Duranthi
| Duranthi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Plural | Duranthi |
| Spirit Origin | Oras |
| Classification | Human |
| Homeland | Terasil |
| Average Height | 5-6 tall tall |
| Average Lifespan | 200-300 years |
| Factions | Council of Kar-Thal |
The Duranthi are a human race that live in the mountainous realm of Terasil. The Duranthi are strongly influenced by the Ascendant Spirit of memory, Varunel, and as such the Duranthi culture centers on history, continuity, and preservation. While often seen as archaic by other cultures, the Duranthi continue to play a significant role in the broader landscape of Orethil.
Origin and Nature
The Duranthi, like all human races of Orethil, trace their origins to the Trueborn humans who once inhabited the island of Awenlir, a place associated with imagination and limitless potential. For reasons not fully understood, many, if not all, of the Trueborn departed from their ancestral homeland and dispersed throughout Orethil. The group that would become the Duranthi settled in the mountain valleys of Terasil, a region located near the heart of the world and one that is home to Varunel, the Ascendant Spirit of memory and history and Tehrum the spirit of mountains.
Biology and Physical Traits
Prolonged exposure to the influence of Varunel is believed to have shaped the Duranthi physiologically and cognitively. Their lifespans gradually extended, with some individuals reportedly living up to three hundred years. In addition, the Duranthi are known for their exceptional memory. Many exhibit eidetic recall, retaining detailed memories of people, places, and experiences throughout their lives.
Abilities and Osia
Like many peoples of Orethil, the Duranthi practice Osia, the spiritual art of attunement to Ascendant Spirits. While a variety of paths are followed among the Duranthi, the most prominent are those aligned with memory (Varunel) and stone (Oras).
The Path of Memory focuses on the spiritual discipline of remembrance. Practitioners can interact with nascent spirits of memory influencing people's perception of what has occurred.
The Path of Stone enables practitioners to interact with nascent earth spirits, allowing for the controlled manipulation of stone, soil, and subterranean structures.
Culture and Society
Duranthi society is structured around the principles of longevity, heritage, and continuity. Objects, institutions, and traditions are designed to endure across generations, often remaining unchanged for centuries. To outsiders, this can give the impression of cultural stagnation, as many Duranthi communities maintain practices considered antiquated elsewhere. However, among the Duranthi, this continuity is viewed not as a limitation but as a defining strength.