Valir

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### General Overview

The meaning of the word 'Valir' changes depending on one's regional location, from holding neutral, almost fairytale context to the south-west of Aether where the race is more of a myth, to a frightfully negative reality of doom the further north-east, closing in towards the Dsiri Northlands.

One thing remains fact regardless of connotation. The Valir are a race of brutish, warrior women with an unbridled passion and prowess for war that makes them dominant force in the region, having only but a few rivals capable of holding their own against the Valir armada within the Northlands

#### Birth-Bonding

Valir reproduce via the unique act of passing a tiny fraction of one's Aetherian soul into that of an infant within the first week of their newborn life. This act of Birth-Bond - sometimes called Soul-Bonding - is dangerous and has adverse side effects of nausea, dissociation, loss of consciousness or violent sickness for a couple of weeks after it occurs for the Valir mother.

When a Matron becomes a Matriarch Valir, they will experience a Calling spanning a few weeks once every 2 years, which is an intense draw towards a random newborn within 30 miles of them, this can be ignored with some difficulty, but will eventually be impossible to ignore on their third Calling. A Calling can occur three times within a Matriarchs life, and Soul-Bonding can only occur to one newborn from this Calling, never more.

A child that has been bonded too with have an innate draw towards combat akin to their mothers skills, as well as innate basic knowledge of combat and survival. However, this is not akin to knowing how to wield a sword from a single-digit age, but more a gut instinct. The strengths passed down by the Valir mothers soul will combine with that of the DNA from the infants biological parents, but weaknesses will also be passed on, meaning an Elven Valir will not be as strong as a Human or Orc Valir, but will be more lithe.

A key feature known through every fairytale across the Aether is the Valir's wings, which will sprout from the infants back painfully fast once bonded to. However, they will not be able to fly until the age of 10, most mastering flight by the time they reach the Matron stage.

##### Valhergrin

However, Soul-Bonding can be done outside of this Calling, yet the fallout of such an act is more dire, not only with the side-effects of such being drastically heightened and lasting far longer, sometimes fatal, but also dangerous for the infant who will have the unfortunately high chance to become what is known as a Valhergrin. A cursed child. Seen as a foul omen and to be cast out by Valir society. Valhergrin are chaotically unstable and wildly blood-thirsty Valir that have either had too much of their Valir mothers soul passed to them, or been Soul-Bonded to outside of the Calling. The creation of the Valhergrin will leave the mother a tranquil, sentient-less shell of whom she once was, leaving a child who will forever be drawn to sadistic death and destruction that even the war-hungry Valir cannot stomach, casting them out of society and praying to Solaris they never return. A Valhergrins evil knows no bounds, even to their own kin, having strength, speed and resilience far surpassing them.

To counter the Valhergrin, the Valir have an elusive sovereign faction with the sole intention of capturing and killing Valhergrin that persist in existence, as well as any other dirty work the Queen of the Valir wants kept hushed. This force is dubbed the ‘Vashrok’ and are considered the best of the best the Valir have and can get away with anything, they are the magic wand solution to all the woes. On the rare occasions they are witnessed, they are usually accompanying the Queen, however, a Vashrok is almost impossible to discern by appearance.

#### Adopted

An alternate, safer way of being welcomed in Valir society when one has gone beyond being an infant is to be 'adopted' by a Matriarch whom often welcome their aid and familial companionship. The adopted Valir cannot be bonded to at all, remaining their original race and requiring no change. These adopted can have any number of reasons for seeking out Valir integration, whether it be fleeing danger or wanting a better life, regardless, Matriarchs are rarely choosy about ones past.

However, Adopted must prove themselves before being allowed rights within the Queendom. This can come from contribution over time, to war, or having something that will benefit the Valir from the beginning. Once they have been welcomed in by Valir society officially, they are seen as one and the same as any other Valir in the Queendom and given full rights.

#### Passive Bonding

A new anomaly occurring only in the last few hundred years, Matariarchs can passively - knowingly or not - transfer a fraction of their soul to a matured woman gradually, and on a scale far smaller than that of Birth-Bonding. This passive bonding is triggered when an adopted, or any woman, becomes so akin to a daughter to said Matriarch that she feels the same familial draw to them as she would her own infant. This can be avoided, should either Valir decide to create emotional and familial distance for a time.

This can cause the passively bonded to have moderately heightened strength and some blunt force resistance, but does not grant them wings or the same strengths as a Birth-Bonded Valir. However, if said individual has elemental abilities, they may find the occasional apparitions of ghostly wings appearing on their back that have no actual purpose, mostly appearing during intense emotion.

#### Life Stages

Valir experience three major changes across their life that hold deep meaning in their culture.

##### Maidens

Valir Maidens are young, from infant to 25 years of age they are at their most chaotic and volatile. Risk taking, aggression and insubordination is common as they learn to adapt to their new genes and lifestyle, often being more fun-loving and selfish. Maidens are viewed as naïve and weak-willed among the higher standings of Valir.

##### Matrons

The middle stage of a Valir’s lifespan. From 26 onwards until their Calling, Valir Matrons will have calmed from their Maiden days, finding an order to their chaos and being fully contributing to the Valir kingdom. Matrons may experience hot flushes revolving around war and fighting, akin to adrenaline but more empowering and dubbed the ‘War Blood of Solaris’, their desire to fight. Matrons will establish themselves into society during this time. Matrons will also grow an extra few inches once reaching this stage. Adopted Valir will automatically be deemed Matrons once fully accepted into their society, and until accepted they are dubbed Maidens.

##### Matriarchs

Valir Matriarchs are rare due to war shortening the Valir lifespan, but once a Matron has reached her apex - or is nearing it - and fulfilled herself she will begin to experience the Calling, a draw towards Birth-Bonding with an infant. Matriarchs are the highest tier of society, akin to nobles or royals, and are the most respected and honoured due to their experience. Matriarchs are often respected - with or without fear - even in other cultures across the Aether or the common subject of fairytales. Matriarchs will find they can grow up to 8 extra inches in height once reaching this stage, however, this process is painful and fast. Bond-Mother Matriarchs will often band together into a cresh to share caring of the younger children. It is common for the Regeena to be a Matriarch along with her council as they often take higher standings within the Kingdom. Adopted Valir can become Matriarchs, however, this usually only happens if the Adopted has reached her apex in life, or has contributed greatly to the Valir, or is too old to continue serving physically.

#### Religion

The Valir hold Solaris as the one true God above all, and although she may hold the same domains as what she does in Viothism, she is depicted as a six-winged Valir, with a spiked crown that represents the sun, glowing skin and four eyes. She is revered above all others, with Syhir, Inir and Elissar being viewed as her demi-god children, Avanna and Fangxiang as her left and right hands - often literally, or winged figures perched on her shoulders.

Angra, the Blighted Lord of Loathing, is depicted as a colossal King of all Grelmaws (monstrous underground creatures native to the northlands) that slumbers deep into the crust of the Aether, having been sealed away by Solaris. Hrana, the Lord of Excess is depicted as a tall, emaciated human man suffering rigor mortis with no lips and gnarled teeth, and father of wendigos and skinwalkers native to the Northlands. Unlike Viothism, however, Valir Viothism depicts a third Blighted Lord that accompanies Hrana in the form of singular eye he holds, with a collapsed and dilated, blood red pupil called Asmogod, the Lord of Blood, whom is viewed as the arch-rival of Solaris.

#### Language

In the recent few hundred years, Valir have adapted to learn multiple languages from a young age due to the surge of adopted Valir and trade with the Sea Elves, although, they do have their own native tongue they learn too known as Vali. *(Old norse/Futhark for written and spoken.)*

Along with Vali, Valir can commune with eachother through high-pitching, eerily beautiful song *(a mix between Swedish Kulning and whistletone song)*, their voices being carried for miles with their powerful lungs, called Hifriya.

They use this to communicate with each other in the skies where words are drowned out by the rush of air, and is one of the first and only warning signs of their imminent attack, leading many Jarls to have the saying: “The sirens song is sun from the belly of Vesix."

The song is often seen as beautiful and all who are bonded to a Valir, passively or actively, will have an understanding of what is being communicated through its tunes and tones.

#### Soul-Melding

Along with Soul-Bonding, Valir also have a process known as Soul-Melding whereby any Valir over the age of 18 can metaphysically link their soul to another's for a brief time, allowing for eachother to feel and witness what the other does, share brief glimpses of memories or silent moments together. Soul-Melding is intimate within their culture, shared with only those closest to the Valir and is the deepest sign of love, trust and care a Valir can offer beyond words. However, this meld can also be used to briefly stun an enemy, flashing images of horror into the opponent for a second.

This melding requires the touch of skin, usually through fingertips or a forehead touch. The eyes of the melders will glow a luminescent yellow, their skin will ripple with small wisps of something ethereal that surrounds them in a wonderous haze, the outside world dissolving into meaninglessness for a brief, savoured moment. Melding, once done, will leave the Valir in a serene state for a few turns, feeling no sense of aggression even if they face death, knowing only a calm serenity unless the meld has been used as an attack. If a melder dies during Soul-Melding then the conclusion is agonising emotionally, the alive melder will feel everything the other does as they slowly slip away, allowing a brief moment of communication with the deceased's soul, seeing their life flash before their eyes.

### Natural Race Abilities/Affinities

Birth-Bonded Valir will take the traits of their three parents, their biological ones and their Bond-Mother, providing the Valir with diversity through their variance. Not all Valir have the same strength or endurance capabilities, depending on their biological parentage, for example, Fae and Elf Valir will be weaker or smaller than Human Valir or Orc Valir, etc.

#### Enhanced Strength

Valir strength varies not only on biological traits but also the current lifestage. Maidens can lift anywhere between 70lbs to 200lbs with ease, Matrons can lift anywhere between 100lbs and 400lbs, and Matriarchs can lift anywhere between 300lbs and 500lbs. Wings themselves can boast up to 400lbs of force behind a prepared swing. However, these numbers are with ease, a Valir can lift up 50lbs over their easy lift limit with great strain, but upon going 100lbs over a Valir will tear muscle. Those who have been passively Soul-Bonded to by a Matriarch will find they can lift up to 200lbs more than normal depending on their birth species, for example, a Fae or Elf will be unlikely to receive the full 200lbs extra, but an Orc might. The max limit for total strength is 700lbs.

#### Flight

Valir can fly up to 50mph. However, this is only if the Valir has had regular training and meeting that maximum is rare, most common is around 35/40mph.

#### Enhanced Endurance

Valir have a high pain threshold and are resistant to blunt forces and blows, taking half damage compared to a Human, however, they are not resistant to the shock of such blows. Valir are also resistant to concussions and pulled/torn muscles. Those who have been passively Soul-Bonded to will find they have a higher pain threshold and are resistant to blunt forces, but not pulled/torn muscles.

#### Hollow Bones

Valir are surprisingly light due to having hollow bones. This allows them to fly with grace and ease, yet this does not impact on the bones' strengths. Those who have been passive Soul-Bonded too may experience pain in their bones and joints as they become much lighter during the later stages of passive bonding, extremely close to irreversibility.

#### Soul-Bond

A Valir can experience flashbacks in their sleep to their Bond-Mother’s memories, they also may experience random knowledge they cannot recall learning, or having a proficiency with a particular weapon.

#### Soul-Melding

With explicit permission from the target’s roleplayer on what to be shared, a Valir can share or receive small tidbits of information through Soul-Melding equivalent to no more than a sentence or two, or alternatively, the two can share a memory from either participant. This can only last for 3 turns, and has a 15 turn cooldown. Possible side effects for non-Valir include fevers for 4 turns for those new to the experience, headaches, nausea, drowsiness and confusion. Possible side effects for Valir include headaches, drowsiness, and fatigue. Valir are incapable of using this ability during combat.

### Universal Flaws

All Birth-Bonded Valir, regardless of variance, will have the same flaws, on top of their biological race flaws.

#### Once gone, its gone

Valir wings do not grow back, they barely even heal at all. Feathers, while difficult to pluck, do not grow back, and injuries take double the amount of time to heal as they would to a human limb.

#### War Blood of Solaris

The closest equivalent to this is ‘seeing red’ while enraged. Once experiencing this, a Valir can black out and be almost impossible to control as they will be forced into a state of pure blood-lust and lashing out in a ruthless, unhinged manner. This most commonly occurs during war, but can flare when the Valir feels threatened or their ‘fight or flight’ is activated, in which case they will nearly always choose to fight.

### Appearance

Birth Bonded Valir can have up to 4 wings - though 2 is most common while 4 is very rare. Passive-Bonded Valir will not grow wings, however, if they have magical abilities they may find strange apparitions akin to wings via their element during times of intense emotion, but this is purely cosmetic.

Valir will retain the appearance of their blood parents, whilst wings will be more akin to their Valir mothers.

### History

Traces of Valir presence can be found in written records dating back to around 240 post-great-awakening, however, evidence of a firm and established Valir presence only appears around 700 post-great-awakening.

Some believe the Valir to be the evolution of an ancient race from before the awakening, akin to Elves and Ancient Elves, while others believe the Valir to be alien, or a cosmic mistake, or created from the Fade.

In truth, as far back as 240 on the border with the Summer Fae Court, an Ancient Elven Cor'Etriel (Queen) desperately sought eternal life and salvation at the sacrifice of her own soul, as such the Valir had been born and are the only echo of the Queen's failed efforts to save herself, having split her soul into 6 pieces.

The Soul-Bonded did not evolve with wings at first, nor the enhanced strength, nor any modern Valir trait.

The Queen created and raised 6 Valir, each with a unique trait gained from their Bond-Mother, and with the uniqueness of each came differing ideas of how to proceed forward.

Their differences were too vast to unite, splitting into 6 Domains.

For the next 400 years each Doman grew in size, evolved and warred. Creating chaos and division that wrought so much destruction to their homeland that they forced each other to the north.

However, living in the Dsiri Northlands would prove lethal. Between the harsh environment and the ominous Hellion-esque creatures dubbed the ‘Grelmaw’ that lurk underground, the Valir were struggling to survive, nevermind carry on wars amongst eachother.

It was the Grelmaws that eventually brought the Valir together over the next few decades through desperation, and it was the Grelmaw that caused the Valir to develop wings within a single generation.

United in a shaky alliance, the Valir established themselves and began to build Valheim, ruled by a Council of Queens.

Wars were waged with the local jarlhoods, other minor kingdoms and civilisations for supremacy and resources, the Valir evolving to have superior might.

The Council of Queens would evolve themselves from an inherited royalty to a government of assassination and power grabbing in the shadows until only one Queen remained: Sigrunnrr Elfriddottir, whose reign wrought victories and wealth and prosperity, as well as an iron fist. She is often credited with making the Valir what they are today, and without her, they would likely have fallen to the brutality of the Northlands.

**Created by Impy**