Val’Yurak’riti

## Clan History

The Yurak’riti are considered one of the oldest if not the oldest clan in the region. Long before the great wars between the nations of the moon age, they had begun to eke out a living in the high mountain cave, hiding away and struggling daily to survive.

Their ancestors were enslaved Alfheimi who managed to escape their bindings and flee from their masters into the wilds. Pursued by slavers, they first hid in the underground before fleeing higher up narrow underground paths in the dark, up into the high peak of the mountain to lose those that gave chase. It was assumed the escaped slaves would either die from exposure to the cold or crawl back down in defeat so no further chase was given.

The trembling slaves came together in their small group, fighting for survival daily and more than once, nearly giving up and returning back down and back into slavery. However, among their numbers was one who claimed that they could survive, that the gods were on their side and their destiny written in the stars. This individual would be known historically to the Yurak’riti as Rikunaunay, the “One who sees a long way”.  Rikunaunay kept the survivors together with what was perceived as visions of what was to come.. Every action today was not for themselves, but for the generations to come. It would be the first Rikunaunay that would lead them to the hidden Alfheim fortress of Vidblain high up in the mountains and take refuge there. There was hope in Rikunaunay’s words enough to keep them standing firm and to grow in numbers. In time, more escaped slaves would manage to find their way to them and were taken in with open arms. They began to call themselves the Yurak’riti, the people of the white snow, as they began to develop a culture of their own, although it drew heavily upon the culture of their Alfheim ancestors.

The harsh elements challenged them, but kept them safe. Rikuanunay’s guidance kept their hope strong, yet in time, the first Rikuanuay would pass away. Upon their death though, so legend hold, Rikuanuay did not die but was reincarnated as an infant born the day of their death. This infant was raised and became Rikuanuay II, thus starting the belief and tradition of there being an unbroken lineage of leaders of the clan, reincarnated upon each death to lead once more.

As the Yurak’riti slowly entrenched themselves further in the mountain cave, their children starting to change and take on a grey hue to their skin, and below them, the world was erupting further into fire and war as the demonic hordes swelled and drove more and more nations across the world. From their lofty peak, they could see the fires of the world continue to burn.

In time though, the wars ended and in their wake, refugees began to fill into the caverns below. The Yurak’riti were quick to secure their own borders against these newcomers, letting only a select few pass the defenses to settle deeper in the mountain core. The arrival of the Doeld'Uln was met with resistance and even to this day, there are those in the clan who believe that they are encrouchers to the last bit of land of their ancient ancestors. Despite this, the relationship between the two clans has settled into a peace for now. The Val'Anukesh is the only other clan that the Yurak'riti have formed an alliance with, the two finding more cultural ground between them that has helped to ease any tensions and has come to a point where there are intermingling between the two clans.

Currently, the clan is ruled by the 29th Rikunaunay who is far more politically active than their previous incarnations, both pushing for more colonization efforts and is one of the first to start opening up relations to clans outside their two allies and in fact, has started to become rather firm in stance with the Doeld'Uln in particular, making some believe that the current Rikunaunay is growing more leery of their neighbors once more. The Yurak'riti is attempting to negotiate peace with the southern kingdom of Tenochirath to better facility migrations back to the surface, however the meddling of the Val'Duran'desh has kept tensions high and has led to the Yurak'riti becoming far more hostile towards the other clan in recent times.

## Clan Culture

The Yurak’riti clan has a rather unique culture that centers heavily around the beliefs they have maintained from their light elf ancestors, the Alfheimi, and the many centuries of survival they have endured while on the high mountain.

They are known to be a suspicious people and are slower to trust outsiders to their clan, especially drowlaths and drowussus of vanir ancestry, the dislike of the later part of lingering resentment towards kingdoms they felt abandoned Alfheim in its time of need. They are also known to hold grudges which can be a problem as the grudge of a single Yurak'riti can quickly become the grudge of the entire clan as word is spread quickly. Thus merchants who have bad deals or some individual who has caused harm to someone in the clan can find that they will no longer be able to have any dealings with the clan as their reputation would be quickly tarnished. Because of this, most merchants who wish to trade with the Yurak'riti make sure to mind their manners and avoid being forceful less they be blacklisted.

The Yurak'riti are also known to be very stubborn, not seeing any task as impossible. Such tasks that seem impossible to others are merely tasks that will take a much longer time and require patience and ingenuity to overcome. Because of this, the Yurak'riti do not use the word "no" which can confuse people as they will never get a definitive "no". Those who deal with the Yurak'riti have learned that there are several different "maybes" that can be given and based on which one is given, they either are going to actually do the task or are going to take as long as they like thinking about it.

They are a very close-knit community and are rather free with relationships. It is not uncommon to find an individuals with more than one mate communally raising children as the Yurak’riti believe strongly in the idea of it takes a village to raise a child, especially given they share their resources carefully between everyone. Not to mention with the low mana of the mountain top, keeping together and living in close quarters helps to stave off aging due to mana deprivation.

### Yurak'riti and Animal Companions

It is important to note that the Yurak’riti have a fondness for animals and are known to name their own beasts, even those that are meant to be eaten. Herders will name their entire flock and attribute personalities to their beasts. The mogon in particular, for how fearsome and terrifying it can be, is one they show a close bond with, often with rider and beast sleeping together in the stables and building close bonds. The empathy that is common in the clan is used more for dealing with animals than manipulating people. It is not rare to see a Yurak’riti more interested in a person’s pets or mount than in the person themselves. This makes it rather dangerous to go against the Yurak’riti in terms of battle given their strong empathy to animals.

### Traditions and Politics

Oral traditions are strong in the clan and stories passed by word of mouth from generation to generation is still the most common form of entertainment and they often have competition for who can spin the best yarn yearly. It is usually one way to spark a Yurak’riti’s interest is to start spinning a story in a local watering hole. If the story is good, they will be more likely to bring friends and family to listen to the story the following evening and start to tell the story themselves to others in the clan. Local legends and folktales spread quickly in the ranks of the Yurak'riti, but also the local gossip which means individuals who gain reputations for things often will find the Yurak'riti have a special nickname now concerning them. This can be terribly embarrassing for someone who may get a reputation for being clumsy or something not to appealing.

The oral tradition though eventually leads to their own desires to record such things down and archive it as their ancestors did within the grand vaults at the center of the fortress. The elders of the clan tend to be the ones to write down what comes to them and sometimes send relatives out to get more information. These archivists of the Yurak'riti clan have formed a correspondents with the Archiver's Guild and the two often share more recent information back and forth, although the guild still has had no luck in gaining access to the vaults of Vidblain.

The Yurak’riti have an obsession with astrology and are meticulous about recording the movement of stars and other heavenly bodies. They are convinced that the future is written in the stars and they can be used to predict everything from events to come to how compatible a couple may be depending on which stars they were born under. These beliefs aside, they are fairly good at predicting the weather and the incoming storms and typically send warning along to the city of impending rains and storms.

Politically, the Yurak’riti almost always remain neutral and even if attacked, they will remain staunchly defensive and will launch no retaliation offensive. They are known not to play any political games, are rather to the point in what they want, and impossible to bribe. They have been this way for generations which means most clans can be certain that the Yurak'riti will not get involve in any wars between clans unless they are dragged into it via a close ally or a general dislike of a clan.

The Yurak’riti clan has an expressed interest in reclaiming the surface and has already made moves to map out the surface and has established a few colonies with plans for expansion. They have a rather strong foothold already in their largest colony, Ali’Yunga, which is a well established town with trading links to the nearby goblin populations. This colony also plays a role as a meeting place between Yurak'riti leadership and the aggressive Tenochirath kingdom and is one of the few locations that drowlath leadership can come to try and negotiate with their violent neighbors for something resembling peace.

### The Rikunaunay

The center of Yurak’riti belief and faith is the Rikunaunay. They believe they have never had a different leader of the clan, and that the Rikunaunay is reincarnated over generations, rising to different challenges to guide the clan forward. The Rikunaunay can be male or female which tends to break with the traditions of other clans. To them though, it is not about the physical body, but the spiritual one hosted within the shell of flesh. However, traditionally, the Rikunaunay never leaves the fortress, even when summoned for diplomatic gatherings. One of the female attendants of the Rikunaunay is sent to handle all diplomatic ventures. No foreigner to the clan can speak to the Rikunaunay unless summoned forth by the leader of the Yurak’riti themselves. This has changed in recent time as the current Rikunaunay has been fare more present and meeting directly with clan leaders and attending more in person meetings.

The gender of the Rikunaunay is not a widely known fact, even within the clan. Interactions with the Rikunaunay are largely kept to the counsel and high-ranked Mirka within the clan. Even then, the clothing that is worn and how the Rikunaunay presents themselves is typically in a fashion that tends towards gender neutral. Yurak’Riti will refer to their leader always by name or the shorten title of Rikuna, but will never use gendered pronouns, often referring to the Rikunaunay as "they". This is done partially because to the Yurak'riti, the Rikunaunay has no gender as they have transcended such divisions of the flesh.

### Clan Caste System

The Yurak’riti have kept some of their light elf roots in terms of maintaining a caste system, although it is not as rigid as the one kept by their ancestors. The castes are seen more as a role in the clan that needs to be fulfilled to benefit the whole of the clan. It is an aspect of the unity of the clan, where everyone must do their part to keep the clan strong. That a warrior stands even with the herder who tends the flock. That even the Rikunaunay that sits at the top of the caste, is only as mighty as the stones that create the base. Due to this, there is no true ruling caste. Instead, highly respected individuals of the community tend to be placed in positions of power and are called the elders of the clan.  These elders are responsible for the raising and care of new Rikunaunay’s in their infancy to help instill a sense of humility in the leader to be and to help them know all walks of life.  Individuals who hold the title of Val are typically one of these elders, a member of the Rikunaunay’s inner council or family, or important war leaders among the Mirka. It is a title of respect for a person of significant rank.

### Mana Affinities

The land in the mountains is a tad mana starved, especially outside the core population. This means the mana arts are used sparingly and more concisely. Only as little as need is used. It also means that they will seek more practical solutions to problems in order to conserve mana. Still, there are affinities that are common to the clan. Ice, wind, and earth are common due to the elements that are present in the high mountains and are practical sorceries to have in helping to navigate the narrow paths of their home, especially among herders.

However there are two other affinities, one somewhat common and the other extremely rare, that are found in their ranks:

#### ***Empathy***

This is a rather common talent in the members of Yurak’riti and more prevalent than one may at first think. For the members of Yurak’riti, it is a mana gift that helps to heighten the ability to sense and locate others in white out conditions as well as search and rescue in the mountains, especially after avalanches. It is used also in calming and guiding their animals over the high peaks of the mountain and to help ease each other at home.

However, their empathy is not trained strictly for passive uses, but also for use in war. The Mirka are all trained empaths who use it in battle to help whip their troops to a frenzy, inspiring courage and fear as needed and are taught to be extremely aggressive in the use of empathy. Having more than one Mirka in the field can wreck havoc on an invading army and create a loss of moral.

#### **Life Sorcery**

Not much is truly known about the life sorcery abilities that are found in a few of the Yurak'riti as it is an extremely well guarded secret, just as it was guarded closely in Alfheim and in Tenochirath currently. It is a manipulation of life, causing changes in individuals and to an extent, can be used for healing individuals who would have died otherwise from their wounds. Any drowussu or drowussu/drowlath mixblood of Alfheim ancestry has the potential to have life sorcery, although it is often misidentified as a wood or blood afinity. Only the Yurak'riti have the understanding of this rare sorcery to identify it properly and even then, they only identify and train those in their own clan how to use this rare gift. Unlike the Tenochirath who have abandoned the old rules and laws concerning the use of this sorcery, the Yurak'riti maintain those rules, holding close to the traditions of their ancestors.

## Clan Clothing

Clothing and armor for the Yurak’riti is base more on leather and padded clothing, often brightly patterned to stand out against the stark landscape of their home. It makes it easier to spot individuals on the snow, especially when a dangerous avalanche is coming in or a blizzard had rolled in. Also common for them to wear bells on their clothing. It is also common to find the clan symbol done in specific color on clothing if it appears at all.

### Commoner Dress

The Yurak’riti people are known for their colorful ponchos they wear over layers of heavy wool clothing. Almost every poncho has its own unique pattern and design, some of them very much associated with family bloodlines and the like. The bright colors make it easier to spot each other on the high mountains and is seen as a means of expression one’s own personal taste given they cannot show off hair styles or the like. The ears are always covered as any exposed extremities could easily be frostbitten.

Yurak’riti like to adorn their clothing with carved amulets and of course, bells. The gentle tingle of bells works again as a means of keeping track of one another, especially in white out conditions where visibility is low.

Yurak’riti herders tend to wear wide, fur brimmed hats, some adorned with wawa horns. All carry a staff with a mana light which is used to attract the easily distracted wawas around them and help to drive them over the herd trails all along the mountain range in the spring and summer months.

The clothing is heavily layered to help keep warm and there is a preference for wearing mittens rather than gloves as they keep the fingers warmer. Heavy scarves are worn about the neck while others will wrap it completely about the head. The scarf’s purpose is to be able to be pulled up over the nose to help protect as much skin as possible.

Yurak’riti boots are specially made for treading on snow and allowing for a grip on mountain rocks, making it easier to traverse the mountains. They are also very durable and waterproof but also very comfortable given a Yurak’rit prefers items of clothing to last for as long as possible.

Children dress similarly to their parents in warm layers. However, most children wear a bell hat when they are old enough to walk to again, alert parents to where they are. Babies and toddlers are carried in baskets typically on the parent’s back to allow them to keep their hands free to handle work tasks. No child is brought out on herd trails. Typical one or both mates will stay home to raise the child and handle affairs of weaving or shearing wawas until the child is old enough to walk the herd trails.

## Clan Military

The Yurak’riti have a strong military, born of the necessity to defend their way of life which is one aspect they have in common with their violent Tenochirath cousins. Given how violently Alfheim was destroyed and its weak response in the early days to a military threat, the Yurak'riti have learned from the mistakes of their ancestors and make sure to keep a strong army always ready to mobilize at any given moment. Every individual in the clan is trained for combat starting at a young age and if it comes to war, they have extensive strategies and plans already in place.

The leaders of the Yurak’riti military are known as ***the Mirka*** who are trained from birth in the art of combat and ensure the safety the clan. These Mirka often have good-nature competition amongst each other for who has the best battle prowess. It is of note that all Mirka are trained empaths and in the heat of battle, are known to go wild and become overcome with the passions of battle making them exceedingly dangerous foes to confront. Not all mirka will take up military rank or become leaders as some prefer other pursuits or retire to other castes after years of service.

### Common Soldiers

The Yurak’riti clan’s army is a well-oiled and disciplined machine, having existed since the fall of the surface and has only been fine-tuned as the ages go on. The clans caste system has set aside a bulk of the population to train in the art of war and be able to effectively protect Yurak’riti interests. This branch contains not only soldiers, but also their spellcasters and masons as well.

In general, Yurak’riti soldiers are proficient in more than one weapon and often take more than one into battle. This is seen as a necessary adaptation for war given a sword might be a better weapon in some instances, while another may make conditions more favorable in another. All of the weaponry use though is practical given the low mana of the region.

The armor is made of overlapping leather with layers of cloth and fur beneath to both keep the troops warm in the climate and provided substantial protection from incoming attacks. The boots are also outfitted to be better in snow and easy to slip into skis, snowshoes, or cramps depending on the terrain they will be deployed on.

It is of note that Yurak’riti spellcasters often learn how to use ranged weaponry in addition to mana arts so they can better adapt to shifting battlefields. They are also the troops often sent to do controlled avalanches either to remove dangerous spots of the mountain slope that would have dropped regardless, or to bring the literal mountain slope down on enemy troops.

### The Mirka

The mirka are named after a mythical creature that the Yurak’riti believe live in the high mountains. A mirka, in folklore, is a tall humanoid creature that moves like a drow, but has a skull-like face, a mane like a lion, and more the build of a bear. Although the mythical creature may or may not be rumors, the elite troops of Yurak’riti are by no means a folk story.

All members of the warrior caste are trained from birth to fight, but some demonstrate a greater aptitude for battle, are more cunning than their peers, and demonstrate a strong empathic ability. These individuals are sorted out at a young age and put into intensive training to become mirka. They are able to use a variety of weaponry and their latent empathy is trained as well to be used in battle offensively. They are also trained together to foster cooperation and to better instill the discipline needed of officers in the army, not merely warriors.

In battle, a mirka often uses their empathy in tandem with the other mirka on the field to create a powerful empathetic attack, sowing confusion and terror on the battlefield for the enemy, and inspiring their troops to greater valor and strength. Some are also known to enter into extreme fits of battle rage, unable to feel pain and fixated on killing every enemy in front of them.

The large mogon are the mount of choice for Mirka and they are trained to use their empathy to control and help direct the fury of these massive creatures. The horns on their helmets are often carved from the bones of a mogon as this actually causes the large beasts to mistaken them for their own cubs with some empathy prompting. Like most Yurak’riti armor, they do not rely on metal, but instead overlapping layers of different clothes. This lighter armor allows them to move fast and be more versatile in terrain that is often rocky or even sheer cliffs at time. Their weaponry is practical and all are trained in the use of practical traps.

## Clan Fortress

The home of the Yurak’riti is a massive fortress built into the side of the cavern, just shy of the mouth of the mountain. The entire structure is covered in ice and snow from the constant exposure to the elements and the walls are built thick to help insulate the structure. The roof of the entire fortress slopes downwards at steep angles to help keep the snow from piling on top and at the peak of each sloped roof is a large latch window that can be opened for someone to stick their head out and push the snow off on days of heavy snowfall.

There are few windows and those that exist are in the upper part of the fortress and are kept sealed tight at all times. The only open air window is that of the grand observator that protrudes outwards and out the mouth of the mountain. The base of the keep  has large stable doors for the Wawa to be herded into to rest. The upper part of the fortress spires is where the mogons of the clan roost and are fed.

A huge wall surrounds the holdings of the Yaruk’riti and it is guarded at all times. Huge guard towers are placed strategically along its length to provide shelter for troops, especially during bad weather. Color flags are stretched between the towers and between the buildings that make up the Yaruk’riti holdings to provide a guide in white-out conditions that can occur on the mountain.  The wall of the Yuraki’riti settles at the choke-hold of the mountain path, completely barring anyone from passing unless they come through the wall. A customs area has been set up where visitors are funned to a smaller path along the base of the wall that least to the holdings of the Doeld’Uln clan and away from the Yurak’riti lands.

The structure itself actually predates the Yurak'riti as the original structure is the Alfheim fortress of Vidblain. Most of the original structure has been built over to better insulate and defend it against enemies as the the core of Vidblain houses the ancient archives of Alfheim which the Yurak'riti guard closely and let none by those of the highest cast into those ancient vaults to examine the ancient documents held within.