old human? Also, what do you think would happen when Sovereign dies? Which of his countless kids (Not counting the rejects he banished) will become the new ruler of the AA Water Bois?

Question 1: As I said before, this is hard to measure, so take these numbers with a grain of salt:

Human: 16

Dworf: 16

Roshava: 16

Troll: 13

Ogre: 13

Elf: 20

Goblin: 20

Gnome: 35

Sirene: 20

Cecaelia: 45

Satyr: 13

Faun: 15

Minotaur: 13

Centaur: 16

Gorgon: 16

Question 2: Sovereign has hundreds of offspring, but has chosen a small handful of his most capable children to be his heirs, lackeys, and goons.

First in line for heir is his chadly son, Champion of Aquaria (nickname "Champ"). There will be more info about him and his family in an upcoming concept, but I can say a few things about him here.

Champ is the strongest, smartest, and most handsome of all Sovereign's offspring, which is why he was chosen to lead the Aquarian Alliance after his father's death. The pressure has been on this guy since his birth to be perfect in every way, as Sovereign holds him to an impossible standard. On the outside, Champ seems like a cool and confident guy. But on the inside, he's a hair away from a nervous breakdown at any given moment. His public persona is very different from the person he is in private.

In public, he projects a dignified and collected presence, as if he's ready to take on anything with the utmost professionalism. But as soon as he comes home and closes the door behind him, he's on the floor having a big, fat panic attack and crying for his mommy.

Champ is trying to stick it out and be the perfect scyllo his crazy father wants him to be, but is is certainly not easy. Sovereign is very hard on him, but also spoils him and parades him around with pride. Because truly, Champ does exceed expectations in almost everything he does...but it's not just luck, it's because he works his fucking ass off 24/7 to be the best. This dude grinds like a belt sander, day in, day out.

Champ's intense daily grind is not exactly sustainable though. There will probably come a day when he comes unglued and falls apart, mentally or physically--or both. And I'm willing to bet it will be at the worst possible moment too...

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[loominggaia]

Given that elves are the most avid lovers of sweets, do any of Gaia’s other peoples love sweets almost as much as elves do? What about less?

Elves are stereotyped for loving sweets, and there is a real reason behind this: elves are inefficient spell-casters. This means they can cast more potent spells with less effort, but as a result, their arcane energy drains faster than other species.

Arcane energy is directly tied to calorie intake. And when these excess calories run out, the spells resort to eating the elf's fat and organs. This is why elves struggle to gain weight, but have no trouble losing it.

Excessive spellcasting can seriously damage an elf's organs and cause a condition called "arcane burnout". If severe enough, it can be fatal. This condition isn't exclusive to elves--all magic-using peoples can experience it--elves are just more susceptible to it.

What does this have to do with sweets, you ask? Sugar and carbs are very dense in calories. Elves (and all magic-users) rely on excess calories to cast spells. So, loading up on sweets is the most efficient way to fill up the ol' magic tank.

Fae bodies process sugar more gracefully than commoners and gaians. They don't experience the same tooth-rotting, pancreas-destroying consequences that other peoples do. As a result, they can eat cakes and candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day of their lives and remain healthy.

Fae are stereotyped for "loving" sweets because they eat a lot of sugar. In reality, their crazy sugar consumption is more about efficiency than love. (Although many fae do indeed have a sweet tooth, just like anyone else!)

A note about Gaians:

Commoners can't use magic, but gaians can if they choose to. However, gaian bodies don't process sugar with the same grace that fae do, so they can't get away with cramming sweets down their throat all the time without suffering health problems.

This makes gaians less efficient spellcasters than fae, because they have to keep a balanced diet while also making sure to have enough excess calories to cast spells.

There are many gaian mages who decide to eat like crap to get ahead in their magic studies, and this may work for a while. But it's only a matter of time before this diet catches up with them, and if it continues for too long they will be in rough shape.

This is one of the main reasons fae have an edge over gaians in spellcasting.

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[loominggaia]

AlyssaCarol asks: Hey! I've noticed that you haven't done a description for these kiddos like you have for both the Commoner & Fae kids. I think it would be interesting to see a description in the same style as the other ones!

Hey you're right! I think I meant to but I must have forgot. I'll just update all of them here...

Humans are known as the "beast tamers". They have a gift for taming animals, using them as tools, weapons, and companions. They're most famous for their close relationship with dogs. This human girl got a puppy for her birthday, sure to be her best friend for many years.

Roshava are the "athletes". The finest athletes in the world are historically roshavan, and while they are very capable in battle, they historically have used their talents for sports instead. This roshavan boy shows off his muscles, hoping to be a wrestler some day.

Dworfs are the "engineers". They are half the size of humans but twice as strong. Their understanding of engineering and natural resistance to pollution has made their civilizations the most impressive in the world, but at the detriment of nature. This dworfen girl is proud of the flower she found, for it was the last living plant on her street.

Trolls are the "tunnelers". Their claws are powerful digging tools and their immune systems are tough, so they like to call the dark, damp, underground their home. This troll boy just emerged from the underground for the first time, and he's ready to terrorize some topsiders.

Ogres are the "heavyweights". With their massive size and unmatched strength, they are feared by other peoples. This ogre girl often gets scolded, for she plays too rough with her little elven friends.

Elves are the "craftsmen". Their sharp vision and long, dextrous fingers allow them to craft all kinds of fine-quality things from shoes, to jewelry, to toys. This elven girl shows off a dress made by her mother and boots made by her father.

Goblins are the "slaves". This species is magically bound by their names. If a non-goblin addresses one with all three parts of their name, the goblin is magically compelled to obey the next order given. This young goblin is watching his back, for his school bully just learned his full name.

Gnomes are the "wee folk". They are the shortest of all peoples, standing only a few inches tall. Despite their doll-like size, this species boasts powerful magic. This young gnome skips merrily through the forest without fear, for she has enchanted a mighty tiger to protect her.

Sirenes are the "beauties of the sea". Their soft, androgynous appearance and vivid colors makes this species a sight for sore eyes. This sirene boy waves to a group of girls on shore, confident that they will fall in love with him at first sight.

Cecaelia are the "ancient ones". This Aquarian species has an impressive lifespan of up to 1,500 years! Their age gives them plenty of time to hone their magic powers, though their alien appearance can be off-putting to others. This cecaelian girl looks like she's smiling, but she is actually baring her teeth in aggression.

Satyrs are the "revelers". They were born for a lifestyle full of drink, dance, and romance. Though some people find their behavior too rowdy and rambunctious, satyrs rarely mean any harm and just want to have fun. This satyr girl is having a great time dancing to music.

Fauns are the "musicians". Though they are the physically weakest of all gaians, fauns are also the most graceful movers, the second-fastest runners, and have the greatest potential for spellcasting. Their sensitive ears also give them a natural gift for music. This faun boy is upset because his parents took his flute away.

Minotaurs are the "barbarians". This large, powerful species may be the slowest-moving of all gaians, but they are also the strongest. Minotaurs have trouble communicating with other species due to the beast-like shape of their mouths. This young minotaur is learning sign language as an alternative.

Centaurs are the "racers". They are the fastest-moving of all peoples and they are quite strong too, making them top-notch soldiers and athletes. Though they are fast and powerful, their legs are prone to breaking easily. This centaur boy is in time-out for throwing his weight around the schoolyard.

Gorgons are the "venomous ones". Male gorgons have a venomous barb on their tails which can poison their enemies, while females instead have a loud and intimidating rattle, which they also use for musical purposes. Gorgons can't jump very well and they struggle to climb stairs, but they do move surprisingly fast. This gorgon girl is wearing jewelry made from the scaly skin of her ancestors.

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[loominggaia]

Have you developed any Etios subcultures?

Just a few so far!

Freebillies - Satyrs who wish to return to a more traditional way of life. They reject the concept of civilization and instead live “free” nomadic lives. Etio Nation is one of the very few Great Kingdoms that not only allows satyrs to live this way, but actively encourages it by designating special nature preserves for these individuals. These preserves are essentially lawless zones where satyrs can do whatever they want. But as a tradeoff, these satyrs must revoke their Etiosi citizenship and lose all benefits that entails, including access to hospitals, welfare, police protection, schooling, etc.

There are different types of freebillies, some more dedicated to the feral lifestyle than others. The most radical of them refuse to interact with townsfolk or set foot in permanent structures at all, while the less dedicated freebillies might camp in the woods and rely on civilization for supplies.

Freebillies are stereotyped as rowdy, hedonistic, and sexually aggressive by outsiders. Females are sometimes called “freenannies”. While this subculture is largely dominated by satyrs, other species may occasionally be accepted into the group; particularly nymphs and fauns.

Horners - Also disparagingly known as “horny boys”, this subculture is exclusive to horned gaians: satyrs, fauns, and minotaurs. They are vain males who are obsessed with their own horns, particularly their size. For horners, bigger is always better. They often decorate their horns with paint, jewelry, and intricate carvings to make them stand out. A cracked or chipped horn is emotionally devastating to these men.

While female horners are rare, so-called “ivory queens” are common. These are women who lust after horners and fawn over their majestic horns. Ivory queens may or may not be horned species themselves, but horners always are.

Friends of Fae - This is an Etiosi political movement that fights for fae equality. They want Etiosi's leadership to let go of the past and welcome fae across the border. Some even call for the border to be erased altogether, and the reunification of Etios Nation and Matuzu Kingdom. While this is a rather small fringe group, its members can be quite loud and disruptive while trying to get their point across. They are stereotyped as aimless people with nothing better to do but fight for a pipe dream.

That’s all I have for now, but there may be more in the future as I develop Etios Nation’s culture further.

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[loominggaia]

Remembered seeing an old ask of how Fae meat is useless and barely offers sustenance. However, I must about all the other species, and how they may taste! What does each Commoner and Gaian species taste like, and which would be the best to devour?

Hannibal Lecter is in the askbox again!

I think the "best" tasting species would be a matter of personal opinion, so I can't really speak on that. But this is a fun question, so here's what I think their meat would be like...

COMMONERS

Human: Apparently tastes like pork IRL, so...that.

Dworf: Like pork but worse. The fatty parts are greasy and the muscle is dense and hard to chew.

Roshava: Muscley, sinewy, and chewy. Flavor is probably tangy.

Troll: Super gamey flavor with inedibly tough skin. Once you get past the skin it's not that bad, probably like eating wild boar.

Ogre: The blubbery parts are decent, but good luck getting to them because the skin and muscle are so damn tough you'll break your jaw off trying to chew them.

FAE

Elf: They taste strangely sweet, but you're hungry again 10 minutes later. You burn more calories picking the meager amounts of meat off the bone than you get from eating it.

Goblin: Their meat is lightweight yet tough, unsatisfying, has a bland taste.

Gnome: Earthy little snaccs that never seem to fill your stomach no matter how many of them you eat.

Sirene: Tastes fishy in a bad way. Horrendous sinewy texture.

Cecaelia: Think of the shittiest sushi you've ever had. It's basically that. Cecaelia meat shrivels into an inedible string no matter how you cook it, and eating it uncooked is a slimy, miserable experience that tastes like licking a whole raw tuna from the seafood counter.

GAIANS

Satyr: A lot like mutton, although you might get drunk or high from consuming it...

Faun: Tastes similar to venison, except you don't get nearly as much meat from them as you would from a deer.

Minotaur: Probably pretty good honestly...like if pork and beef fused into one weird frankenmeat.

Centaur: The equine part is not much different than eating a horse. So, if you like super lean meat, you'll be into it. The humanoid part has more of a pork flavor, but it's way chewier and more muscley, and overall not very good.

Gorgon: Have you ever eaten snake? It's a lot like that.

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[loominggaia]

Do satyrs (and other races with hooves) wear shoes?

Sometimes they do, but it depends a lot on their region, species, and culture.

Centaurs are the only peoples with one-toed hooves. They often wear the same kind of horseshoes that horses wear, but it's rare to see them wearing the type of shoes that humans wear. When they do, these shoes are obviously shaped quite differently than a human shoe.

Minotaurs, satyrs, and fauns have cloven two-toed hooves. They don't wear horseshoes, but they do occasionally wear regular shoes. They may do so for fashion or practicality.

Hoofed peoples are susceptible to foot issues just like humans are. They can get infections and injuries, so they might wear shoes to protect their feet in harsh environments.

But I would say overall, most hoofed peoples don't bother with shoes of any kind because the hooves themselves are kind of like a natural shoe. They are harder and more resilient than a squishy human foot, plus it's good for these species to wear their hooves down naturally by walking on rough terrain, otherwise they can grow too long and cause problems.

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