Atumi are a species of plant-like creatures that originally hailed from the Ixchel Wilds. They were displaced from their native homes millenia ago by the harsh predators and foul beasts of the wilds. Eventually their clans settled into the Iuk-’u Delta forming several settlements constructed from mushroom-like buildings. Unlike many other species the Atumi are sprouted from pollinated seeds rather than birthed or hatched. They have a natural affinity for magic and are prone to seek peaceful resolutions before resorting to violence.

Within Atumi society the Clanmother is the authority for most Atumi within a clan. However, various clans make up the hierarchy of their social order and the Clanmothers designate Speakers who work together to make most of the political decisions on the Clanmother’s behalf. Due to this system of governance the ideals of respecting one’s Clanmother and a strong sense of democracy run deep through their culture.

Phyllalocutio - The native and preferred tongue used amongst the Atumi. It is an incredibly difficult language for outsiders to learn, full of colloquialisms and sounds that are nearly impossible for the tongues of other species to replicate. Lots of rolling consonant sounds and elongated vowels meld together to create a pleasant sounding, if alien to most, language.

Common Tongue - Decades ago learning to speak common became a mandatory part of the education within Atumi culture. While they still speak amongst one another in their native language they have recognized the importance of trade and diplomacy with outsiders. It is not uncommon for the Atumi to revert back to Phyllalocutio in the presence of foreigners when they feel they have been slighted or disrespected.

Most Atumi have a fibrous skin that is firm to the touch but gives way when pressed. The color of their skin tends to be fairly uniform and while green or brown is the most common skin color it is not necessarily uncommon to see red, yellow, orange, pink, violet, or even blue Atumi.

Just as they can vary wildly in color their other features can differ significantly as well. They are all bipedal and have two arms but their ears and faces can resemble humans, elves, or even in some cases be orcish in appearance. On their bodies some members of the species may have a tree bark type of substance growing over parts of their skin and in cases where this bark is widespread it almost guarantees that Atumi will be a member of the warrior caste.

Many of the Atumi have various leaves or vines that grow from their head similar to hair but it’s not unheard of for Atumi to have flowers, branches, mushrooms, or even spines growing from their scalp or limbs.

All Atumi have mouths from which they can speak. They can even consume water through their mouths though many of them prefer to simply absorb it through their skin. Consuming foods or beverages that aren't necessary for survival is possible and many Atumi regularly drink alcohol or try foreign foods even though there is little requirement to do so for sustenance.

Atumi can theoretically survive anywhere on Arethil so long as they have access to the sun and water. For this reason, the Underrealm is impossible for them to pass through for more than a few days due its lack of sunlight. They have made their home in the Iuk-’u Delta, particularly in the isles closest to the Ixchel Wilds. This is partially because it was the first water crossing they conducted after they fled their ancestral homes and also proved to be a necessity to avoid the Cuicatl Tribes of the Naga who resided further south within the archipelago.

Virtually all Atumi are gifted with some sort of magical abilities. For the vast majority of Atumi this manifests in magic that allows for control over the natures of Arethil. Specifically, manipulation of plants, the firmament itself, or water. It is these magical talents that allow for their mushroom buildings to grow and form to make up their settlements and cities. In rare cases Atumi can display control over other schools of magic.

Atumi can "root" themselves into the earth which allows them to not only absorb nutrients faster but it lets their minds enter the Coalescence - a shared dream-state that lets Atumi communicate with one another across vast distances. Many Atumi report feeling the Coalescence at all times, even in their waking lives.

Nourishment is achieved through photosynthesis making sunlight and water vital elements to the survival of any member of the species. Being deprived of either resource will cause wilting to occur after several days and without sunlight or water most Atumi will enter a catatonic state before expiring after a few weeks.

They are physically a bit weaker than humans but the strongest Atumi would certainly hold their own against many human warriors. While their bodies can also be slightly more prone to injury they tend to heal much quicker than other races and if a part of their body is severed it can always be regrown given enough time.

Some Atumi can also have types of bioluminescence that light up their flesh or flowers or leaves. For some this can be triggered at will whereas for others it may only illuminate when exposed to the light of the moon.

Millenia ago the first of the Atumi were sprouted from the Tree of Life. They lived deep in the Ixchel Wilds in harmony with the land itself. Over time they began to tame and domesticate some of the insectoid creatures they came across, built settlements from the earth itself, and improved their tool making capabilities. This gave way to land disputes and the formation of the first clans of the Atumi.

At some point in their ancient history the Atumi clans went to war due to the overzealous nature of some of the clan’s chieftains and against the advice of the Clanmothers who were subservient to the chieftains of the time. Not long after the first Atumi war came the wretched beasts from the darkest places within the Ixchel Wilds. Weakened from war the Atumi could not hope to stand against the voracity of the monstrous foes they now faced.

Forced to leave their homes they migrated all the way to the swampish islands of the Iuk-’u Delta and re-established themselves. In the process they banned the practice of clans being run by the chieftains and the clans were led by Clanmothers instead. Recognizing the need to never again fight amongst themselves they also established the Atumi Confederacy which would ensure that the various clans would settle their disputes through words rather than blows.

Within their culture other plants are also respected and while not treated as equals they are given certain privileges. For this reason, any wooden implements are fashioned from recycled wood such as a fallen limb or a naturally downed tree. Most of their other tools are created from the chitin or bones of the various insectoid and mammalian species that serve them. Their overall philosophy towards all life is to never let anything go to waste and they can often be judgemental of other species for what they perceive as wasteful living habits.

Despite their disapproval of how many other species of Arethil live, within the last century they have begun to open diplomatic and trade relations with the other sentient creatures of Arethil.

The Coalescence - Likely more important than their religious beliefs and myths is the shared dream that all Atumi take part in when rooted. This shared mind allows Atumi to operate almost like a superorganism if necessary and causes Atumi who travel far away from their Clans to feel a sense of dread and homesickness. Atumi who can be without the Coalescence for long periods of time are extremely rare and often have other mental setbacks.

Atumi worship and revere four living god-trees that they claim still exist deep within the Ixchel Wilds. They contend that these god-trees are the source of all life, understanding, and magic within Arethil.

The Mother is the firmament, the waters, the moons, the sky, and the sun. It is The Mother, whom the non-Atumi call “Arethil,” that created the backdrop for all else. While The Mother is not explicitly worshipped she is to be respected.

The Tree of Life - The eldest tree, the Tree of Life, sprouted the first of the Atumi as well as all other living creatures. The Tree of Life is generally seen as kind, compassionate, and forgiving. It is typically the first Tree that Atumi pray to when something has gone wrong.

The Tree of Knowledge - The second tree and the first living thing that sprouted from the Tree of Life. The Tree of Knowledge bears fruit that imparts knowledge unto all living creatures. It is because of the Tree of Knowledge that sentience exists. The Tree of Knowledge is seen as the source of logic, justice, and liberty.

The Tree of Magic - All magic stems from the blue-colored Tree of Magic. It birthed all of the magic of Arethil and flowers continue to blossom and spread magic throughout the land. The Tree of Magic is viewed as being enigmatic and capricious.

The Dead Tree - Everything that has a beginning must come to an end. The Dead Tree is a large black tree whose limbs bear no leaves, no fruit, no flowers. It is ever growing and impossibly high as its branches curl inward to record the names it takes into its bark. It is hollow, uncaring, and it will come for all of us.

The Tree of Life did not just birth the Atumi even if we were the chosen people. It birthed the humans who call their mighty cities made of felled trees and stone home. It birthed the dwarves who reside under the mountains. It birthed the orcs who have proven themselves to be trustworthy and generous allies since our first contact with them. It birthed the faraway elves who live in the trees as we live in the shroom.

We are all part of the same ecosystem and the same life cycle. We cannot accept that The Mother and the four Trees chose to create these people and not have them co-exist with us. To suggest otherwise is blasphemy.

Yes, they are wrong to cull the life of a sapling. Their carnivorous ways are abhorrent to everything we know to be true. But they are simply misguided and it is our duty to lead them to the truth.

• Saoirse Latharnach, Speaker of the Trees from Clan Fabri

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