Ashari
The Material Plane is surrounded on all sides by
the churning chaos of the elements. This elemental power is invisible to most, but in some places,
the veil between this world and the Elemental
Planes grows thin—and sometimes is torn entirely
asunder. These places where the Elemental Planes
bleed into the world are called rifts, and they first
appeared on a long-ago Celestial Solstice when the
planes aligned. That day, elemental rifts of untold
proportions burst open across Exandria. Wildfires,
tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes ravaged
the lands, and the people of the world struggled to
combat the elemental beings that poured forth from
the rifts. The tide of rampaging elementals was
eventually stemmed, but the world was gripped by
fear—what would happen on the next solstice?
In the wake of the planar disturbance, a society of druids called the Ashari made a covenant to divide and form four separate orders to seal and watch over the sources of these unleashed energies. Most of the lesser rifts that opened in that time have been healed, but one rift to each of the four Elemental Planes remains in Exandria. The four orders of the Ashari settled near these rifts, watching over them and soothing them when they grow volatile. Of these orders, two are in Tal'Dorei , where they watch over the rift of earth and the rift of air. A dozen generations later, the Ashari still hold watch over these tumultuous locations.
Though the Ashari began as a single group of elementalists, their individual orders have each developed their own ways of living over the centuries.
The people of Pyrah value reactivity and coolness under pressure, for panic is death during an eruption. The Ashari of Vesrah have a close relationship with the marine life that surrounds their rift, and their actions always prioritize the health of Exandria’s waters. Zephrah's culture values the freedom of the open sky, and balances their sense of duty with a free-spirited sense of play. Finally, the society of Terrah is rooted in planning for the future, and fixing what is broken with patience and humility.
Each Ashari order guards their respective rift between one of the elemental planes and Exandria. Here, they strive to understand, master, and ultimately subdue the ever-escaping elemental forces. They attempt to bring balance to the surrounding lands and heal the rift over time, though recurring cosmic events tend to reopen these wounds.
The Ashari of Pyrah oversee the Fire Elemental Rift in the valley caldera of the Sunderpeak Mountain range in Othanzia, upon the continent of Issylra. The Ashari of Vesrah watch over the Water Elemental Rift on the Islands of Anamn, within the Ozmit Sea.
On the southwest edge of the Cliffkeep Mountains , the Ashari of Terrah stand vigilant over the Earth Elemental Rift, while high atop the windy mountaintops of the Summit Peaks , the Ashari of Zephrah keep the Air Elemental Rift. The Air Ashari also watch over the Frostweald , where a being of elemental ice once broke through to cause untold destruction.
Due to their isolation, the Ashari go to great lengths to maintain contact with their kin. Each order is led by a single elemental master, a title that is passed on by blood or honor for generations. In every new generation that comes of age, the young leader-to-be must embark upon an Aramente. This “noble odyssey” sends them across the world to meet with the other Ashari leaders and train until they have earned both the respect and an understanding of their hosts.
Upon returning, they ascend to the head of their order, while the elder retires. This journey often takes years, and should one such Ashari not return within a reasonable period of time, a next-of-kin or a suitable elemental adept is chosen to take up the Aramente.
The Ashari maintain peaceful, if sometimes strained, relationships between the orders, though inner conflict occasionally arises within them. Beyond this, much of life within the Ashari is hidden from outsiders’ prying eyes. In recent years, however, Keyleth of the Zephrah has taken steps to unite the Ashari with the rest of the people of Tal’Dorei. She has gone so far as to become an ambassador for the Ashari people on the Tal'Dorei Council . Part of this work has been expanding the crisis orbs system, which the Ashari used to contact their distant kin in times of peril, to connect cities across Tal’Dorei in the event of another crisis on the level of the Chroma Conclave.
The Ashari of Terrah nurture a seed of disrespect and mistrust for Kraghammer, whose miners constantly disregard their warnings against reckless mining. This arrogance caused countless deaths in the most recent eruption of the Terrah Rift—and led to the collapse of an entire mountain.
Each Ashari culture has its own favored deities. Many Ashari of Pyrah venerate the Dawnfather , for his flames give life to Exandria. Many in Vesrah worship the Moonweaver , for her work controls the tides. In Zephrah, the faith of the Wildmother is predominant, for her freedom is like that of the wind. And the people of Terrah hold the All-Hammer in great respect for his association with creation and the earth. There are many Ashari, as well, who pre- fer to revere the elements themselves, forgoing the worship of gods.
These figures are major members of the Ashari that you can use as NPCs in your game. You should also take inspiration from these figures to make up new NPCs for your own campaign.
Pa’tice, Heart of the Mountain
Human leader of Terrah
Elderly leader of the Earth Ashari, Pa’tice still shows vigor and strength to resist his age, having led his people through many very tough challenges. His stubbornness is legendary, and it's said even death has been forced to wait until Pa’tice sees it his proper time. Many believe that his druidic training will keep him alive until he himself chooses to let go of this mortal coil.
Korrin of Zephrah
Half-elf elder of Zephrah
His wife Vilya was lost while she undertook the Aramente, and when the previous Voice of the Tempest died of illness, Korrin was called upon to act as Voice until his daughter Keyleth came of age and completed her Aramente. Korrin was shocked when Vilya suddenly returned, and now spends his days in disbelieving bliss, reunited with his long-lost wife. He is gentle with those who show honor, and merciless to those who threaten his people.
Vilya, Who Escaped Death
Half-elf elder of Zephrah
Vilya disappeared on her Aramente nearly thirty years ago, and was presumed dead. Her daughter, Keyleth, took up her own Aramente ten years after Vilya left, and discovered from the Water Ashari of Vesrah that Vilya was killed by a kraken, and only her leg was able to be recovered. Less than a year ago, Vilya suddenly strode out of a tree in Zephrah, her leg replaced with a druidic prosthetic of her own creation, shocking all—though none were more overwhelmed with emotion than her daughter and husband. Though Vilya never earned the title of Voice of the Tempest, she now aids her daughter in leading her people without the faintest trace of jealousy.
Keyleth, Voice of the Tempest
Half-elf leader of Zephrah
Hero of Tal’Dorei and member of Vox Machina, Keyleth completed her Aramente and took leadership among her people following the destruction of the Chroma Conclave. She seems to have not aged a day since Vox Machina’s victory over the Whispered One. Since her beloved’s death, she has kept busy to fill the void in her heart. From expanding the crisis orb network across the realm and building beautiful windmills in the Summit Peaks with Percy’s aid to training Air Ashari heroes at home, she has never allowed herself a free moment. She has rarely left Zephrah in the months since her mother’s emotional return.
In the wake of the planar disturbance, a society of druids called the Ashari made a covenant to divide and form four separate orders to seal and watch over the sources of these unleashed energies. Most of the lesser rifts that opened in that time have been healed, but one rift to each of the four Elemental Planes remains in Exandria. The four orders of the Ashari settled near these rifts, watching over them and soothing them when they grow volatile. Of these orders, two are in Tal'Dorei , where they watch over the rift of earth and the rift of air. A dozen generations later, the Ashari still hold watch over these tumultuous locations.
Ashari Culture
Though the Ashari began as a single group of elementalists, their individual orders have each developed their own ways of living over the centuries.
The people of Pyrah value reactivity and coolness under pressure, for panic is death during an eruption. The Ashari of Vesrah have a close relationship with the marine life that surrounds their rift, and their actions always prioritize the health of Exandria’s waters. Zephrah's culture values the freedom of the open sky, and balances their sense of duty with a free-spirited sense of play. Finally, the society of Terrah is rooted in planning for the future, and fixing what is broken with patience and humility.
Goals
Each Ashari order guards their respective rift between one of the elemental planes and Exandria. Here, they strive to understand, master, and ultimately subdue the ever-escaping elemental forces. They attempt to bring balance to the surrounding lands and heal the rift over time, though recurring cosmic events tend to reopen these wounds.
The Ashari of Pyrah oversee the Fire Elemental Rift in the valley caldera of the Sunderpeak Mountain range in Othanzia, upon the continent of Issylra. The Ashari of Vesrah watch over the Water Elemental Rift on the Islands of Anamn, within the Ozmit Sea.
On the southwest edge of the Cliffkeep Mountains , the Ashari of Terrah stand vigilant over the Earth Elemental Rift, while high atop the windy mountaintops of the Summit Peaks , the Ashari of Zephrah keep the Air Elemental Rift. The Air Ashari also watch over the Frostweald , where a being of elemental ice once broke through to cause untold destruction.
Due to their isolation, the Ashari go to great lengths to maintain contact with their kin. Each order is led by a single elemental master, a title that is passed on by blood or honor for generations. In every new generation that comes of age, the young leader-to-be must embark upon an Aramente. This “noble odyssey” sends them across the world to meet with the other Ashari leaders and train until they have earned both the respect and an understanding of their hosts.
Upon returning, they ascend to the head of their order, while the elder retires. This journey often takes years, and should one such Ashari not return within a reasonable period of time, a next-of-kin or a suitable elemental adept is chosen to take up the Aramente.
Relationships
The Ashari maintain peaceful, if sometimes strained, relationships between the orders, though inner conflict occasionally arises within them. Beyond this, much of life within the Ashari is hidden from outsiders’ prying eyes. In recent years, however, Keyleth of the Zephrah has taken steps to unite the Ashari with the rest of the people of Tal’Dorei. She has gone so far as to become an ambassador for the Ashari people on the Tal'Dorei Council . Part of this work has been expanding the crisis orbs system, which the Ashari used to contact their distant kin in times of peril, to connect cities across Tal’Dorei in the event of another crisis on the level of the Chroma Conclave.
The Ashari of Terrah nurture a seed of disrespect and mistrust for Kraghammer, whose miners constantly disregard their warnings against reckless mining. This arrogance caused countless deaths in the most recent eruption of the Terrah Rift—and led to the collapse of an entire mountain.
Each Ashari culture has its own favored deities. Many Ashari of Pyrah venerate the Dawnfather , for his flames give life to Exandria. Many in Vesrah worship the Moonweaver , for her work controls the tides. In Zephrah, the faith of the Wildmother is predominant, for her freedom is like that of the wind. And the people of Terrah hold the All-Hammer in great respect for his association with creation and the earth. There are many Ashari, as well, who pre- fer to revere the elements themselves, forgoing the worship of gods.
Figures of Interest
These figures are major members of the Ashari that you can use as NPCs in your game. You should also take inspiration from these figures to make up new NPCs for your own campaign.
Pa’tice, Heart of the Mountain
Human leader of Terrah
Elderly leader of the Earth Ashari, Pa’tice still shows vigor and strength to resist his age, having led his people through many very tough challenges. His stubbornness is legendary, and it's said even death has been forced to wait until Pa’tice sees it his proper time. Many believe that his druidic training will keep him alive until he himself chooses to let go of this mortal coil.
Korrin of Zephrah
Half-elf elder of Zephrah
His wife Vilya was lost while she undertook the Aramente, and when the previous Voice of the Tempest died of illness, Korrin was called upon to act as Voice until his daughter Keyleth came of age and completed her Aramente. Korrin was shocked when Vilya suddenly returned, and now spends his days in disbelieving bliss, reunited with his long-lost wife. He is gentle with those who show honor, and merciless to those who threaten his people.
Vilya, Who Escaped Death
Half-elf elder of Zephrah
Vilya disappeared on her Aramente nearly thirty years ago, and was presumed dead. Her daughter, Keyleth, took up her own Aramente ten years after Vilya left, and discovered from the Water Ashari of Vesrah that Vilya was killed by a kraken, and only her leg was able to be recovered. Less than a year ago, Vilya suddenly strode out of a tree in Zephrah, her leg replaced with a druidic prosthetic of her own creation, shocking all—though none were more overwhelmed with emotion than her daughter and husband. Though Vilya never earned the title of Voice of the Tempest, she now aids her daughter in leading her people without the faintest trace of jealousy.
Keyleth, Voice of the Tempest
Half-elf leader of Zephrah
Hero of Tal’Dorei and member of Vox Machina, Keyleth completed her Aramente and took leadership among her people following the destruction of the Chroma Conclave. She seems to have not aged a day since Vox Machina’s victory over the Whispered One. Since her beloved’s death, she has kept busy to fill the void in her heart. From expanding the crisis orb network across the realm and building beautiful windmills in the Summit Peaks with Percy’s aid to training Air Ashari heroes at home, she has never allowed herself a free moment. She has rarely left Zephrah in the months since her mother’s emotional return.
Comments