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.jpg|center|frameless]]
+|Image=[[File:Duranthi Male Photo 01.jpg|center|frameless|Photo of a Duranthi Male]]
 |Plural=Duranthi
-|Classification=History and Memory Born
+|Spirit Origin=Oras
-|Homeland=Terasil
+|Classification=Human
-|Average Height=8 tall tall
+|Homeland=[[Terasil]]
+|Average Height=5-6 tall tall
 |Average lifespan=200-300 years
-|Factions=[[Council of Stone]]
+|Factions=[[Council of Kar-Thal]]
 |Inhabitants Name=Duranthi
 |Realm=Terasil
 }}
 {{Races Sections
-|Introduction=Duranthi are humans beings native to [[Terasil]]. Their society is grounded in the notion that history is paramount to all things. They venerate both Oras, the [[Primordial Spirit]] of earth and the [[Ascendant Spirit|Ascendant spirit]] of memory.
+|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 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.
+|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.
-* 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.
+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.
-* 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.
+|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 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.
+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.
-[[File:Duranthi_-_Male_01.jpg|thumb|A Duranthi male and his Orak]]
+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.
-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=[[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 ===
+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.
-A foundational myth centers on a monolith believed to have anchored the first consciousness. Its fragments are dispersed across Terasil.
+|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.
-|Bibliography=* {{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=Stone Echoes: Early [[Orasian]] Rituals and Records}}
+|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.
-* {{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=The Measured Earth: A Geomantic [[History of Terasil]]}}
+|Literature=[[Orasian]] literature is preserved through engraved tablets and oral resonance. Texts focus on memory, cycles, and the shaping of consciousness.
-* {{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 111: / Line 83: @@
 * Regeneration – Absorption of minerals to repair structural wear.
 }}
-[[category:Orasians]][[category:Terasil]]
+[[category:Terasil]]