The Digiri 

In the ancient Sumerian language, 'Digir' means 'God', and the Bee Folk were long revered as such. Bold, intelligent and hardy, able to construct massive and intricate cities, and capable of moving swiftly in large numbers, the Digiri people are among the oldest cultures in the Hidden World. Despite being regarded as the single greatest defense of the natural realm, the Digiri are quickly disappearing as the Earth struggles to maintain its fragile ecosystems. As delegates of the Earth's Summit Society, they speak for many species in decline.

The Ou-Ti 

Living in a forest region called 'The City of Trees' (known for powerful emissions of energy) the Ou-Ti People have remained in relative seclusion for thousands of years. Despite losing great swaths of their habitat to deforestation for human agriculture, the Ou-Ti are one of the few Ambassador cultures who shelter and tutor newly arriving modern humans, known as 'Iridians'. Their tribal leader, the wise and pacifistic J'Maari, still speaks the ancient languages of wind and water. J'Maari sends several of his most trusted advisors to the annual Earth Summit.

Ta'me

In the ever changing Vexed mists and Wandering bogs, the Ta'me Frog Folk hunt and fish, serve as stewards for the marshlands, and protect a reclusive group of shamanic snails known as The Shelkie. They have long held alliance with the Wasp and Water Beetle Folk, and are rarely seen beyond the borders of their wetland homes. 

Dealing with invasive species brought in by human boats, and once nearly driven to extinction by human invaders, the Ta'me have learned to distrust Man.

Clans of Amnamar 

Living in temperate and tropic regions throughout the world, these isolated bush groups are led by formidable regional Queens, and speak Bynsch, one of the oldest languages on Earth. 

Like most of the tribes of the Hidden Realms, Amnamar once engaged in trade with Men, but the greed of humans was insatiable, and conflicts with them were often violent.

Amnamar has long gone unrepresented in Summit hearings and gatherings, as the tribe prefers to remain insular.

The Shelkie

In remote wetlands of the world, these enormous, wise snail folk maintain monastic practices, serving as planetary interpreters.

The Shelkie enjoy the company of young human students and provide guidance if the individuals show proficiency in Earth interpretation. 

Though they are quite vulnerable to changes in their environment, the Shelkie have the ability to seal themselves in their shells and survive for up to three years. 

As they are slow-moving, the snail folk often send ambassadors from the Ta'me tribe to speak of their concerns. 

Petrel-Atal

One of the toughest and fiercest of their kind, the Petrel-Atal were first among the Ambassadors to abandon their earth alliance with Men, who they refer to as 'Wasters'. The Petrel-Atal guard the (quickly disappearing) icy borderlands of Copirnikha (Antarctica), surviving in the coldest, windiest places on Earth, and making passage through these areas extremely dangerous, if not entirely impossible. 

The Onepalipan

Led by King Abfosam Maso and Queen Hyurendi, the Onepalipan clan are soon to become environmental refugees as their islands are lost to sea level rise.

The Onepalipan have had some of the most difficult dealings with Men, but due to a single benevolent human washing up on their shores, the tribe supports the idea that the Men of earth can be brought back into balance. Abfosam is a high councilor and speaker at the annual Earth Summit.

The Bynsch

A Deep Time tribe that has all but disappeared, the shamanic Bynsch clan is almost entirely ascetic, earning them the nickname 'The Bird Buddhas'. They exist on nearly every continent, but are encountered in dreams or altered states more often than in what is deemed 'reality'. The Bynsch blend in with their surroundings enough to become virtually invisibe, and are gifted linguists, with some individuals rumored to be fluent in over 50 forms of speech.

Cre'ahni

The Cre'ahni are comprised of all (land) creatures who create their own light, including glow worms, luminescent moths and fireflies.

The eldest of the Cre'ahni is Dashmanaug the Great Moth, known well in the Hidden Realms for his immense rehabilitation project, which seeks to heal the long range damages caused by human strip mining. 

The Acappappa

The small, quirky and highly curious Acappappa are not much larger than the hummingbirds they so nearly resemble, and for whom they serve as natural ambassadors. Their penchant for fashion and design have led them to be considered vain, but the Acappappan style has been resplendently replicated by the humans they encountered, most notably in the high Victorian era. 

Nesherthi Tribe 

The Aramaic word for 'bird' can be either 'Ayit' or 'Nesher', but the latter typically refers to Eagles, where the former means 'Vulture'. 'Nesherthi' basically means 'the flightless eagles'. 

The Nesherthi have been desert dwellers for centuries, their companions being the giant sand scorpions known as the Ra'awudul. Though the journey to the Summit is long and arduous, the tribe's ambassadors consider the task of Earthspeech a great honor.

Tsma (Tsung P'eu)

In the bog language,  Tsma means 'island'. The creation myths of the turtle folk describe several immense and foolish tortoises who swam in the shallows of the young world and lodged themselves in place, creating the first land forms on which everything else grew. King Tsavyam of the Tsma is one of the oldest beings on Earth, often holding council with seemingly inanimate objects known as 'stone spirits', and communicating with the Zircon, the Stone King.

Ayakkeu

The range of the coastal Ayakkeu people once spanned from Nova Scotia, through Greenland and across the Atlantic into North Africa, Western Europe and Scandinavia. Their numbers dwindled over time, but not before they had deeply influenced the Neanderthal and Norse cultures. Like the later Wyandolorian, the Ayakkeu built splendid seaworthy ships, and may have assisted early Man in navigating long ocean crossings.

Twerdandles

To 'twerdandle' is to 'wander with a purpose', a colloquialism of this stout nomadic tribe. Living on the water in wood raft homes, these diminutive birds are well known for comedic antics, very long folk songs, and for a tradition of sewing patches on their clothing. The Twerdandles do this, not as a service to the garment, but rather as a means of remembrance. They are exceedingly rare, having been nearly wiped out by illnesses brought by early Man. 

I'yilypu

The social wasps of the mangroves and  Wandering Isles are known for astounding feats of inverted mud-and-paper architecture. The I'yilypu alliance with several species, including the Ta'me, The Shelkie, the Acappappa and Ou-Ti. They often serve in high political and aristocratic appointments in the Summit Society, an Earth equivalent of the United Nations. 

Ekmenn'ani

The tribes of caribou, moose, elk and deer, as well as some equatorial and highland groups in the goat, antelope and gazelle family, all refer to themselves as Ekmenn. The 'ani refers to their geographical location: 'ani' meaning boreal, 'ehli' being forest and grassland, 'aku' being desert steppe, 'oki' for mountainous lands, and 'i'eha' meaning ice realm. They hold permanent offices in the Summit Society, and usually uphold the idea that Man and Nature deserve equal support and defense.

Fhakhan-Wyandolor

Among the most ancient of the Earth ambassadors, this clan is believed to have stemmed from two  tribal groups who joined forces defending the cave dwellings of early Homo Sapiens. It is told in the Deep Time tales that some of the Fhakhan-Wyandolor then went with early man into the wild lands beyond, where Man and Ambassador made their world together. It is this fabled, ancient bond which solidifies the resolve of many present-day Earthspeakers.

Gou'rri

As one of the few species adept both in deep water and upon land, the Gou'rri are key speakers for sea societies and ocean realms. Like the Bynsch, they have profound linguistic abilities,  representing porpoise, krill, coral, narwhal, tuna, eel, sunfish and whale. They have an uneasy truce with Orca and the shark species, who are rarely represented in Summit hearings because of their tendency to eat representatives rather than speak to them. 

The Blackbard

Appearing in numerous fables and tales, the Blackbard tribe have been honored in Hindu cosmology and in modern narrative as the Ravens of Erebor. They were associated with Apollo and Odin, and are featured characters in epic poetry and creation myth across the human realm. As harbingers of war and death as well as representatives of royalty, the Blackbard hold both honorable and odious positions in the human pantheon. Preferring to entertain, they fulfill their role as ambassadors in poetic activism.  

Bau-shaa

Like the Blackbard,the Bau-shaa are feared and revered in the ancient worlds of Men; seen as both destroyers and weavers of worlds, these immense creatures live in the under-realms or deep woods. Nearly extinct, there are only three known Bau-shaa individuals, all of whom safeguard a sacred aspect of Earth. Over the eons of her life, Ochelochka, the eldest of the three, has built the Silken Citadel, a massive underground library and cache of Earth wisdoms, similar in scale and eloquence to that of the Taj Mahal. 

Zhao-Ahuilu (the Salamander King)

King Zhao is a massive and terrifying ruler reigning in the deep realms of nature. Especially vengeful toward and intolerant of humans, the The Salamander King expels or enslaves any outsider.

The related yet docile salamander Ahuilu people are a polar opposite in persona, serving as guides to incoming humans, and providing patient, benevolent stewardship in the forests and wetlands they call home.

The Pengoon

One of the toughest and most resourceful species in all the Hidden Realms, the Pengoon are renowned for their abilities to adapt to harsh environments. 

The Pengoon living and work beyond the White Ships of Copirnikha do so with their homeland in mind, speaking out for the preservation and protection of unique and fragile kingdoms that are disappearing faster than ever before. Among them, Yaenouk (pictured) is one of the most traveled, and serves as the Voice of the Council.

Bluebeards

One of the remaining clans to maintain trade and barter in the realms of Men, the Bluebeards are jovial punsters, and are usually well versed in the current culture. They enjoy card games, adore good cigars, and have a serious penchant for all human artifacts. If it's shiny, makes a strange noise, or seems to serve an odd and unexplained purpose, the Bluebeards collect it. And, as their name suggests, they grow a dense tuft of deep blue feathers under their beaks, giving them a 'bearded' appearance.

 Mantisora

The Mantisora People have often been confused as dragons, and encounters with them have led to several of the oldest and most terrifying accounts concerning great, green and winged beasts with massive horns upon their heads.  Though the females do own up to a bit of a reputation, the Mantisora as an elite group focus solely on the ambassador's duties, devote their lives to the betterment of Earth, and readily serve as speakers for lesser creatures whom their more typical sisters might otherwise simply consume.

Siltweed

Living in the shallows in most of the world's waterways, these seahorse-like creatures serve as the voice for many of the much larger and far smaller aquatic cultures of the world. The Siltweeds cannot fully leave the water, but communicate easily with a host of land mammals who frequent the water's edge. 'The Silties', as they are often called, are especially interested in the health of rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and mangroves, and defend the smallest of their inhabitants. 

Abreb

Being seen by many as invasive, the Abreb have made the recent rise of problematic creatures on Earth their primary concern.

Across their range of influence, the eleven Abreb tribes have made efforts to put themselves to good use, spearheading Assistance, Rights and even Relocation programs for  troubling species.

Men were surprised to discovered that they topped the list where invasive creatures were concerned, but the ambassador's creed states that all beings on earth deserve representation.

The Atolli

Cousins of the Twerdandlers, the spirited tropical Atolli throw extravagant parties, dress flamboyantly and usually play numerous instruments. They've heard of the Summit but have never attended; they gave up on the duties of ambassadorship long ago, and live by the adage 'ignorance is bliss'. Their only contact with others occurs when their habitat is encroached upon - and when this does happen, rather than make much of a fuss about it, the Atolli simply pick up and move to a new location.

Dowladar

The wind has many names, and perhaps in the Dowladar (which is a region and also a tribe) it seems there are more winds than anywhere in the world. The same region is home to the oldest of the Stonemudgins, spirits who live partially submerged in the Earth and arise when called upon.  The Dowladar tribe are well known for their weaving, basketry and felt arts, and live in earth lodges 'where the wind can sing, but does not sting'. 

Ashandi (Water Beetles)

One of the largest shallow diving creatures on Earth, the Ashandi are the living boatmen of the secret world. With some of their kin nearing 15 meters in length at adulthood, they are an excellent and swift form of transportation, and most species have an easy demeanor. Ferrying cargo and sometimes humans in giant air bubbles beneath their bodies, the boatmen are a great ally of the Kinnarit and other human clans of the Hidden Realm. After death their tough carapaces last for decades, and can be used as armor or as a shield.

Lizaad

Also confused as dragons just as their large green brethren, the Mantisora, the Lizaad are far less cordial when encountering Man.

If left alone in their sequestered environs, the Lizaad will endeavor in fine artisanship. They also work in metal, but often construct strong cages in which to house and dispose of unwanted humans. Sent to so-called

'adjournment facilities', many innocent folk are expelled into the lands of Men, called 'Iridia'.

Refugees

Human tribes in the Hidden Realms are few, and most are remnant groups from periods of oppression in the world of Men. Going back to the time of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, groups suffering the threat of eradication or displacement sought refuge with the Ambassadors.

Fleeing Mongols, African slaves, Native Americans, Jews, and even Ottoman, Armenian and Vietnamese refugees were among those assimilated into earth realms.

Even the Inuit, who have seen the recent influx of outsiders and are rapidly losing their way of life to a shifting climates, seek refuge in the safety and richness which can often be found the ambassador's world. 

Adventurers

Born in Damascus and raised as a devout Muslim in the port city of Acre, as a young boy Jhobar was fascinated with the flight of Mohammed, and dreamed of one day flying himself. By chance he encountered a Fakhan ambassador, and was invited into a secret earth society, which led him to study earthspeech in the Nahal river basin. There he met Zarkola, a brilliant eccentric whose sole desire was to journey in bio-electric flying machines. Jhobar soon became a copilot, and left the Middle East hoping to see the world from above. Though not all adventurers treated the Hidden Realm with respect, as Jhobar did, many exchanged wealth and knowledge, and made promises to protect the ambassadors and their legacy.

Traders

Descendants of the early trappers of the American West, a small number of rugged men and women began team-driven trade routes spanning from the Aleutian Islands to the Drake Passage leading to Antarctica. Early exchange of information and goods with Ambassador tribes and clans deteriorated as the Industrial Revolution took hold, and after tensions led to violence, shorter (and often weaponized) relay  caravans became the norm. 

Weyth (shown above) displays a prominent tattoo of a bird deity (which he inverted as a symbol of defiance). The inverted 'Glynn' is the primary symbol for resistance and uprising in Nature's realms.

Ambassadors 

Some humans born in the Hidden world learn of the realms of Men and choose to venture into them as representatives of a vanishing way of life. Often assimilating into the

'Iridian' society as homeless or vagrant individuals, they blend into the culture through a network of ambassadors who appoint them with tasks and identity. Once established, they seek to influence policy-making and implore like-minded individuals, discouraging the common practices they often refer to as 'The Endways'. 

Ambassadors in the worlds of Men move freely from one world to the other with the help of individuals known as Ferriers. But they must do so cautiously; the Hidden Realm is called such for good reason. 

The Kinnarit

With ancestors spanning back into a time before written history, the Kinnarit people are a largely nomadic tribe, having no ancestral or experiential ties to the modern human world. They've never used any of the modern conveniences, have never seen a skyscraper or used an internal combustion engine. Among these tribes, the best known is the B'Urendi family, who have aided the island nations of Onepali'e (Abfosam Maso and his clan), and who have long befriended the hives of the Digiri. Even the Kinnarit have long lived under threat of expulsion, as more and more of the protectors of Earth turn from Men in growing fear of his effect on the world.