Zare Masni

Protectors of the Dayiara

"Better not get too close to the woods, adventurers. They dislike intruders, and we wouldn't want you to get hurt."

— A Dayiara's warning

Zare Masni, also referred to as "Plant Golems" by Danatelians, are powerful guardians used by Dayiara to protect their sacred lands. The secret of their craft is well kept among Circles, though many wizards have tried -and failed- to reproduce some across the years.

Appearance and Creation

Zare Masni can take many shapes and forms, though they most often appear as large and fantastical humanoids, made out entirely of plants. They are able to walk, see, and talk, though their vocabulary is often limited. Once awakened, they will keep living until they are de-activated, or accidentally stumble into a place devoid of magic.

Before they enter their life as guardians, Zare Masni must first be grown. Each Dayiara clan in the Danatelian Lands has its own method, each creating slightly different golems as a result. The longer a plant is grown before it becomes a golem, the stronger it will be once awakened.

While techniques and traditions may vary, there are a few core rules and elements when it comes to growing a Zare Masni.

First, the Dayiara must venture out into the lands of the Wind to retrieve a sapling from one of the ancestral sites of their people, which they had to abandon following the Danatelian Conquest.

Only sapplings from these sacred sites may be turned into Zare Masni- many have tried to transform other plants, but their efforts either resulted in nothing, or in the worst cases resulted in dangerous and uncontrollable creatures.

Nurturing the sapling is the second step of the process. For a Dayiara to have control over an awakened Zare, it must first oversee its care personally.

The time and energy poured into the sapling's growth allows the Dayiara to form a close bond with the Zare Masni, ensuring their commands will be obeyed. Poorly cared for saplings often awaken as uncontrollable monsters, wreaking havoc and chaos around them.

The creation of a Plant Golem is a slow and arduous process, which asks for a real commitment from the Nurturer. Successfully growing a Zare Masni also requires a lot of experience, and many years of training under an elder Nurturer. The last step of the process happens once the Zare has reached maturity.

Zare Masni guardian by Armand Goxe

Extra Information

Location: Plant golems are rarely seen without the presence of a Dayiara clan. Most often, they reside in forests and plains, or other fertile lands.

Average Size: Can go from 50cm till almost 2m tall, with an average height of 1m20. Taller Zare Masni are a rare sight due to how long it takes to grow them.

Dietary Needs: Though they may survive from magic alone, Zare Masni have been known to enjoy freshwater, as well as grazing in the sun.

The Awakening

The true (and final form) of the Plant Golem is revealed at the conclusion of a ceremony. This part of the ritual is where most tribes will diverge in tradition, and the specifics of each awakening are known only to the eldest Dayiara. The goal of the ceremony is to introduce a seal, which will act as an "on/off" switch for the golem's master. Once a Zare Masni has been awakened, it will stop growing and ageing until it dies or is deactivated.

Only the creator of the Zare Masni is meant to know the location and activation of the seal, though often this information is shared with a few trusted people in case the Dayiara was to pass away before de-activating the golem. Following the Awakening, the Zare Masni is named, before being introduced to the rest of the Dayiara clan. This step allows for the golem to distinguish friends from foes, and to know whom they must help in times of danger.

Role in Dayiara Culture

Zeqaria Valoran by Armand Goxe

The crafting of Zare Masni long predates the birth of magic. Dayiara have perfected this art for centuries, and some tales of Elders and their Zare Masni are said to be as old as the First Circle itself. The Zare Masni are the sacred protectors of the Dayiara, a gift from Khave itself to its people.

When the Danatelians first invaded the continent from the seas in -811 I.A, the Dayiara closest to the coast suffered the most. They were peaceful by nature, and had never known the wrath of war and the blood of conquest. All who survived owe it to the Zare Masni who kept them alive long enough to disappear.

Zeqaria Valoran

"Everybody, stay calm- Valor will be back to protect us soon. We just need to hide from them until he returns..."

— A scared Dayiara to their fellow clan members.

Among them, and probably most famous of all, was Zeqaria Valoran. After his master died without being able to de-activate him, he turned his rage towards the invaders who had slain her. Alone, he pushed them back beyond the Green Valley, and kept it safe for many more years to come.

The valley became a safe haven of Dayiara, which he defended on his own for more than a hundred a year, never letting any Danatelian through. Almost a thousand years later, the valley remains unexplored, and only memories and rumors have survived the passage of time.

Zorana Villages

"Failed" Zare Masni by Armand Goxe

"I passed by the Redorange village today to drop off Keeper. The others were doing good, and Gentle gave me this bud for you- they hope you'll be able to make a Zare Masni out of them."

— Dayiara to the Nurturer

What happens to "failed" Zare Masni? Dayiara are known for the high respect in which they hold living things, and the life of a Plant Golem is no exception. Instead of being destroyed, the Dayiara help them form communities where the Zorana may live their lives in peace and tranquillity.

Zorana villages are usually hidden in woods or nestled within quiet hills, their location kept secret by the Circles who watch over them. These communities are safe havens of calm and quiet, where the Zorana go about their daily lives.

A typical Zorana day includes walking around, tending to the communal gardens, playing some music and dancing. The occasional adventuring party might accidentally stumble upon a Zorana village. While initially shy, Zorana are also curious by nature, and if the visitors show no ill intent they will come out of their homes to observe them.