Ashani

(under reconstruction) 
The Ashani are an increasingly rare and reclusive people who share the world with human beings and other living things. They are physical incarnations of natural spirits--of water, fire, air, and earth and the energies of those powers. As beings deeply connected to the natural world and tied to it spiritually, the Ashani perceive the world differently from humans, and their motivations are often very different. They often describe this difference by saying, "humans are bodies who happen to have spirits, seeking their connection to something greater. We are spirits who happen to have bodies, aware of our connection, and seeking to experience it in new ways, and to preserve what is."
The Ashani are far more in tune with, and sensitive to, their surroundings, and therefore much prefer the natural world to the chaos of human settlements or large cities of any kind. However, because they don't look any different from human beings outwardly, they are able to move among them without issue or standing out, although keeping up this pretense can be more difficult over longer periods.
Due to their close connection to the natural world, and their strong presence in both the physical and spiritual worlds, the Ashani can seem to humans to be distracted at times, staring off into space; they present a deeper sense of the spiritual and of serene inner peace than do humans.
Today, the Ashani are far fewer than they once were. After the Battle of Yarathera nearly eighty years ago the birthrate of the Ashani dropped off considerably, and they have become a people in decline. The Sorrow, as the Ashani call it (Ash. sha-nathar) has lent a touch of sadness to the Ashani all over the world, but especially among the Silashani, who lost so many of their number during the battle.
== Appearance ==
The Ashani are humanoid, and at first glance are indistinguishable from humans, being similar in height and build, although they tend to be more slender than average, and have finer features. They have longer lifespans than humans, on the order of several centuries.
There are four subtypes (see below) of Ashani, each one related to one of the four elements, and their skin and hair colour varies most strongly across these lines, and less so within the same type. Ashani men can grow facial hair, although rarely as densely as human males
== Life ==
The Ashani are not conceived or born in the same way as human beings and other mammals. They come into the world newly embodied as young children, spirits taking on a physical form, with little more than this being known or understood by outsiders. However, while they do not reproduce among themselves as humans do, they are able to bear or sire children with humans, but this is frowned upon. They grow at a slower rate than human beings, taking 35-40 years to reach adulthood; at this point their aging slows considerably. An Ashan two centuries old, on average, appears to be 30-35 years old.
The raising of children is generally done collectively, and everyone shares knowledge and experience with the young (the exception to this standard is children of y-keletham).
While raising of the young is a collective pursuit, the Ashani do have a concept of kinship and familial bonding; when they enter the world as children they are raised within an Ashani household. While these relationships are not biological in origin, they are every bit as close. 
== Society ==
Ashani society tends to be far less regimented than human societies; they do not seek to carve out kingdoms or organize into strict hierarchies. However the weight of tradition manifests itself keenly--social and religious ceremonies are an art form, combining strictly adhered-to protocols with a flair for innovation and artistry within those boundaries. Communities tend to rally around wise, benevolent leaders; governance of Ashani settlements is largely a meriotocracy. Indeed, there are few large settlements among this people. 
They are a highly artistic people as well, and this is reflected in their art, music, literature, architecture and even artisanal crafts. All Ashani indulge in some form of artistic pursuit--it is part of their upbringing, and art in all of its many manifestations--painting, poetry, sculpture, singing and music, and so on--are central to Ashani life and society,
While the Ashani are divided into four major tribal groups, the differences between them are less pronounced than among human ethnic groups. In appearance they are quite similar, although specific eye, hair and skin tones are more prevalent among different groups. The four major Ashani subgroups are the Emenashani, Felashani, Rendashani and Silashani. Y-keletham represents something else altogether. 
Being a highly spiritual people, Ashani society reflects the inner nature of the people. "Between" times and places are most sacred to them--times or places of change and harmony such as the shore, where sea meets land;or dawn and sunset, when day and night meet. 
The Ashani are not a people who believe in evil as a fundamental constant of life. The concept of redemption is central to Ashani philosophy (see Religion, below), and this reflects their approach to the world. 
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== Ethnicities ==
=== Emenashani: ===
The Emenashani are born from the element of Earth. Their skin and hair tones are the darkest of the Ashani, reflecting the deep colours of rich soil and dark wood. They are born within the deep forests, and their dwellings and small communities are found there as well. They are the beloved of the Aze Kemedhwen and are deep lovers of growing things, of plants, trees, and roots. Their natural, intuitive knowledge of plants and herbalism is unparalleled. However, they are not agriculturalists, and prefer the unspoiled nature of the forest, where they gather food (they do not eat meat) and create dwellings that take advantage of their surroundings, being very difficult to spot by those unfamiliar with them. 
Their connection to the land is profound, and they move through forests and over grasslands and plains without leaving a trace; they are highly resistant to plant-based poisons. 
Of all the Ashani they are the least comfortable in human cities.
Of the Aze-Ashani, the gods venerated by this people, the Emenashani are closest to Kemedhwen, the Lady of Earth, whose rulership includes plant life and the fertility of soil. They serve her in sites of pristine natural beauty--forest glades and at sacred stone sites.
=== Felashani: ===
The Felashani are the children of fire, born from flame and heat. Their skin tones are dark, although lighter than those of the Emenashani, and their hair colours range from red to black. They dwell in environments that are hot and preferably arid, such as deserts or equatorial lands. The Felashani are especially devoted to Alinar, the Ase-Ashani who embodies fire and heat, and they are masters of metal shaping and smithcraft. Of all the Ashani, the Felashani have the deepest knowledge of destruction as part of creation, noting that volcanic activity is destructive but leaves in its wake incredibly fertile soil. 
They serve Alinar in
=== Rendashani: ===
The Rendashani tend to be the hardiest of Ashani peoples. In height they range widely, from about 5'5"-6'7" for males and 5'5"-6'5" for females. Their hair appears in red, brown and black shades; their eyes tend to a dark brown or a brilliant, emerald green. Their skin tones tend to range from the olive common in Mediterranean regions, to the darker tones of sub Saharan Africa. Their ancestral home is the south of Arenar and the south east of Adel-Syar.
Rendashani spirituality is highly dynamic, and partakes of art forms for which the Rendashani are well-known--tattooing, 
and architecture. Rites of passage and great accomplishments are often reflected with tattoos. Their architecture is deeply connected with their spirituality as well. They build temples and enclosures representing sacred space, where they worship the Aze-Ashani, with their patron being Alinar. These buildings are frequently constructed to harness the wind, channeling it through flute-like tunnels so that the walls themselves softly sing. Smithing is also a skill at which they excel, being the most proficient of all the Ashani ethnicities. Their armor and weapons are often works of art in and of themselves.
They tend to gather in pastoral and agricultural communities, migrating infrequently as conditions demand. A holy place is constructed at the heart of each community.
The Rendashani often mark familial, clan and other affiliations through elegant tattoos on the face and arms. Their use of magic is related to this practice as well. Rendashani architecture is organic, and seeks to enhance the landscape rather than dominate it. Smooth curves and lines are the rule, rather than angles and harsh corners.
=== Silashani ===
The Silashani are, today, the rarest of the Ashani peoples. Their traditional home in the Amallon and the surrounding region means they were hit first, and hardest, by the Sorrow that fell after the Battle of Yarathera. In height they are, on average, slightly shorter than human beings. Their hair and eye tones cover the same wide range as human beings, and in skin tone they vary from Mediterranean olive complexions to Nordic ones. 
The Silashani frequently make their homes in forests, near lakes, or in rolling hills and valleys. Of all the Ashani, they love the sea most, and they are known for their skill as mariners. They settle in small towns and the occasional city, and frequently feel a greater kinship with those from the same place than they do distant, rarely met relatives. Sculpture, calligraphy, weaving, and other visual arts are their special love; poetry as well is a beloved art form. Nature is a frequent, and dominant inspiration. The Silashani have developed a form of sculpture that involves shaping a tree as it grows, obviously requiring a great deal of patience. Their finished works are often practical as well as beautiful. Some Silashani have grown homes, furniture or statues in this fashion. 
Silashani spirituality is deeply mystical, and communal. They are the people of Alqawen, the most beloved of the Aze-Ashani, and Mother of All. There is always an element of mysticism or old, half remembered magic to their ceremonies and rites. Meditation and trance work are common among them.
The Silashani suffer collectively from wanderlust, and are frequently found far from their homes.The greater presence of humans in recent centuries, and their wars in Amallon, have encouraged this diaspora. Today the largest community of Silshani on Aralath is found at Yarathera, where the Selviliya leads the worship of the Goddess on earth.
== Y-Keletham (Main Article): ==
Y-Keletham (Ash., 'The God-Touched') are not an ethnicity, but rather an extremely rare group within the Ashani, drawn from across the entire people. Regardless of ethnic origin, y-keletham are marked from birth with eyes of a vibrant or deep purple shade. They account for less than one in a thousand births, and are equally divided among the sexes.
According to Ashani belief, y-keletham are closer to the Aze-Ashani than other beings. This is a mixed blessing/ The Ashani are not a fatalistic people, and are firm believers in free will. However y-keletham are believed to have a destiny--their births are not accidents but are intended by the Gods. Thus their education becomes a communal affair, even more so than most Ashani children, as they are prepared for whatever purpose the Gods have in store. 
Many of the most beloved leaders, artists, musicians (etc) the Ashani have produced were keleth, including the current Selviliya, Kyriana Alqaviliya.
== Sha-Nathar, the Sorrow ==
After the Battle of Yarathera, in which many Ashani were killed and the goddess Alqawen herself appeared, the final stroke of the necromancer and his infernal allies struck the Ashani to the core of their being, as a people. Since then their birth rate has fallen off considerably, and there are no longer enough children born to replace those who have died. But worse yet is the spiritual malaise the Sorrow can bring. The Ashani are devoted to the restoration of the world--to its perfection--but in some the Sorrow produces something altogether new to the Ashani--despair. And this despair eats away at their spirits in a very literal sense. As time goes on, they weaken and slowly fade away, vanishing in both this and the Otherworld, and the fate of their souls is unknown. The Sorrow only affects a minority of the Ashani, but once it has begun none have yet found a way to stop it. It tends to affect older Ashani, and not the younger; the priesthood of the Aze-Ashani seem far more resistant to its effects.
In the ensuing eighty years since Sha-Nathar fell, its presence has shaped Ashani culture and religion. All the works of the Ashani now are touched with a deep sadness, and a crushing awareness of just how much of their Great Work remains yet to be done.
== Religion (Main Article) ==
The Ashani follow a religion that is far more ancient than those of Humans. Indeed, their religion was very influential in ancient Amallon, and especially so in Keledon. Several spiritual strains contributed to Ashani religion. Today the Ashani worship the Aze-ashani (Gods of the Ashani). They are:
*Alqawen, the SwanMother, who is the queen of waters, natural beauty, the stars and seas, joy and (platonic) love, wisdom.
*Alinar, lord of Fire and god of the sun, brightness, light and life, might.
*Ramaanath, lord of the winds and air, communication, the mind, travel and weather.
*Kemadhwen, the Lady of the Earth, queen of plants, forests, animals and the land.
The most beloved of the four is certainly Alqawen, whose faith is led among the Ashani by a woman known as Sha-Selviliya (sel-vi-LEE-ya) or 'The SwanDaughter'. The Selviliya is a figure adored by all Ashani; from her dwelling place in Yarathéra she leads the worship of Alqawen and serves as the most revered figure of Ashani society. Each Selviliya selects the next before her death; the position is only ever held by a woman. The position is not an overtly political one—she is not a queen or a ruler—but she does wield great influence and is frequently consulted by kings and wise ones. The current Selviliya is Kyriana Alqviliya, who has occupied the position for two hundred years and is said to be the most beloved of all the goddess' chosen.
Category:Ashani
Category:Peoples