Duranthi: Difference between revisions

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Duranthi

Plural	Duranthi
Classification	History and Memory Born
Homeland	Terasil
Average Height	8 tall tall
Average Lifespan	200-300 years
Factions	Council of Stone

Duranthi are earth born humans beings native to Terasil, formed from the coalesced consciousness of earth and creativity. Their society is grounded in principles of endurance, stillness, and slow transformation, which shape all aspects of their culture and worldview.

Biology and Physical Traits

Duranthi are semi-mineralized human beings whose physiology reflects the influence of Oras and the spiritual memory embedded in the landscape of Terasil. They are marked by their dense, stone-like skin and long lifespans.

Stone-Skin Gradient: Duranthi who live near the Citadel Mountains—especially around Kar-Thal—tend to develop pronounced geological features, including hardened dermal plates, mineral inclusions, and angular facial structures. Those born or raised farther from the mountains exhibit more human-like skin with subtle stone textures or colorations. This gradient of stoniness is culturally significant and often interpreted as a sign of spiritual proximity and ancestral legitimacy.
Eidetic Memory: Many Duranthi exhibit near-total recall. This ability to retain precise civic and ancestral information is highly valued and contributes to societal continuity.
Geological Inheritance: Physical traits often correspond to local stone types—slate, basalt, quartzite—resulting in regional distinctions. While not always visible, these traits influence personal identity and social alignment.
Durability: All Duranthi exhibit high resistance to pressure, weather, and erosion. Their internal structures are dense, and their skeletal systems mineralized, allowing for long lifespans and gradual physical evolution.
Class Distinction: In traditional Duranthi society, visible stone density and refinement—such as obsidian clarity or embedded veining—are seen as signs of ancestral resonance. Though official caste divisions are discouraged, social respect is often unconsciously correlated to the presence of "deep stone."

Some Duranthi, known as Ancients, have endured for centuries. Many of these individuals are small, eroded, and slow-moving, their bodies worn by time but their memories intact. They are rarely seen but are revered as spiritual and civic elders.

.

Culture and Society

Duranthi live in harmony with the land, guided by ancestral memory, ritual meditation, and a caste structure aligned with the natural world.

Spirituality and Beliefs

Duranthi spirituality centers around the belief that consciousness is inherent within the earth and that the slow transformation of stone reflects the deeper rhythms of existence. Their belief system is not based on divine command or revelation, but on memory and the enduring presence of the land itself.

The primary spiritual framework is the Stone Cycle—a philosophy that sees all existence as a continuous process of formation, erosion, collapse, and renewal. Rather than fearing dissolution, Duranthi embrace erosion as a sacred transition, a return to the greater whole.

They revere Oras the primordial spirit of earth, who is acknowledged as the stabilizing force and source of their essence.

Practices include:

Meditation – Tuning oneself to the memories of the surrounding stone to access ancestral memory or insight.
Communion Chambers – Cavernous spaces where Duranthi gather to harmonize with the land and one another.
Erosion Rituals – Ceremonies held for Duranthi entering decline, honoring their return to stillness rather than mourning loss. The remains of Duranthi are returned to the earth itself.

Spiritual authority is mostly decentralized. Lore keepers, the caste of spiritual historians and interpreters, guide reflection and practice through ancient inscriptions rather than doctrine. Belief is expressed through structure, not enforcement—through enduring participation in the rhythms of the land.

Mythology and Legends

The Duranthi mythic tradition includes creation, conflict, and continuity.

The Awakening

Describes the first emergence of sentient stone spirits, predating speech and form, when consciousness coalesced in silence.

The Erosion Wars

Historical conflicts of the spirits of earth, caused by external elemental intrusion and internal divergence. Their legacy is etched into Terasil’s terrain.

The Slumbering Ancients

Legends tell of colossal Ancestral spirits of earth, dormant in hidden strata, whose awakening would signal tectonic change.

The Shattered Pillar

A foundational myth centers on a monolith believed to have anchored the first consciousness. Its fragments are dispersed across Terasil.

Bibliography

Stone Echoes: Early Orasian Rituals and Records
The Measured Earth: A Geomantic History of Terasil
Before Wind and Flame: A Chronology of Isolation

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Durnathi =
+{{Races Infobox
+|Name=Duranthi
+|Civilized=Yes
+|Image=[[File:Duranthi Female.jpg|center|frameless]]
+|Plural=Duranthi
+|Classification=History and Memory Born
+|Homeland=Terasil
+|Average Height=8 tall tall
+|Average lifespan=200-300 years
+|Factions=[[Council of Stone]]
+|Inhabitants Name=Duranthi
+|Realm=Terasil
+}}
+{{Races Sections
+|Introduction=Duranthi are earth born humans beings native to [[Terasil]], formed from the coalesced consciousness of earth and creativity. Their society is grounded in principles of endurance, stillness, and slow transformation, which shape all aspects of their culture and worldview.
+|Biology and Physical Traits=Duranthi are semi-mineralized human beings whose physiology reflects the influence of Oras and the spiritual memory embedded in the landscape of Terasil. They are marked by their dense, stone-like skin and long lifespans.
-The '''Durnathi''' are ancient, sentient beings composed of living stone. Once widespread across all of [[Orethil]], the Durnathi are now primarily found in the mountainous region of [[Terasil]], though rare individuals or reclusive enclaves may still exist in other hidden parts of the world.
+* Stone-Skin Gradient: Duranthi who live near the [[Citadel Mountains]]—especially around [[Kar-Thal]]—tend to develop pronounced geological features, including hardened dermal plates, mineral inclusions, and angular facial structures. Those born or raised farther from the mountains exhibit more human-like skin with subtle stone textures or colorations. This gradient of stoniness is culturally significant and often interpreted as a sign of spiritual proximity and ancestral legitimacy.
+* Eidetic Memory: Many Duranthi exhibit near-total recall. This ability to retain precise civic and ancestral information is highly valued and contributes to societal continuity.
+* Geological Inheritance: Physical traits often correspond to local stone types—slate, basalt, quartzite—resulting in regional distinctions. While not always visible, these traits influence personal identity and social alignment.
+* Durability: All Duranthi exhibit high resistance to pressure, weather, and erosion. Their internal structures are dense, and their skeletal systems mineralized, allowing for long lifespans and gradual physical evolution.
+* Class Distinction: In traditional Duranthi society, visible stone density and refinement—such as obsidian clarity or embedded veining—are seen as signs of ancestral resonance. Though official caste divisions are discouraged, social respect is often unconsciously correlated to the presence of "deep stone."
-== Origins and Nature ==
+Some Duranthi, known as Ancients, have endured for centuries. Many of these individuals are small, eroded, and slow-moving, their bodies worn by time but their memories intact. They are rarely seen but are revered as spiritual and civic elders.
-The Durnathi are believed to be among the oldest beings to walk the surface of Orethil. Formed in the deep memory of the world itself, they are not born but awakened—emerging slowly from the stone over centuries, shaped by time, magic, and silence.
-Each Durnathi is unique in form, with features resembling carved statues or naturally worn formations. Their bodies are made of mineral, crystal, and stone, yet they move with a ponderous grace and possess immense physical strength.
+[[File:Duranthi_-_Male_01.jpg|thumb|A Duranthi male and his Orak]]
-== Culture and Thought ==
+.
-Durnathi culture is centered on patience, memory, and balance. They see time not in days or years, but in ages. Their language is slow and resonant, often sung or vibrated through stone. It is said that when two Durnathi speak, the conversation can last for hours—or days.
+|Culture and Society=<noautolinks>{{See also|Culture and Society of the Duranthi}}</noautolinks>
+Duranthi live in harmony with the land, guided by ancestral memory, ritual meditation, and a caste structure aligned with the natural world.
+|Spirituality and Beliefs=Duranthi spirituality centers around the belief that consciousness is inherent within the earth and that the slow transformation of stone reflects the deeper rhythms of existence. Their belief system is not based on divine command or revelation, but on memory and the enduring presence of the land itself.
-They record history not in books but in [[veins]] of crystal, shifting strata, and fault lines beneath the mountains. To the Durnathi, knowledge is a geologic force.
+The primary spiritual framework is the Stone Cycle—a philosophy that sees all existence as a continuous process of formation, erosion, collapse, and renewal. Rather than fearing dissolution, Duranthi embrace erosion as a sacred transition, a return to the greater whole.
-== Decline and Survival ==
+They revere Oras the [[primordial spirit]] of earth, who is acknowledged as the stabilizing force and source of their essence.
-The decline of the Durnathi presence across Orethil is attributed to ancient upheavals—wars, shifts in magical ley lines, or perhaps simply the slow erosion of their kind. Whether they are dying out or choosing retreat is unknown, for the Durnathi speak rarely of such things.
-Today, they remain mostly in [[Terasil]], where they are regarded with reverence, fear, or awe by other peoples. Some are guardians of ancient places; others slumber beneath mountains, dreaming in stillness.
+Practices include:
-== Powers and Abilities ==
+* Meditation – Tuning oneself to the memories of the surrounding stone to access ancestral memory or insight.
-* **Stoneform:** Their bodies are resistant to damage and immune to many mortal ailments.
+* Communion Chambers – Cavernous spaces where Duranthi gather to harmonize with the land and one another.
-* **Geomancy:** Some Durnathi can manipulate earth and stone, especially in areas aligned with deep magic.
+* Erosion Rituals – Ceremonies held for Duranthi entering decline, honoring their return to stillness rather than mourning loss. The remains of Duranthi are returned to the earth itself.
-* **Stone Memory:** They can recall events and vibrations stored in rock over millennia.
-* **Longevity:** They live for ages, though their perception of life and death differs greatly from other races.
-== In Other Regions ==
+Spiritual authority is mostly decentralized. Lore keepers, the caste of spiritual historians and interpreters, guide reflection and practice through ancient inscriptions rather than doctrine. Belief is expressed through structure, not enforcement—through enduring participation in the rhythms of the land.
-Though concentrated in Terasil, there are whispered accounts of lone Durnathi wanderers in the [[Ash
+|Mythology and Legends=[[File:Terasil_-_Shattered_Pillar_01.jpg|thumb|Fragment of the Shattered Pillar.]]
+The Duranthi mythic tradition includes creation, conflict, and continuity.
+=== The Awakening ===
+Describes the first emergence of sentient stone spirits, predating speech and form, when consciousness coalesced in silence.
+=== The Erosion Wars ===
+Historical conflicts of the spirits of earth, caused by external elemental intrusion and internal divergence. Their legacy is etched into Terasil’s terrain.
+=== The Slumbering Ancients ===
+Legends tell of colossal Ancestral spirits of earth, dormant in hidden strata, whose awakening would signal tectonic change.
+=== The Shattered Pillar ===
+A foundational myth centers on a monolith believed to have anchored the first consciousness. Its fragments are dispersed across Terasil.
+|Bibliography=* {{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=Stone Echoes: Early [[Orasian]] Rituals and Records}}
+* {{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=The Measured Earth: A Geomantic [[History of Terasil]]}}
+* {{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=Before Wind and Flame: A Chronology of Isolation}}
+|Literature=Orasian literature is preserved through engraved tablets and oral resonance. Texts focus on memory, cycles, and the shaping of consciousness.
+{{Quote
+|text=Daathir’s consciousness gathers in the silent depths.<br/>
+[[Oras]] awakens, formed of stone.<br/>
+Terasil stands, shaped by steady breath.<br/>
+No ornament disturbs its structure, no flourishes distract.<br/>
+Here, earth and will exist as one, bound in literal creation.
+|author=Unknown Duranthi
+}}
+Notable works include:
+* The Songs of Stone – Poetic descriptions of shifting landscapes.
+* The Endless Echo – A meditation on geological time.
+* The First Fracture – Historical narrative of the [[Erosion Wars]].
+|Music=[[File:Terassil.ogg|thumb|Orasian Music]]
+Music emphasizes resonance and percussion:
+* Resonant Drums – Large stone drums.
+* Chime Pillars – Monolithic tone-generating stones.
+* Echo Flutes – Wind instruments resonating in caverns.
+|Dance=Orasian dance is grounded and slow, embodying geological forces. It often reenacts land formation, erosion, or the flow of mineral memory.
+|Art=[[File:Orasian - Art 03.jpg|thumb|An Orasian relief sculpture.]]
+All art is stone-based and often functional.
+* Living Carvings – Dynamic sculptures designed to evolve over centuries.
+* Monolithic Murals – Wall-carved memory records.
+* Sacred Obelisks – Landmarks resonating with ancestral energy.
+|Education=Instruction occurs communally through oral tradition, echo transmission, and engraved teachings. Elders serve as guides, and learning is tied to experience and ritual.
+|Traditional Medicine=Healing practices are mineral-based:
+* Stone Reabsorption – Drawing minerals into the body for structural repair.
+* Geomantic Restoration – Resonant meditation to restore cohesion.
+|Cuisine=Orasians do not eat; they absorb nutrients and energy from mineral substrates through direct contact.
+|Clothing=No textiles are worn. Instead, Orasians etch personal markings and embed ornamental stones to denote clan, caste, or spiritual alignment.
+|Livelihood=Core professions include:
+* Shapers – Architects and builders.
+* Keepers – Historians and mystics.
+* Guardians – Defenders and spiritual sentinels.
+* Geomancers – Diviners who read the vibrations of the land.
+|Names=Names are descriptive and earned over time, often referencing formation or endurance.
+Examples:
+* Tahr-Thak – “Stone that withstands the tide.”
+* Jek-Lak – “Echo of the mountain.”
+* Meh-Thak – “Stone formed under pressure.”
+|Origins and Nature=Orasians are expressions of the earth’s latent awareness. Their formation occurred over geologic time, shaped by resonance and mineral density.
+=== Formation of the Orasians ===
+Originally massive and formless, early Orasians have since refined into diverse, structured forms. Size and shape vary based on geological context and age.
+|Abilities and [[Osia]]=* Earth Manipulation – Limited terrain shaping and construction.
+* Stone Communion – Sensing historical and spiritual memory embedded in stone.
+* Regeneration – Absorption of minerals to repair structural wear.
+}}
+[[category:Orasians]][[category:Terasil]]