Vedera

The **Vedera**, often referred to as **Elders** or simply **Immortals**, are a species from a different realm than Allward.

## General Information

The Vedera gave themselves their name, but humans call them the Elders. The demonym is Vederan and Veder. Those born in Allward are called Wardborn. They have their own language called Vederian. They also speak Low Vederan, the bastard tongue born of centuries on the Ward. Pure Vederan is the voice of Glorian.

### History

The Vedera came from a different realm called Glorian about one thousand years ago and became stuck in Allward after the Spindle they initially crossed through flooded over. They are few, but mighty. The ground the Vedera first arrived on is now at the bottom of the Long Sea. The Vedera are very formal. The legends and stories describe the Elders as brave, noble, and "greatness made flesh." Many humans believe the Elders to be a fairy tale for children. There are histories of the Vedera that include records of immortals who fought alongside or against the men of the Ward. They fought for glory, sport, or nothing at all. Three hundred years ago, the enclaves came together to defeat the last dragon in Allward when the mortals could not.

### Culture

The Vedera worship the gods of their home world, Glorian. One of their gods is Baleir, the winged, warrior god of courage. Another god is Ecthaid. He's the god of the road, of journeys, and of things lost and found. The Vedera say, "Ecthaid be with you" before beginning a journey. The Vedera do believe in an afterlife, but not for those who die in Allward or any realm beyond Glorian. So, if a Veder was to die in Glorian their soul would "pass on" to an afterlife filled with their loved ones already gone. But a Veder who dies beyond Glorian is eternally dead. Most Vedera don't know what it is to die or to lose the ones they love to death, and thus are uncomfortable with grief.

They are considered adolescents when they turn one hundred years old. This is when they take their first turn in the training yards. Most of the older generations are related somehow, if distantly, by now. They are bound either by blood or shared destiny in Allward. Nowadays, the Vedera defend their homes on rare occasion, but nothing more. Conquest is viewed as a mortal impulse and most Vedera consider it to be foolish as mortal lives are so incredibly short compared to the Vedera. Domacridhan of Iona describes the Vedera as "cowards now, hiding in their enclaves, ready to let this world crumble around them." Forgetting is the Vedera way, their only defense against years of memory.

### Enclaves

The Vedera live in every corner of the Ward in half-forgotten enclaves. Each enclave has its own Monarch, sigil, and colors. Ghishan in Betal has the sigil of a stoic tiger. Salahae in Kasa has the sigil of the sand wolf. Dom describes them as people who don't run from a fight. Ridha plans to go to Salahae in her search for allies. Barasa in Niron has the sigil of a black panther. Unlike other mortal kingdoms, the court of Ibal keeps close council with Vedera of the south, including Barasa. Barasa has not treated with Iona since before Dom was born. It is the southernmost enclave in the known lands of Allward, nestled deep in the Forest of Rainbows. It's currently ruled by Monarch Shan.

## Physical Description

The Elders are human-like beings that can live thousands of years. They are easily distinguishable from humans. Andry Trelland describes them as "like a beautiful, statue, differing in appearance but somehow all alike." The legends call them "children of different stars." The Elders are ageless, beautiful, distant, and lost. They have a tight, ridge posture.

## Powers & Abilities

The Vedera are essentially immortal. They possess supernatural strength and enhanced senses. They're faster than even the best trained mortals in every way, including reflexes, reactions, and instincts. They can see clearly for miles in the light and dark. Their hearing is sensitive enough to hear the heartbeats of others. The Vedera are immune to nearly all poisons and don't get sick. Because they don't get sick, they can do things like eat a rabbit raw. They don't feel pain from wounds to the same extent as mortals. They also don't feel cold or hunger to the same levels as mortals and don't often have the need to sleep. They can fall asleep almost instantly and it's rare that they dream. They need to eat much less frequently than humans and need half as much sleep as mortals. The Vedera don't scar, except for wounds caused by magic. Some of the Vedera can use magic. One example is a sending. A sending is a type of Vederan magic that's rare even among the Vedera. Only those with great power can conjure them. A sending can be images, visions, and figures to carry messages. Although, Valtik informs Dom that sendings are not just Vedera magic and demonstrates that she is capable of them as well.

## Known Enclaves

* Iona, Claidon
* Sirandel, Galland
* Hizir, Ibal
* Tarima, the Temurijon
* Syrene, Larsia
* Ghishan, Betal
* Kovalinn, Jyd
* Salahae, Kasa
* Tirakrion, Tyriot
* Barasa, Niron

## Known Vedera

* Domacridhan of Iona
* Isibel Beldane
* Ridha of Iona
* Dyrian of Kovalinn
* Cieran of Iona
* Toracal of Iona
* Cadrigan of the Dawn
* Rowanna of Sirandel
* Marigon of Sirandel
* Arberin of Sirandel
* Nour of Hizir
* Surim of Tarima
* Edya of Kovalinn
* Kesar of Salahe
* Sem of Barasa
* Shan of Barasa

## Trivia

* The Vedera don't believe in ghosts.
* The Vedera don't need to blink as frequently as mortals.

## References

1. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 25
2. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 173
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Realm Breaker*: pg. 4