Eens

The Eens are an ancient race of people, having lived in the world since the old days, when magic still danced on the wind. Eens come in many shapes and sizes, though it is safe to say that they are mostly small (about the size of rabbits), mostly friendly, and—mostly of all—afraid of the big outside world.

Most Eens have never been to the outside world. They live in the hidden Land of Een, which is protected from prying eyes by an invisible magic curtain. Of those Eens who have journeyed to the outside world, many have not returned, never to be seen again.

Some scholars think Eens are related to Gnomes or Elves, but this is mostly because Eens have pointed ears and are adept at using magic. They can talk to animals and, indeed, many an Een town is populated with all sorts of Een animals.

Eens live in a structured society, where each citizen has a role. Many Eens choose simple occupations such as cobbling, tailoring, or farming, though others choose more intellectual or inventive pursuits—or the study of wizardry. An Een child (called an Eenling) attends school until the age of twelve, at which time he or she is apprenticed to a master to study a particular craft.

When Eens marry, they will change their first name so that the first letter matches the first letter of their partner’s last name. For example, when Gayla Griffinskitch married Krimson Kandlestar, she changed her first name to Kayla, and she became Kayla Kandlestar. There are no gender rules for this, and an Een man will often change his names to match that of his wife.

The Land of Een is governed by a council of seven elders, most of whom are extremely old and well-practiced in magic.

Eens are know for their braiding ability, and each and every Een wears at least a single braid, which is probably a tradition handed down from Leemus Longbraids, who lived in the Days of Een, before the magic curtain was created to hide the land from the outside world.