Dralvir

Dralvir
Plural	Dralvir
Spirit Origin	Kaelthorin
Classification	Humanoid, Faunal-Touched
Homeland	Celyndor
Average Height	2.3 - 2.8 meters (7'6" - 9'2")
Distinction	Antlered humanoids with bark-like skin, immense strength, and an innate connection to the land
Language	Dral'kaan
Factions	Wardens of the Deepwood • The Silent Keepers • The Horned Council

The Dralvir are an ancient race of towering, antlered humanoids who serve as the enduring guardians of Celyndor. Their presence is a silent testament to the passage of time, their bark-textured skin bearing the marks of centuries. They do not seek to rule the land but rather to uphold the balance of nature, ensuring that no force, mortal or otherwise, disturbs the deep harmony of the forest.

Most Dralvir live in solitude or small enclaves, tending to sacred groves, standing watch over forgotten paths, and passing judgment on those who would defile Celyndor’s ancient ways. Slow to anger, but nearly unstoppable once roused, they are regarded with both reverence and fear by those who live within the great forest.

Origin and Nature

The Dralvir are believed to have been shaped by Kaelthorin, the Spirit of the Verdant Veil, at the dawn of Celyndor’s formation. According to legend, they were not *born* but *grown*, emerging from the roots of the oldest trees with the first breath of the forest itself. Some claim that each Dralvir’s soul is tied to a specific tree, and should it fall, so too will they.

Unlike many other beings of Adaris, the Dralvir do not expand their numbers through conventional means. It is said that when an elder Dralvir passes, their essence seeps back into the land, and in time, a new Dralvir rises where they once stood. This cycle has kept their numbers few but eternal, ensuring that they remain as much a part of the forest as the trees themselves.

Biology and Physical Traits

The Dralvir are immense, towering beings whose presence commands both reverence and caution. Their bodies reflect the ancient power of Celyndor, shaped by time and nature rather than mortal design.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 2.3 to 2.8 meters (7'6" - 9'2"), standing among the tallest known humanoid species.
• Build: Heavy-boned and muscular, built for endurance rather than speed, with dense, thickened skin resistant to injury.
• Skin: Earth-toned, ranging from deep umber to muted gray-green, with a texture akin to smooth, weathered stone. Natural ridges, cracks, and vein-like striations form over time, shaped by the passage of years.
• Antlers: All Dralvir possess massive, branching antlers that continue to grow throughout their lives. The oldest among them have antlers so vast that moss and small plants take root within them.
• Hair: Rare but present in some, typically thick and coarse, resembling wild animal fur or flowing moss. It is most commonly found along the jawline, shoulders, or upper arms.
• Eyes: Deep-set and reflective, resembling polished amber, jade, or smoldering embers. Their vision is adapted to low-light environments, allowing them to navigate the twilight depths of Celyndor.
• Hands & Feet: Broad, powerful hands with thick, blunt claws rather than nails, well-suited for gripping rough terrain or shaping the earth. Their wide, stable feet allow them to remain unmoved even in storm or flood.
• Skeletal Structure: Their bones are incredibly dense and reinforced, making them resistant to injury. A Dralvir’s ribs are layered like those of ancient megafauna, providing natural protection to their core.
• Scent & Presence: Dralvir carry the scent of the deep forest, reminiscent of damp earth, resin, and old stone. Their voices are deep and resonant, often described as "the sound of shifting earth beneath tree roots."

Senses and Adaptations

• Deep-rooted Balance: Dralvir are nearly impossible to knock down, their sense of grounding unmatched by any other species.
• Slow Metabolism: They require little food, drawing energy from sunlight, soil, and water in a manner similar to deep-rooted flora.
• Seasonal Variance: In colder months, their skin hardens further, making them more resistant to harm.
• Longevity: Dralvir can live for centuries, their bodies growing thicker and stronger as they age, becoming increasingly resistant to time and the elements.

Culture and Society

Dralvir society is slow-moving, deliberate, and deeply ritualistic. They are not ruled by kings or councils in the traditional sense; instead, decisions are made through communal memory, storytelling, and deep contemplation.

Social Structure

• The Wardens of the Deepwood – A nomadic order of Dralvir who patrol Celyndor’s borders, ensuring no force encroaches upon the sacred land.
• The Silent Keepers – Elders who have rooted themselves permanently in one place, acting as living repositories of knowledge.
• The Horned Council – A gathering of the oldest Dralvir, convening only when Kaelthorin’s balance is truly threatened.

Laws and Traditions

• The Law of Stillness – No action should be taken in haste. Dralvir will contemplate decisions for years if necessary before acting.
• The Rootbound Oath – Some Dralvir choose to bind themselves to a single place, never moving again, becoming part of the land itself.
• Trial by Seasons – Outsiders seeking the Dralvir’s aid may be given tasks that span entire seasons, testing patience and perseverance.

Notable Settlements

Dralvir do not build cities in the traditional sense, but rather exist in harmony with the land.

• Thaldris’Veyn – A massive, ancient grove where the largest Dralvir gather once per century.
• The Skyroot Circle – A hidden plateau where Dralvir meditate upon the land’s deep memory.
• The Hollowed Glade – A silent, sacred place where the oldest Dralvir have rooted themselves permanently.

Technology and Warfare

Dralvir have little need for conventional weapons or armor.

• Stonewood Armaments – Some Dralvir wield massive oaken staves or weapons formed from petrified roots.
• Defensive Warfare – They do not march to war, but become the battlefield itself, using the land to their advantage.
• The Last March – On rare occasions, an elder Dralvir will leave their grove, moving with an unstoppable force toward a single, final purpose.

Mythology and Legends

Dralvir legends are spoken slowly, in deep, resonant tones that carry through the trees.

• The First Root – A tale of the original Dralvir, who stood at the world’s beginning and has never moved.
• The Forest’s Judgement – A myth of a king who sought to burn Celyndor, only for the Dralvir to rise and erase all trace of his empire.
• The Eternal Sentinel – A story of a Dralvir who has stood in the same place for ten thousand years, waiting for a prophecy to be fulfilled.