Bamboo spirit folk

Bamboo spirit folk were the most commonly encountered of the spirit folk.

Description
Bamboo spirit folk look almost identical to a human. Their bodies are slender and thin. Their gold or yellow skin is the main distinguishing feature from that of a human. Their clothing was usually plain, similar to that worn by many Kara-Turan peasants.

Combat
Despite being pacifists and preferring a non-violent solution, bamboo spirit folk were capable and skill-full fighters. Bamboo spirit folk used weapons in combat and were most often seen wielding parangs, short swords or wakizashi. They preferred light-weight armor such as leather or padded armor.

Abilities
Bamboo spirit folk had a strong attunement to nature and as a result had unique powers in regards to natural forces. They were very adept at identifying both plant and animal species. They left no trail when travelling within a forest or prairie and were able to hide among the shadows of trees. They had a natural resistance to any spell or magical items which involved the elements of earth or wood. They had the innate ability to duplicate the effects of a speak with animals spell at will.

Society
Bamboo spirit folk usually lived among humans, but occasionally some clans created their own settlements. All bamboo spirit folk were part of a clan. They had very friendly relations with humans, even being sought after as marriage partners and forming families. Many bamboo spirit folk owned land and some were even active in local governments.

Bamboo spirit folk served the Lord of the Woods and were required to obey the spirit lord. Disobedience, which brought dishonor onto the spirit lord, was punished by inflicting a natural disaster on the bamboo spirit folk and their family.

Habitat
Bamboo spirit folk preferred to settle near wooded areas.

Ecology
The life-force of a bamboo spirit folk was connected to their bamboo grove, which was usually located deep within a forest or jungle. Any damage inflicted upon it was suffered by the spirit. If ill or injured, they returned to their grove where they were completely cured instantly of any disease or wounds. Their connection to their grove was not affected by their vicinity to it and were able to travel away from their grove, even a great distance.

The diet of a bamboo spirit folk was the same as a humans, although most were vegetarian. They generally avoided alcoholic beverages such as distilled spirits or wine.

Notable bamboo spirit folks

 * Etsu-no-kami Makoto
 * Katsuhara Omitsu
 * Mei Kuei Chu
 * Nagoya Hatano

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * Blood of the Yakuza • Swords of the Daimyo