Yairan

Yairan
Image	A representation of Yairan
Realm	Dalel
Aspect	Earth and Stone
Osia	Path of Yairan
Wardens	Namuril

Introduction

Yairan is the Primordial Spirit of earth. He was the third of the seven Primordial Spirits to arise from the interaction of Umalyu's consciousness and Pavkanai's imagination in the Napadéh, and the first of the four Primordial Elements. His realm is Dalel.

Nature and Influence

Yairan is earth itself. When he came into being, earth came into being with him; the spirit and the element are not separate. His essence is present in stone, mountains and all solid ground, and he gives the material world its structure and permanence.

Relationship with Other Elements

Yairan emerged after Náiluv and Tñarilu, and before Metihi, Yavi, Aahi and Konmai. During the Era of Isolation, Dalel was the only tangible realm and Yairan was alone in it. The era ended when light and darkness drew apart into realms of their own, Qaaniguaq and Woncu.

When Aahi forced her way into Dalel, followed by Yavi and Metihi, the Great Erosion began. Yairan created the Namuril to defend his realm, but water, air and fire wore Dalel down, and the emergence of Konmai made the changes permanent. After the Enarei ended the fighting, the four spirits agreed to a compromise. Yairan, having lost almost all of Dalel, withdrew to the Domain of Yairan, raised the Așdilu Mountains around it and sealed himself off from the outside world. He has remained wary of the other elements since.

Realm

Yairan's realm is Dalel, the realm of earth and the first tangible realm. During the Era of Isolation it was the whole of physical existence: an unbroken, unbounded expanse of stone, without water, air, fire or life. Since the Great Erosion it has been shaped by the other elements. Aasila surrounds it, Zayam lies above it and Píñáku below it, and Qaaniguaq and Woncu lie on either side.

Dalel remains Yairan's realm, though he has withdrawn to the Domain of Yairan, the only part of it believed to remain as it was before the Great Erosion. He dwells there still, withdrawn but present, and his dwelling is believed to stand at its center.

Osia

The Path of Yairan is the branch of Osia that works with the spirits of earth. Its disciples command Nascent Spirits of earth and negotiate with or manipulate Mature ones, and can shape stone and move terrain. The Guzirias of Lavierin follow the path and can alter terrain in battle, and Ierițairan is one of its centers. Many Oinien are among its disciples, and the Namuril practice it with great power.

Cultural Practices

In art, Yairan is depicted as a giant figure of stone. In Lavierin, the new year is marked by Ioriea, a festival celebrating Yairan, and the Grand Hall of Yairan, built by the Namuril during the Great Erosion, bears his name.

Philosophical Interpretations

Because Yairan and earth are one, some ask whether all the ground of Dalel is still part of him, or whether, since his withdrawal, only the Domain remains truly his. Whether Yairan will ever come out of seclusion is a long-standing question.