Korlum - Cilanis
"In the frozen reaches of Arcia, beneath endless skies of shifting silver and jade, I first encountered the Arcus Korlum. Haunting melodies echoed softly over the ice—songs older than stone, voices lifting like smoke from hidden fires. They spoke little, watched always, their expressions unreadable, their stories carried more in eyes and silence than tongue."
"Yet far across the western seas, on brutal shores cloaked in storm, dwell their distant kin. The Barla Korlum roar their gods' names amidst the thunder of waves and war drums. Fierce raiders whose hands wield iron and flame, whose smiles bear fangs sharpened on cruelty and courage alike. One race, cleaved in two by ocean and time: the peace of snow-bound mystery, and the violence of sea-washed stone."
Introduction
The Korlum are a species of sapient, bear-like humanoids whose rugged endurance and primal spirit have allowed them to flourish at the edges of Arora's known world. Defined by a powerful physicality and two starkly distinct cultures, the Korlum are divided into the contemplative Arcus of northern Arcia and the ferocious Barla of Hyperbol and Skorhaug. Though kinship links these peoples by blood and legend, their separation by geography and philosophy makes each culture a unique study unto itself.
To the northeast, in the ice-bound lands of Arpen and Tyros, the Arcus Korlum dwell. Their existence is quiet, almost poetic—bound deeply to the cold land they inhabit and to the spirits they venerate. Their days are spent in the patient rhythm of survival, crafting songs to preserve wisdom and history, and communing with the mysterious entities inhabiting their frigid home.
In contrast, the western Barla Korlum are anything but serene. On the rugged islands of Hyperbol and Skorhaug, their society revolves around fierce independence, honour won by blade and blood, and daring raids. The Barla gods demand bravery and conquest, their pantheon reflective of their violent, tumultuous lives. Though seen as brutal and uncivilized by other peoples, their unbreakable spirit and fierce loyalty to their clans cannot be denied. Tales of Barla warriors are spoken with equal parts dread and awe across the western seas.
Yet both peoples now face uncertain futures. The expanding reach of the Alemni Directorate threatens to erode the gentle mysteries of the Arcus, while the relentless ambition of human kingdoms increasingly pushes back against Barla raids. To study the Korlum is to witness a pivotal moment—the slow, inevitable transformation or erosion of two cultures forged by extremes of peace and war.
Mechanics
Uncommon Humanoid Ursine
Source: Arora Homebrew
The Korlum are bear-like humanoids renowned for their powerful physical presence, remarkable resilience, and dual cultural identities. They are defined by two distinct ethnicities: the mysterious and introspective Arcus Korlum of northern Arcia, and the aggressive, warlike Barla Korlum of Hyperbol and Skorhaug.
Arcus Korlum dwell primarily in isolated northern communities, deeply spiritual and intimately familiar with natural magic and Rhetoric. Conversely, Barla Korlum societies are based upon seafaring, raiding, and martial honour, thriving amidst hardship through sheer force and boldness. Though culturally and geographically separated, both share common threads of ancestral reverence and communal loyalty.
You Might...
- Be deeply connected to your ancestral traditions and seek wisdom or honour through their teachings.
- Feel a strong, spiritual kinship with nature, spirits, or your clan.
- Struggle to reconcile traditional values with the pressures of an encroaching modern world.
- Find strength and purpose in physical prowess, survival skills, and personal bravery.
Others Probably...
- Respect your formidable presence, yet may misunderstand your customs and beliefs.
- See you as either overly spiritual and reclusive (Arcus) or aggressive and unpredictable (Barla).
- Wonder at the ancient wisdom hidden behind your traditions and stories.
Physical Description
The Korlum resemble powerful bears standing upright, heavily muscled and covered in dense fur. Their appearances differ slightly between the ethnicities: Arcus Korlum have pale white fur and slightly smaller, more agile frames, suited to frigid climates. Barla Korlum are broader, taller, with darker fur ranging from deep brown to near-black, optimized for strength and endurance.
Both ethnicities have sharp claws, keen senses, and a bear-like facial structure, capable of a broad range of expressions, from fierce intimidation to quiet contemplation.
Society
Korlum societies centre around strong clan bonds, collective decision-making, and communal support. Arcus communities are cooperative and consensus-driven, guided by revered elders and songkeepers who preserve traditions through storytelling and song. Barla clans are led by powerful chieftains, supported by warrior bands and forge-priests, whose authority is maintained through strength and martial success. Both cultures are broadly egalitarian, with roles based on ability rather than gender, and place immense value on loyalty and honour. However, Arcus are known for peaceful coexistence and introspection, while Barla favour displays of prowess, bravery, and conquest.
Beliefs
Korlum spirituality profoundly shapes their daily lives and worldviews. Arcus beliefs focus on animistic reverence, honouring spirits of the land, ice, and ancestors through rituals and songs. Their deep connection to Rhetoric remains a hidden but central mystery of their culture. Barla spirituality is more tangible and aggressive, worshipping a fierce pantheon of war and sea gods, offering sacrifices and rituals to secure victory and survival in their harsh world.
Popular Edicts
- Honour your clan and ancestors through deeds, courage, and loyalty.
- Respect and preserve the sacred balance between nature and community.
- Face hardship with stoicism and bravery.
Popular Anathema
- Show cowardice or break sworn oaths.
- Desecrate spiritual or ancestral traditions.
- Waste resources or disrespect the gifts of nature.
Names
Korlum names are melodic and rhythmic for Arcus, while strong and bold for Barla. Arcus often name children after natural phenomena, spirits, or ancient songs. Barla names celebrate bravery, legendary warriors, or divine patrons.
Sample Names (Arcus): Anori, Siku, Taliriktug, Nanuq, Atiqtalaaq
Sample Names (Barla): Bjorak, Haakon, Vargil, Thorun, Skadi
Korlum Mechanics
- Hit Points: 10
- Size: Medium
- Speed: 25 feet
- Lifespan: 120 years
- Available Ethnicities: Arcus, Barla
- Attribute Boosts: Strength, Wisdom, Free
- Attribute Flaw: Intelligence
Species Traits
- Natural Armour: Thick fur grants +2 natural AC bonus.
- Survival Instinct: You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Survival skill checks in harsh climates.
"They endure. Echoes of a primal age, their songs and shouts resounding in defiance of a changing world."
Biology
The biology of the Korlum is a testament to their extraordinary adaptation to extreme and demanding environments. Both ethnicities exhibit robust, powerful physiques honed by generations spent enduring harsh climates. Their evolutionary journey has granted them exceptional physical strength, resilience, and acute senses, perfectly aligning their physiology with their unique ecological niches.
Korlum anatomy showcases muscular, heavily built frames, sturdy bones, and dense musculature adapted for strength and endurance. Their skeletal structure supports impressive physical feats, enabling powerful blows, enduring extended physical exertion, and tolerating severe environmental conditions. Arcus Korlum, slightly more compact, are agile and dexterous, their physiques ideally suited for navigating treacherous icefields and hunting elusive prey across slippery terrain. Barla Korlum, conversely, possess broader shoulders and heavier builds, optimised for wielding heavy weapons, sustained maritime exertion, and the rigorous demands of warfare and physical labour.
Both ethnicities feature prominent, powerful limbs ending in large, clawed hands capable of precise manipulation and formidable combat effectiveness. Their feet are broad and adapted for stability, with tough pads that aid movement across icy expanses or rugged, rocky islands. Korlum fur, dense and insulating, is vital for maintaining body heat and protection from harsh climates. Arcus fur is particularly thick, layered, and white or pale, offering superior camouflage against snow and ice, whereas Barla fur, slightly coarser and darker, provides robust protection against dampness and harsh coastal storms.
Reproduction among the Korlum is carefully adapted to their environmental demands. Strong pair-bonds form the basis of their reproductive and social structure. Typically, Korlum produce single offspring, with twins considered an extraordinary and auspicious event. Communal child-rearing ensures high survival rates for offspring, distributing parenting responsibilities across the clan and reinforcing strong social bonds. Despite genetic compatibility, cultural divergence and geographical separation render interethnic reproduction exceptionally rare, limiting significant genetic interchange between Arcus and Barla.
The Korlum reach maturity rapidly, becoming fully adult by around the age of fifteen. They enjoy extended periods of physical prime, well into their first century. Their average lifespan reaches approximately 120 years, although Arcus Korlum tend to slightly surpass Barla in longevity due to their generally less violent existence. Elders among the Arcus are revered repositories of cultural wisdom, while Barla elders often command respect through past feats and martial prowess.
Seasonal biological responses vary distinctly between the ethnicities. Arcus Korlum experience pronounced physiological adaptations to the harsh winter months, with metabolic rates slowing significantly, allowing brief, partial hibernation periods that conserve vital energy during extended cold seasons. Fur thickness and insulation increase, further aiding their survival in extreme cold. Barla Korlum, however, show minimal seasonal variation, maintaining active metabolisms and energy outputs throughout the year to accommodate their seafaring, raiding, and physically demanding lifestyles. Their adaptive mechanisms primarily involve minor adjustments in fur density and increased fat storage to buffer against severe weather conditions and dietary fluctuations.
Korlum intelligence, while profound, manifests distinctly between ethnicities. Arcus intelligence is deeply intuitive, reflective, and oriented towards memory retention and abstract thought, expressed vividly in their storytelling, songcraft, and profound grasp of natural Rhetoric. Barla intelligence, conversely, favours pragmatism, experiential knowledge, and problem-solving derived directly from their harsh, survival-oriented environment, transmitted through oral tradition and practical demonstrations rather than abstract contemplation or written scholarship.
"In their whispers, names of ice and shadow; in their shouts, echoes of iron and storm. Wisdom is found in silence as often as it is written in battle."
Appearance and Adaptation
The Korlum appearance is strikingly evocative of their environmental mastery and cultural identity, vividly demonstrating their evolutionary adaptations and historical legacies. Their bear-like forms, muscular and imposing, are intrinsically tied to their survival strategies and daily lives, communicating strength, resilience, and identity with every movement and posture.
Arcus Korlum typically stand between two and two-and-a-half metres tall, with muscular yet compact builds, reflecting their adaptation to swift movement across icy landscapes. Their lighter frames grant agility without sacrificing strength, essential for tracking prey and navigating hazardous terrains. Their fur, predominantly white or pale shades of grey, provides superior camouflage against the stark, snowy environment, and its exceptional density and layering ensure effective insulation against bitter cold. Arcus fur is often carefully adorned with natural dyes and symbolic patterns, signifying spiritual beliefs, clan identity, and personal achievements.
In contrast, Barla Korlum stand taller and broader, often reaching heights well over two-and-a-half metres, with powerfully built frames showcasing heavy musculature honed through physical exertion and warfare. Their darker fur—rich browns, deep blacks, and occasional russet tones—is slightly coarser, optimally adapted for damp maritime climates and providing robust protection against storm-driven wind and sea spray. Barla warriors frequently mark their bodies with intricate braiding, dyes, and ceremonial scars, proudly displaying their martial exploits, lineage, and rank within their fiercely hierarchical societies.
Facial characteristics across both ethnicities share prominent features reminiscent of their bear ancestry. Wide-set, expressive eyes grant keen vision, critical for both hunting and combat. Broad muzzles house formidable teeth, and sensitive noses provide acute olfactory perception, essential for tracking prey and sensing environmental changes. Arcus facial expressions often appear introspective and contemplative, reflective of their spiritual and communal lifestyle, while Barla expressions convey strength, confidence, and assertiveness, shaped by their martial ethos and culture of physical bravery.
Adaptations extend to their hands and feet, structurally evolved for effective navigation and survival in challenging environments. Broad feet, equipped with thick pads, ensure stability on ice, rocky shores, and storm-tossed ship decks alike. Their large hands, robust and dexterous, facilitate complex tool use, precision craftsmanship, and formidable combat capabilities, each digit ending in strong, sharp claws adept at both delicate tasks and fierce defence.
Korlum fur varies distinctly between the ethnicities. Arcus fur is predominantly white or pale, thick and insulating against frigid temperatures. Barla fur is coarser, darker in shade from deep brown to black, optimised for damp maritime conditions and physical rigour. Both ethnicities adorn themselves with culturally significant markings—Arcus often use paints derived from natural pigments for spiritual purposes, whereas Barla use dyes and intricate braids to signify clan affiliation and martial achievements.
"To see them stride upon ice or storm-beaten shore is to witness survival incarnate; every step defiant, every gaze a quiet challenge against the world."
"Where life is hardest, the Korlum flourish—upon glacial icefields and rocky shores battered by endless storms, they weave their very existence from frost, salt, and courage."
Habitat and Lifestyle
The Korlum have mastered existence in environments that test the very limits of survival. Their two distinct cultures, the Arcus and Barla, have evolved strikingly different lifestyles, each perfectly tailored to their respective habitats. In the northern expanses of Arpen and Tyros, the Arcus Korlum dwell amidst towering glaciers, ice-covered plains, and frozen coastlines, while the Barla claim the windswept, storm-battered islands of Hyperbol and Skorhaug as their ancestral domain.
Arcus Korlum live in semi-nomadic communities, constructing homes from ice blocks, animal hides, stone, and whalebone. These structures are durable yet temporary, adapting seasonally to shifting ice and migrating wildlife. Inside their shelters, warmth is preserved through carefully maintained fires and insulating layers of furs and skins. Communal gathering spaces, often partially subterranean, provide communal warmth and become focal points for storytelling, ritual songs, and spiritual gatherings during long winter nights.
Their subsistence lifestyle relies heavily on fishing, hunting marine mammals like seals and whales, and gathering hardy roots and berries during brief summers. Arcus hunters are expert trackers and ice-fishermen, employing ingeniously crafted tools—bone harpoons, stone knives, and carefully maintained nets—to sustain their communities. They meticulously utilise every part of their prey, crafting essential tools, clothing, and spiritual ornaments from bone, hide, and sinew, thereby showing deep respect for their natural environment and its finite resources.
Conversely, the Barla Korlum live a maritime existence shaped by their storm-lashed islands. Their settlements consist of robust timber and stone longhouses, strategically positioned to withstand powerful coastal storms and potential invasions. These communal halls are both homes and fortresses, serving as centres for communal feasting, decision-making, storytelling, and rites honouring their gods and ancestors.
The Barla depend upon agriculture to a limited extent, cultivating hardy crops such as barley, alongside raising livestock resilient to harsh climates. However, their primary sustenance and wealth come from the sea and plunder from frequent raids upon neighbouring lands. Their superior shipbuilding skill, evident in swift, shallow-drafted vessels known for their speed and versatility, enables successful maritime raids and ensures access to resources otherwise scarce on their rugged islands.
Barla clans regularly engage in fierce competition for dominance, territory, and resources, yet maintain strict codes of honour and hospitality, even towards rivals. These codes dictate not only the conduct of warfare but also daily interactions, ensuring that violence remains a controlled expression of cultural values rather than unchecked brutality.
Thus, the distinct habitats of the Arcus and Barla profoundly shape their lifestyles, fostering unique social systems, cultural practices, and survival strategies. Despite their divergent paths, both Korlum cultures demonstrate remarkable resilience, ingenuity, and adaptability, reflecting their unwavering commitment to thrive amid the challenges posed by their harsh surroundings.
Arcus Korlum habitats comprise icy tundra, glaciers, and frozen coasts, where they skillfully construct transient ice-and-hide dwellings adapted to extreme cold. Barla Korlum reside on storm-swept islands in fortified longhouses of timber and stone, designed to endure relentless sea storms and raids. Both have meticulously adapted their settlements and lifestyles to their unforgiving climates, deeply connecting them with their natural environments.
Arcus diets depend primarily on hunting marine mammals and fishing, supplemented by carefully preserved roots and berries. Their deep knowledge of food preservation techniques ensures survival through long winters. Barla diets rely heavily on seafood, hunting, livestock, limited agriculture, and plundered supplies from frequent raids, reflecting their maritime and warrior-focused existence.
Arcus psychology is introspective, cooperative, and deeply spiritual, valuing harmony and community above personal glory. Barla psychology revolves around honour, bravery, and fierce competition, emphasising martial skill and personal achievement. Both express emotions strongly but differently—Arcus through storytelling and song, Barla through physical feats and dramatic rituals.
Both Arcus and Barla societies centre around strong clan systems. Arcus communities emphasise egalitarianism, guided by respected elders and revered songkeepers. Barla clans follow martial meritocracy, led by chieftains supported by warrior elites and influential forge-priests. In both cultures, clan allegiance profoundly shapes identity, social responsibility, and cultural continuity.
"In icy silence and amidst roaring waves, the Korlum preserve their memories—each tradition a lifeline, each story a testament to survival."
Culture and Civilisation
Despite sharing common ancestral roots, Arcus and Barla Korlum have developed profoundly different cultures and civilisations, each meticulously shaped by their unique environments, experiences, and historical trajectories. Yet, certain core themes resonate powerfully through both: reverence for ancestors, clan loyalty, spiritual devotion, and the imperative to survive against extraordinary odds.
Arcus culture is richly artistic, spiritual, and communal, centred upon an intricate system of oral traditions. Songkeepers, revered members of society, memorise and pass down countless generations of wisdom, history, and folklore through elaborate songs and stories. These compositions serve not only as entertainment but as vital repositories of practical knowledge about survival, weather patterns, and animal behaviour, as well as profound spiritual teachings guiding their interactions with the natural and supernatural worlds.
Every Arcus child learns these stories from infancy, fostering a deep communal bond and sense of identity shaped by shared memory and collective wisdom. Their spirituality is closely tied to animism and Rhetoric—magic associated with naming and understanding the essence of beings and phenomena. These beliefs inform a culture that deeply respects and honours all aspects of the natural world, viewing themselves as custodians rather than masters of their icy homeland.
Barla Korlum culture, conversely, celebrates strength, bravery, and martial prowess. Their vibrant oral tradition centres upon heroic sagas recounting legendary battles, epic voyages, and feats of bravery by revered warriors. Poetry and storytelling sessions within communal halls provide platforms for boasting, honouring ancestors, and inspiring future generations to live courageously.
Their religious practices focus on a vivid pantheon of gods embodying aspects of warfare, the sea, and the fierce elements dominating their islands. Rituals are dramatic and frequent, involving symbolic sacrifices, offerings to the sea, and elaborate ceremonies invoking divine favour in battles and raids. Barla priests, known as forge-priests, wield great influence through crafting sacred weapons, armour, and ceremonial objects, infusing mundane acts with spiritual significance.
Both cultures maintain clear and strictly enforced taboos, reinforcing social harmony and cultural integrity. Violations—such as cowardice, oath-breaking, or disrespect for tradition—carry severe social stigma, reflecting a shared belief that community well-being depends upon individual honour and responsibility.
Despite the stark differences, both Arcus and Barla cultures preserve their identities fiercely amidst encroaching external forces. The Arcus grapple with Alemni expansion threatening their spiritual traditions, while the Barla contend with growing human resistance to their raids. Each society faces existential questions about cultural preservation and adaptation, balancing reverence for ancient ways with the necessity of navigating an increasingly interconnected and changing world.
Arcus culture centres upon artistic legacy, spirituality, and communal wisdom preserved by revered songkeepers. Barla culture venerates martial excellence, honour, and dramatic religious rites, celebrating heroic deeds through epic sagas and vibrant oral traditions. Each culture's practices vividly reflect their unique histories and environments, preserving cultural integrity despite external pressures.
Arcian languages (Arpa and Tyra) are rhythmic and melodic, well-suited for poetry and song. Nurda languages (Bola and Skoran) are guttural and powerful, ideal for storytelling, boasting, and battle chants.
Arcus religious practices revolve around animism and ancestor veneration, while Barla worship a robust pantheon of war, sea, and storm deities, engaging in rituals to secure divine favour and victory.
Both ethnicities uphold taboos against cowardice, oath-breaking, disrespect of tradition, and wasteful consumption of resources or desecration of sacred spaces.
"In their songs and sagas lie whispers of ages past—forgotten empires beneath endless ice and rugged islands, now lost to storm and silence."
History and Relations
Tracing the Korlum's precise history presents immense challenges for even the most dedicated chroniclers, owing to their oral traditions and the remoteness of their territories. Without written histories, their past exists only in half-remembered songs, cryptic runes carved into stone and bone, and legends shrouded in metaphor. Nevertheless, diligent scholarship and careful study of surviving traditions and artifacts have begun to unveil the broad contours of their historical journey.
Both Arcus and Barla Korlum emerged during the enigmatic period scholars term the Dawn Age, likely roughly concurrent with other Aroran peoples. The earliest stories speak vaguely of origins shaped by mighty spirits or gods—though whether these represent literal entities or poetic allegory remains fiercely debated. Whatever their true origins, it is evident that geographical isolation swiftly split their ancestors into two distinct trajectories: the ice-bound Arcus of northern Arcia and the maritime Barla of Hyperbol and Skorhaug.
The Arcus tell cryptic tales of a 'First Winter,' a legendary period of enduring darkness and cold during which their ancestors forged pacts with the spirits inhabiting glaciers and deep waters. These stories emphasise peaceful coexistence, spiritual unity with the land, and survival through wisdom and cooperation rather than brute strength. Evidence of ancient Arcus Korlum settlements, partially preserved in ice, reveals remarkable resilience, hinting at sophisticated methods of construction, hunting, and preservation adapted to extreme climates.
In stark contrast, Barla legends tell of ancestral voyages, violent clashes, and struggles against hostile seas and rival clans. Their traditions speak proudly of mighty chieftains who conquered lands, defeated legendary beasts, and communed with tempestuous gods demanding bravery and sacrifice. Barla history is one of perpetual struggle, punctuated by brief periods of uneasy peace and fierce internal competition for dominance. Early Barla settlements uncovered by archaeologists suggest a maritime culture remarkably adept at boat-building and forging iron, yet perpetually threatened by internecine warfare.
The Korlum have historically had limited interaction with outsiders, due largely to geographic isolation and challenging climates. Recent centuries, however, have seen increased contact—often violent—with other peoples of Arora. For the Arcus, the encroachment of Alemni settlements into southern Arcia has posed an existential threat, steadily eroding their cultural and territorial integrity. Arcus clans, increasingly forced into marginal territories, remain wary and elusive, occasionally trading with sympathetic humans but broadly avoiding interaction, fearful of losing their precious traditions.
The Barla, by contrast, actively engage with other civilisations through fierce maritime raids, particularly targeting Eralic human settlements across the narrow seas separating their lands. Despite their aggressive stance, Barla have earned grudging respect from their victims and trade partners alike, with many human cultures regarding their martial prowess with awe and apprehension. Occasionally, Barla mercenaries and sailors find employment aboard foreign vessels, their strength and maritime expertise highly valued despite—or perhaps because of—their fierce reputation.
Relations between Arcus and Barla themselves are rare, primarily due to vast geographic distance and significant cultural divergence. On the scarce occasions of meeting—usually accidental, during voyages or exploratory treks—these encounters have been marked more by wary curiosity than kinship, with each side viewing the other as strange, distant cousins whose ways have diverged beyond reconciliation.
In sum, Korlum history is a patchwork of ancient wisdom and relentless endurance, a complex tale whose threads are unravelled only with painstaking care and profound respect for the mysteries they guard. As modernity encroaches upon their worlds, the stories they carry grow ever more precious and precarious, whispered treasures at risk of fading into oblivion.
According to oral traditions, both Korlum ethnicities emerged during the mythical Dawn Age, shaped by interactions with powerful spirits or primal gods. Early ancestors diverged into distinct paths due to geographic isolation. Archaeological discoveries in the frozen north and remote islands reveal resilient early settlements whose inhabitants demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in survival and cultural adaptation.
Arcus myths depict a harsh but spiritually rich 'First Winter,' a formative period establishing their deep bond with nature and the mysterious spirits of their land. Barla traditions, meanwhile, celebrate ancestral heroes renowned for conquest, maritime prowess, and fierce devotion to their turbulent deities, marking an enduring narrative of struggle and martial glory.
Korlum civilisation is shaped by adaptation to their respective harsh environments, creating starkly different yet internally cohesive societies. Arcus culture remained stable for centuries, focused on spiritual harmony, survival, and cultural continuity through song and story. Increasingly, however, they face pressures from expanding Alemni settlements, threatening their traditional ways and territories.
Barla civilisation remains dynamic and volatile, characterised by a cycle of fierce raiding, temporary alliances, and internal rivalry for dominance. Their maritime tradition and warrior culture have adapted to external challenges, ensuring their survival but also perpetuating internal competition that keeps them fragmented and vulnerable to external powers' manipulation.
Historically isolated, recent centuries have seen increasing interactions between the Korlum and other peoples of Arora. Arcus Korlum maintain cautious and minimal interactions, primarily trading essential goods with select human communities, while viewing Alemni expansion with profound suspicion and dread.
Barla interactions are often aggressive, primarily through raids on Eralic settlements and maritime trade routes. Despite frequent conflict, Barla warriors are respected and sometimes employed as mercenaries by various powers. Relations with other non-human peoples, such as the enigmatic Paokus and formidable Lizvar, remain sparse but respectful, rooted in mutual admiration of strength and survival skill.
Interethnic relations between Arcus and Barla are exceedingly rare and marked by mutual curiosity rather than fraternity, each perceiving the other's ways as alien and distant despite shared ancestry.
"Their stories live on breath and memory alone—ephemeral monuments carved from song, silence, and storm."
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