Duranthi: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:12, 6 October 2025

Duranthi
Image	Photo of a Duranthi Male
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

Introduction

Duranthi are a human race native to the mountainous region of Terasil. Deeply influenced by the Ascendant Spirit of History and Memory, Varunel, Duranthi culture centers on history and preservation. While often regarded as archaic by other peoples, the Duranthi maintain an enduring and significant role in the broader landscape of Orethil.

Origin and Nature

Like all human races of Orethil, the Duranthi trace their ancestry to the original humans of Awenlir, an island associated with imagination and limitless potential. These early humans were created by Awenlas, the Spirit of Imagination and one of the original spirits of the world. The reasons for their dispersal from Awenlir are unknown, but those who would become the Duranthi settled in the mountain valleys of Terasil near the Citadel Mountains, within the domain of Oras, the Primordial Spirit of Earth.

Terasil is also home to Varunel and the spirit of stone strata, Tehrum, both of whom exert a strong influence on the region. The Duranthi, shaped by this proximity to primordial and ascendant powers, developed unique physiological and spiritual characteristics, reflecting the endurance and stability of their homeland.

Biology and Physical Traits

Prolonged exposure to the influences of Varunel and Oras has affected the Duranthi both physically and mentally. They possess extended lifespans, with some individuals living up to 200 or 300 years. Duranthi are known for exceptional memory; many exhibit eidetic recall, capable of remembering precise details, faces, and experiences across centuries.

Their skin reflects the elemental influence of Oras. Those living close to the domain of Oras, such as in Sanctuary Vale, often have stone-like, hardened skin, while those dwelling farther away, in regions such as the Yalta Wastes, have softer, more human-like features.

Abilities and Osia

Like other peoples of Orethil, the Duranthi practice Osia, the spiritual art of attunement to spirits. Among them, two primary paths are recognized: the path of Memory, associated with Varunel, and the path of Stone, associated with Tehrum. Practitioners of the path of Memory cultivate spiritual discipline through remembrance and mental clarity; advanced adherents can influence or alter the perception of memory itself.

Those who follow the path of Stone manipulate soil and rock, shaping the physical world around them. A few attempt to attune directly to the primordial spirit Oras, a difficult practice that, in theory, would allow manipulation of the raw structure of matter—mountains, stone, and even the physical framework of living beings.

Culture and Society

Duranthi society emphasizes longevity, heritage, and continuity. Their traditions are designed to endure unchanged across generations, often preserved for centuries. While outsiders may view their customs as rigid or outdated, the Duranthi regard this constancy as a mark of strength and identity.

The capital of Duranthi civilization is Kar-Thal, located in Sanctuary Vale among the Citadel Mountains and the Mirzakar Range. Kar-Tha is the seat of the Council of Kar-Thal, which nominally governs all Duranthi territories, though its direct authority is strongest within the Vale and the nearby Yalta Wastes. The Vale contains several smaller settlements, while the Wastes remain sparsely populated, home to only a single known city.

Spirituality and Beliefs

Duranthi spirituality is centered on the veneration of Varunel, alongside deep respect for Tehrum and Oras. Their faith emphasizes the endurance of the earth, the layered history of stone and strata, and the memory of all things that have come before. Through their devotion to these spirits, the Duranthi view themselves as both guardians and living records of the world's enduring memory.

Technology and Warfare

Historically, the Duranthi resisted adopting modern technologies, especially firearms and mechanized weaponry. While ceremonial orders of armored cavalry remain part of their martial traditions, modern Duranthi forces now employ contemporary arms and tactics to remain effective within the wider world.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |Name=Duranthi
 |Civilized=Yes
-|Image=[[File:Duranthi- Female 01.jpg|center|frameless]]
+|Image=[[File:Duranthi Male Photo 01.jpg|center|frameless|Photo of a Duranthi Male]]
 |Plural=Duranthi
-|Spirit Origin=
+|Spirit Origin=Oras
-|Classification=Memory Born
+|Classification=Human
-|Homeland=Terasil
+|Homeland=[[Terasil]]
-|Average Height=8 tall tall
+|Average Height=5-6 tall tall
 |Average lifespan=200-300 years
-|Language=
+|Factions=[[Council of Kar-Thal]]
-|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.
+|Introduction='''Duranthi''' are a human race native to the mountainous region of [[Terasil]]. Deeply influenced by the [[Ascendant Spirit]] of History and Memory, [[Varunel]], Duranthi culture centers on history and preservation. While often regarded as archaic by other peoples, the Duranthi maintain an enduring and significant role in the broader landscape of [[Orethil]].
-|Biology and Physical Traits=Duranthi have skin of living stone, their bodies reflecting various types of rock. Over time, they undergo subtle changes due to erosion and mineral accretion.
+|Origin and Nature=Like all human races of Orethil, the Duranthi trace their ancestry to the original humans of [[Awenlir]], an island associated with imagination and limitless potential. These early humans were created by [[Awenlas]], the Spirit of Imagination and one of the original spirits of the world. The reasons for their dispersal from Awenlir are unknown, but those who would become the Duranthi settled in the mountain valleys of Terasil near the [[Citadel Mountains]], within the [[domain of Oras]], the [[Primordial Spirit]] of Earth.
-* '''Living Stone''': Composed of various minerals and rock types. Body composition affects resilience and personality traits.
+Terasil is also home to Varunel and the spirit of stone strata, [[Tehrum]], both of whom exert a strong influence on the region. The Duranthi, shaped by this proximity to primordial and ascendant powers, developed unique physiological and spiritual characteristics, reflecting the endurance and stability of their homeland.
-* '''Durability''': Resistant to temperature extremes, pressure, and physical damage.
+|Biology and Physical Traits=Prolonged exposure to the influences of Varunel and Oras has affected the Duranthi both physically and mentally. They possess extended lifespans, with some individuals living up to 200 or 300 years. Duranthi are known for exceptional memory; many exhibit eidetic recall, capable of remembering precise details, faces, and experiences across centuries.
-* '''Geological Variation''': Surface features vary by region.
-[[File:Duranthi- Male 01.jpg|thumb|A Duranthi male]]
+Their skin reflects the elemental influence of Oras. Those living close to the domain of Oras, such as in [[Sanctuary Vale]], often have stone-like, hardened skin, while those dwelling farther away, in regions such as the Yalta Wastes, have softer, more human-like features.
-Some Duranthi, known as Ancients, have endured for hundreds of years. These ancients are often very small due to years of erosion.  These Ancients are revered for the continuity of their consciousness and the clarity of their thought.
+|Abilities and Osia=Like other peoples of Orethil, the Duranthi practice Osia, the spiritual art of [[attunement]] to spirits. Among them, two primary paths are recognized: the path of Memory, associated with Varunel, and the path of Stone, associated with Tehrum. Practitioners of the path of Memory cultivate spiritual discipline through remembrance and mental clarity; advanced adherents can influence or alter the perception of memory itself.
-.
+Those who follow the path of Stone manipulate soil and rock, shaping the physical world around them. A few attempt to attune directly to the primordial spirit Oras, a difficult practice that, in theory, would allow manipulation of the raw structure of matter—mountains, stone, and even the physical framework of living beings.
+[[File:Duranthi_Osiari.png|thumb|A Duranthi Osiari]]
 |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.
+Duranthi society emphasizes longevity, heritage, and continuity. Their traditions are designed to endure unchanged across generations, often preserved for centuries. While outsiders may view their customs as rigid or outdated, the Duranthi regard this constancy as a mark of strength and identity.
-|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.
+The capital of Duranthi civilization is [[Kar-Thal]], located in Sanctuary Vale among the Citadel Mountains and the Mirzakar Range. Kar-Tha is the seat of the Council of Kar-Thal, which nominally governs all Duranthi territories, though its direct authority is strongest within the Vale and the nearby Yalta Wastes. The Vale contains several smaller settlements, while the Wastes remain sparsely populated, home to only a single known city.
+|Spirituality and Beliefs=Duranthi spirituality is centered on the veneration of Varunel, alongside deep respect for Tehrum and Oras. Their faith emphasizes the endurance of the earth, the layered history of stone and strata, and the memory of all things that have come before. Through their devotion to these spirits, the Duranthi view themselves as both guardians and living records of the world's enduring memory.
-They revere Oras the [[primordial spirit]] of earth, who is acknowledged as the stabilizing force and source of their essence.
+|Technology and Warfare=Historically, the Duranthi resisted adopting modern technologies, especially firearms and mechanized weaponry. While ceremonial orders of armored cavalry remain part of their martial traditions, modern Duranthi forces now employ contemporary arms and tactics to remain effective within the wider world.
+|Literature=[[Orasian]] literature is preserved through engraved tablets and oral resonance. Texts focus on memory, cycles, and the shaping of consciousness.
-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=[[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
@@ Line 70: / Line 43: @@
 Notable works include:
-* '''The Songs of Stone''' – Poetic descriptions of shifting landscapes.
+* The Songs of Stone – Poetic descriptions of shifting landscapes.
-* '''The Endless Echo''' – A meditation on geological time.
+* The Endless Echo – A meditation on geological time.
-* '''The First Fracture''' – Historical narrative of the [[Erosion Wars]].
+* 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.
+* Resonant Drums – Large stone drums.
-* '''Chime Pillars''' – Monolithic tone-generating stones.
+* Chime Pillars – Monolithic tone-generating stones.
-* '''Echo Flutes''' – Wind instruments resonating in caverns.
+* 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.
+* Living Carvings – Dynamic sculptures designed to evolve over centuries.
-* '''Monolithic Murals''' – Wall-carved memory records.
+* Monolithic Murals – Wall-carved memory records.
-* '''Sacred Obelisks''' – Landmarks resonating with ancestral energy.
+* 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.
+* Stone Reabsorption – Drawing minerals into the body for structural repair.
-* '''Geomantic Restoration''' – Resonant meditation to restore cohesion.
+* 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.
+* Shapers – Architects and builders.
-* '''Keepers''' – Historians and mystics.
+* Keepers – Historians and mystics.
-* '''Guardians''' – Defenders and spiritual sentinels.
+* Guardians – Defenders and spiritual sentinels.
-* '''Geomancers''' – Diviners who read the vibrations of the land.
+* 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.”
+* Tahr-Thak – “Stone that withstands the tide.”
-* '''Jek-Lak''' – “Echo of the mountain.”
+* Jek-Lak – “Echo of the mountain.”
-* '''Meh-Thak''' – “Stone formed under pressure.”
+* 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.
+|Abilities and [[Osia]]=* Earth Manipulation – Limited terrain shaping and construction.
-* '''Stone Communion''' – Sensing historical and spiritual memory embedded in stone.
+* Stone Communion – Sensing historical and spiritual memory embedded in stone.
-* '''Regeneration''' – Absorption of minerals to repair structural wear.
+* Regeneration – Absorption of minerals to repair structural wear.
 }}
-[[category:Orasians]][[category:Terasil]]
+[[category:Terasil]]