The Urashalyr
Bound in Honor and Duty, destined to rule the world
Infobox
The Urashalyr
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Aliases None Type Sentient, Humanoid Ancestry Ancient Monkhalyr Age 15 Years (Adult)
80 Years (Lifespan)Height 1.9 meters Weight 90-120 kg Weaving
DisciplineMindshaping Society Mostly united as one empire, some remote tribes and warbands Governance The God-Empress, elected and guided by the Council of Lords Speech Urashalyri
“Duty is the bond uniting flesh to iron, thought to blade, and vision to reality.”
Vekros Kalev, Imperial Scholar, Reflections of Steel and Stone.
"An army is a blade; without discipline, it is a blunt instrument. With it, we are the hammer and the anvil both."
General Althekan T’var, at the Battle of Burning Plains
*"Only in restraint lies true strength. A blade unsheathed too soon cuts down more than just its foes."
Lord Strategist Caerith En’Rahal, in the Treatise of War and Wisdom.
"Every soul has a place in the weave, a thread in the tapestry of life. It is not for us to ask where we fit but to shine where we are bound.”
High Scholar Malrith Saran, on caste and duty.
Basic Information:
The Urashalyr, descendants of the Ancient Monkhalyr, are a testament to the strength that thrives through unity, discipline, and mental fortitude. Adapting and evolving over thousands of years in the barren mountains, arid deserts, and volcanic plains where they first emerged during the Convergence, the Urashalyr stand as the most advanced and united society in Vilenought, a refined but uncompromising empire, a product of both harsh environmental conditions and a cultural emphasis on strength, intellect, discipline, and societal duty.
Physically, the Urashalyr are tall, robust and imposing with dark skin, intricate tattoos, and sharp, brightly colored eyes, the Urashalyr embody their hard-won resilience. The first tattoos are administered hours after birth, as part of an ancient ritual performed by the revered Readers, who determine each newborn’s future role in society. Their characteristic tusks, grown and carved with age, signify and commemorate their life experiences, wisdom and accomplishment within the caste system. This system though rigid—is respected as a natural order, where each member contributes to the whole, creating a deeply unified yet diverse society.
The Urashalyr practice Mindshaping—a discipline of magic that enhances their formidable mental acuity, helping them in battle, diplomacy, and governance. Known for their military prowess, they are equally skilled in arts and philosophy, priding themselves on their cultural achievements and complex system of alliances and vassal states. While they wield devastating force when required, the Urashalyr prefer diplomacy and seek to peacefully integrate neighboring cultures whenever possible.
- Intellectual and Martial Prowess: Urashalyr are known for their military skill and philosophical pursuits, often blending strategic wisdom with battlefield might.
- Diplomatic Approach: The Urashalyr empire, exeptionally skilled in the art of negotiation, prefers diplomacy and peaceful alliances over war but responds with overwhelming force and brutal annihilation when necessary.
- Social Structure: A rigid caste system promotes respect, order and a deep rooted sense of duty, with high value placed on each caste’s contributions to society. Mobilty between castes is very limited and only possible based on exceptional merit.
- Cultural Achievements: They are celebrated poets, architects and musicians, with a strong appreciation for the arts and monumental architecture.
Current Affairs:
The Urashalyr Empire is a formidable power under the leadership of the God-Empress Thala’vren Kaeshara Tanvir, who is revered as the Avatar of the Trinity, with absolute authority over the empire. Her wisdom and charisma have maintained a delicate balance between the militaristic, scholarly, and philosophical branches of Urashalyr society, guiding them toward both internal prosperity and external expansion. The Council of Lords advises her, composed of leaders from each caste and regional representatives, ensuring that the empire remains unified in its vision.
Though generally inclined toward peaceful expansion, the Urashalyr are fully capable of swift, decisive military action. Diplomacy is their preferred path, with a system of vassal states and alliances expanding the empire’s reach. Cultures absorbed through these alliances are often integrated as valued members, though those who resist or act dishonorably face total annihilation.
However, as other cultures grow increasingly aggressive, some within the Council of Lords argue that the time for diplomacy has ended and that the empire must demonstrate its power. Others hold that restraint will better serve their legacy. The empire’s philosophy of measured expansion continues to clash with the unpredictable world around them, and though their alliances and military strategies have kept the Urashalyr secure, the question of whether force or diplomacy will prevail is ever-present in the minds of the empire’s leaders.
With the Veil growing thinner across Vilenought, the Urashalyr are investing in strategic defenses, as well as innovative tactics, both mystical and mundane, to safeguard their people from external threats and Mirror-induced instability.
Key Issues Facing the Urashalyr:
- Perceived Weakness: Balancing their inclination for peaceful expansion and alliances with the need to assert military power.
- Adapting to Rising Hostilities: As external threats intensify, the Urashalyr face pressure to rely on military might, challenging their tradition of diplomacy and control.
- Diplomatic Challenges: As their empire expands, the Urashalyr face the delicate task of maintaining loyalty and order among their vassal states.
- Veil Instability: Developing defenses to counter the unpredictable impacts of the weakening Veil.
- Balancing Tradition and Innovation: While they value tradition, the Urashalyr are constantly adapting their methods to suit the ever-evolving challenges posed by the changing world.
Myths and History:
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