The Races of Vilenought
The Monkhalyr
Origin and Background:
The Monkhalyr are remnants of an ancient race once at the height of magical and mundane mastery, whose boundless ambition led to their own downfall. In their relentless pursuit of arcane power, they tore the Veil between the material world and the chaotic Mirror, causing the Convergence, a cataclysmic event that devastated the world and left the Veil permanently scarred.
Now, the Monkhalyr exist as fragmented city-states, tribes, and kingdoms, with no unified society or culture and diverse interpretations of their history.
The Monkhalyr, despite retaining an innate command over all Weaving Disciplines, are a divided, declining race, with some factions desperately clinging to their ancient practices, others banning magic altogether, and many locked in constant conflict over resources, relics, and arcane sites. They inhabit a world haunted by their past, where ancient ruins and unstable magic sites still bear the scars of the Convergence.
The Markhalyr
Origin and Background:
The Markhalyr are an ancient race, born from the heart of the mountains. Their existence is not a result of natural evolution. Like many, it is the direct result of the convergence, the ancient cataclysm when the Veil was ripped apart and reality and the Mirror merged. During those times, a group of humans, seeking refuge from collapsing empires, delved too deep into the earth. There, they discovered raw, primordial magic that would forever change their fate. Exposure to this unstable magic transformed them, merging their flesh with stone and metal, and thus, the Markhalyr were born.
Physical Characteristics:
The Markhalyr are humanoid but distinctly inhuman. Their skin is rough and stone-like, with veins of metal and crystal running through their bodies. Patches of basalt, ore, and metal form natural armor on their bodies, making them incredibly resilient. Their eyes glow faintly with an inner fire, a remnant of the magical energies that transformed them. The Markhalyr possess immense strength and durability, with lifespans that can stretch for centuries. However, these gifts come at the cost of their humanity—both physically and mentally, they are becoming more like the stone from which they were born.
Sustenance and the Veil:
Unlike most living beings, the Markhalyr do not consume food or drink. Instead, they draw their sustenance directly from the Mirror. This unique form of nourishment allows them to live without the need for traditional resources, but it comes with a dire consequence. By feeding off the Mirror, the Markhalyr constantly stretch the Veil—the barrier between the physical world and the arcane realms. Over the centuries, in areas with a significant Markhalyr presence, the Veil becomes thin and brittle, leading to an increased risk of arcane disturbances and otherworldly incursions. This gradual weakening of the Veil is a source of great concern for the Markhalyr.
Society and Culture:
The Markhalyr live in vast underground cities carved and molded into the roots of mountains. Their society is rigid and hierarchical, placing great value on craftsmanship, duty, and stoicism. The Markhalyr are a people haunted by the knowledge that their race is slowly dying. Each generation is born with more stone and less flesh, and living newborns are becoming increasingly rare. This has led to a deep fatalism within their culture, with many believing that they are a doomed people.
Magic and Abilities:
Due to their constant exposure to the Mirror due to their source of sustenance, the Markhalyr are naturally resistant to magical attacks. However, this resistance comes with a drawback—they are almost completely unable to use magic themselves. To overcome this limitation, they have developed their own form of magic known as “Essence Carving.” This practice involves the meticulous engraving of runes and symbols into their stone bodies or crafted objects, imbuing them with specific magical properties.
The Venthalyr
Origin and Background:
The Vethalyr were once humans who, over millennia, became deeply intertwined with the wild and chaotic magic of their ancient forest homes. These forests, aeons ago permanently altered by the cataclysmic event known as the Convergence, exist as a mixture of reality and the Mirror—a twisted, arcane reflection of the world. The magical energy that flows freely through these woods has spurred an unnatural evolution in the Venthalyr, transforming them into beings that are far more… And less than they where before. Physically, the Venthalyr are perfectly adapted to life in these enchanted forests. They possess elongated limbs and digits, with hard, claw-like nails ideal for climbing. Their large, light-sensitive eyes faintly glow in the dark, and their keen sense of hearing is unparalleled. Their skin tones range from murky brown to mossy green, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Some have even more adaptations to their environment: Long, prehensile tails, the ability to swing proficiently from tree to tree and many more.
Connection to Their Forests:
The Venthalyr draw their life force from the very essence of their twisted forests. Within these bounds, they are seemingly unaging—some say even immortal. However, this deep connection comes with a significant limitation: the Venthalyr are significantly weaker outside these woods. This dependency drives them to constantly expand their forests, assimilating new territory to ensure their continued existence and growing influence.
Reproduction and Population:
Due to extreme mutations and the constant arcane radiation of their environment, the Venthalyr are practically sterile, making each individual life precious. To combat this decline, they heavily rely on humans, either captured through raids or sujugated and assimilated into their society. Whenever a human gives birth within the twisted bounds of the Venthalyr forests, the population of the Venthalyr grows by one.
Society and Expansionism:
The Venthalyr see themselves as superior to all other beings, a belief that fuels their expansionist nature. They are fiercely protective of their territory and do not tolerate any incursions. Their society is constantly at war, sending out raiding parties and planting satellite forests to weaken nearby lands before assimilating them into their ever-growing forest domain. While outside their forests, the Venthalyr are noticeably weaker, they compensate with guerrilla tactics and the ability to summon deadly creatures native to their woods.
Primary Magic:
The Venthalyr’s primary arcane discipline is a twisted form of shamanic blood-magic known as Breaking the Cycle. This form of magic, fueled mostly by blood sacrifices, draws on the dark, twisted energies of their forests, focusing on unnatural transformation, mutation, and the manipulation of life and death. This magic is both a reflection of their environment and a means of exerting control over it, allowing them to survive and thrive in a world that has become as dangerous and unpredictable as they are.
The Anthalyr
Origin and Background:
A splinter group of the Venthalyr who rejected their ancestors’ brutal expansionism, the Anthalyr fled north ten-thousands of years ago, seeking a simpler, more honorable way of life. The Anthalyr have further evolved from their forest dwelling ancestors, perfectly adapting to the harsh, unforgiving climate of the tundra and northern steppes. They are of similar height, but way more muscular and bulky. Due to beeing cut off from the arcane forests for centuries or Aeons, they do not suffer physical weakening without them, but at the same time their lifespan is greatly reduced, almost never eclipsing that of a average Monkhalyr.
Society and Culture:
The Anthalyr are a nomadic people, traveling the tundras and cold steppes, living in yurts and herding semi-domesticated woolly rhinos. They have a deep connection to nature, but unlike the Wood Elves, they do not corrupt it; instead, they strive to live in harmony with it. They are organized into clans, each led by a chieftain and a shaman. Their society values strength, loyalty, and respect for the natural world. They have developed their own form of magic, deeply rooted in spiritualism and shamanic rituals. Although it might seem more stable and less corruptive than that of the Venthalyr, it is also relying heavily on blood sacrifice, communion with the mirror and manipulation of the Veil.
The Urashalyr
Origin and Background
The Urashalyr defy the brutish, bloodthirsty, and violent stereotypes often associated with their kind. Originating from humans during the Convergence, they evolved in the harshest environments—barren mountains, arid deserts, and volcanic plains—where survival required not just strength but intelligence, organization, and adaptability. Over centuries, these harsh conditions forged them into one of the most advanced and disciplined societies in the world.
Society and Structure
The Urashalyr society is structured into a rigid caste system that includes workers, warriors, scholars, artisans, diplomats, rulers, and more. Each caste has its own hierarchy, with limited mobility between castes, which requires exceptional merit. This system is not seen as oppressive but rather as the natural order, with each caste being respected and valued for its role in society. While they are known and feared for their military prowess, the Urakhalyr are also philosophers, poets, and scientists. A general is as likely to quote ancient poetry as they are to command a battlefield. Despite their ferocious and uncompromising war tactics, they prefer diplomacy over outright conquest, though they are fully capable of the latter. Their complex system of alliances and vassal states often absorbs smaller cultures peacefully through negotiation and protection. However, when war is inevitable, the Urakhalyr use overwhelming force and any means necessary to achieve quick, decisive victories. Respected enemies are often offered a chance to surrender and are integrated into the realm after battle. However, no such mercy is shown to those deemed dishonorable, who face utter destruction and erasure from history.
Physical Appearance
The Urakhalyr are tall, with builds ranging from lean to muscular, reflecting their warrior heritage. Their skin varies from dark green to almost black, adorned with intricate tattoos that signify rank, achievements, and clan allegiance. Their eyes are sharp and often brightly colored—yellow, red, or orange. As they age, Urakhalyr grow impressive tusks, which they carve and engrave with intricate designs.
Culture and Achievements
Urakhalyr culture is rich and diverse, with a deep appreciation for the arts. They are renowned for their epic poetry, which chronicles their history and the deeds of their greatest heroes. Their architecture is monumental, with grand cities of stone and metal that reflect both their martial and cultural achievements. Music plays a significant role in their culture, often used to inspire troops or celebrate victories. Innovation is highly valued in Urakhalyr society, both in warfare and civil life. New ideas and approaches are encouraged, leading to a society that constantly evolves and adapts.
Magic
The Urakhalyr’s primary magic is called Mindshaping, reflecting their deep understanding of mental and emotional manipulation, strategy, and the subtle arts of control and influence.
The Varashalyr
Origin and Background
The Varakhalyr, a rather primitive race, have started diverging from the Urakhalyr aeons ago, mere generations after those evolved from the Monkhalyr during the Convergence. They share their chosen habitat, the subterranean caves and tunnels deep underneath the surface of the world with the Markhalyr and many other, way less civilized species.