Overview
Niravar are large feline creatures who have roamed Terran for far longer than anyone can remember. Roughly the size of tigers, the Niravar are far from simple animals and are easily equal to humans in terms of intelligence. While not as dextrous as their bipedal associates, they are adept magic users and are able to craft rudimentary gear and basic structures suited for their quadrupedal life. This has lead to many of the cities and towns scattered across Terran to be a conglomeration of the blocky Niravar style and the more intricate buildings of the humans.
Their origins are long lost to history, but it is common knowledge that all Niravar are born from one of the flowing pools of magical energy called 'Aether Pools'. Because the Niravar and the Aether Pools are bound together by fate, these sources of energy are sacred to the Niravar who many years ago founded the Wardens to protect these pools from abuse.
Niravar are beings of magic, and will peacefully return to the nearest Aether Pool in the form of pure magic should they die. The only exception to this is if their death was caused by a Void Reaper, in which case the creature will consume them instead, and there will be nothing left to return to the Aether. |
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Swift Niravar are one of the two common builds of Niravar found on Terran. They are shorter than their Draft counterparts and possess less physical strength, but make up for both with their speed and agility. They possess thinner, longer legs, more akin to a cheetah, and their face is narrower than that of Draft Niravar.
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Draft Niravar are just as common as swift ones. They are easily recognizable by their considerable height and muscle mass, and possess exceptional strength. However, they lack the dexterity of their Swift counterparts and their heavier builds do not allow them to achieve the same speed as Swift Niravar.
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In 324 A.C., a myth has been returned to the surface of Terran: the Skalka Niravar. These small, round-faced Niravar are a result of a certain Urusian spirit, said to occasionally choose worthy individuals to bless with the ability to easily scale the nation's treacherous cliffs. Skalka Niravar are small, but possess muscular front legs that allow them to traverse Urus even in heavy snow. Their hind legs resemble those of a goat or a fawn. Any Niravar may become a Skalka if they are deemed worthy of the blessing.
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Lifespan
Once a Niravar reaches maturity their aging slows down dramatically. Generally no one considers themselves 'old' until they reach 200 years of age which is when their bodies begin to show the test of time and wear down. After this point, Niravar will find that they grow more and more tired as the decades pass. The oldest known Niravar reached the ripe old age of 300 years, although it is wildly believed that the Ancients are much older due to their connection to the gods before the Cataclysm.
When a Niravar feels they've reached the end of their life they may choose to hold a small ceremony for their closest friends. Others may exile themselves and pass peacefully into the Aether in solitude. Still others may make one final pilgrimage back to the Aether Pool where they were born. An unfortunate few will pass on unexpectedly due to severe injury or disease. When a Niravar's body has deteriorated too much to sufficiently sustain life, be it through old age or other means, it will dissolve into a bright light which will return to Aether Pool they were born from, and only leaving behind their bones.
Niravar Magic
Magic is an innate part of all Niravar. They are born from the magical energy of the Aether Pools, and return to it when they pass on. Within every Niravar is the ability to cast certain magics, they only need to visit an Aether Pool to unlock it. How a Niravar's magic manifests is unique to the individual, with some presenting elemental magic such as fire or lightning. Others may discover they are able to manipulate plant life, heal wounds, or even levitate nearby objects. Magic as many uses in Niravar culture, including entertainment, construction, medical, and military applications. With enough study and practice, a Niravar may cultivate multiple magical skills!
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Anatomy
Niravar are all of the same 'gender', neither male nor female. Given their reproduction through the Aether Pools, they have no physical traits or genitalia which would divide the species into different genders, and as such their gender identities are likewise blurry and scarcely subject of any sort of inquiry. Their only difference in expression comes from the use of different pronouns, which a Niravar may choose for themselves or change at any time without attracting any sort of attention or odd looks.
There are three builds of Niravar - the Draft, the Swift, and the Skalka. On average the Draft build is larger and more heavily muscled compared the Swift build, which is lighter and more geared towards bursts of speed. The Skalka is a rare Niravar type unique to Urus, where one of the nation's spirits offers a transformation into the Skalka build for better traversing the region's mountainous landscape. Across Terran, there are smaller differences even within these builds depending on the region the Niravar calls home. Those that live in colder and harsher environments tend to have thicker manes and coats to protect themselves from the biting wind. Meanwhile, those in the deserts and highlands will have shorter fur to help shed heat. Other Niravar have become adapted to even more unique and extreme habitats... |
While Niravar are primarily carnivorous, they are able to partake in an omnivorous diet as long as their nutritional requirements are still met. A Niravar is a born hunter, but there are those who prefer to purchase prepared meat or livestock instead of hunting themselves. There is a healthy demand for fresh produce all around Terran, so many Niravar have given up hunting to become farmers instead! |
Reproduction
Rarely, an Aether Pool will spontaneously give birth to a Niravar with no obvious parentage. These Niravar are considered 'Aether-born' and are regarded as an oddity within Terran. Some may see them as a sacred symbol of the Aether Pools' life-giving nature and may offer favorable treatment. Others may be kind to them anyway, as Aether-born Niravar are orphans by default.