Yanar

Delicate and wispy like the softest of flowers, or hard and fortified like the strongest of trees, Yanar are the embodiment of nature itself. A long time ago, before the Cataclysm, Estel had a terrible premonition come to her. To warn the Elven Empire of what she feared was to occur, she told the Nenya, who proceeded to create the Yanar as her disciples. While Yanar are typically peaceful beings, devoted to protecting nature and Aloria’s beauty, they can be corrupted and turned sour -- keen on destroying what was once treasured. Despite their original intentions, the Yanar are just as diverse and interesting as many other races -- their people widespread and their cultures distinct.

History

Even the Flora Yanar depicted here is still remarkably human.

Years before the Cataclysm occurred, while the Elven Empire was still combatting Orcs, Humans, and the Void Demons, Estel had a premonition of impending destruction. As a result, the Nenya created the Yanar to be disciples of Estel and warn the Elves of their fate. However, the Archdemon Behesael had a way to counter this. The rise of the Shadow Elves proved to be beneficial to him, and the Shendar made it their biggest mission to seek out the Yanar’s destruction. As the number of Yanar dwindled and more of their focus was diverted to the Shadow Elves, their message fell to deaf ears and their goals on Aloria began to change.

Three gifts were given to the Shendar Shadow Council. While two of these meant nothing for wayfaring Yanar, one would become the most detrimental: the Erysphali. The development of the Erysphali, a poisonous fungus that spreads slowly throughout Daendroc, has caused enough disarray and pain for wayfaring and unfortunate Yanar. The corruption begun in Daendroc on the Shadow Isles, off the continent’s western coast. Its spread began in a few other spots on Daendroc’s jungles, but has not made it off - any strains quickly dying as they leave the continent. The number of Yanar were crippled dramatically between the fungus and the fights, leaving them few in numbers, and fewer in morale.

While their numbers are diminished today, they can still be seen about Regalia and varied parts of Daendroc, mostly sticking to nomadic life or smaller tribes, and living more solitary lives. In Daendroc, they take care to preserve the landscape and stop the spread of the corruption and the influence of the Shendar before it becomes too late. However, some Yanar have begun finding new purposes to live, wandering the lands to see the glory of Aloria, or spending time in Regalia with the Yanar healing house.

Physical and Mental Characteristics

Yanar are fairly humanoid in shape and size, typically having four limbs and a head. However, while the most human-like yanar might have flecks of visible skin here and there, Yanar will predominantly be completely covered in plantlife - from bark that covers their skin, to leaves that grow from their bodies and hair, to roots, stems, flowers, and even fruits or berries, in some cases. Occasionally, a Yanar will not be able to do something a human would. For example, sometimes vocal chords won’t develop, while others may need to photosynthesize instead of eat like a mammal.

Culture

Every Yanar, regardless of culture, upbringing, or specific genetics, is more attuned to herbalism and herbology than any other race. This is in their genetic makeup - a natural aptitude for all things leafy, thorny, fruity, green or natural. They thrive in caring for plant life, and typically enjoy doing so. Even the younger, more inexperienced Yanar are quick to pick up botany if ever brought up to them, as if they were simply born to do it.

Most Yanar take advantage of this affinity for botany by teaching their young all they know about healing plants. Yanar typically live in either isolation among small families, or within scattered nomadic tribes of between 50-100 at a time. Generations are prone to passing the knowledge of botany - especially healing and herbal remedies - down to their kin. All of this is done with the idea that one day they may cleanse Aloria of corruption and restore it to its former glory - whatever that may be.

Subraces of Yanar

• Flora: Flora Yanar are typically devoid of human skin. While one may have patches here and there, it is more likely due to inbreeding with another race, and has little to do with distinct Yanar characteristics. Instead, their body is covered in leaves, flowers, bark, or other varied plant life, depending on the region in which they were born, their genetics, and their upbringing. An abused Yanar, for example, may find themselves growing more hardened bark, while a vain Yanar may be more prone to developing flowers. Typically, Flora Yanar lack an organ or a limb that would naturally occur in a mammal, making it necessary for them to work around impairments, leaving them lacking things like a voice or eyes, or even forcing them to photosynthesize (though some are prone to doing that even when they do have a mammal’s stomach, simply for enjoyment). When the weather gets colder, Flora Yanar become more shriveled and weak, and will be more prone to exhaustion and sickness. However, come warmer seasons, they begin to flourish and bloom once more. Finally, Flora Yanar typically have a very flowery fragrance that surrounds them, whether or not they’re actively blooming.

• Pomifer: The biggest, most distinct difference between Pomifer Yanar and Flora Yanar is the fact that Pomifer Yanar are more prone to bearing fruit, as opposed to flowers. They can still have plant life covering their entire body, but will distinctly grow fruit at seemingly sporadic times. Pomifer fruit can grow anywhere on the body, and in any masses. Some Pomifer Yanar may only have a few clusters of fruits or berries here and there, while others may find themselves covered in fruit at any given time. During the colder months, Pomifer Yanar behave very similarly to Flora Yanar, being very drained and withered. They cannot bear fruit if the weather is too cold. Finally, Pomifer Yanar always tend to have a distinctly fruity fragrance that surrounds them.

• Bruma: Bruma are considered opposites to their warm-weathered kin - while Flora and Pomifer Yanar will bloom and flourish during the warmer months, Bruma thrive the most in the cold. Instead of softer or fruitier plants, Bruma will most often find their skin coated in hardened bark, with clusters of pine cones and needles protruding from this ‘flesh’. During the warmer months, while they don’t shrivel or fade, they will become more exhausted, and are more prone to noticing warmer climates, disliking them accordingly. Pine cones and needles can often be shed from Bruma Yanar, and they will usually bleed sap instead of actual blood. They often find more difficulty moving in as sprightly manners as their other kin, and are typically more content remaining dormant. Finally, Bruma Yanar have a distinct smell of evergreen trees that surrounds them.

• Veneno: The most ghastly members of the Yanar family are those who have been corrupted by the Erysphali fungus. The instant this fungus touches a Yanar, the transformation to a Veneno occurs within hours. Veneno cannot bear fruit, except the most ghastly, rotten sort. They cannot bear flowers that don’t die within minutes. Finally, their body, which once might have been an icon of health, takes on something much more shriveled and rotten. A Veneno Yanar’s days are numbered when they are corrupted, and without constant healing, they’re not expected to live more than a few more years. While Healing Light and Evergrowth magic have been used to try to temporarily put them one step closer to health, they are prone to relapsing back into their state of disrepair. Veneno Yanar are also much more predisposed to insanity; as their minds deteriorate and the Void’s corruption continues to gnaw at them, they’re much more likely to lose their minds - if not to madness, to demonic possession. Finally, Veneno Yanar have a distinct scent of rotting cabbage - though not many people understand why.

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Accreditation

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• Written by Ryciera.
• Art by MonMarty
• Processed by Azas, Shayin, and MonMarty.