Menninkäinens

Menninkäinens are a sentient species living in WWSNG. They mostly live underground.

Physiology
Menninkäinens are humanoid creatures on average about 4 feet tall. They notably differ from humans in that they have very large noses, and almost all males are able to grow full beards.

Menninkäinens are able to regrow lost limbs. This ability was designed by Mark Markuson to combat the constant grievous injuries that menninkäinens encounter while mining. This regeneration happens slowly over a period of about six months. Inexplicably, menninkäinen's can also regrow their noses.

Menninkäinens grow into full adulthood in four years. Newborn menninkäinens in their native language are called 'vaapu'. Children aged six months to four years are called 'lapap', and adults 'rotelo'.

Menninkäinens are born from stone-shelled eggs over 30 inches tall. The female lays these eggs While in the egg, the menninkäinen's have a tail with a pickaxe attached to the other end. At the end of their development, the vaapu will deatch the pickaxe and use it to dig themselves out.

Menninkäinen's are highly sensitive to sunlight. It has been observed that menninkäinens who nevertheless spend time above ground, such as diplomats and explorers, may become addicted to sunlight.

Menninkäinen's diet consists mostly stone and other minerals.

Behaviour and social structures
Menninkäinens spend most of their time underground. Most of their societies are based on mining, mushroom farming, smithery and jewelry making. A menninkäinen university will often times have clubs and organizations for artistically inclined individuals, though these skills are typically used purely for hobbyist purposes.

Technology
Menninkäinens are especially renowned for innovations in mineral technology. In WWSNG, they were the first species to introduce, among other things, whackaxes, de-oxyfiers, gold serums and nuclear power.

Religion
While the menninkäinens follow the same pantheon as all sentient species of WWSNG, they are most fond of Jefferyson, the ruler of underground. Jefferyson has embraced this position, and has a tendency to mingle with members of the menninkäinen society.

Trivia

 * Markuson admits that he ripped off Menninkäinen's from the dwarves of LOTR.