Ærilian

Originally from the Realm of Magic, Ærilian people make up a majority of the humanoids on Erastur at almost 40% of the population. This race is known for its natural magical affinity through a source of energy called Kyn. While highly intellectual and magically talented, the Ærilian people have an aversion to Earth technology, seeing it as both unnatural and crude compared to magic.   Ærilians are a very diverse and peaceful race, though many of their neighbors view them as pacifists. It is their ruling Prince who keeps peace along the borders of Æ'ur, and has done so for hundreds of years.  

Physiology

Anatomy

Ærilians are a humanoid race, and side-by-side with an Earth human they bear few differences. One of the primary discerning physical factors of Ærilians are their slightly longer limbs and, in many cases, vibrantly colored skin and hair.   Because of their close connection to Kyn, their physical appearance can shift as they grow and their adult self can differ greatly from their direct kin. Tinted hair and skin is not uncommon, and can speak volumes about an individual’s natural connection to Kyn energy. This, however, is becoming less common as interbreeding with other humanoid races occurs and dilutes the once strong Ærilian bloodlines.   In the last several decades, Ærilians have taken to wearing brightly colored paint on their face and hands. While not entirely unlike Earth’s use of makeup, this face-painting is used by all genders and is often used in bold displays rather than subtle accents. Coupled with their often brightly colored sense of fashion, it’s often very difficult to miss an Ærilian.  

Biology

An aspect unique only to Ærilians is their genders. Many outsiders have a difficult time telling the difference between Ærilian genders, in part because an Ærilian’s gender is so different from others.   Biologists from the Institute of Science have determined that Ærilians have three primary genders: the traditional ‘male’ and ‘female,’ as well as a third ‘intersexual.’ Intersexual individuals have reproductive organs found on the other two genders, in a wide variety of appearances. Some are fully capable of reproduction while others seem to be born sterile.   Because androgyny is so common among Ærilians, their societal concept of gender identities varies greatly from other races on Partha. Biologists list these gender identities as Intersex M, Intersex F, and Intersex D (standing for Dei), however Ærilian society has taken to calling this third gender Dei.   Anyone with Ærilian blood can tap into Kyn energy. Because of this, most Ærilians consider magic a natural part of their race. However, just because they have the ability to use this magic doesn’t mean that they can use it well, as Ærilian magic requires teaching and focus.   When in areas of low or no Kyn energy, an Ærilian’s health will deteriorate rapidly. This is first seen in the form of emotional symptoms ranging from distress to apathy. Continued lack of exposure will then start to manifest in physical signs such as pale and cold skin, fatigue, shortness of breath, and arrhythmia. Finally, symptoms will worsen to bouts of violent illness, cardiac arrest, and death. This entire process can take weeks to months.  

Life Cycle

Ærilian aging is very similar in style to that of other humanoid races. The primary difference is their longer lives, living to be anywhere from 80-400 years old on average. These ages can vary wildly depending on the purity of the Ærilian’s blood, though as more interbreeding with other races occurs, their lifespan decreases.   For a pureblood Ærilian, childhood often lasts between birth and fifteen years of age. During this time, children are expected to spend much of their time close to their biological parents or guardians in much the same manner of human children.   Between the ages of 15-23 is when the children are expected to reach sexual maturity. It is during this age period where the young Ærilians start to make deeper connections with their peers and form lasting bonds. It is not uncommon for these younglings to start engaging in their first sexual activities, something often encouraged by their parents and guardians as means of developing more adult connections.   It is often around the ages of 25-35 when Ærilians start to really separate themselves from their biological family and form communities with their Found Family. This includes small networks of friends and friends-of-friends. These groups often live together in communal homes or small neighborhoods to keep close together.   For Ærilians, maturity is less a matter of age and more a matter of autonomy and responsibility. There are rare cases of Ærilians who never connect or develop a Found Family, and are often seen as eternal children.  

Diseases & Afflictions

Liable to get most humanoid illnesses found on Partha, Ærilians do have some ailments that are specific to their race.   When in areas of low or no kyn energy, an Ærilian’s health will deteriorate rapidly. This is first seen in the form of emotional symptoms ranging from distress to apathy. Continued lack of exposure will then start to manifest in physical signs such as pale and cold skin, fatigue, shortness of breath, and arrhythmia. Finally, symptoms will worsen to bouts of violent illness, cardiac arrest, and death. This entire process can take weeks to months.  

Ecology

Distribution

Back in the realm of Ærilia, the Ærilian people primarily lived in temperate and jungle environments. Because Kyn energy tends to focus around living things, jungles and forests often had the most abundant natural energies with a few exceptions.   Partha is no different in this regard. Ærilians settled primarily on the eastern half of Erastur with the highest concentration of natural energies from fields and forests. While many might believe they would want to settle in the Eternal Forest, the warped energies and presence of the The Fae have prevented them from doing so.   The highest population of Ærilians in Partha is in the capital city of Æril. Whether this is because it is the source of the strongest natural energies on Erastur, or because this is where High Prince Attan settled is unknown.  

Familial Relationships

Ærilians have a passive love for family, and are particularly loyal to found family. This includes friends, parental figures, and offspring figures. While still very common to keep in contact with and maintain loyalty to blood-family, many Ærilians will build their own family throughout their lives.   Among these found-families, friendship (often seen as sibling-style relationships) is paramount. Many Ærilians believe that their soulmate is a friend, not a lover, and these friendships rarely delve into sexual territory. Thus it is seen as taboo to try to come between friends far more than it is to come between lovers.  

Community

Community is a major element of Ærilian lifestyle. Even within major cities, smaller community groups will band together, happily leaning on one another for the things they need. Trade within these communities is rarely done with coin, many relying on trade-goods or even a favor system.   Unfortunately, as Ærilian blood and population is diluted with the races from the other realms, this deep sense of community can become volatile. More and more Ærilians grow wary of non-Ærilians, seeing them as untrustworthy or crude. Even those who are willing to embrace the Ærilian lifestyle and sense of community are treated far more coldly.  

Mating Habits

Ærilians have a wide array of ways to approach, court, and keep a potential partner. This can range from very human-like methods of flirting and physical contact, to more specifically Ærilian habits.   It should, of course, be noted that Ærilians generally have no reservations regarding gendered relationships. In fact, until they became a part of Partha in The Collapse, Ærilians had no term for homosexual or heterosexual. While terms like this have been very loosely adopted within Æ’ur, the culture at large views all relationships in the same manner.   Ærilians are very prone to ‘open love.’ Many of them will engage in romantic or sexual relations with multiple partners. While monogamy is still common, it is generally something reserved for those of older ages or generations. Monogamy tends to happen after an Ærilian has had their fill of partners and settles on just one (or sometimes a select few) romantic partners to spend the rest of their life with.   There have been some shifts in Earth and Kan'ali heavy regions where these ideals (same-sex and polyamorous relationships in particular) are more openly challenged.   Ærilians who are seeking a mate are known to wear bright metallic colors, both of clothing and body paint, to make themselves more visible.  

Customs & Traditions

Ærilian customs are heavily centered around maintaining balance between man and nature. When they take from nature, they strive to give back just as much or more. If they take a life for food, they first ensure that they are not depriving the ecosystem, and second ensure that the beast does not suffer in its death. If they cut a tree they plant two more in its place, and will often decorate the remaining stump with something from their own home. This stems from their origins of struggling with nature when their race was young (see their Origin Tale).   While these customs may be widely shared among Ærilians, there are still arguments often had over what is or is not enough. Many of the Ærilian people go without meat entirely, and contention is had between these vegetarians and those who still eat meat.   Additionally, fashion is a large part of Ærilian culture and tradition. Many of their fashion designs and body paint are based around nature, and come in a wide variety of colors. Their various holidays come with different themes, and the Ærilian people love any excuse to dress up and socialize.  

Social Hierarchy

While many Ærilians want little more than to live happily within their communities and found-families, there is often a level of naturally developed hierarchy. However, with the inclusion of humans from the other realms and the dilution of Ærilian blood and population, these once natural social systems are starting to struggle.  

Politics

It comes as no surprise to many that a vast majority of Ærilians lean towards political ideals that keep nature and home at the center. Merchants who fail to keep this in mind will struggle and outright fail as capitalistic intent is not only feared, but outright shunned. Many of the people believe that anything that cannot be produced within their community or found-family are things that they don’t need in their lives.   Furthermore, Ærilians abhor technology. This often leads to the idea that anything automated or mass-made is unnecessary and potentially harmful.   These political stances, however, lead to many problems within Ærilian culture. Communities can develop hostility with one another, and while many of the people believe that same foundational life elements, minor differences in opinion can create major conflict. Additionally, those from other cultural views, such as the other races, are often openly treated with disrespect or scorn.  

Playing an Ærilian

On the surface, the Ærilian people may seem passive and meek, but their connection with nature and magic makes them natural powerhouses. Their societal and communal values give them strengths in intelligence, but they often lack physical strength.   Among their own kind, Ærilians are highly social and they are prone to forming unbreakable bonds. However, their race has developed moderate xenophobia since becoming a part of Partha. They are wary of other races, and are highly prone to getting into political, philosophical, and ideological arguments any chance they get.  

Naming Conventions

Female: Fehla, Ani, Surrah, Adrea, Jenah, Daladnai, Adenai
Male: Aleck, Yad, Ihnol, Aran, Veroux, Vortou, Yalad, Valek, Faolid, Draeol
Unisex: Feli, Anoux, Orra, Annahae, Baeo, Anaraoul, Ariaok,