pronounced Ar-Nur-ah
The Ar-Nura claim to be the eldest, often calling themselves “firstborn”, and that they had vast empires and kingdoms that stretched across the realms, long before humanity were putting walls around their villages of mud huts. They claim that their ancient cities held vast libraries that contained the history of the world stretching back to the very beginning.
However, tragedy befell this once great people. A great schism formed between them, leading to a war among brethren. Those that would even acknowledge their fall from greatness call it the War of the First Blood, and speak of a conflict which lasted for centuries. The Ar-Nura were forever divided and forever diminished to a point where their kind disappeared from parts of the world, leaving behind ruined cities and ancient monuments.
In more recent times, the Ar-Nura have been intermingling among the younger peoples, dwelling in small conclaves scattered across the realms. They regularly trade with others and are not an uncommon sight in most villages and towns. While they try to maintain an aloof separation, they find themselves pulled more and more into the conflicts and tribulations of others.
Costuming Requirements: Pointed ears
There are three Ar-Nura Cultures:
The Harmony and Discord
As told by Erevelys Caesari
Once our three peoples were one. There was no distinction between the children of Narunae, no schism between the Firstborn. We were together in a harmonious purpose, and our songs shaped the world. For an Age the world was safe from the darkness, and we created such wondrous things. The Bridge of Light, the Towers of Silken Glass, and the Voice of the Wind were all crafted in that Age, an age of prosperity, hope, and glorious purpose.
The Great Weaver spun our strands and wove them together, and something terrible sought to unweave them and tear us apart. A great darkness slipped in, beneath the watch of Narunae, and slowly poisoned our brethren. We warred among eachother, and all our great works were shattered. We were cast to the void and scattered across the world.
Our great work is to reunify the peoples, and our infusion with the mystical was our greatest blessing. While the Eldest could sense the weave of magic, the Whispers were somehow concealed from us, through either some desire of their own, or a dastardly trick of Jhara-Sune.
Sadly, even though we brought a few scattered people back into the fold of the Eisolae over the ages, from the fiery Ashuria to the seaborn Gherethi, the wild tribes of the Jhani’ada and the shadowy Viskela still maintain the rift among us.
On the Two Names
As told by Erevelys Caesari
The Great Weaver gifted us with two names. Our Common Name is used among all folk, even the Stoneborn and Ughol. However, our second name, the Greater Name, is only spoken among others of the Elder Race, for it truly tells who we are. It speaks of our greatest accomplishments, as well as those of our line, things that those who are not Ar-Nura would have difficulty understanding.
For example, among the common, I am merely Erevelys Caesari. Among the Ar-Nura, I am the Blessed Erevelys of the Caesari, Harmonious Journeyman of the Mysteries. Speaker of Night, Woven of Stars, and Witness to the Fall.
Here are but a few honorifics…
“-of the” is often used as a prelude to the lineage.
“Anointed” or “Blessed” is often used by the Eisolae to indicate that we are the First of the Elder Race, and we must guide our wayward brethren.
“Untamed” or “Unchained” is an aloof term used by the Jhani’ada as a method to say that they have returned to the wild and are not bound to one place. It should be noted that they often keep their names much shorter, either because they are attempting to conceal something, or because they have forgotten who they are.
“Unseen” or “Shadowed” is a term used by the Viskela. It is said that they have numerous other honorifics that they share only with others of the Whispers.
“Harmonious” is a term we use to denote Acolytes among the Lost Chorus.
“Apprentice”, “Journeyman” and “Master” are terms that we often use to indicate that someone is capable of weaving spells. Such terms were long ago applied by others outside the Ar-Nura to describe the depths of mastery of eldritch powers.
“Visionary” is a rare title, taken only by those who are capable of displaying skill in each of the six Paths.
“of the Mysteries” is a term that some well-educated use, to reveal their mastery in multiple Lores of the world.
“Nurturing” denotes those who are capable of caring for the green world, often farmers, herbalists, and those who study the Path of Thorns.
“Mender” are for those who spend their time caring for others, and have medical capabilities for treating lesser ailments.
A terrible honorific that we add is “Witness to the Fall”, for those who saw the Curse wash across the world like a dark tide. We add that so that future generations might remember the horror that befell us all.
On the Lost Chorus
Long among the Firstborn have there been those who seek to lend aid unto others, which is often a thankless pursuit. Through the use of sound and soothing melody, they use their talents often to heal the afflicted and to mend those who require aid.
Those among the Lost Chorus are selected for their devotion to bring harmony as much as they are chosen for their gift of song. Their abilities are often praised among the other Ar-Nura, and such individuals are kept safe and secure so that they might work their talents without fear for their safety.
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