The Becquerel make their home in the Seraphol Forest. They are typically agile, skilled climbers and can cover great distances when gliding through a forest as a lot of energy is conserved when compared to walking or running. They are excellent woodsmen and hunters, having grown to exploit almost every aspect of forest life to their advantage.

The Becquerel are humanoids bearing some resemblance to and characteristics of flying squirrels. They tend to have relatively large eyes and frequently have large areas of their bodies covered in a downy fur. The most distinctly inhuman feature is usually concealed by clothing - they posses folding skin-flaps between their arms and legs. When pressed against the body, they merely bulk them out, but when opened out allow the Becquerel to glide through the air.

Other distinguishing characteristics include a small tail (usually hidden) and very strong nails on hands and feet.

It should be noted that the Becquerel number far fewer than the other races.

Although Becquerel are expert gliders of the forest, the ability is also useful elsewhere. A Becquerel can safely glide down from a moderate height (around 15 metres) and leap between nearby structures as if they were trees. Much more complex manoeuvring is generally harder to perform however and Becquerel are not able to just safely drift down from any height (as they usually move horizontally in short leaps).

Becquerel magic derives from their understanding of Skira - lifeforce that they can see in most things and learn to manipulate in different ways. The most obvious of these is to enhance healing, but Skira can aid a Becquerel in a variety of ways.

• Healers, potentially very hardy and able to survive many injuries and help their allies.
• Skilled trackers, scouts and warriors when alone and in small groups - brilliant adventurers.
• Emerging politics and a nascent leadership - nothing is set and much can be defined and shaped about the future of the Becquerel.
• Practical and savvy, the Becquerel's magic can help them easily exploit any environment they might find themselves in.

Following the End, the Becquerel oral culture fragmented, but perhaps suffered less than that of other races. Fragments of myths and stories remained with the storytellers and they were able to weave new and old tales from them.

A popular and frequently-told story is of the creation of the world and the Seraphol Forest. It tells of how the Skira formed the earth and seas and flowed into creatures. So as the Skira combined and recombined and encountered itself in different forms, so new things came - new creatures were born, forests and plants sprang up and mountains were raised from the land.

So when the land and the creatures found new paths of Skira between them, the sentient races could rise up. The Becquerel were unique, not through destiny, but through an inevitability, for as the greatest source of Skira (some hold this to have been in the Seraphol forest, but other myths exist) clashed with the creatures of the land, the Becquerel arose from it. So closely related to the Skira, they were attuned to it like no other race.

The Becquerel are atheistic - they do not worship a particular god or force, nor believe in any kind of divine creator or interventionist pantheon. They do believe in spirits (seen as Skira without physical form), people and things that bear a great deal of Skira, but consider these to be nothing more than natural occurances.

There are very few Becquerel who have strayed outside these beliefs, and occasionally there are those who will give more God-like aspects to the world's Skira or worship it as some sort of sentient force. To the Druids, who manipulate the Skira expertly, this usually considered to be complete nonsense, even if a mad Druids or two has suggested that they act at the behest of the Skira. Such people are ostracised and feared because of their madness.

The Seraphol Forest is extremely dangerous - full of deep rivers, dark caves and terrible beasts. The Becquerel do not perceive it as such. To them, there are places you simply don't go to, and there are ways that you safely navigate the forest; such things do not provide too great a challenge, and a Becquerel has to actively seek trouble to get into it. It is as natural to assume that you don't wander into a bear cave (there, you can see the markings of its claws) as it is for others to know that you don't stab yourself in the heart.

There are quirks of the land wherever you go, but only the foolish ignore the obvious signs of danger.

The size of the Seraphol - enormous and covering a large part of the continent - is perhaps one of the reasons that the Becquerel have come to dwell there. It is hard to see how it would be possible, given the size and the number of Becquerel, to ever come close to making a significant mark upon the Seraphol from the side-effect of using the Skira.

There is no real organisation to the Becquerel - they have no formal hierarchy, no system of government and no systematised (let alone written) laws. Some natural leadership is recognised on occasion and those possessing great reserves of Skira, Druids or great Storytellers have risen and fallen as leaders, never moving beyond an adhoc assumption of power.

The Druids, especially, are only revered in a practical ritualistic sense - as those specialising in intricate manipulation of Skira that is required for many aspects of Becquerel life, but in no real sense more than the Hunters or Emissaries.

Over generations, there have been the individuals who have held sway over larger numbers of Becquerel moving them to one cause or another. These causes have been mostly expressions of a communal desire (say, to greatly expand the tree-homes, or to clear nearby caves of dangerous animals) and only recently has a greater cause been taken up by the Four Visionaries.

Various families and 'copses' (gatherings of nearby families) do form communities who get together socially and interact on a frequent basis, pooling resources for hunting, entertainment and other things. There is a very strong culture of story-telling among the Becquerel and many spend their time crafting and re-telling stories. New elements, additions and mutations of a story are encouraged and the Becquerel aim to make each telling unique in some way. In this manner, most stories have travelled, sometimes in cycles, sometimes ever-changing and it is simply impossible to track down the roots of a particular tale.

Some myths have been modified little, out of a recognition of the need to record history, and these are held apart and practised by the older Becquerel.

The life-force is the Skira and can be found in just about anything and everything. Obviously smaller and younger things tend to have less of it and less of it to be tapped, but older and larger things can have incredible reserves of Skira. Tapping out an entire aged oak takes some time, though not as long as an ancient druid…

The Skira is used mostly for healing. The usual consequence for most Becquerel is that things around them die (e.g. vegetation, small animals) and is one of the reasons their ancestors came to live in the forest - an abundance of life-force that wasn't going to run out.

It is also possible, in moments of extreme need, to drain the life-force of something very quickly and destructively, though this also requires drawing the Skira out of the surroundings. So a Becquerel can kill an animal on touch, but usually at the cost of nearby trees and some of their own Skira. To kill a person with this usually requires the know-how of a Druid and great reserves of Skira.

The Becquerel are best described as atheist as they do not believe in any conventional god or creator, nor worship any entity, group or concept. They are not entirely without religious belief, but their regard for and understanding of Skira though mistaken for acknowledgement and worship of a higher power by others has never been understood as such by the Becquerel.

The Druids are keepers of a cult dedicated to the understanding and manipulation of the Skira, but their role is part academic and part social and the Skira is known simply as a fact of the world, a powerful aspect of existence and one respected, though not revered. The role of the Druids, then, is to guide the Becquerel in the most general sense - by their existence to practise and know the Skira and to let those after them practise and know it too.

There is no ready-formed opinion about the beliefs of other races, though what little contact there has been has not provoked a hostile response to the belief in divinity that other races exhibit. Indeed, the concept is understood through some of the older stories which describe heroes worshipped or concepts magnified, though these are presented as social interactions rather than anything divine.

Four Becquerel - Telovel, Resure, Wisht and Quell - have for several years been gathering followers around them. What started with stories and outlandish tales has now turned into a community yearning for something more. With little concept of hierarchy, the Four have only led those who will continue to listen and those who continue to be interested in what they have to say. The Prophecy emerged.

With so little to compel the Becquerel in any direction, the bonds of friendship and frequent interaction have been the cornerstones of the Visionaries' success. Though still a small faction, their followers are dedicated.

Over the short time, the closest followers of the Four have come together forming a community around them and in some cases creating new families. This new group is new and unusual in the Becquerel way of life and nobody is too sure how to treat it.

Whether it is simply a more elaborate and outlandish story, or indeed some true insight of the Four, word has spread to all Becquerel of a prophecy concerning the coming of a great Enemy. An enemy who would not only destroy the forest and enslave the Becquerel, but also destroy all those who could help the Becquerel. Wisht has interpreted this as a call to reach out to other races beyond the forest and warn them of this danger and bring those races together to save each other.

There are many cynics, of course, and a faction opposed to leaving the forest, but many have not found any good reason to remain in isolation when it is possible that an enemy comes. In any case, there can be little harm in finding others and learning about them.

Most Becquerel are referred to by unique names that are modified versions of their mother or father. It is not uncommon to see unconnected names, however, and sons are often named from their mother or daughters from their father. It is also common for Becquerel to take place-names, which can further identify a particular person, or serve as a nickname.

Thus, if Teocq (f) and Bemel (m) were to have children, then they might call their son Tioc and their daughter Veme. Early on they may also acquire a place-name which are commonly derived from tel (tree), bel (lake), mioc (home) and ghes (hill). They could become Tioc Ghesad and Veme Telain.

As there are no titles or formal social organisation, there has not developed a convention of referring to different castes in specific terms. Druids are, however, more frequently known only by their place-name.

The primary dwellings of the Becquerel are located in the East of the forest and the vast majority of the families live there. There is no true infrastructure or strict arrangement of the dwellings however, as families are spread over a large area, with houses built at various heights and scattered over a large area. Some houses have over time taken on particular roles, the most important of these being the Meeting Houses which can hold some hundred Becquerel and are the major social centres.

The Druids meet frequently at the Phael Clearing, which has been the traditional place to gather for almost a century. There is no true formal arrangement, and the meetings are between those who come to the clearing at any one time seeking news, rumours or learning. A convention has developed over the last few generations to forbid touching the Skira in Phael after a disagreement led to the whole Clearing becoming devoid of life for several years.

Those not of the Druid caste are not forbidden from coming to Phael, but none generally go there unless they are a Druid. Those who were of the Druid caste but are now Emissaries are usually welcome at Phael.

On the very western borders of the Forest, the Gaseque Caves are considered to be the most dangerous area of the forest. This has usually given the impression to outsiders that the whole of the Forest is deadly, but the Becquerel simply know to avoid it. There are very few reasons not to - one of them being the training that Hunters usually undergo, hunting after the creatures that live in and around the caves.

A smaller grouping of Becquerel dwellings, some prefer to live here as an even more secluded area, but also closer to the edge of the forest. Thus, a great number of Heightmen live here, together with those who believe in great personal isolation.

The Hunter Caste includes the warriors and hunters of the Becquerel. Many Becquerel belong to this Caste and it is the most numerous of the four - the Hunters serve both as the prime providers of food and other necessities for the Becquerel as a whole and a less-remembered role as protectors. For over a century, protection has largely meant keeping the main hunting grounds of the Becquerel clear of other predators and confronting the occasional individual foraying deep into the forest. Perhaps the war-duties of the Hunters are due to be rediscovered.

Hunters can use the Skira as a Feeler of Nature.

Hunters take either Weaponsmaster or Ranger as their favoured skill.

The Druids are the honoured holders of the greatest influence over Skira. They are selected from the more gifted or enthusiastic Becquerel and learn more and more about their control over the life-force of all. They perform many cultural roles for the Becquerel, though they have never led and their advice, while valued, is frequently ignored or overridden once weighed up against an individual's concern or desire.

They are occasionally involved in ritual sacrifice of animals for the achievement of healing, growth or other uses of their magic. Though most are little aware of the specifics (and even though there are no real secrets), this is but a complex and necessary operation of their Skira manipulation. Very rarely, in times of crisis or great need, the sacrifice of a sentient species - one of other races or even a Becquerel has and can be performed by the Druids. Such rituals are complex and incredibly powerful, but are usually avoided because of what is involved.

Druids can use the Skira in all of its paths.

Druids take any one of the Becquerel magics as their favoured skill.

The Heightmen are the Becquerel who venture all across the forest, to its edges and even beyond. Though they have rarely ventured beyond the forest, it is only among the Heightmen that any have even see beyond the Great Green. They are considered moderately eccentric and are those Becquerel who have a great excess of energy, enthusiasm and excitement.

A great deal of the Heightmen have recently become Emissaries.

Heightmen can use the Skira as a Knitter of Life or a Feeler of Nature.

Heightmen take either Dungeoneer or Master of Shadows as their favoured skill.

A caste only recently formed, the Emissaries are a response to the appearance of the recent prophecy and the decision by some to establish contact with other races and venture out of the forest. Since the decision to stay was only ever because of a lack of motivation to go anywhere else, the Emissaries are considered brave (and lucky) rather than foolhardy. Most have been drawn from the adventurous and eccentric Heightmen, but almost all the rest have been or were to be Druids who now wish to explore all that the Skira has to offer beyond the forest.

It should be noted that although the Emissaries are the prime diplomats for the Becquerel, as a new caste, they are not all who venture to meet the other races. Others have found reasons to go forth and need not actually join the Emissaries.

Emissaries can use the Skira as a Shaper of Stories or Knitter of Life.

Emissaries take either Diplomat or Researcher as their favoured skill.

As the Becquerel have been in isolation from the other races for so long, most of their opinion is not strong and mostly based on myth and rumour.

The Aquienos ships have on occasion been sighted from the Eastern edge of the forest along the coast. There are stories of mercantile contact with them before as the Becquerel ancestors sold skins to their ships. More recently the Emissaries in contact with the other races have suggested that trade of furs and other materials of the forest could resume.

Some myths speak of the Aquienos as star-sorcerers who draw the night lights down to the world. As stars contain no Skira (or so legend suggests), this practice is seen as dangerous and an antithesis to the Becquerel.

The Sylphim and Becquerel have almost never crossed, at least no record exists outside of legend and there are not even any recent stories of them. They are however feared and disliked through the stories that do exist, living as they do on lifeless rock in the sky, disconnected from Skira and with no natural environment. Of their 'cultural' achievement nothing is known. The few Becquerel who were surprised to meet the Sylphim recently have not spoken of any true redeeming features.

It is said that once the Teklo armies marched to the edges of Seraphol and had sent their ambassadors to the Becquerel. They were regarded as honourable and great people and had offered pacts and alliances to favour both the races. Their generosity is dimly remembered even now and though such treaties have disappeared (and their formal structure mean little to the Becquerel anyway, though the spoken pact meant much) no treachery was felt from the Teklo.

The Heightmen of the Becquerel and Warriors of Kirlsa have met on occasion and since a generation or two ago those wishing to become Kirlsa Guardians have even ventured into the Seraphol to hunt its beasts. Stories told of the Kirlsa speak of great warriors and storytellers and though their ancestral home of the desert is seen as a barren and lifeless place, it is also said that the Kirlsa possess a great amount of Skira themselves. Those Becquerel who have met the Kirlsa in recent times confirm these tales.

Each of the Becquerel has some ability to manipulate Skira and they pursue major effects from one of four paths.

The path of healing others and using the Skira to restore lost limbs, heal disease and preserve a dying hunter's life.

This path can enhance the Healer skill.

Taking the life force of another thing or person and crashing it against one's own or surrounding Skira, utterly eliminating it, is a truly destructive power. Such manipulation of the Skira is practised only by the Druids as it comes at so much cost.

This path can enhance the Weaponsmaster skill.

Understanding the flow of Skira around them, the Becquerel can affect their surroundings, allowing them to feel the presence of beasts and other people. This makes it easier to travel overland and stay alive in less forgiving environments.

This path can enhance the Ranger skill.

Linking their Skira to that of others, the Becquerel can move their emotions, making them feel and live through the stories told and granting the story-teller empathy.

This path can enhance the Diplomacy skill.