Singular: Candle Noodle (also called “Noodles”)
Plural: Candle Noodles
Youth: Wick-Wyrm (also called “Wyrm”; plural: Wick-Wyrms/Wyrms)

Creation and Arrival

Candle noodles were brought into Faia at the same time as tortuvina, with the goal to light up the earth, just as the tortuvina were to light up the sea and sky. They were blessed by Uvemora to multiply in great numbers so that they could spread across the continent, and as such, the number of noodles across Faia exploded.

Anatomy and Physiology

Candle noodles are omivores, and have the widest palette of the species in Faia. They consume meat, from fish, bird-creatures, the occasional critter, and some companions, as well as enjoying many types of plants. They are known for having various selections and traditions surrounding food, and different regions around Faia have many different cuisines, but be warned: noodles have strong stomachs that can still manage with food choices most would get sick from.

Noodles are typically around 7–8 feet (or 215–245 cm) long, and wyrms begin at a little less than 12 inches (30 cm). Their lifespans typically last to around 80, but they can certainly reach greater ages, should they be well-cared for. Noodles mature around the age of 20, and usually decide to face Uvemora’s trials right after that age.

A candle noodle’s connection to the Light is their flame. This flame is a cherished symbol among their populations, and respect for it is very high. Their flames cannot set fire to anything of the physical world, but can be harnessed to the physical world through magic, or, used with effect to things that are spiritual (such as Wither creatures).

Candle noodles have a wax-like substance that covers parts of their body, particularly around the flames. It is almost like a thick, constantly-moving skin. Although it can “melt” and be reshapen in spiritual means, it is not so weak that their flames can melt it completely off. Otherwise, their bodies are covered in a bare skin.

Accomodating with Others

Candle noodles are the dominant species in Faia, which means that most of their settled world (that being, the cities and villages that have popped up) is accustomed to their size. They are the most adept of the species at creating buildings, which is why they are some of the most prevalent species within large cities and towns.

Their sense of public worship means that their temples are some of the most grand in all of Faia. As a result, many of the other species attend these, should they feel the need to have a place for spiritual comfort.

Additionally, candle noodle festivals are some of the largest and most prevalent events in their regions. This attracts the other species to large cities as well, either as tourists, or to take part in them. These festivals bring the other species together, in a way that most other interests cannot.

Cultural Principles

Candle noodles are incredibly social creatures, which is in part why the most fabulous of cities are highly populous in noodles. They are almost never loners, and shunned for shutting themselves out. Exile is one of the worst punishments to their species.

In their social nature, festivals are one of the biggest parts of a noodle’s life. Even the least religious would still attend festivals of worship, for one reason or another. Noodles from small settlements like to travel to large cities for these festivals, usually having favourites that they will attend every year. Additionally, these festivals propel the economy for these cities, and are considered the biggest opportunities for entertainment and shopkeepers alike.

They tend to be very determined and hard-working. They cover all kinds of professions, but these tend to narrow by region and location. Those living in villages are commonly farming or fishing, to provide for their families, while those in cities may pick up handiwork or mining for sale. Noodles like to work towards better lives and stronger selves, and in an individualistic sort of way, they strive to become the best they can possibly be.

Noodles like to care for multiple wyrms in their lives, if they can. They gravitate towards making friends with other parents, and introducing wyrms to each other; although noodles are not particularly generous in nature, they tend to do so when it comes to each other’s young. Many parents send noodles off to be educated (as opposed to teaching them themselves), be that in schoolhouses, boarding schools, or, if they are lucky, the Mage Academy.

Spiritually, candle noodles are known for their great temple and public worship. Many believe that this public worship is important, in order to encourage others to participate; likewise, the building of great structures entirely devoted to their deities means that their spirituality becomes attractive, in a way. While the worship styles within different temples can vary greatly, many noodles devote themselves to service within the temple, and for worshippers when they attend, whether as a full-time lifestyle, or during services. In this service, they try to be personable and friendly to newcomers and old-timers alike.

The flame of a candle noodle is one of the most important symbols in their culture, recognized to represent power, healing, and spirituality. Fire is often used in temple spaces, and the symbol is everywhere in spaces with many noodles. They see it as a resource vital to their health and well-being, as well as something that could be, in the wrong hands, used for destruction.

Individuals touch flames in various different meanings, in which the head flame is a superior flame to the tail, which dictates what the meaning could be. Head flames or tail flames touching are acts of mutual respect and equality, where the former is more proper (perhaps to seal a deal), and the latter is more casual (used often in greeting). Someone touching their head flame to another’s tail flame would be an act of reverence, such as towards a leader, or in thankfulness.

In reverence to the flame, noodles have high respect for the wax on their bodies. It is cared for, and sometimes modified (which can be seen as good or bad, depending on a noodle’s beliefs). Many like to temporarily or permanently draw or paint symbols and designs, most often for festivals, and some even carve into or reshape their wax.