Vaen
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Male Vaen have two horns in the center of their forehead, one right above the other. The uppermost horn is longer than the bottom one. Both horns have a slight backwards curve. Green eyes are most common for them while blond hair is the norm.
The female Vaen have a single horn in the center of their foreheads. It’s much wider and thicker than the horns of the males. It has a very slight backwards curve. They tend to have a darker coloring than the males, but remain quite pale. Blue eyes and red hair are normal colors for them.
They are a little stronger than the average human and significantly faster.
The female Vaen have a single horn in the center of their foreheads. It’s much wider and thicker than the horns of the males. It has a very slight backwards curve. They tend to have a darker coloring than the males, but remain quite pale. Blue eyes and red hair are normal colors for them.
They are a little stronger than the average human and significantly faster.
Ecology and Habitats
They live in small villages as small groups are less damaging to their surroundings and are easier to maintain and feed. They build their houses of brick. Each house contains an eating and cooking area, a sitting area, a bathing room, and up to four bedrooms. Furnishings are mostly stuffed cushions that rest directly on the floor. Tables are made out of wicker. Vaen sleep in hammocks rather than in beds. There are some chairs that have a wicker frame. Wooden furniture is quite rare.
In coastal areas, houses are made of a more flexible bamboo-like material and are built on raised platforms to reduce damage from flooding and from storms. Should a house collapse in a storm, it will be easier to rebuild than if it were made of a more solid material.
There is only one family per house. When a couple marries, they move out into their own home, usually close to the parents of at least one member of the new couple. Young men spend a large amount of their late childhood saving materials and funds to construct a house of their own as no woman will marry a man with no house of his own. Occasionally, young women will do this as well, but those instances aren’t as common.
In coastal areas, houses are made of a more flexible bamboo-like material and are built on raised platforms to reduce damage from flooding and from storms. Should a house collapse in a storm, it will be easier to rebuild than if it were made of a more solid material.
There is only one family per house. When a couple marries, they move out into their own home, usually close to the parents of at least one member of the new couple. Young men spend a large amount of their late childhood saving materials and funds to construct a house of their own as no woman will marry a man with no house of his own. Occasionally, young women will do this as well, but those instances aren’t as common.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Vaen are very strict vegetarians. They don’t disdain the eating of meat, but will not partake of it and prefer to avoid places where large amounts of it are being consumed.
Their diet consists largely of fruit and vegetables with a kind of bread they call tava as their primary staple. Several kinds of nuts and beans round out their dietary needs.
Food ajnail -- a kind of seasoned potato fried in butter
bentine -- a small pie filled with an assortment of fruit topped with a dollop of thickened cream.
janjan -- a dish made of three kinds of beans cooked in a garlic laced tomato sauce covered in melted cheese
quavis -- a dish made from boiled grain
Their diet consists largely of fruit and vegetables with a kind of bread they call tava as their primary staple. Several kinds of nuts and beans round out their dietary needs.
Food ajnail -- a kind of seasoned potato fried in butter
bentine -- a small pie filled with an assortment of fruit topped with a dollop of thickened cream.
janjan -- a dish made of three kinds of beans cooked in a garlic laced tomato sauce covered in melted cheese
quavis -- a dish made from boiled grain
Additional Information
Social Structure
Leadership
They are ruled by a Shan’torell, or Queen, who is elected to serve a four year term. Once her term is complete, it is possible to be reelected, but only one, so one woman could serve as queen for a maximum of eight years. Serving with her are eight individuals called Shandalla, who are both appointed and elected. They are usually female, but occasionally a male will be in that position. In such a case, the masculine form of Shandalla, Shandolli, is used. Four of the Shandalla are elected by the people are four are appointed from within the aristocracy. They are effectively extensions of the Queen’s power and authority, going places that she couldn’t. They also act as her advisors and emissaries.
Aristocracy
The noble class consists of six major families and a dozen or so smaller ones. The oldest and most powerful of these families is the tar Mat’shenn family. Many Queens, Shandalla, and I’llant’shorenn has come from their line as well as the occasional dragonrider. The Arutevarr, or Six Families, are: tar Mat’shenn, sha Jureenn, das Butula, eir Valaha, min Kutaha, and xiu Yadehann. These are the founding families of the Vaen race. The other aristocratic families vary in number as some gain rank and others loose it. Whatever the status of the others, the Six will always remain in their positions as pillars of society.
Families
Families tend to be small in order to keep things easier to maintain. Grandparents are revered in the villages for their wisdom and experience.
They are ruled by a Shan’torell, or Queen, who is elected to serve a four year term. Once her term is complete, it is possible to be reelected, but only one, so one woman could serve as queen for a maximum of eight years. Serving with her are eight individuals called Shandalla, who are both appointed and elected. They are usually female, but occasionally a male will be in that position. In such a case, the masculine form of Shandalla, Shandolli, is used. Four of the Shandalla are elected by the people are four are appointed from within the aristocracy. They are effectively extensions of the Queen’s power and authority, going places that she couldn’t. They also act as her advisors and emissaries.
Aristocracy
The noble class consists of six major families and a dozen or so smaller ones. The oldest and most powerful of these families is the tar Mat’shenn family. Many Queens, Shandalla, and I’llant’shorenn has come from their line as well as the occasional dragonrider. The Arutevarr, or Six Families, are: tar Mat’shenn, sha Jureenn, das Butula, eir Valaha, min Kutaha, and xiu Yadehann. These are the founding families of the Vaen race. The other aristocratic families vary in number as some gain rank and others loose it. Whatever the status of the others, the Six will always remain in their positions as pillars of society.
Families
Families tend to be small in order to keep things easier to maintain. Grandparents are revered in the villages for their wisdom and experience.
Facial characteristics
Green eyes are most common for males while blond hair is the norm.
For females, blue eyes and red hair are normal colours.
For females, blue eyes and red hair are normal colours.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
At one time they could be found everywhere on the the mainland of Keverynn, but since their exodus to Alastea, they mostly stick to the northern islands of An'taha, Rojek'ma, and Dulanenn. There are some small populations of them on Jan'esta and even fewer on Xuwenn.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Family Names
dar Selyvcynn – will shine eternally
des Matar – born of stone
eir Valaha – shall rise again
est Quitar – of the meadow
fel Tiorenann – by the sheltered grove
fet Ijalhet – under many constellations
fin Afeliann – the joyous messenger
ies Skialedronn – ancestral teacher
jal Peloshi – great knowledge
kal Ejalar – is wise
liu Shaharia – like a valley falcon
mei Falarvey – by the village boundary
qui Suralann – much respected
sha Drealta – at an eastern place
tar Mat’shenn –
tai Dayuloff – old landing field
vel Jalrenna – new landowner
xiu Heulogynn – has a quiet garden
xiu Yadehann – has dark hair
dar Selyvcynn – will shine eternally
des Matar – born of stone
eir Valaha – shall rise again
est Quitar – of the meadow
fel Tiorenann – by the sheltered grove
fet Ijalhet – under many constellations
fin Afeliann – the joyous messenger
ies Skialedronn – ancestral teacher
jal Peloshi – great knowledge
kal Ejalar – is wise
liu Shaharia – like a valley falcon
mei Falarvey – by the village boundary
qui Suralann – much respected
sha Drealta – at an eastern place
tar Mat’shenn –
tai Dayuloff – old landing field
vel Jalrenna – new landowner
xiu Heulogynn – has a quiet garden
xiu Yadehann – has dark hair
Major Organizations
Common Dress Code
They have very tough soles on their feet, so they tend to go barefoot. Most of their footwear, when they choose to wear any, consists of sandals or ankle boots.
Due to the longer hair on the backs of their legs, they prefer to wear clothing that won’t pinch, pull, or otherwise constrict that hair.
They like natural, earth tones, especially shades of green and creamy browns. That’s not to say that they only wear or use earth tones. They like to use most of the colors found in nature, preferring to stick with softer medium to dark colors, avoiding most of the brighter colors. Yellow is the main exception to that rule, as sunny yellow is a popular, if rather expensive color.
Typically, they sport shorts in warmer weather or knee length breeches that are loose around the leg and tie off at the knee. In colder weather, they wear long trousers that they tie around their ankles after making sure that all of their leg hair is tucked up inside the legs. They are tied in order to prevent cold air from blowing up inside the baggy legs.
Tops range from simple halter tops to long sleeved tunics. They don’t use a lot of ornamentation, but every Vaen has a decorative horn ring ranging from simple woven rings to ones made of precious metals and even decorated with gems.
Due to the longer hair on the backs of their legs, they prefer to wear clothing that won’t pinch, pull, or otherwise constrict that hair.
They like natural, earth tones, especially shades of green and creamy browns. That’s not to say that they only wear or use earth tones. They like to use most of the colors found in nature, preferring to stick with softer medium to dark colors, avoiding most of the brighter colors. Yellow is the main exception to that rule, as sunny yellow is a popular, if rather expensive color.
Typically, they sport shorts in warmer weather or knee length breeches that are loose around the leg and tie off at the knee. In colder weather, they wear long trousers that they tie around their ankles after making sure that all of their leg hair is tucked up inside the legs. They are tied in order to prevent cold air from blowing up inside the baggy legs.
Tops range from simple halter tops to long sleeved tunics. They don’t use a lot of ornamentation, but every Vaen has a decorative horn ring ranging from simple woven rings to ones made of precious metals and even decorated with gems.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Vaen are very fond of simple woodwinds and lap harps. They also use string instruments such as the harp, cello, and fiddle. They are a highly musical people and nearly everything is celebrated with music. Nearly all Vaen are taught music whether it is instrumental or vocal.
History
There are many theories as the the exact origin of the Vaen race. Some say that they were once Wolflings who dared to defy the deities. Others say that Xyklenn created them at the dawn of time in her image. Many scholars maintain that they are simply I’shann who learned to change form. None of these theories could be farther from the truth.
Keverynn is not the only life bearing world that bathes in Telast’s golden glow. The third world, Tanviyer, can also sustain life. It’s on that warm, tropical world that the Vaen came to be. They weren’t always as they are now. The Vaen are a highly advanced space faring people who built ships in order to explore the Telast system. They catalogued everything they encountered, learning all that they could. When they learned that Keverynn was also populated, they became very excited. It was debated for nearly a century as to whether or note they should make contact with their neighbors. In the end, it was decided that they should leave Keverynn alone as the level of technology the Vaen possessed was far beyond their simple understanding.
The technology on Tanviyer continued to grow and develop. A faction opposed to the growing focus on machinery advocated for a return to a simpler way of life. The leader of this faction was one Shan’torell tar Matshen, daughter of one of the highest ranking families. Her movement gained strength and popularity. This began to tear at the fabric of their society. Being largely peaceful in nature they were distressed as it began to look as though conflict would erupt over these issues.
The Vaen leaders called Shan’torell and the co-founders of her movement into a conference. It was decided that since all they desired was a simpler way of life that they would be relocated to Keverynn. The ships would drop them off in a remote part of the planet that had already been identified as uninhabited. These ships woulds then return so that there would be no technological contamination of Keverynn. In the end, the ship's pilots decided to stay as they became enamored with the pristine landscape. The ships were put into storage and that island was declared off limits.
After some discussion among the movement, most were willing to make the move, but some didn’t feel the sacrifice was worth it and elected to stay behind. Preparations went ahead to send the movement’s members to Keverynn. It wasn’t long before the ships were underway.
Two ships landed on one of the uninhabited islands in a long chain off the east coast of Keverynn’s mainland. According to the survey done by the scientists stationed in the outpost on the smaller of Keverynn’s three moons, the only things of note living on the islands were winged reptiles of varying sizes. It was unknown if they were intelligent or even dangerous. Just to be safe the Vaen were equipped with old fashioned weapons.
The islands were named for places back on Tanviyer and for people from their history and myths. Their new home they called Alastea, an ancient word meaning new life. It served as a lael covering the entirety of the island chain.
An’taha - Shan’torell named her new island after her great-great-grandmother who had led a team of scientists journeying to the 7th planet
Laurinn Reach - named for the waterfall near Zolat’s ancestral home
Ijul Telann - the landing site, meaning star sky
Ta’ipah - meaning good heart; it was named by De’lairam for his daughter Jel’pah who had died far too young. She had loved the story of Tai'kimath the first space explorer
Illann - named for the I’llant, animals brought with them from Tanviyer that, sadly, didn’t last long. The tar Mat’shenn family were renowned riders.
Rojekma - named by Anjulla after her favourite ancient hero, the man who challenged Br’ant to a fishing contest and won
Apach - named for a mountain on Tanviyer at the request of Anjulla. Named by her granddaughter
Tianuik - named for the Vaen leader back on Tanviyer by the people of Rojekma in gratitude for the opportunity to have a new start on Keverynn
Ana-jelann - meaning moon watch’ this town wasn’t named or even established until the Vaen returned to Alastea following the First Darkrider Incursion. It was so named by Je’drenn dal Me’lar, who spent much time observing the movements of the three moons. He also had an ancestor who had been stationed on Ana-Leta to observe the natives.
Shan’terr - Queen’s land became so named by the third queen as the first queen, Shan’torell, was interred there, as was her successor, Jek’tell.
Turreck - named by Yat’nor’s brother, Qui’nal, this was the first fishing village. Named for a mythical giant fish hunted by the hero Neja’keth’turenn.
Dulanenn - named by Zolat for his hometown
Nei’lar - named by Zolat’s first wife, it means new hope
Clarikenn - named after the first spacecraft, it means good journey
Historical Figures
Obalesk – a self-styled Emperor who was the cause of the last war on Tanviyer
Shailia tar Matshenn – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
An'julla sha Jurenn – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Zolat dar Turann – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Yat'nor eir Valaha – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Cadeneth mir Kutaha – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Deleirenn xiu Yadehann – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Shailia tar Matshenn – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
An'julla sha Jurenn – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Zolat dar Turann – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Yat'nor eir Valaha – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Cadeneth mir Kutaha – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Deleirenn xiu Yadehann – rogue Vaen scientist expelled from Tanviyer’s scientific community
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
They share the island chain of Alastea with humans that came with them from the mainland. The two species are incapable of interbreeding but they've gotten along fairly well since they began cohabitating.
Origin/Ancestry
The world of Tanviyer
Lifespan
90 years
Average Height
The average height for both genders is 5’5’’, though there have been taller individuals.
Average Physique
The Vaen are a tall, slender humanoid race native to the Alastean Island chain located to the east of the mainland, a place they call Avro’kenann. They have a long, thin tail with a tuft that starts a few inches from the tip and runs along the underside of the tail, extending a little past the tip itself. In young Vaen, the tuft starts closer to the tip. As a Vaen ages, the hair creeps further up the length of the tail. The backs of their legs are tufted from just below the knees to right above the ankles. This hair is the same color as the hair on their head and as the tuft on their tail. Some Vaen choose to let this hair grow long, but most keep it trimmed to a short length as it tangles easily.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
They are quite pale in coloring; a Vaen with pure white skin would not be uncommon.
Geographic Distribution
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