Duranthi: Difference between revisions

|Image=[[File:Duranthi Male Photo 01.jpg|center|frameless|Photo of a Duranthi Male]]

|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.

[[File:Duranthi_Osiari.png|thumb|A Duranthi Osiari]]

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.