Graphics by CupcakeCass
Welcome to the Harvest Spirits subspecies hub. Perhaps you have encountered one of these mysterious little creatures in your garden, or perhaps you have fallen victim to one of their harmless pranks. Whatever brings you here, we have the answers for (almost all) of your questions. Read all about the protectors of your harvest below!
Harvest spirits are a group of impish creatures that watch after the safety of gardens and orchards. No bigger than the smallest faes, these spirits take the form of teeny-tiny spirals; their small size allows them to dig into tree trunks and large fruits, where they act as natural pest control and see to it that pesky birds and bugs stay away from the harvest. They are born with quite a lot of energy, which usually manifests as harmless pranks on unsuspecting visitors.
Harvest spirits are notably less intelligent than their “true” dragon counterparts, though perhaps their intelligence is simply of a different variety. In any case, they behave much like dragon hatchlings, having playful and rambunctious attitudes for most of their lives. Like any living creature, however, they do mature with age, though their maturation period is much more gradual than other species. Older harvest spirits often lose their prankish ways and dedicate themselves more wholly to their protection duties, though they might partake in mischief from time to time. These older spirits tend to be much more sly and manipulative, and some are even known to trick their gardens’ owners into handing over their assets!
Harvest spirits are relatively unresearched compared to other subspecies in Sornieth, and as such little is known about their origins. What is known is that they are not a new phenomenon--fossilized remains of similar creatures date as far back as the beginning of dragonkind. Old legends from many different dragon cultures regarding these beings do have one commonality: harvest spirits are said to embody the souls of dragons who perished from starvation, souls who now see to it that their descendants don’t meet the same upsetting fate. As harvest spirits are mostly illiterate, no other current records exist, and it is possible that these origin stories are simply myth. Now, they seem to reproduce just like any other species, so please do not fret over your garden being haunted by the ghosts of your ancestors.
When it comes to interacting with surrounding dragon clans, harvest spirits tend to make lovely companions to clan farmers, gardeners, and gatherers, much like cats, dogs, or other pets. Of course, over the years harvest spirits have learned to communicate in Draconian, though it still remains limited to simple phrases and childlike vocabulary. Some literate harvest spirits are known to exist, particularly those originating in the light flight, and these spirit clans often form rudimentary alliances with agricultural villages.
With the recent bounty of the elements, changes in harvest spirit ways have been documented across Sornieth; as plant and animal species alike flourish, these spirits’ presence is welcome more and more in clans across the world. The more they integrate into dragon society, the more they are able to socialize and learn. Many dragon scientists have become interested in their biology and culture, so hopefully more publications will be released about these unique creatures in the future. Until then, enjoy the blessing of these spirits in your gardens, and be wary of "falling" acorns.