Anachire

The mysterious and mirror-eyed anachire are found most frequently in the western reaches of Auldenon, although they are widespread and exist in most regions. They have garnered a reputation as enigmatic brokers of secrets and information, perhaps as a result of the dizzying intrigues of their native Ghul Inira.

## Description

Except for a few notable differences, anachire appear nearly identical to humans. The most telling difference can be seen in their eyes and nails, which are colorless and wholly reflective much like the surface of a mirror. This comparison is not unwarranted as anachire have an innate connection to mirrors and other reflective surfaces, although they are incapable of leaving any reflections of their own.

## Personality

Anachire tend to be distant and somewhat lethargic as a result of their broadened perception; with so much additional information to process, they find it difficult to keep up with other races. As a result, they tend to appear excessively cautious or thoughtful, both in words and actions.

Anachire residing in Ghul Inira are subject to its web of intrigue and emphasis on decorum, and are typically conditioned to be sharp-witted and impeccably mannered as a result. This has earned them an unflattering public image as haughty or conceited, a reputation that anachire dwelling outside of Ghul Inira attempt to correct wherever possible.

## Abilities

Anachire possess supernatural gifts of perception beyond the grasp of other races. The magnitude and nature of these gifts varies between situations and individuals, ranging from an ability to detect the faintest of tracks or see great distances to interplanar sight or complete immunity to illusions in extreme circumstances. Their innate connection to mirrors and other reflective surfaces also grants anachire an immunity to scrying, a trait welcomed by the spymasters and tacticians of Ghul Inira.

While their bond with mirrors is not fully understood even by the most eminent anachire sages, the mages of Ghul Inira have devised a unique praxis making use of this connection known as Swimming the Silverpools. This system allows the mage to quickly and effectively work their magic upon or through reflective surfaces to achieve a variety of effects, and is unable to be learned by other races.

## Society

Although they have spread far and wide, anachire are native to Ghul Inira, where they are known to observe a strict code of manners and decorum. They are expected to maintain a level head at all times and treat their fellow anachire with at least a basic measure of courtesy, although this formal attitude often extends to foreigners as well. Because of this emphasis on dignity, anachire society is often fraught with intrigue as individuals plot against each other in increasingly subtle ways in order to settle grudges or avenge slights. It is not uncommon for unsuspecting visitors or even otherwise influential anachire to find themselves used as pawns in the schemes of the Ghul Inan nobility, who have become adept at plucking the strings of the social web in order to vie for power amongst themselves.

## History

The origins of the anachire are mysterious. Even the legends and records of their native Ghul Inira make no mention of where they came from or why, but what is known is that they were present on the continent long before the Calamity of Pontos, possibly even predating the arrival of the fae. The anachire, for their part, are typically unconcerned with the details of their heritage, occupying themselves with the intrigues of the present rather than the mysteries of the past.

The oldest surviving fragments of anachire history are an incongruous and largely incomplete set of scrolls housed in the Spiral Ashram. These scrolls contain accounts of events, individuals, and even places that are curiously missing from the records of any other race or region. When synchronized with Pontic Count using the first point of similarity, the earliest scrolls of the Spiral Ashram date to more than two millennia before the Calamity of Pontos, making them some of the oldest relics anywhere on the continent.

Over the years, anachire have spread to the furthest reaches of the continent. While they remain most numerous in the western regions, they are a common sight even in Vranir. Despite their uncertain past, they have asserted themselves as skilled and valued members of many states and organizations, finding their place in the present and working toward a prosperous future.