VALKYRIES

The Moon's chosen

Human in origin, the Valkyries were chosen and altered by the Moon herself.

Residing in the highlands and mountains of Tavijö, neighboring the Elves, the Valkyries are a spiritual people following the Moon's path to enlightenment. Gifted with divination and formidable powers, they are fierce warriors to be reckoned with in the battlefield.

## SOCIETY

Valkyries operate under an ergatocratic Oligarchy, led by the Synodic Council, made of exemplar retired soldiers. They act as military leaders, ruling over the entire Valkyrior. Working in pair with the Unveilers, the Council requires their guidance and benediction for important decisions. The Valkyr government is split into three branches according to the phases of the moon : the Red Moon, dealing with war matters, as well as national issues and the wellness and security of its citizens ; the Blue Moon dealing with the faith and cultural endeavors, represented by the Unveilers ; and the Yellow Moon taking care of the exchange and commerce within and without of the Valkyr lands, as well as entertainment.

The Valkyrior is a matriarchy, where women occupy the positions of power while men lead the spiritual side of the nation. Only women are admitted into the army, while men tend to the manual labor and everyday tasks, as well as acting as priests and men of faith, although women can also occupy religious roles, they can't access the spiritual realm like the Valkyrie men can. Therefore, women in the church act as battle-priestess, bodyguards or simply tend to the less spiritual tasks in the temples.

## CULTURE

It is common thing for the Valkyries to have tattoos signifying their prowess in combat and personal achievements. Although it its forbidden for men to have tattoos themselves , the men of faith par themselves with ritual makeup instead.

Combat training is mandatory for every woman of the Valkyr even if they do not end up in the army.

The Unveilers' duty is to ensure the respect and faith due to Menon, the Moon herself. Seeing her as their spiritual guide and mother of the nation. The Valkyries follow her path. The Unveilers have their very own secret council, the Crescent council made of their most gifted oracles responsible for the most perilous trips into the Omi, attuned closely to Menon's song, guiding them safely through the dangers of the Nether Realm. Valkyr Unveilers are sometimes sought out to perform ceremonies for people to reunite with their dead loved ones for a few minutes, although it is rare for the Unveilers to accept to see foreigners.

Due to their nature as people of the Moon and their special connection to the Realm of the dead, the Valkyries themselves have a peculiar relation to death. Valkyries do not fear death as it is the final reconciliation with their goddess as she awaits them in the Omi. Valkyries crave a glorious death in combat and are celebrated in parties and feasts after their deaths while their bodies are cremated. Since their deaths, many Valkyr leaders have been contacted by the Unveilers for guidance and advice in important matters.

Valkyr iconography is very sacred to them, it consists of the different shapes of the moon, full circles or crescents as well as the triangle, representing the three personalities of the goddess, Red for the warrior, Blue for the wise and Yellow for the trickster.

## HABITAT

Valkyries live in the high mountain plateaus of Tavijö, their territory is referred to as the Valkyr. (Valkyr is also used as the adjective to refer to all things of the Valkyrior)

In the middle of the Valkyrior stands Røya, the most sacred place for the Valkyries. A forest of stark white trees that grew out of Menon's tears when she mourned her first children. Center of their faith, every one of their major rituals take place here. Protected by runic monoliths and constantly guarded.

Keeping with the triangle pattern, the Valkyrior counts three major cities : Törstat, Vyrnan and Sikthe.

## BIOLOGY

Human in origin, the Valkyries were saved and chosen by the Moon whom bestowed upon them her gifts. Since times immemorial, Valkyr women have been stronger, faster and masters of lunar magic, using Menon's gifts to ensure their safety and never betray her trust. Meanwhile Valkyr men were gifted with higher consciousness of their place in the Omibaru, able to pierce through the veil that separates the realms and seek answers from the departed or rarely with Menon herself.

All the Valkyr women have magical potential, but only one out of ten Valkyr men can tap in their inner power. Young boys are tested by the Unveilers to reveal their potential and if any does come up, they are enrolled within the Blue Moon to train and fulfill the best of their aptitudes.

The unique gifts of the Unveilers make them more prone to becoming blind younger, as their eyes lose their pupils and become iridescent blue while their hair have a tendency to go white younger.

## See Also

* Humans
* Amazons
* Menon