Kindari

The kindari find kinship with the spirits of the beasts of the Urth. Where silvani Root to the Urth, kindari Tether with the guardian spirits of the Wilds. Most peoples of Urth know these spirits as Icons. When a kindari is born, the parents whisper into the ear of their child, calling to the spirits in the oldest of languages. This whisper name travels through the Aether until one of the guardian spirits heed its call. The guardian spirit follows the whisper to the child and gives the child their first Enech or spirit mark.   Kindari typically bond to the same Icons as their parents and clan, an ursari child will most likely tether to the same local bear Icon as other members of their family. It is not unheard of that the guardian spirit answering the call is of a different type, such as a hawk Icon binding to a llewari child instead of their lion Icon.   Just as the silvani bond to the land, the kindari have a relationship with the Icons, local spirits that walk in the Unseen Lands. These spirits are also tied to the respective beasts on Urth, and the protection of those animals are paramount to kindari. This relationship grants the kindari an aspect of the beast that they may call upon to strengthen their body and combat their enemies. The children of the wild call this ‘becoming fierce’ or their ‘fierce face.’ While Fierce, the children of the wild are in control of their actions, though there are tales where some have lost themselves to the call of the wild, becoming permanently Fierce. Kindari do not kill those that share their spirit Icon. It is an unforgivable crime among their people, and it is believed that such an act diminishes the power of the Icon and sickens all who share it with the act. A common belief is that if the living kindari do not deal with those who transgress against the spirits, that the spirits themselves will be called to act against those who have transgressed and those that stood by alike.   It is possible for a kindari to change or lose their Enech. Such a loss robs the child of the wild of a measure of their passion. Breaking this bond, even intentionally to accept a new Enech is a serious and life changing event for the kindari. This process is known as the Walking the Unseen Way. Tales of kindari who have successfully bonded with multiple Icons are told by their people, often representing a hero who bridges two peoples or lands in much the same way that other peoples use the practice of marriage, throthing and handfasting.   When kindari call upon their Timeless Skill, they often use it to manifest the signature abilities of their Icon animal and experience glimpses of other times, animals and kindari associated with their Icon.