Selmari

## The Selmari

The Selmari are a race of crystalline humanoids originally found in Selmar. They were created by, and subsequently worship, Varen Laelis and Esindil. They keep their life force in Heart Gems, and are destroyed permanently if their Gem is destroyed.

## History

### **Creation of Selmar (3R-104)**

At the end of the Second Reign, the gods Varen Laelis and Esindil (known in Garn as Ranio and Firsir respectively) traveled beyond their borders and into the southern wild lands of Selmar. They sought to find a private land where they could live alone, free from disturbance. Together they crafted a beautiful new dominion, with Varen Laelis weaving together a vast landscape of floating islands (now known as the Heavenside Holms) and Esindil filling the lands with life. Esindil created many races, like the crystalline Selmari and the lion-like Ven Savali. These races filled the lands of Selmar, and Varen Laelis and Esindil began to watch over the land as their own.

### **Laelis'ura and Moonrest (3R-345)**

For many years, the Selmari lived under the ground in giant caverns of crystals and ores. Varen Laelis felt that they were not appreciating the world that he had helped build for them, so he crafted a beautiful floating city at the center of the Varenvissa Mountains. The Selmari began to craft a powerful nation from this foundation, naming the city Laelis'ura after the deity that had built it for them. This city became the capital of the new nation, which called itself the Sovereignty of Selmar. Wishing to aid her lover's people, Esindil crafted a city to match Laelis'ura in splendor. She loved this city so much that she used it as a place of rest, and as such the tides she carried never plagued the city. The city came to be called Moonrest.

### **War of Thorns (6R-861-892)**

After the desecration of the Temple of Tides, the Sovereignty of Selmar declared war against the Sinful Legion. The War of Thorns lasted thirty years, and largely destroyed the Marsh of Thorns in the process. Near the end of the war, the Selmari called upon the aid of the Sanj Ahari, which turned the tide against the forces of Anterrel. The Sinful Legion was largely destroyed, and Anterrel's followers scattered.

## Biology and Behavior

Selmari are made of living crystal, and are born from magical stones called Heart Gems. These gems contain their life force, and a Selmari is only permanently killed if their Heart Gem is destroyed. These gems are incredibly fragile, so wealthy Selmari often seclude their Heart Gems away in vaults or other secret hiding places.

Selmari communicate through a language of whistle tones, as they direct wind through and around the crystalline structures of their skulls. To non-Selmari, this often sounds like singing. As Selmari age, these tones become flatter and rougher, while young Selmari sound pure and smooth.

Most Selmari worship Varen Laelis (the god of the sun) and/or Esindil (the goddess of the moon). Selmari from northern selmar often fall into worship of the former, while Selmari from the south are often worshippers of the latter. Many Selmari believe that the sun and moon are giant crystals hanging in the sky, and that Varen Laelis and Esindil live within them, providing luminance to the day and night.