A Somatei’s life cycle starts in a soma chamber and ends in a soma chamber. At first, a lifestone must be placed into the soma in the upper open area of the chamber. After a few hours, the soma will start enveloping the stone to swallow it. During the following year, a new Somatei body will be assembled around the stone by the life-moss. The whole gestation period is 12 months.

When the new Somatei is ready, soma tendrils covering their body will recess and the newborn will slowly wake up. Once able to crawl, they are directed towards the chamber’s exit by watchers.

When born, a Somatei’s height is about 2/3 of an adult’s. They will spend the next 7 years of their life growing and learning about their society, language, sciences, art and history under the care of an adoptive family. Newborn Somatei in particular learn incredibly fast, some being able to express words after listening to their watchers for a few hours.

The following section lists the average age at which Somatei achieve some skills and life goals:

1 year: walking, running, talking, basic understanding of concepts like fairness and prudence

2 years: writing

3-5 years: dedicated to intensive schooling, that is when Somatei usually find their life’s vocation

6-7 years: more school, introduction to the working life. Young Somatei often help around in many different jobs.

After 7 years, young Somatei usually find their place in society, following their passion as their line of work. From a child, they move to an adult status within their house, contributing to it on the same level as their parents and they are treated as an independent individual.

Somatei’s prime age is considered to be between 10 and 30. They are then adults, full of ideas and energy. After 35, they may show early signs of aging.

A Somatei’s age expectancy is around 80 years. They usually keep living until their body starts failing - when they become unable to walk, to feed themselves properly or when life becomes too painful overall - and then they ask to be put to rest. Their body is then returned to the moss, as is their lifestone, ready for a new life.

The oldest Somatei lived up to 120 years old. They were obsessed with knowledge and refused to die before they had “learned everything there is to learn”.