Lirei

## Lirei ( race )

### Race:

Lirei are a race of tanned humans who live in and around Lirei deserts. The average lifespan of a Lirei is about a 100 years. Their body proportions are pretty much the same as those of other humanoids. A Lirei's eye color is one of their most important attributes - it has an impact on their personality and behavior as well as magic potential. In general, most rewhai have the ability to summon *Poskai Rez Runiku* - a magical blade made out of soul and lifeforce that adapts to its user. While all Lirei are technically capable of summoning the Poskai, only those who dedicate years of study to it can actually do it.

Lirei sometimes do seem united but make no mistake , Lirei are group of 3 tribes each comming from one of the 3 brothers , the biggest and most notable tribe is the ***Rewhai*** tribe , then we have the ***Iremuri*** and ***Ashani*** tribe

#### Lirei eye colors:

- Generic (blue, brown, green, black, hazel) - a normal person

- Emerald - A somewhat uncommon color which signifies a higher level of intelligence

- Scarlet - This color is looked down upon in rewhai culture for the large amount of damage they can cause. These individuals, while being extremely ambitious, often suffer from uncontrollable bloodlust. The color has become quite rare in the recent times because the rewhai society often rejects the people who possess it.

- Amethyst - The exact effects this color has on people is not well known, but it is widely believed that no rewhai with it can summon a Poskai. Maybe there is something it offers that we still don't know about...

- Amber - This color is often mentioned in legends and children's tales for all who posses it are destined to become heroes. They can effortlessly summon their Poskai and use it to its fullest extent. To make sure these people get the training they need they are taken away from their families at an early age by the Hessonite Order. The Order helps them realize the full potential of their powers and takes care of them until the age of 17.

### Lirei society and culture:

In Lirei society combat prowess is an important and highly valued skill. Everyone is expected to have a grasp of at least basic weaponry and combat. When children reach the age of 16 their combat ability is tested during a month long expedition with some of the best Lirei mercenaries and warriors. Should they choose so, they can stay with the fighters and continue to pursuit that career. If the child doesn't want to or isn't capable of fighting they are free to go back home after the expedition is over. Lirei don't have a standing army but rather relly on their mercenaries to fight whenever and wherever their people need them.

*Poskai Rez Runiku* is a light magical blade which most Lirei can summon. Though it is most often a blade its shape can change based on the needs and wants of its wielder. The weapon glows in the color of its user's eyes and shines brighter as the user becomes better at using it. There are many children's tales and legends about Poskai wielding heroes and being able to summon it is seen as a massive accomplishment. While most Lirei have the potential to summon it only those who dedicate many years to meditation and practice can actually do it. **The Hessonite Order** is in charge of studying the Poskai as well as training potential users.

Most Lirei don't show a particular interest for any kind of magic or alchemy so they rely on the few who do for anything related to it. **The religious estates**, in addition to spreading their faith, also take care of the people's health, employing many healers and alchemists. Although the use of most magic is permitted, any kind that tampers with the bodies of the dead is strictly forbidden and punishable by death.

In terms of appearance, most Lirei try to keep their hair short. Many men posses a beard as it is a symbol of strength , authority and masculinity , while women often wear thick braids. Since they live in hot and arid places their clothes is most commonly light and they often wear face coverings to keep the sand out of their mouths. This is also reflected in their weapons and armour as they mostly wear only light protection. The beauty of the deserts has inspired many Lirei so it is often represented in the dune-like curves present on their weapons and architecture.

### Lirei philosophy:

In Lirei culture, the *Poskai Rez Runiku* is arguably the biggest influence on art, philosophy and society as a whole. Its legends are told to children as bedtime stories, there are countless poems written about it and the stories it carries get passed down from generation to generation, constantly inspiring all Lirei. The idea that anyone can become a hero makes their entire world go around. Even though most Lirei will never even successfully summon a Poskai, it won't stop them from believing and trying.

Only some knowledge from the ancient Lirei has survived to this day and among it are the many schools of though created by the philosophers of old. The most notable of them are the following:

**- Way of the Blade** teaches us to sail across the dunes and waves, over the currents of time and space, never giving in but never straying too far from the flow. Become one with the current and change the tides of history.

**- Way of the Eye** reveals the importance of our mind and emotion, diving deep into our soul and unveiling what lies within. Reality becomes as you will it.

**- Way of the Night** reminds us of who we truly are and what has already been, for the only way to move forward is to accept what has come before. Future is but a reflection of the past.

**- Way of the Mountain** warns us of the dangers of worldly pleasures, for they make us lose sight of what truly matters. Stand your ground and become unshakable.

### Lirei Government:

The traditional Lirei leadership consists of 3 factions and a single city ruler:

**Liirnaak** - a ruler with full control of their city who is chosen by the 3 factions

**The Elites** - respected mercenary leaders in charge of defending the cities and enforcing the law

**The Religious Estate** - an entity consisting of priests, healers and alchemists which is in charge of the religious affairs as well as inquisition of magic related heresy

**Hessonite Order** - a group of philosophers, mages and scientists who deal with research of magic, history and the training of future poskai users

The Lirei society is divided between multiple layers:

Poskin - Respected individuals, usually mercenaries and those on the path of summoning a Poskai.

Cityfolk - Free citizens

Serfs - Indentured workers who take care of most farming in the society. Cityfolk usually become serfs as a punishment for a crime they did. Every serf must work for a certain duration until they regain their full rights as a free citizen.

### Magic:

**The Hessonite Order** recognizes and teaches 5 schools of magic:

**Elemental magic** is divided between the primary destructive elements of fire, ice and electricity and the nature based elements like water, earth and air. Elemental is one of if not the most dangerous schools of magic because of its sheer destructive potential.

**Wizardry magic** consists of various reality bending spells such as alteration and conjuration. Masters of wizardry can sometimes even transcend the barriers of space and time, albeit to a great risk to themselves.

**Mind magic** is focused on influencing one's mind through illusions, psionics and domination. Nobody truly knows who the strongest mind mages are as they can effortlessly erase people's memories as well as change their physical appearance.

**Arcane magic** is the least understood of the five schools and mostly deals with raw magical energy. Arcane mages are experts at writing magical runes and using their powers to disintegrate anything that may stand in their way. This school of magic is the most volatile and unpredictable and is as such the most dangerous.

**Invocation** deals with the holy and unholy forces present in the material world such as the various gods and supernatural entities. The powers of invocation mages usually depend on the entity who grants it to them. Among the most common paths an invocation mage can take are healing, necromancy and spirit channelling.

### Lirei Science

Lirei science advances in the fields of algebra, calculus, geometry, chemistry, biology, medicine, and astronomy.

Other that that they're experts in fields of creating , including ceramics, metalwork, textiles, illuminated manuscripts, woodwork, and calligraphy. Lirei also discovered ways to collect water in territories far away from freshwater sources like rivers , lakes etc. thru **johads** and **khuns**. They experimented with steam but nothing too much. Lirei also discovered **Dra'haan steel** ( damascus steel )  by combining two different steels into one-of-a-kind designs using the pattern welding process , that makes the blade stronger and also more appealing. During recent years a scientist named **Reh'qern Izur Va'ris** praciticed with *Lirei Desert Gunpowder* which involves small bits of amethyst magic energy inside the powder , with it he designed the first ever Lirei cannon also known as **'' Alkanir ''**