[ WP ] Describe an alien race , their planet , customs , beliefs , everything about them . Create a whole new race , magically or not . Technologically superb or cave dwellers . Go wild .

The Ranwhlom are something to themselves, and nothing out of the ordinary, all at the same time. They have four major limbs and a tail, nothing special about that. They stand on two feet most of the time, but are accomplished climbers, and spend large amounts of their life climbing about the tall trees of their home planet Regwherm. Their languages are diverse, and extremely different from ours, so all translations are approximated. 
 
 When two Ranwhlom ( plural of Ranwhlam ) meet for the first time, the polite way of greeting would be to bend their heads and gently press the flat tops together for a brief time. It is then customary for them to share their names, but they would prefer to be introduced to one another by a fellow acquaintance. Some cultural norms are extremely important and must never be ignored. The Ranwhlom take impoliteness badly. One of the most important norms is - never look at a Ranwhlam when they are washing. They do not wear clothes, as they have fur and need no further isolation on their home planet. When washing, they are considered vulnerable and `` naked'' ( to put it in our terms ). Therefore, it is extremely rude to gawk. This goes regardless of gender. Not so different from us, you say? 
 
 Well, the next norm is: never, under any circumstances, go to sleep with another Ranwhlam closer than three feet, unless they are family or your mate. This is considered rude towards the Ranwhlam in question. It implies a level of intimacy that is considered inappropriate. 
 
 This leads to our next point of discussion: Sexuality and mating. The Ranwhlom follow strict rules of appropriate behaviour when it comes to this. Relationships between Ranwhlom of the same gender is not so uncommon, and follows most of the same rules as the ones between different-gendered Ranwhlom. This is not an issue, but no Ranwhlam may mate with another until they have been seen together in a public place at least three times without anybody complaining. The proximity in these instances must be enough that the intention is clear, but without indecency. It is indecency if any part of the feet touch, or of course if there is any touching of genitals. Why the feet touching are taboo is unclear, as they do n't seem to be erogenous. 
 
 Family approval of the mate is crucial, and most young Ranwhlom encourage their family to be present for their three public showings, to give them a chance to stop the match. This prevents grudges after the coupling happens, they reason. Some families interfere often enough that it might be said they are in effect choosing their family-member's mate, while others take a more relaxed view. To send a signal that they want to court another, it is common to bring them a single purple flower. 
 
 The Ranwhlom take infidelity seriously, and in the rare cases where it happens, the offender can be executed. However, this depends on the will of the offended mate. Sometimes, they will let the mate live, but that does not always mean they will be welcomed back. For a cheater to be taken back is extremely rare - but so it is for them to die for it. Mostly, they are shunned by the tribe and most live alone or find another tribe. 
 
 The Ranwhlom worship water, and especially the sea. Their planet has one large sea, and the Ranwhlom celebrate the Pog Rhanghoni annually. During the Pog Rhanghoni, all Ranwhlom bathe in the sea three times a day, and there are magnificent feasts with water as a central course. They believe life is brought by the water, and that every life that has ever been lived and that will ever be lived is present in each and every drop. 
 
 Intelligent and creative, the Ranwhlom still have little to do with technology. They weave items out of the flexible tree-branches, and the most skillful homes out of living trees. In the summer, when they bloom, a village on Regwherm is a magnificent sight. The houses stretch out and vary in height, and Ranwhlom with shining coats of fur in shades of blonde, red, and brown climb all around, visiting each other and going about their day. When they visit someone for the first time, they bring something to eat. It can be simple, like a fruit from the Chimki-tree, or something more rare and fancy, like Ponka-nuts.
