Aurathis Plains
The Aurathis Plains stretch between the vast ocean and the wilder lands of the north, a realm of rolling golden fields, meadows rich with wildflowers, and sprawling coastal shores. The land breathes with the rhythm of the seasons—herds of grazing beasts shift with the winds, rivers swell and retreat, and the people who call this place home move in harmony with its cycles. Unlike the contested frontiers of the Gnasc Plains, Aurathis is a land of quiet resilience, where nature’s balance is sacred and where ancient ways persist, shaped by the spirits that whisper through the grasslands and the tides.
At the heart of Aurathis are the Aurashar Yaksha, a nomadic people who see themselves as stewards rather than rulers of the land. Their migrations form an intricate web that connects inland pastures to the sea, ensuring no region is overused or abandoned. Each family carries a bond to a specific part of the plains, a responsibility passed down through generations to preserve the balance between the seen and unseen worlds. At dawn, they greet the rising sun with silent reverence, a practice that ties them to the natural forces they so deeply respect. While their way of life is fluid, they maintain sacred gathering sites like Ashar’s Embrace, where councils meet and knowledge is shared, and celebrate the cycles of the world through Hearthsong Festivals, moments of unity filled with music, storytelling, and offerings to the land.
Alongside them are the Vaithari, a human people of the Aurathis Plains who thrive on both land and sea. Where the Aurashar act as guardians of the natural world, the Vaithari embrace its gifts, drawing plentiful sustenance from fertile fields and abundant waters. They are semi-nomadic, moving in seasonal patterns, yet their presence is marked by a growing port city, a rising hub of trade that now sees visitors from The Mosaic and Viranue, bringing goods, ideas, and challenges alike. Though deeply spiritual in their own right, the Vaithari express their beliefs through daily acts rather than structured ceremony, their reverence for nature spirits woven into the fabric of their existence. They see the Aurashar as deeply enlightened, respecting their wisdom and guidance, and through them, they offer indirect support to the Khulwane, recognizing that the stability of their home is tied to the fates of the other tribes.
Despite its peaceful nature, Aurathis is not untouched by conflict. To the north, the Blightlands and Aedwynd form a harsh boundary, where dangers lurk beyond the horizon. Though the Ro’Gnesh Empire does not press directly into the region, its shadow looms ever near, kept at bay by the vigilance of those who stand in its way. The Vaithari’s emerging role in trade brings new opportunities, but also new tensions, as outside influences begin to shape the once-isolated rhythms of the plains.
For now, Aurathis remains a land where life moves to the steady pulse of nature—where the whispers of spirits ride the wind, where travelers find shelter beneath endless skies, and where the land’s stewards walk their ancient paths, ensuring that harmony endures.
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