Isyar

The Isyar are a people native to frozen mountains of the northern polar region. They have pale grey skin and average around 5 feet in height, with female Isyar tending to be slightly taller than male Isyar. They have pale grey, bat-like wings, with a wingspan that is generally around twice their height. When folded up, their wings can give them a stocky appearance, even though they tend towards slim and lithe builds.
Isyar society is based entirely around magic. Isyar children begin learning magic from their parents at a very early age, and positions of societal importance are based on an individual's magical prowess. Most aspects of their culture are based around the ten disciplines of magic.
The Isyar have been slowly dying out for many centuries; each generation has been smaller than the one before it. Today, there are only a little more than 10,000 Isyar remaining in the world.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Isyar are adapted for cold climates, such as the mountains of Isyaria (located in the north polar region). They can survive in temperate regions, but find the summers uncomfortable. Tropical regions can be deadly to them.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Isyar have one name with two parts. The first part of the name indicates the Isyar's unique identity. The second part provides the Isyar's history. The first part is a unique creation for every Isyar (this part is never purposely repeated from a previous Isyar's name, though this can sometimes happen by accident). The second part is inherited from the Isyar's diare (the parent that the Isyar learns their magic from).
For example, Jorvanultumn's name is comprised of two parts, "jorvan" and "ultumn". The first part is a unique name created by his parents. The second part comes from his diare, Davorultumn.
Calling an Isyar by a shortened form of their name (such as using only the first part) is considered an insult, as it is being disrespectful to both the Isyar's individuality and history.

Relationship Ideals

Isyar psychically bond with their mates, usually on their first encounter, though only after they have reached physical maturity. Thus it is possible for Isyar who knew each other as children to already know their mate when the bonding occurs. How exactly this happens and why is not known. It is not something that happens by choice; it just happens. However, two bonded Isyar almost always end up liking and loving one another. Unloving bonds are rare. A bond is for life and no Isyar has ever been known to form a second bond, even if the first mate dies.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Although the Isyar of the distant past spoke different dialects and even different languages, modern Isyar speak only a single dialect of Isyarian.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Isyar wear clothes, but have little variation in what they wear. The vast majority of Isyar wear only a simple thin gown cut low in the back to allow for their wings.

Lifespan

175 years