Orasian: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:00, 23 March 2025

Orasian

Plural	Orasians
Spirit Origin	Oras
Classification	Earthborn Sophant
Homeland	Terasil
Average Height	8–10 feet (some Ancients exceed 30 feet)
Average Lifespan	Potentially immortal (subject to erosion and geological decay)
Distinction	Living stone beings formed from the consciousness of Terasil; possess deep elemental resonance
Language	Orathic
Factions	Council of Stone

Orasians are sentient beings native to Terasil, formed from the coalesced consciousness of the earth. As manifestations of stone and memory, they view themselves as stewards of the land. 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

File:Orasian.jpg

Orasians vary in size and form based on geology.

Orasians are composed of living stone, their bodies reflecting the geological strata in which they emerged. Over time, they undergo subtle changes due to erosion, mineral accretion, and resonance exposure.

Living Stone: Composed of various minerals and rock types. Body composition affects resilience and personality traits.
Durability: Resistant to temperature extremes, pressure, and physical damage.
Geological Variation: Surface features vary by region, from crystalline inclusions to sediment layering.

Culture and Society

Orasian life is structured around harmony with the land, collective resonance, and ancestral cycles. Regional variation exists, but all Orasians share a reverence for geological continuity.

Societal Structure

Governance is led by the Council of Stone, composed of elder Orasians from across Terasil. The Council meets in the Great Hall of Oras and governs through resonance-based deliberation.

The Council of Stone: Senior body guiding law, ritual, and land stewardship.
Clans and Castes:
- Guardians: Protectors of sacred sites and traditions.
- Keepers: Loreholders, educators, and spiritual guides.
- Shapers: Builders and artisans who shape Terasil’s monuments.
- Wanderers: Nomads preserving communication and lost knowledge.

Religion

Daathir

Orasians regard Oras as the terrestrial emanation of Daathir, the source of form and memory. Each Orasian is considered a node in this shared awareness.

The Stone Cycle

Central to Orasian belief, the Stone Cycle reflects the processes of formation, erosion, and renewal. It shapes:

Architecture – built to erode and regrow.
Rituals – align with tectonic and sedimentary rhythms.
Governance – based on geological patience.

Religious Sites

Gate of Origins – Considered the first emergence point of conscious earth.
Stone Sanctuaries – Meditative chambers attuned to subterranean harmonics.
The Shattered Pillar – A fragmented relic linked to creation myths.

Language

Orathic is a resonance-based language combining:

Chiseled Glyphs – Used for permanent records.
Geomantic Resonance – Spoken as tonal vibrations felt through stone.

Mythology and Legends

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

The Awakening

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

The Erosion Wars

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

The Slumbering Ancients

Legends tell of colossal Orasians 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.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |Image=[[File:Orasian - General 01.jpg|center|frameless]]
 |Plural=Orasians
-|Spirit Origin=[[Oras]]
+|Spirit Origin=Oras
 |Classification=Earthborn Sophant
 |Homeland=Terasil
-|Average Height=8–10 feet (Ancients may exceed 30 feet)
+|Average Height=8–10 feet (some Ancients exceed 30 feet)
-|Average lifespan=Indefinite (subject to erosion and geological decay)
+|Average lifespan=Potentially immortal (subject to erosion and geological decay)
-|Distinction=Stone-based sophants formed from the conscious substrate of Terasil
+|Distinction=Living stone beings formed from the consciousness of Terasil; possess deep elemental resonance
 |Language=[[Orathic]]
 |Factions=Council of Stone
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 }}
-'''Orasians''' are stone-based sophants native to the realm of [[Terasil]]. Formed from the coalesced [[consciousness]] of the land, Orasians perceive themselves as integral components of the terrain. Their society, philosophy, and lifeways are deeply embedded in geological time, elemental resonance, and the enduring principles of the [[Stone Cycle]].
+{{Sophants Sections
+|Introduction='''Orasians''' are sentient beings native to [[Terasil]], formed from the coalesced [[consciousness]] of the earth. As manifestations of stone and memory, they view themselves as stewards of the land. 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 ==
+|Biology and Physical Traits=[[File:Orasian.jpg|thumb|Orasians vary in size and form based on geology.]]
-[[File:Orasian.jpg|thumb|Orasians vary in composition and form.]]
+Orasians are composed of living stone, their bodies reflecting the geological strata in which they emerged. Over time, they undergo subtle changes due to erosion, mineral accretion, and resonance exposure.
-Orasians are composed of living stone, often reflecting the geological composition of the region in which they formed. Their bodies range from rough basalt to smoothed sedimentary stone, occasionally bearing crystalline inclusions or mineral veins. Over time, environmental exposure alters their form through erosion or mineral accretion.
+* '''Living Stone''': Composed of various minerals and rock types. Body composition affects resilience and personality traits.
+* '''Durability''': Resistant to temperature extremes, pressure, and physical damage.
+* '''Geological Variation''': Surface features vary by region, from crystalline inclusions to sediment layering.
-* '''Stone Composition''' – Their bodies exhibit a range of textures and densities depending on regional stone types.
+|Culture and Society=
-* '''Durability''' – Due to their inorganic nature, Orasians resist most environmental and physical stressors.
+Orasian life is structured around harmony with the land, collective resonance, and ancestral cycles. Regional variation exists, but all Orasians share a reverence for geological continuity.
-* '''Geological Adaptability''' – Their external features shift subtly in response to climate, mineral saturation, and age.
-== Culture and Society ==
+=== Societal Structure ===
-Orasian society reflects a balance between endurance and slow transformation. Core social structures are modeled on stratification, resonance, and ancestral continuity.
+Governance is led by the [[Council of Stone]], composed of elder Orasians from across Terasil. The Council meets in the [[Great Hall of Oras]] and governs through resonance-based deliberation.
-=== Governance ===
+* '''The Council of Stone''': Senior body guiding law, ritual, and land stewardship.
-The [[Council of Stone]] functions as the principal deliberative body in the city of [[Kar-Thal]], convening elder representatives attuned to the deep rhythms of Terasil. Decision-making relies on resonance rituals, harmonic votes, and ancestral consultations within the [[Great Hall of Oras]].
+* '''Clans and Castes''':
+** '''Guardians''': Protectors of sacred sites and traditions.
+** '''Keepers''': Loreholders, educators, and spiritual guides.
+** '''Shapers''': Builders and artisans who shape Terasil’s monuments.
+** '''Wanderers''': Nomads preserving communication and lost knowledge.
-=== Clans and Roles ===
+=== Religion ===
-Orasian society is organized into clans associated with specific geological regions. Each clan maintains internal roles:
-* '''Guardians''' – Defenders of sacred terrain and historical sites.
-* '''Keepers''' – Scholars and spiritual recorders.
-* '''Shapers''' – Architects and stone artisans.
-* '''Wanderers''' – Nomads and messengers across subterranean routes.
-=== Cosmology ===
+==== Daathir ====
+Orasians regard [[Oras]] as the terrestrial emanation of [[Daathir]], the source of form and memory. Each Orasian is considered a node in this shared awareness.
-==== Daathir and the Stone Cycle ====
+==== The Stone Cycle ====
-Orasians interpret Oras as an emanation of [[Daathir]], manifesting as conscious earth. The '''Stone Cycle'''—formation, erosion, and reformation—serves as the basis of ethical thought, ritual design, and architecture.
+Central to Orasian belief, the Stone Cycle reflects the processes of formation, erosion, and renewal. It shapes:
+* Architecture – built to erode and regrow.
+* Rituals – align with tectonic and sedimentary rhythms.
+* Governance – based on geological patience.
-* Architecture is intended to evolve naturally over centuries.
+==== Religious Sites ====
-* Ceremonies align with geological changes such as sedimentary layering or tectonic shifts.
+* '''Gate of Origins''' – Considered the first emergence point of conscious earth.
-* Governance prioritizes decisions with long temporal horizons.
+* '''Stone Sanctuaries''' – Meditative chambers attuned to subterranean harmonics.
+* '''The Shattered Pillar''' – A fragmented relic linked to creation myths.
-=== Religious Sites ===
+=== Language ===
-* '''Gate of Origins''' – A site associated with the first emergence of conscious stone.
+Orathic is a resonance-based language combining:
-* '''Stone Sanctuaries''' – Caverns used for meditation and resonance alignment.
+* '''Chiseled Glyphs''' – Used for permanent records.
-* '''The Shattered Pillar''' – A broken monolith believed to predate structured time.
+* '''Geomantic Resonance''' – Spoken as tonal vibrations felt through stone.
-== Language ==
+|Literature=
-'''Orathic''' is the native language, composed of:
+Orasian literature is preserved through engraved tablets and oral resonance. Texts focus on memory, cycles, and the shaping of consciousness.
-* '''Chiseled Glyphs''' – Used for archival records.
-* '''Resonant Tones''' – Deep vibrational utterances capable of transmitting meaning through stone.
-== Literature ==
-Orasian literature consists of carved inscriptions and oral recitation. Themes prioritize memory, resonance, and transformation.
-Notable works include:
-* ''Songs of Stone'' – Descriptions of shifting terrains.
-* ''The Endless Echo'' – Meditations on temporal cycles.
-* ''The First Fracture'' – An account of internal conflict during the Erosion Wars.
 {{Quote
@@ Line 76: / Line 72: @@
 }}
-== Music ==
+Notable works include:
-Orasian music is rhythm-based and performed on stone instruments:
+* '''The Songs of Stone''' – Poetic descriptions of shifting landscapes.
-* '''Resonant Drums''' – Carved from hollow stone.
+* '''The Endless Echo''' – A meditation on geological time.
-* '''Chime Pillars''' – Tall monoliths struck with stone mallets.
+* '''The First Fracture''' – Historical narrative of the [[Erosion Wars]].
-* '''Echo Flutes''' – Wind instruments that resonate within cavern systems.
+|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.
-== Dance ==
+|Art=[[File:Orasian - Art 03.jpg|thumb|An Orasian relief sculpture.]]
-Choreographed movement in Orasian ritual is measured and deliberate, often symbolizing erosion, tectonic force, or the stone's return to stillness.
+All art is stone-based and often functional.
-== Art ==
+* '''Living Carvings''' – Dynamic sculptures designed to evolve over centuries.
-[[File:Orasian - Art 03.jpg|thumb|An Orasian geometric relief carving.]]
+* '''Monolithic Murals''' – Wall-carved memory records.
-Visual art is exclusively stone-carved. Forms include:
+* '''Sacred Obelisks''' – Landmarks resonating with ancestral energy.
-* '''Living Carvings''' – Designed to shift with environmental conditions.
-* '''Monolithic Murals''' – Wall etchings recording ancestral events.
-* '''Obelisks''' – Territorial markers and resonance amplifiers.
-== Education ==
+|Education=
-Education is intergenerational and communal. Instruction occurs via oral transmission, echo rituals, and stone glyphs.
+Instruction occurs communally through oral tradition, echo transmission, and engraved teachings. Elders serve as guides, and learning is tied to experience and ritual.
-== Health and Restoration ==
+|Traditional Medicine=
-Orasians do not suffer biological illness but may experience:
+Healing practices are mineral-based:
-* '''Fracture''' – Repaired through mineral absorption.
+* '''Stone Reabsorption''' – Drawing minerals into the body for structural repair.
-* '''Erosion''' – Slowed through meditation or reinforcement rituals.
+* '''Geomantic Restoration''' – Resonant meditation to restore cohesion.
-* '''Geomantic Restoration''' – Resonance-based regeneration.
-== Sustenance ==
+|Cuisine=
-Orasians do not consume organic matter. They draw sustenance through:
+Orasians do not eat; they absorb nutrients and energy from mineral substrates through direct contact.
-* Absorption of minerals.
-* Long rest within high-resonance strata.
-== Adornment ==
+|Clothing=
-While not wearing clothing, Orasians often bear carved patterns, clan markers, and embedded mineral inlays to denote age, status, or spiritual alignment.
+No textiles are worn. Instead, Orasians etch personal markings and embed ornamental stones to denote clan, caste, or spiritual alignment.
-== Professions ==
+|Livelihood=
-* '''Shapers''' – Stoneworkers, architects.
+Core professions include:
-* '''Keepers''' – Loreholders, orationists.
+* '''Shapers''' – Architects and builders.
-* '''Guardians''' – Site protectors and peacekeepers.
+* '''Keepers''' – Historians and mystics.
-* '''Seers''' – Specialists in geomantic divination.
+* '''Guardians''' – Defenders and spiritual sentinels.
+* '''Geomancers''' – Diviners who read the vibrations of the land.
-== Naming Conventions ==
+|Names=
-Names reflect geological processes or symbolic resonance:
+Names are descriptive and earned over time, often referencing formation or endurance.
-* '''Tahr-Thak''' – “Stone that withstands the tide”
-* '''Jek-Lak''' – “Echo of the mountain”
+Examples:
-* '''Meh-Thak''' – “Stone formed under pressure”
+* '''Tahr-Thak''' – “Stone that withstands the tide.”
+* '''Jek-Lak''' – “Echo of the mountain.”
+* '''Meh-Thak''' – “Stone formed under pressure.”
+|Mythology and Legends=[[File:Terasil - Shattered Pillar 01.jpg|thumb|Fragment of the Shattered Pillar.]]
+The Orasian mythic tradition includes creation, conflict, and continuity.
-== Mythology and Legends ==
-[[File:Terasil - Shattered Pillar 01.jpg|thumb|Fragment of the Shattered Pillar.]]
 === The Awakening ===
-Orasian legend holds that the first forms of conscious stone arose in stillness, shaped by resonance and time. These early forms were immense and lacked speech, communicating through harmonic pulses.
+Describes the first emergence of sentient stone, predating speech and form, when consciousness coalesced in silence.
 === The Erosion Wars ===
-Tradition recalls a series of conflicts during the [[Great Erosion]], in which Orasians defended the land against elemental incursion and internal schism. The canyons and scarred peaks of Terasil are cited as evidence of these ancient ruptures.
+Historical conflicts caused by external elemental intrusion and internal divergence. Their legacy is etched into Terasil’s terrain.
 === The Slumbering Ancients ===
-Oral accounts describe hidden stone forms in remote caverns—unmoving, massive, and dormant. These entities are thought to preserve early Orasian consciousness, inaccessible until the return of full convergence.
+Legends tell of colossal Orasians dormant in hidden strata, whose awakening would signal tectonic change.
 === The Shattered Pillar ===
-A central myth describes the fall of a singular monolith, believed to mark the point where stone first held form. Its fragments are scattered and venerated across Terasil.
+A foundational myth centers on a monolith believed to have anchored the first consciousness. Its fragments are dispersed across Terasil.
-== Origins and Nature ==
+|Origins and Nature=
-Orasians embody the principle that consciousness permeates matter. Their formation is interpreted not as a creation event but a gradual coalescence of will within the substrate of Terasil.
+Orasians are expressions of the earth’s latent awareness. Their formation occurred over geologic time, shaped by resonance and mineral density.
-== Abilities and Osia ==
+=== Formation of the Orasians ===
-* '''Earth Manipulation''' – Limited reshaping of terrain through conscious resonance.
+Originally massive and formless, early Orasians have since refined into diverse, structured forms. Size and shape vary based on geological context and age.
-* '''Stone Communion''' – Perception of geological memory and spiritual presence.
-* '''Mineral Regeneration''' – Physical restoration through mineral absorption and meditation.
-[[Category:Orasians]]
+|Abilities and [[Osia]]=
-[[Category:Sophants]]
+* '''Earth Manipulation''' – Limited terrain shaping and construction.
-[[Category:Terasil]]
+* '''Stone Communion''' – Sensing historical and spiritual memory embedded in stone.
-[[Category:Stone Memory Tradition]]
+* '''Regeneration''' – Absorption of minerals to repair structural wear.
+}}