Moloms are one of the great races of the underworld. They are a species of humanoid moles that reside in the endless circuit of tunnels in the underworld. Considered a primitive race, the Moloms, for the most part, have little interest in interacting with other species or civilizations except to acquire what they call “shiny”.
For Moloms, it is difficult to name anything that they consider more important than their “shiny”. This is any type of valuable metal or stone that they consider attractive, and these objects end up being worth even more if they are found in more elaborate formats, such as rings, necklaces, earrings or any other form of jewelry that can be placed on their bodies as a form of decoration.
In Molom society, you are worth what you carry and possess. The most important Moloms and those at the top of the hierarchy are those who have the most shiny things on their bodies. For example, because they have long nails and fingers, it is common for a Molom to have something close to 10 rings per finger, and this does not affect their gestures in any way. The thrones of the Molom leaders are literally a mountain of their treasures piled up to the highest possible height; the one who has the most thrones is the undisputed king of the race. And even with a pile of treasure that is over dozens of meters high, a truly good one will know if a single coin is taken from his throne. This would be the equivalent of someone knowing if a brick was taken from a huge building. Being materialistic, it was expected that the Moloms would have a culture based on envy, theft, deception and cheating. However, when you get to know them closely, it is a real surprise to learn that they are quite meritocratic. All treasure that a molom possesses is usually acquired from other species, usually from the surface. Even though this may be theft, for the moloms it means that the individual was brave enough to take something from someone, and that the shiny thing is rightfully theirs. There are thefts among moloms, however, they are so paranoid and careful with their shiny things that it is impossible for a single coin to be stolen without them noticing it missing. And because they are moles, moloms have a unique sense of smell, they literally smell their private treasures, making it practically impossible to rob a molom without them knowing, at least, where the thing that was stolen from them is. So, to avoid conflicts, moloms practically do not steal from their own species, increasing their personal wealth only with what they get from other species and civilizations.
Although they are not considered an intelligent species by some people on the surface, moloms have a common and clear speech capacity, but it is a fact that they do not have the ordinary discernment to live like a civilization considered normal. They have little tolerance for bureaucracy and none for reprimands, which makes them incapable of understanding the laws of the surface kingdoms or even understanding the reasons for the punishments for violating those laws. Moloms, while disgusted and prejudiced by most of the surface kingdoms, are incredibly peaceful. Peaceful, not pacifistic. They will fight with fervor and courage if threatened and attacked, but they are rarely the ones to start the conflict. Even if Moloms find shiny treasures in the home of a completely isolated family, they will likely just take the treasures, without harming anyone in the house. Moloms can be greedy and materialistic, but they do not take pleasure in cruelty or the desire to hurt anyone who has not harmed them. Moloms rarely declare war or start conflicts against other people or kingdoms; they simply prefer to live their lives accumulating treasures rather than shedding blood. After all, blood is not shiny. The only exception to the race that the Moloms have been actively and brutally at war with since the beginning of time is the Skerzans, their greatest competitor for domination of the underworld.
Even though they are reactive warriors, there is no advantage in going to war against the Moloms. They may not be the biggest, strongest, or most intelligent, but they are infinitely numerous. Furthermore, they rarely fight outside of the underground, and down there they have the complete advantage against any arrogant army that descended into their underground thinking it would be an easy victory against a bunch of treasure-laden moles. The Moloms often outnumber their enemies not only in numbers, but in power as well. Many of the artifacts they possess on their bodies are magical and powerful. And even if they do not know how to use these artifacts, a mole with humble intelligence, minimal notion of control and consequences, and impaired vision, having the power to blow up a house with the snap of a finger is always something that should never be underestimated and faced lightly.
The moles of the underworld may not have much contact with the people of the common world, but they are well versed in the concept of trade and commerce. It is quite common to see moles trading with individuals with whom they have a certain affinity and even friendship. Once a person has become friends with a mole, they will have friends in the underworld forever. It is important to understand that moles are discriminated against and attacked as soon as they are seen by practically everyone, so when someone appears who simply does not shout “A mutant mole. Kill him!”, the moles end up becoming friendly with that person.
Although they place great value on wealth within their society, the moles do not judge any friend outside of their species for this reason. If a person has helped them in a way that they deem worthy of friendship, even if they do not have a penny in their pocket, that person will always be well treated and their presence will always be cherished by the moles. One of the most materialistic and “primitive” races in Eredwyn, they do not judge their friends by what they have, but by who they are. How many others can say they do the same?
An example of a person who has a great friendship with the Moloms is the eldest daughter of the Abiak family, Otesia Abiak. Despite her father, King Otes, breaking a promise to pay for the Moloms’ immense help in one of his most desperate moments, Otesia was able, after years of effort, to make peace between the Moloms and the kingdom of Otesis. Despite being one of the dominant races of the underworld, the Moloms are at the bottom of the food chain in the world below the earth. They are the favorite food of the giant worms, and Otesia ended up killing Moslar, the glow-eater, a worm that had already devoured thousands of Moloms and the treasures they carried. This worm was a sworn enemy of the entire mole race, and when Otesia killed it, she was rewarded with friendship and loyalty from the moles. While they agreed to help Otesia on occasion, the moles would only accept requests from Otesia, not Otes. It was because of their friendship with the king’s eldest daughter that Otesia was one of the few surface kingdoms in history where the moles could visit, interact, and live normally. At one point, the moles were present in all of Otesis’ forces, including the legendary Otesis knights.
It is not uncommon to see single moles or small groups of moles forming part of the forces of other kingdoms and factions, but there has never been anyone or anything that the entire mole race fought for. Otesia came the closest to that. She always respected them, was friendly, and was worthy of their trust and admiration. And whenever she needed it, the moloms shook the foundations of the world to help her.
Unitites
Shiny Defenders
Even though they are not famous for their size or strength, the Moloms make up for it with their huge numbers. Still, the only thing the Moloms have that is greater than their population is their treasures. Thus, they use this infinite resource to form their greatest weapons: the Shiny Defenders.
Thanks to the Moloms’ unbreakable connection with their treasures, it is possible to grant consciousness to their mounds of riches. The larger the treasure of a Molom, the larger the Shiny Defender created. The largest Moloms, in this aspect being the most powerful, can summon Shiny Defenders that are dozens of meters tall, true brute and strong giants made of pure metals and precious stones.
Although they are one of the most notable and strongest forces at the Moloms’ disposal, their function is almost predominantly defensive. Because they are simply the Moloms’ treasures awakened for combat, they end up being close to the place where their masters always reside. Keeping them active requires effort and determination from their owner, the molom, and it is not practical or possible to take all of their immense treasure that takes up an entire room with them everywhere the molom goes. Therefore, the Shiny Defenders end up serving to retaliate against attacks made against the molom territories, since practically all of the accumulated treasures are there. It is easier for your enemy to come to your treasure than to take your treasure to them.
Even with their defensive function, if the battlefield is not far away, it is possible for several moloms to be able to take their Shiny Defenders to the combat. Even if during the conflict it is hit, and several of the small precious items that make up its body end up scattered throughout the battle, each piece of metal and precious ore naturally returns to the larger body to recompose it. And once the battle is over, the Shiny Defender returns to the place where its owner keeps his treasure, dissolving into a pile of harmless and attractive wealth.