Nenyans
Nenyans
Nenyan Species
The Nenyan species is not well known biologically, as Nenyan anatomical studies have not yet been carried out outside the ICEL. However, it is known that Nenyan DNA is unusually different to Human and Quendi DNA in that it is formed into a triple-helix format rather than a double-helix. It is unclear what effect this has on the organism, however, as only the knowledge that it is so is available, rather than hard facts.
The species is different enough to be instantly differentiated from other 'humanoid' Sentient species, most easily by their bright amber eyes and small, pinpoint pupils. Nenyan eyes are known to be exceptionally sharp, as Nenyan marksman and archers are disqualified from virtually all Human archery or marksmanship competitions in the ICEL. Nenyans are typically tall and lithe, and are not prone to obesity. Nenyans cannot contract Human diseases - Nenyan scholars claim that there are no communicable diseases capable of piercing the cell membrane in the Nenyan organism, but this has not been backed up with hard scientific evidence as yet, and so cannot be confirmed.
Nenyan muscle groups are more compact than Human muscle groups, and it is known that they have a bone-cartilage skeletal structure, and, although the specifics of that structure remain unknown, it is clear that Nenyans weigh significantly less than a Human of equal body size.
Nenyan Language
See Nenyan Language.
Nenyan Culture
The Nenyan culture is decidedly Noldor (see Elves) in its roots, with a disposition towards music, dance, and literature. Science - stubbornly referred to as 'Art' amongst some segments of the Nenyan scientific community - is also a primary pursuit, although much known Nenyan scientific achievement is based not in original creativity but efficiency of use of pre-existing technologies in new and creative ways.
It is believed that the majority of the true advances seen in the ICEL in recent years have come from both the Nenyan population and the Quendi population - and, curiously enough, not the Human population.
Nenyan culture dominates the ICEL, and is complicated in its requirements. Generally speaking, there is no true hierarchy, but traditions gained from Human cultures have created a three-tier structure throughout the ICEL that cannot truly be attributed to the Nenyans. But the manner in which this system is treated most definitely can be.
Unlike the average hierarchal Human society, the ICEL society derives from the Nenyan idea that rank deserves acknowledgement unless the individual of highest rank says otherwise - thus, it is considered polite for the person of highest rank at a function or party to 'drop the rank'. Although it is by no means a given that the person of highest rank at such a function will do so, it is likely that those present - especially the Nenyans present - will respond more warmly when this unspoken protocol is adhered to.
Nenyans do not have nudity taboos. This is a relatively 'new' occurrence, having come into effect at some point over the last two thousand years; the tropical climate and exposure to the local Human tribes (in the lands now named Iluvauromen) - most of whom at that time did not have nudity taboos either, and still do not - likely combined to produce the modern lack of nudity taboos. Thus it is common to see Nenyans without clothes at all manner of informal gatherings; however, it is traditional that clothes are worn at formal gatherings.
Titles are important in Nenyan culture. The longer the title, the more honour that a person has accrued; therefore, there are several different methods of proclaiming titles. The short form is considered non-familiar; the middling form is considered neutrally familiar; and the long form is considered warm. This has been a source of confusion in the past when dealing with 'outsiders' for the Nenyans, as most Human societies now consider lengthy titles to be arrogant and self-aggrandizing. The source of this tradition is, unfortunately, mirky and unclear even to the Nenyans - yet the vast majority of the species strictly adhere to it.
Tradition is exceptionally important to the Nenyans, who, being long-lived, consider it absolutely important to maintain what is referred to in Nenyan Sociology as a 'pure social structure'. What is exactly meant by this was once found somewhat difficult and impenetrable to Human eyes and minds (both Iluvuaromeni Humans and the non-Iluvauromeni), but some modern Nenyan-written texts on the matter are fairly clear. The 'pure social structure' is one that maintains ties between individuals, but retains individuality amongst the whole; this simple idea is the center of most Nenyan traditions and even the old Nenyan Law (made defunct by Imperial Law and then the current Commonality Law, but still observed as a kind of code of honour by many Nenyans today), according to many Nenyan scholars.
Nenyan society and culture remain largely impenetrable to Humans, but Nenyans tend to mingle very much with their Human counterparts nontheless. This, however, is a recent occurence, and it remains to be seen whether old hostilities and mistrusts resurface between the Nenyan culture of the ICEL and its Human counterparts.
Nenyan History
Nenyan history is largely stored in what other cultures would refer to as myths and legends, written in an almost fictitious-sounding format, with often exact and precise records on what was said by who and when and where and to whom but in lofty, near-mythical style; it is also largely in poesy and sung format, passed on from generation to generation. The Nenyans are adamant that they 'do not forget', but it is unclear how such a largely vocal record could remain untainted. The vocal record is backed up with written records, but many of these are put down in a format called High Literal Nenyan - a language zealously guarded and kept unspoken by the Nenyan scholars, believed only to have been shared with the Menelmacari. It is therefore unclear how much of the vocal record is accurate, and how much is inaccurate.
See also: ICEL, Iluvauromeni, Iluvauromen, Nenyan Language, Menelmacar, Noldor
