Yorden

May we be blessed with a worthy end.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Humanoid, shares many similarities with humans in general.
Their eyes possess rings of silver, capable of expanding and contracting. These rings are seemingly positioned on top of their iris and pupils, able to move from the outer edge of their iris' to the edge of their pupils. Provides them with an ability they refer to as Silver Sight. Capable of glowing.

Growth Rate & Stages

The Yorden live for roughly 95 years on average. They have a slightly elongated time period spent in adolescence, not reaching full adult maturity until roughly the age of 30. Once reaching adulthood, they are able to maintain their level of health for another 15 to 20 years before their health will begin to deteriorate with age.

Ecology and Habitats

Yorden are capable of surviving in most warm climates. Originally hailing from much further south, the Yorden spent years navigating deserts and other harsh landscapes in their search of a new home. While Caelith offers much in the way of hospitable and ariable terrain, much of the continent is considered too cold to be comfortable. Little effort has been made to colonize outside of Yordenheid.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

• Gaunt, with prominant and pronounced cheekbones and jawlines. Silver rings in their eyes.


• They lack the addition of canines in their teeth, unusual compared to most other races.


• Eye colours are comprised of dark blue, green, and rarely gold.


• Facial hair on men is limited in length, growing not far beyond a short stubble.


• Hair colours range from blond to red. Colours like brown and black are completely absent.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

What remains of the Yorden species after their migration is located entirely within Yordenheid. Scarce few have travelled into Caelith or Braagh.

Average Intelligence

Yorden are on average more intelligent than the other races, providing a knack for understanding the arcane through their enhanced perception.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As mentioned previously, the bands of silver in their eyes provides an ability known as Silver Sight. While these rings fluctuate in position, focusing their eyesight allows more direct control. When contracted to their pupils, the Yorden are able to perceive minor arcane effects that are unable to be perceived by other mortal race. These bands can move independently and respond to stimuli quicker than a Yorden's own senses, often just before something has even occurred, giving them a sense of minor foresight. While less than a second, this ability can be incredibly beneficial. Members of the Broken Blades hone this sense throughout their training, which they refer to as Anticipation.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The Millenium Council

The Millenium Council as a whole governs the entirety of the Yorden people, ranging from political representation, to military strategy, to research into the magical arts. It is comprised of the following groups: The Greater Voice, The War Council, The Magician's Court, and The Broken Blades.

The Greater Voice

This group is made of two smaller subgroups: The Custodians and The Representatives.
The Representatives, as expected, represent different towns, regions, and groups among the Yorden people. Acting as their voice within the Council, these representatives are entrusted with acting with their constituents best interests. While rewarded with a pampered life and celebrity status, their position can be swiftly taken away should those they represent believe them to be failing to carry out their will.
The Custodians manage and maintain Yordenheid itself. Ranging from the upkeep of streets and public gardens in Englas, to the protection of wildlife in the countryside, these individuals ensure that the beauty and health of Yordenheid is kept to a high standard.
Members: 925

Minor Organisations

The War Council

Military strategy, planned conquests, public protection, and border control are just some of the topics managed by the War Council. Covering both the efforts of the army and navy, these members also work closely with The Broken Blades.
Members: 50

The Magician's Court

Often shrouded in secrecy, the members of The Court consist of the leadership of the Academy of the Arcane. Holding considerable power and knowledge, their duties involve investigating and managing any magical threats and events that will effect the Yorden people. Over time, they've used their abilities, both natural and unnatural, to obtain leverage over the other groups within the Council.
Members: 20

The Broken Blades

After the discovery of a ancient vault buried beneath a mountain, investigators found it to hold an armory of strange weapons. Each was capable of performing unnatural feats, but would only respond to specific wielders. The first weapon to be found, a broken longsword, was wielded by their first member, Ainen. Naming the group after the first weapon, The Broken Blades seek out individuals that capable of wielding any of the weapons housed within the vault.
Their duties on the council involve interacting with the other groups, providing military experience, investigating threats thoughout Yordenheid, and assisting the Magician's Court with matters requiring secrecy.
Members: 5

Common Myths and Legends

The belief in a being known as the Fate-Weaver. With reverence, they believe the Weaver to be creating the universe like a tapestry, weaving threads into patterns representing fate and destiny. To appease the Weaver is to pray for good fortune. As such, luck is a foreign concept; the events that transpire are determined by the Weaver, not by mere chance.
While the other races do not quite believe it, a major legend involves Ainen, First of the Broken Blades. When the forces of Weirr marched westward, they pushed the Yorden back into Yordenheid. As a last ditch effort to hold their advance, Ainen took up The Broken Blade, and with one heavy slash, carved a chasm into the earth. So great was his cleave that Yordenheid was permanently separated from Caelith by a new narrow sea as the northern and southern oceans rushed in to meet. Now known as Ainen's Cleave, or just The Cleave, it has kept the Yorden safe from invasion from the east.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Daig

Believing them to be not much better than beasts when first encountered, the Yorden used the Daig as slave labour. While no longer enslaved, the Yorden still believe themselves to be superior to the Daig.

Humans

When the Lithians were first discovered after their arrival, a panic set into the Yorden. A bloody war to preemptively eliminate a possible future enemy took place, which resulted in a human and Daig alliance. While the Yorden recognise humans as being similar in many ways, their lack of magical prowess and frequent amounts of internal strife do not prompt high opinions.

Rhanün

Savages. One day they will be purged from the gilded woodlands, and the world will be better for it.

Weirr

Mysterious. Intelligent. Greater. They achieved an understanding of the universe that the Yorden could only dream of attaining. If they weren't so hostile, they could have gotten along just fine.

Origin/Ancestry

Descended from the Ethyr

Lifespan

95 years

Average Height

5'8''

Average Weight

65kg

Average Physique

Less muscular than the average human, with their shoulder and torso width being shorter. Arms and legs are slightly longer than humans. Yorden are more agile and lithe, but still have a meaningful amount of strength.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin tones ranging from cream to bronze. Light blue and red paints are used to mark patterns on their skin.