Kor

Whisperclimbers, Hedronkin, Pale Wanderers
Deeply reverent of the land and its sacred sites, the nomadic kor live a spare existence defined by their constant travels. Masters of ropes and hooks, they scale sheer cliffs and cross yawning chasms with such skill and agility that they sometimes seem almost to take flight. Kor are tall, slender humanoids with light hair and gray, blue-gray, or ivory skin. All kor have slightly pointed ears, and males have short, fleshy barbels on their chins. They paint softly glowing geometric patterns on their faces and bodies, suggestive of the shapes and design of the hedrons that appear across Zendikar. Their clothing tends to leave their arms and shoulders free to facilitate climbing, and they keep most of their gear in pouches and slings at their waists.
The kor have a nonverbal language of hand signs and gestures that allows communication despite significant distance (particularly when augmented with whirling ropes) or howling winds. They also use this sign language among themselves when they wish to avoid being overheard, giving rise to misguided rumors that they are incapable of speech. When they do speak, they typically use as few words as possible to convey their meaning.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kor are tall, lithe humanoids with long limbs, fine muscle structure, and uniquely flexible joints adapted for scaling and swinging. Their hands and feet are broad and possess slightly enhanced gripping pads. Male Kor have short, fleshy barbels on their chins, and all Kor display pointed ears and angular facial structure. Their bones are hollow but reinforced, similar to avian structures, reducing weight without sacrificing durability.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kor reproduce sexually and give live birth. Their gestation period is around 7 months. Genetic variation is subtle but present, with minor regional adaptations (skin tone shifts, limb length variation). Kor children are taught climbing and spiritual discipline from a young age.

Ecology and Habitats

Kor thrive in highland gorges, mesa plateaus, and vertical cliff ecosystems—environments with a mix of isolation, open sky, and sacred terrain. In Astrium, they have settled Wyrmspine Gorge, drawn to its geomantic resonance and towering rock formations. They do not exploit their environment, instead altering it with minimal impact—hanging rope bridges, small shrines, and temporary shelters.

Behaviour

Kor are introspective, methodical, and deeply spiritual. They see the land as a living entity deserving reverence and attention. They speak little, communicate often through hand signs, and act deliberately. Emotionally reserved, they prioritize communal harmony and tradition over personal expression.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Above average (especially in spatial reasoning, philosophy, and engineering related to movement and climbing)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kor have sharp vision adapted for tracking movement across vast distances, particularly in open or elevated terrain. They are sensitive to changes in air pressure and wind currents, aiding their climbing and navigation. Their extrasensory capabilities are spiritual in nature—many claim an intuitive connection to sacred sites or natural "ley energies" within the land.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Names are short and sharp, often one or two syllables (e.g., Tir, Vesha, Korun). They are often followed by a spiritual epithet (e.g., Stonewalk, Cliffcall, Skyecho). Family names are rarely used, but lineage is tracked through oral tradition.

Beauty Ideals

Beauty is seen in symmetry, grace, and harmony with one's surroundings. Glowing tattoos, well-maintained climbing ropes, and elegant posture are all signs of attractiveness.

Gender Ideals

Gender is viewed through spiritual roles more than physical ones. Both men and women are expected to climb, scout, and perform rites. However, certain roles (e.g., spirit singers or stormguides) are traditionally associated with specific genders, though this is shifting in modern clans.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is a slow, ceremonial process involving shared journeys, silent rituals, and the creation of rope knots together—each knot representing trust and time shared.

Relationship Ideals

Partnerships are formed for life and are spiritually bonded. Even in polyamorous arrangements (which are rare but accepted), emotional and spiritual intimacy takes precedence over physicality.

Common Etiquette Rules

Silence is golden; speaking unnecessarily is considered rude. Listening, observation, and gesture-based communication are preferred. Greetings involve a brief hand gesture that mimics a climbing knot.

Common Dress Code

Kor wear light, sleeveless clothing with reinforced arm bracers and waist sashes that hold tools and ropes. Armor is rare, replaced by mobility-oriented gear. Formal dress includes embroidered climbing wraps and bioluminescent beads.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Kor preserve oral histories and ritual dances that mimic wind and stone. Their culture revolves around sacred geometry, the honoring of elemental spirits, and pilgrimage to geomantically resonant sites.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Skyfall Day: Commemorates their arrival in Astrium; marked by silent meditation and rope weaving. Rite of First Ascent: A coming-of-age trial where a Kor must scale an unassisted cliff to earn their markings.
Spiral Chant: A ritual prayer expressed through rhythmic motion and whispered mantra around sacred stones.

Day of the Great Tether Date 12th Enigmaris
Overview: The Day of the Great Tether is a sacred holiday for the Kor people of Tetherfall. It is a day of reflection, skill, and honoring their bond with the land and the skies. This holiday commemorates their spiritual connection to the towering cliffs and chasms of Wyrmspine Gorge and pays homage to their ancestors' journey of survival and pilgrimage after being stranded in Astrium following the Transposition. It celebrates their ability to find spiritual grounding and meaning despite the unknown.
Rituals and Events: The Tethered Climb: At dawn, the most skilled climbers of the Kor community gather at the base of Wyrmspine Gorge’s cliffs. Using their intricate rope systems, they participate in a ceremonial climb to reach a sacred peak known as the "Anchor's Spire." The climb represents their ancestors' perseverance and resilience in finding new spiritual paths in Astrium. Participants carry special tokens symbolizing their connection to their roots, which they place at the peak to honor their past and look forward to their future.
Silent Procession: After the climb, the community comes together for a silent procession through the winding paths of the Gorge, using their sign language to communicate. This procession reflects the Kor’s introspection and the importance of unity without the need for words. Whirling ropes with glowing geometric patterns are spun in the air during the procession, symbolizing the Kor’s mastery of their environment and the harmonious relationship they share with the land.
Tethering Ceremony: At dusk, the Kor gather in the central square of Tetherfall for the Tethering Ceremony, a solemn ritual where each family ties symbolic ropes around a large, ancient stone called the “Waystone.” These ropes represent their ties to one another, the land, and their past. Elders recount stories of the Kor’s migration to Astrium, their time in Astrithys, and the Transposition, reaffirming the importance of adaptability and spiritual growth.
Feast of Winds: The day ends with the Feast of Winds, a communal meal shared on cliffside platforms overlooking the Gorge. The Kor prepare simple but nourishing food, honoring their tradition of living lightly upon the land. During the feast, the Kor often exchange gifts of small carvings or tokens crafted from stones and materials they’ve gathered from their travels, representing the journey each Kor has made throughout the year.
The Celestial Tethering: As night falls, the Kor perform a final ritual called the Celestial Tethering, where they connect long strands of glowing rope between cliff faces. This is symbolic of their connection to the stars and the planes beyond, acknowledging their origins and the greater forces that guide them. The glowing ropes, when illuminated in the night, form a beautiful constellation-like pattern across the Gorge, signifying the Kor’s enduring bond to the celestial and material realms.
Meaning: The Day of the Great Tether is a celebration of the Kor’s nomadic heritage, spiritual resilience, and their deep connection to the earth and sky. It reminds them of their pilgrimage after being stranded in Astrium, as well as their mastery of their environment and their bond with one another. Through the rituals of climbing, silence, tethering, and feasting, the Kor reaffirm their commitment to spiritual and communal unity, even in the face of the unknown.

Common Taboos

Speaking loudly or without purpose in sacred places. Damaging the land without performing an offering ritual.
Cutting or discarding a rope without ceremony (ropes are considered spiritual extensions of the self).

History

The Kor were stranded in Astrium when the Transposition event displaced the city of Astrithys alongside the astral elves. Separated from their homeland, many wandered in search of sacred ground. Their eventual settlement in Wyrmspine Gorge came after decades of roaming. Though small in number, they maintain their ancestral ways with quiet determination.

Common Myths and Legends

The Great Descent: A tale of a Kor who fell from the stars and tied the sky to the mountains with a sacred rope, creating the first pilgrimage path. The Rope Singer: A mythic figure who could summon wind spirits with the twirling of his ropes and used them to guide lost Kor to sacred ground. The Stone of Memory: A glowing hedron believed to contain the voices of Kor ancestors; it is said those who sleep beside it dream of the old homeland.

Scientific Name

Korhominus astralithi

Lifespan

75-90 years

Average Height

5'10" – 6'4"

Average Weight

100–130 lbs (due to hollow bone structure)

Average Physique

Slender, wiry musculature. Agile and resilient. Not built for brute strength, but for endurance and balance.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin tones range from pale ivory to blue-gray. Kor often mark themselves with glowing geometric tattoos, usually white, pale blue, or silver, resembling sacred runes or hedrons. These patterns serve both ritualistic and aesthetic functions.

Geographic Distribution

• Tetherfall