Nythrai (Nith-rye)
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid in shape, though possessing a pair of powerful wings, the Nythrai, also called the Strix, possess a number of differences from their more terrestrial kin, most notably their aforementioned wings and their digitigrade legs, which end in three clawed toes. With a mostly dark purple to black complexion, mixed with iris-less eyes called Nythrions Eyes, alongside 'hawkish' features, the Nythrai are easy to pick out of a crowd, if not for their noticeably tall stature.
Growth Rate & Stages
Unlike other Sylvan species, the Nythrai mature quickly at the age of twelve and live relatively short lives, to around the age of fourty. This 'accelerated' aging often makes other, longer lived species uncomfortable when working alongside Nythrai young adults, as they feel that they are working alongside children.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Throughout most of history, the Nythrai have flourished in the mountain ranges of the Stryvn Peninsula, though when the Long Summer came many joined the migratory Amrish. This has led to the Nythrai being found on most continents, though their populations on Orhindur remain relatively small.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Nythrions Eyes
Unlike all of their kin, the Nythrai do not possess the Eyes of Xiar, but rather 'Nythrions Eyes', iris-less eyes of varying colour. These eyes grant the Nythrai the ability to see perfectly in the dark as well as in low-light conditions, enabling them to travel in the dark without relying on Nythrion's light too much.Sylvan Ears
A trait passed down through the Triaxian offshoots for millennia, the Sylvan ears of a Nythrai are often though to grant them and other Sylvan species superior hearing, though this is not the case. Small variations in the design of the ears actually provide them with superior hearing in specific circumstances, though this is usually just in the region around their homes.Civilization and Culture
History
Created when tribes of Triaxians prayed to Nythrion to save them from the Bloodplague, the Nythrai slowly changed over generations into the current forms, granted the ability to thrive in the dark and soar above the hordes. When the Kalkur became the Kalurai, it was the Nythrai in the south that fought viciously against the expansion of their slave states, though their disparate tribes took too long to unify against their common threat. This threat came to an abrupt halt when a new threat encroached on their borders as, the Empire of the Sun, in its crusade to eradicate slavery, annexed the Kalurai Slave States on the peninsula.
After the Wars of Light were won, the Nythrai found themselves increasingly short of territory as the Empire of the Sun colonized the peninsula, until even their realm of Selsya, young in its current state, was taken from them. This new Province of Selsya would be governed by an Imperial Governor, sent from the Imperial capital, in order to maintain control and tax revenue from this rowdy frontier province. Telurai would begin to settle in the province as well, taking the ancestral lands of the Nythrai, and all they could do was watch as these invaders took everything from them.
As the years passed, and as generations came and went, the Nythrai spread all over the Empire of the Sun, in large quantities across the Stryvn peninsula, and a rage began to fester. This would begin to boil over when religious rites were disturbed by the governor of Selsya, whom refused to apologies for their actions due to matters of state. Within days and riots began to occur all over the province and, in the Summer of 1140 BE, the Imperial governor, alongside many other local imperial officials and military commanders, were found dead, all with the same weapon; locally made daggers. In the capital city of Selsya, an announcement was made in front of a gathered crowd, by the local Nythrion priests, whom claimed that the deaths of the Imperials were their doing, and that the time had come to throw off the yoke of Imperial oppression. After making the announcement, the Priests departed the city, alongside many young Nythrai that felt the Priests were the only ones fighting for their people. This marks the beginning of what would become known as the Striven Insurgency, the most effective and long lasting guerrilla campaign in history.
When the War of the Star came one hundred and five years later, the Insurgency was still well and truly active, spurred on by Astraum Agents that had begun to teach the Nythrai magics that even the Imperial Sun Mages didn't know. Shortly after the war began, an army of tens of thousands of Nythrai warriors descended from the mountain tops of Stryvn, and rapidly capture much territory with the aid of the Astraum forces that had been deployed in the province. When the raiders of the Kalurai began to hit their settlements, under the invitation of the Empire no less, thousands more Nythrai rushed to join the fight, though they began to become bogged down in Rethyr due to redeployed Imperial forces. The Striven would have the final laugh in the War of the Star, however, as a detachment of Scouts located a covert Imperial landing behind their lines, which the detachment intercepted and destroyed, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Imperial Soldiers. Weary of a seven year war, the Empire finally relented to the demands of the Striven, and the mostly rural lands to the west of Selsya city were ceded to the new Striven nation.
During the Imperial Civil War, the newly crowned Emperor Auriad Diur made a deal with the Nythrai of Striven, the Nythrai would eliminate the rebel Rethyr navy and the Empire would guarantee the independence of Striven. Some debate occurred within the halls of the Nythrai, though ultimately they chose to aid the Empire, as this course of action would eliminate the former Imperial Navy, weakening the Empire in the long run, as well as guaranteeing them a few decades of peace. Without the aid of the Striven, Auriad would most likely have had to fight a long land campaign against Rethyr, or wait a decade while a rival fleet was built.
During the Long Summer, Striven became a land of jungles and vast swamps as the rest of the world dried out, granting the Nythrai access to vast fertile lands. All things considered, the Nythrai Striven survived the Long Summer in a better condition than many other groups, and, with their nation still intact after thousands of years, are poised to dominate the rest of Ahuduir.
After the Wars of Light were won, the Nythrai found themselves increasingly short of territory as the Empire of the Sun colonized the peninsula, until even their realm of Selsya, young in its current state, was taken from them. This new Province of Selsya would be governed by an Imperial Governor, sent from the Imperial capital, in order to maintain control and tax revenue from this rowdy frontier province. Telurai would begin to settle in the province as well, taking the ancestral lands of the Nythrai, and all they could do was watch as these invaders took everything from them.
As the years passed, and as generations came and went, the Nythrai spread all over the Empire of the Sun, in large quantities across the Stryvn peninsula, and a rage began to fester. This would begin to boil over when religious rites were disturbed by the governor of Selsya, whom refused to apologies for their actions due to matters of state. Within days and riots began to occur all over the province and, in the Summer of 1140 BE, the Imperial governor, alongside many other local imperial officials and military commanders, were found dead, all with the same weapon; locally made daggers. In the capital city of Selsya, an announcement was made in front of a gathered crowd, by the local Nythrion priests, whom claimed that the deaths of the Imperials were their doing, and that the time had come to throw off the yoke of Imperial oppression. After making the announcement, the Priests departed the city, alongside many young Nythrai that felt the Priests were the only ones fighting for their people. This marks the beginning of what would become known as the Striven Insurgency, the most effective and long lasting guerrilla campaign in history.
When the War of the Star came one hundred and five years later, the Insurgency was still well and truly active, spurred on by Astraum Agents that had begun to teach the Nythrai magics that even the Imperial Sun Mages didn't know. Shortly after the war began, an army of tens of thousands of Nythrai warriors descended from the mountain tops of Stryvn, and rapidly capture much territory with the aid of the Astraum forces that had been deployed in the province. When the raiders of the Kalurai began to hit their settlements, under the invitation of the Empire no less, thousands more Nythrai rushed to join the fight, though they began to become bogged down in Rethyr due to redeployed Imperial forces. The Striven would have the final laugh in the War of the Star, however, as a detachment of Scouts located a covert Imperial landing behind their lines, which the detachment intercepted and destroyed, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Imperial Soldiers. Weary of a seven year war, the Empire finally relented to the demands of the Striven, and the mostly rural lands to the west of Selsya city were ceded to the new Striven nation.
During the Imperial Civil War, the newly crowned Emperor Auriad Diur made a deal with the Nythrai of Striven, the Nythrai would eliminate the rebel Rethyr navy and the Empire would guarantee the independence of Striven. Some debate occurred within the halls of the Nythrai, though ultimately they chose to aid the Empire, as this course of action would eliminate the former Imperial Navy, weakening the Empire in the long run, as well as guaranteeing them a few decades of peace. Without the aid of the Striven, Auriad would most likely have had to fight a long land campaign against Rethyr, or wait a decade while a rival fleet was built.
During the Long Summer, Striven became a land of jungles and vast swamps as the rest of the world dried out, granting the Nythrai access to vast fertile lands. All things considered, the Nythrai Striven survived the Long Summer in a better condition than many other groups, and, with their nation still intact after thousands of years, are poised to dominate the rest of Ahuduir.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
40 years
Average Height
1.8m
Average Weight
77kg
Related Organizations
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