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Ancient Egyptian, but any other culture works too.
Racial Traits
Distinctions
Anthropomorphic animal-like humanoids
Maximum Age
140
Eye Colors
Eye colors extremely varied.
Hair Colors
Fur patterns extremely varied.
The Asha are perhaps the oldest continuously existing Race on Aloria, that nonetheless went through massive societal changes at the hands of the Allorn Empire. After a cataclysmic war of Tech against Magic, with the Asha Dewamenet Realm representing the former, and the Elven Allorn Empire the latter, the Asha realm was destroyed, and millions of the survivors of the carnage enslaved in bondage of the Elves. Upon the toil, blood, and tears of the Asha, were the Allorn monuments erected, statues to celebrate their destruction, cities to mock the extent of their once great realm, and towers that soared higher than their once imposing pyramids that gathered dust in a magically desiccated Ithania. Forced to endure more when the Allorn Empire fell to vice, the Asha were sacrificed and mis treated, until they too violently rose up against their Elven masters after the Cataclysm, using their window of opportunity to free themselves, and create their own fate. Some rebuilt nations for the Asha on the Ashal Isles, others took to the seas to become fearsome corsairs, and others yet traveled to faraway lands, building lives for themselves away from the hated Elves, so much so that generations would be born that never bore the shame and humiliation of that ancient defeat. Millions of Asha now roam the world in search for a place and meaning, free from the chains of the past, but still defined by it. Many Asha continue to struggle against the Elves that are far more numerous in the world and still control large swathes of their old homeland, while others have passed so many generations since freedom was taken, that they have started forgiving the crimes of the past and forging a new future ahead, some even with the Elves.
Core Identity
Asha do not have a single unified core identity. Rather, the Asha Race is made up of four distinct sub-cultures that are strongly defined by one specific aspect of their existence. Each of these sub-cultures is referred to as a "Clade" among the Asha, defined below. Clades are not permanent, Asha can switch between Clades with some adjustment. Personality habits between the Clades vary, so sometimes it is hard to adapt. These Clades also define rough personality tendencies, which is why that section is absent from this page.
Home Asha
The Home Asha are those who believed in the mission to revive the old Dewamenet Empire, or at least something approximately like it. These Asha have traveled to the Ashal Isles, which were once small outposts of the Dewamenet Empire, re-activating the ancient technology that remains in a pristine condition to turn these barren lands back into the tech paradise they once were. The Home Asha primarily occupy themselves with archeology, piecing together remnants of the past, or securing funding from wealthy Regalians. Home Asha traveling to the Regalian Empire usually do so for one of two reasons: to kill Elves, or to secure funding and permits in the increasingly more labyrinthine bureaucracy when it comes to unearthing mere fragments of their ancient history. Home Asha tend to be calm, reserved, difficult to trust, diligent, quiet, pious in the Baskarr faith and communal with their own kin.
Sea Asha
The Sea Asha are those who saw little point in rebuilding the past, or wanted to see the wider world for themselves, joining up with the Asha Corsair Fleets. The Asha Corsair Fleets are feared across the high seas for the speed and ferocity and especially violent treatment of any Elves they capture. Corsair are generally well travelled, having seen many parts of the world and fought in equal amounts of it. Home Asha travelling to Regalia usually do so for a variety of reasons: to have a different life away from piracy, to live life large from the money they gained from piracy, or because their ship was sunk and they are looking for new employment as bodyguard or sword for hire. Sea Asha are debonair and suave, with a hot temper and a capacity for emotional outbursts, always seeking to become famous or the next hot thing available, the center of attention, or on everyone's lips (sometimes literally).
City Asha
City Asha is a bit misleading, because they don't always live in cities, but City Asha are those Asha who were not at home at sea, nor spent a lot of thought in reviving the Dewamenet Empire, instead trying to get as far away from the past as possible by integrating into other nations, like Regalia. City Asha are very numerous in the Regalian Empire, and it's rare to find a single Regalian who has never seen one. City Asha are not defined by any common traits or behavior, because (especially Regalia) Ailor cities tend to be bustling hubs of activity and multiculturalism, City Asha cannot be neatly categorized. The City Asha tend to be the furthest removed from old Dewamenet Culture, dressing in the clothes of other Races, wearing names of other cultures, and potentially even observing different religions altogether, like Unionism or Old Gods, the former being most popular because of Asha Gods in it.
Bound Asha
Bound Asha is a bit of a group term both for the (estimated) millions of Asha still stuck in Elven slavery, but also the secretive Asha Mortuary Cults that both exist in Home Asha and City Asha communities. The Bound Asha are called such because they are largely detached from any sort of culture, restrained by whatever force holds them to bondage whether that be Elf or Ordial Entity. Many of the Bound Asha worship Ordial Cultism, praying for the Death Gods to take the lives of those who cruelly oppress them. Bound Asha coming to Regalia often tend to be recently freed slaves, timid and secretive at first, perhaps with a streak of cult-like isolationism, though they can quickly become City Asha if they adapt well. Others might be Ordial Cultists, hiding under the guise of being a recently freed slave so as not to draw attention and add to the numbers of the increasingly dangerous Death Cults.
Design
Asha Corsair captains are some of the most feared on the high seas.Asha politicians are just as capable as all other Races at dressing to impress.Asha acrobats and courtesans are some of the most highest sought after.Living Metal is often used by Corsair Asha to replace lost limbs.Living Metal is also used as a makeshift armor, with custom colors.Asha fur patterns do not need to be realistic, with a great deal of freedom.
The Asha can best be described as furred humanoids with heads and body parts shaped more like that of animals than one would see in a traditional Ailor or Elf. Because of racial diversity over the millennia (and the after effects of the Asha being spread far and wide on the slave market), the Asha are extremely diverse in what types of animals they can appear as. Additionally their individual appearance traits are varied. Asha can be slender, bulky, stout, lanky, petite, voluptuous, ranging from Dwarven shortness to the tallest of Elven height and more. Any land mammal or furred aquatic mammal in the real world can be used as a reference for the appearance of an Asha. Note, this does sometimes cause confusion, as some bovine or cervid Asha can look near identical to the minotaur-like Urlan, but they are distinct Races (and the latter usually as more human-like skin, while Asha are furred head to toe). Besides this, hybrid species can also be used such as for example wolf-jaguar or bison-elephant. Fur patterns, colors, and eyecolors, do not need to obey realistic coloring, with a great deal of design freedom. Asha can also reproduce with other Races, resulting in Half-Asha, which appear like a mixture for example having animal-like ears and a tail, patches of fur, whiskers, etc. (commonly referred to as "cat-girl/boy" or "neko" on the internet).
Racial Traits
Racial Traits are a set of Abilities, Free Packs, Limitations, and Mechanics that each Race has access to. Half-Race characters select a dominant parent, thus receiving all Racial Abilities & Talents of that Race only, unless specified otherwise, while also taking dominant physical traits like for example skin tone, hair and fur color, ear shape, etc. If Abilities, Free Packs, Limitations, or Mechanics are not mentioned, it is safe to assume this Race does not have one of those. Abilities are usually Combat-Roleplay based, Free Packs give free Proficiency Packs that fit in a Race's design, Limitations are limits imposed on Character design to stay consistent with lore, while Mechanics change the way a Character is played, or how certain Packs interact in Roleplay.
Abilities
Ability Name
Ability Type
Ability Range
Ability Description
Modifiers
Body Claws
Morph Power
Self
Grants the user Body Claws
Asha Modifier
Warring Metal
Summon Power
Self
Grants the user Warring Metal
N/A
Aiding Metal
Healing Power
Self
Grants the user Aiding Metal
Asha Modifier
Intrusive Metal
Instant Power
Emote Range
Grants the user Intrusive Metal
Asha Modifier
Free Packs
Mechanics
Dewamancy: Asha are intricately linked with a metallic substance called Living Metal. This Living Metal is solid and tough as steel, though in the hands of the Asha, turns to a semi-liquid state that can be moved around and controlled and reshaped by them. Living Metal is a finite resource in the world, but nearly every Asha has some (and can buy more on the Regalian Market). Living Metal is also a crucial component of Asha technology, capable of forming complex functional systems inside its metal body that mimic organic structures, hence the name Living Metal.
Sulfurmancy: Asha claws (or nails, hooves) have special properties, secreting a Sulfur-like self-coating that when struck against porous surfaces like stone or metal, produces a flint-and-steel or metallic spark, capable of igniting dry materials. This allows the Asha to produce loud bangs by scraping their nails together, and even ignite fuse-lit weapons or cigarettes with their claws without any open fires. Additionally, their claws retain a high heat temperature in warm environments, allowing them to dry their fur rapidly if made wet, and even cause small bodies of water to produce steam by inserting their claws into them.
Predators: While Asha are omnivores, many scholars speculate that in a distant past, they were carnivorous hunters. All Asha are capable of running on all fours if they have digitgrade legs, while the aquatic Asha can swim in water at great speed. Their eyes allow them to see even in low-light or dark environments, and they have a strong sense of smell. This allows them to track those who they have a personal belonging from, from miles away even. Finally, Asha have a unique language made out of animalistic sounds, body language and tail movements that only they can "speak". It is not complex for whole conversations, but can express approval, distaste, or simple concepts.
Language & Naming
Home Asha speak a Language called Ibeth which is more of a modern take on old Dewamenet which is largely lost. Ibeth is based off real-world Ancient Egyptian, though it should be noted that language knowledge and even naming principles among the Asha are extremely varied. It is often speculated that Ibeth is only spoken by a minority, while most Sea, City, and Bound Asha speak Common, or any of the other local Ailor or Elven languages depending where they are from. The Asha distinguish an "Old Name", which is names in the style of the Dewamenet Empire (Ancient Egyptian) like Sekhet, Senefw, Nefer, Satuhotep, though it is far more common for Asha to have a name found in any other culture like Teledden, or Ailor. It is not uncommon to meet an Asha with the name James, Niall, Godric, Celen, etc, though every Asha generally has an Old Name which they mostly keep private except for close friends and other Asha. Any name works for the Asha, because they can exist next to or inside any other society. Elven naming is the only thing Asha will not criticize each other over, because it seems in bad taste to bully an Asha for having been born in slavery and having been given an Elven name.
Society
Religion
It is believed by most that the ancient Asha in the age of the Dewamenent worshiped a greater array of gods, or had a greater religious pluralism than may be understood now. As it stands, the current faith, the Faces of Baskarr, is a narrower version of their ancient mythology, the five remaining deities kept alive by the prayers of Asha to gods they barely knew. It should be noted however that many Asha also subscribe to other religions, especially Unionism which features two native Asha Gods, allowing the Asha to find easy representation in the pantheon not easily found elsewhere. Another form of faith that is common, is Ordial Cultism, usually with an emphasis on Khannar worship, but other Ordial Entities can also be found to be held among the Asha as Gods. The habit for Ordial Cultism comes from the collective societal trauma at the mistreatment of the Elves, endearing a revanchist and very fatalistic attitude in many Asha that cause them to seek higher powers from other dimensions to satisfy their desire for justice to be brought onto the knife-ears.
Fashion
Asha clothing is often very simple in its application of garments yet rich in texture and patterning. Beyond a simple chest cloth worn by women and leather straps worn by men to attach objects to, most Asha rarely wear any clothing on their upper body when they don’t seek a reason to blend into other societies. On their lower bodies meanwhile, all wear a so-called Satoor, a dress-like clothing piece often in earthen or burgundy color tones with a variety of intricate patterns in vibrant colors that spans from the waist to the ground. These Satoors are often specially tailored to allow a tail to protrude from the back, and also have individual cuts on the front and sides to allow a free range of motion for Asha in combat. The Satoor is, in fact, a crucial piece for many cultural traditions of the Asha. As part of decoration for the Satoor, high officials may also wear shoulder capes or shoulder pelts from Muff-oxen. Jewelry is also a very much prized accessory for all genders of Asha, with numerous necklaces and ear piercings being the norm in adults. The Asha recognize the difference between a civilian Satoor and a combat Satoor in that combat Satoor cut off at the knees, while those for civilians end at the ankle or a bit higher. The Asha also have a fabric that was once unique to them alone, produced by the coastal Asha which has since expanded world-wide. Elastan, a form of lycra, is made from natural blue threads excreted by the unique coral species called Mewnes. The fabric is inherently liquid deterrent, and Elastan clothing made by the Asha usually covers their arms and shoulders, as well as their legs and waist, but does not cover their torso. Elastan was eventually also mixed with other fabrics, creating Peltastan, a form of wooly spandex. It has properties similar to those of Elastan, being form-fitting and soft, but Peltastan is not water repelling. Peltastan clothing is usually worn on the torso and upper leg area, while a half-Satoor is worn over it like a battle skirt, often with shoulder pads to boot. Such pads are often light and decorative, as Asha effectively do not wear armor, in order to benefit from their superior agility over other Races. When protection is required, Living Metal is capable of forming a quick, sleek coating for their defense.
World View
World View is optional content that helps give Asha flavor and depth.
Asha society is one of the only societies that strictly bans Magic, even the passive usage of it, not only because the Asha lose control over Living Metal when using Magic, but because Magic has played such an important role in their suffering throughout their existence. Why Asha Living Metal ceases to function when an Asha learns or uses Magic is not known, but some speculate that whatever entity granted the Asha Living Metal, was against them using Magic.
The Asha’s views of Magic may be scoffed at as limited to many, because their society only seems to recognize the Exist and Void as powers, while ignoring Ordial entirely. This is for good reason, however, for both the Exist and Void were used to hurt the Asha, while Ordial power has been part of their people’s culture for a very long time. In fact, to the Asha, the term Ordial means nothing, as the idea of the afterlife and life beyond the physical world is crafted into their faith and customs, and is viewed as completely natural.
Magic usage in the Ashal Kingdoms is strictly illegal, and on the high seas, the Asha Corsairs are known to execute Mages immediately after a battle and if any were captured. Many know this, which is why the waters around the Asha States are called the “Mageless Waters", on account of all Mages veering far around the general raiding zones of the Corsair Fleets.
Tails are immensely important to the Asha, and serve as major indicators of non-verbal emotion, and expressions of pride. An Asha without a tail is like an Asha without pride, and faces humiliation in Asha society. This is largely the reason why it was so common for the Allorn to cut off Asha tails at birth, a practice that still exists today. Some Asha have gone through lengths to re-acquire their tail, most using Living Metal to replace it.
Common uses of the tail include, but are not limited to: expressing adoration for a person depending on the tightness of a tail included in a hug, using the tail to point at desired objects or slowly caress them to show interest, swishing the tail around to express candidness or pride, binding the tail around one’s leg or waist to express fear or loathing, striking the tail on the floor for a challenge or mockery, slapping others with a tail in teasing or flirtatious manner, and holding objects of great importance with the tail by wrapping it around them. Nearly every statement or request made by Asha includes some sort of positioning or motion of their tail, indicating their intent or emotional feeling behind it. This is why it may sometimes be hard for Asha to lie to other Asha, as many of these tail movements are involuntary.
The worst insult is to pull on an Asha’s tail, stand on it, or generally just dismiss or ridicule the appendage. Asha tails are collected by some Kathar priests and priestesses for Void Worship rituals, or as trophies for the amount of Asha sacrificed to the Void Gods, largely being the reason why the Asha have a particular hatred for Kathar religious leaders, more so than all the other kinds of Kathar.
The majority of the Asha’s active military power can be found on the high seas, where they are considered some of the most skilled sailors and marines known to Aloria. Asha are unrivaled in their ability to sprint, dance, pounce, roll, and move around on deck, flinging themselves from ropes and balancing on thin beams to gain the upper hand and the higher ground.
The Asha commonly use the Shefdew, or Moon-Blade polearm in their combat with others, alongside the Sensy, a smaller blade seen used on Asha tails. These weapons both form part of the Tutelage of Mirah, the form of instruction used to teach most Corsairs and land forces of the Asha. Still, Asha are capable of picking other weapons too, and Asha mercenaries have been seen using a wide range of blades and more.
The Asha frequently use beasts of burden or large animals for the purpose of siege, or general brute force damage during a battle. These are most often the Maarhanet, or Seqherat. However, the use of Living Metal constructs has only continued to grow in recent years.
Asha cuisine is heavily varied as they are spread across Aloria. In general, they have a simple but rich diet based on meats served with spices, eggs and dairy products such as cheeses and yogurt, the dish Car-Ki’fo best exemplifying this blend of ingredients. Their meat exclusively comes from geese, quail, pigs, cows and any fish that can be caught, as they are highly sensitive to the killing of animals which look like members of their Race.
The Asha are a physical Race, meaning nearly all forms of their recreation and relaxation involve some physical activity in their society. To that end, they have developed Sun-Courts, large open-air squares for physical activity and sports to be performed in. Enormous trees or Living Metal structures serve to create some shade in these spaces, and the game of Hisad appears in such spaces on a weekly basis.
An important cultural expression of the Asha involves the Satoor is the Satoor-Bis Kahnar Hakkar, a wild dance performed by one seeking to court another. The dance itself is carried out with leaps involving fierce snarling expressions, grunting, chest beating and wild waving of claws, where the purpose is also to make the Satoor flow with poise and grace, in contrast to the intense expressions. The primary use of the dance is to impress a potential partner with an Asha's strength, though Asha can also perform it to intimidate enemies before battle.
The boundary between enemy and passion are very thin for the Asha, and the “enemy turned lover” is a frequently seen romantic trope among the Asha, impressed with enemy soldiers or warriors in battle that they fall for them. This event is a rare occurrence in Corsair warfare, as most targets of Asha attacks are slave facilities, slaving ships, and other repulsive places, with few acceptable love interests among the guardians of such places. Instead, it often takes root in fighting pits, or tournament bouts.
The ritual marriages between the Queens of the Ashal Kingdoms and the various Corsair leaders are part of the agreements of assistance between these Kingdoms and their ever-sharpening sword in world affairs. The rituals sometimes become actual marriages, but such connections strain the relationship as the Queens insist on keeping all daughters, and reject sons, while the Corsairs consider the intense focus on women from the city-dwellers to be a detriment.
The Ashal Islands have two notable forms of coastal port. One is the Fair-Port, called Hesepah by the Asha, and is the sole area of the Islands where foreign Races can be found in great abundance. Merchants and artisans live and thrive in this place, and the limited trade the Kingdoms have with the wider world comes through this center. The other form of port are the Moon-Ports, massive facilities capable of handling the hundreds of ships that Corsair Fleets possess. Each Ashal Kingdom has one of these for the use by the Fleets, who cycle in and out of docking their ships for resupply, repair, and celebrations.
The Great Journey is revered by the Asha as their period of migration from the lands of the former Allorn Empire to their new home in the Ashal Isles. The entire process took three years, and was led by the Siwath-Khenu who emerged to guide their people home. The event is also notable for the baggage train of Ailor and other Races, fellow former slaves, who followed or shadowed the Journey, despite being told they could not settle with the Asha. These other groups ultimately settled along the coastline, and became nations like Daen and Lusits.
The Siwath-Khenu are currently believed to be focusing on those Asha still mass-enslaved in Ithania, and while overseers, masters and more are keeping their eyes peeled, whispers speak of their mission preparing their fellow Asha for freedom is well underway.
Unlike the Silontaar, who have a manic fear of the Maraya, the Asha find the Maraya kindred spirits in most cases. Both Races suffered extreme loss in the past, and only recently recovered, or in the Maraya’s case, reawoke, to seek out their long damaged heritage. They also both have unique technologies crafted and specific to their Race. The Asha chalk the Silontaar’s manic paranoia to a corruption of Magic in their very blood, affecting how they see the world, and other dismissive, negative statements.
The loss of the Repyt Corsair Fleet, which merged with Fin’ullen elements to form the Asha-Fin’ullen Sàllir subculture, was deeply shocking to the Asha Race as a whole. The Arc-Monoliths are frequently harassed by Corsair Fleets and Fin’ullen ships alike, both core elements of each Race disturbed by this union of Asha and Nelfin elements together. The Asha have not attacked their brethren outright, however, for unclear reasons, and any Corsair Fleet element that has done so has been disowned by Fleet leadership.
The recent rebirth of the Allorn Empire was an extreme blow to Asha hopes for the future, as the fractured politics of the Teledden and Fin’ullen until that point made Corsair raiding operations far easier. Most Corsair Fleets have been forced to pull back from attacks on the Allorn as a result, and have turned their focus on Westwynd and other more central or southern locations.
Gallery of Art
Asha are really cool and awesome, and lots of art has been made of them.
The Satoor is technically a dress, but appears more like stylish fabric with a lean fit.
Asha prefer to go shirtless, though can also wear Ailor clothes in case they want to fit in.
Asha can get really really big, if they put in the work.
Not all Asha have to be muscular tanks, unlike what this Wiki page may imply.
Fur painting to appear like tattoos are fairly common among the lower social class Asha.
Dewet Fashion means using ancient egyptian aesthetics to appeal to the old Dewamenet legacy.
Otter Asha are known to be energetic and fun loving Asha, even as Bound Asha.
Rodent Asha are less common, but nonetheless still good friends to have.
Elastaan is very popular as a fabric not only among the Asha, but also Regalians.
Rat Asha are fierce fighters, with many of them working as gladiators in Regalia.
Equally, other types of Asha are commonly found due to their ferocious fighting skills.
Even if the Asha look like predators, some still have a very calm and kind expression.
Trivia
There has been recent evidence that suggests the Asha may be far older than previously thought. Records of the fall of the Meraic Empire, released in 310 AC, show mammalian humanoids in service to the Race that would become the Maraya, and there is also the extreme paranoia the Silontaar, ancient offshoots of the Asha, have for that pastel Race.
There are a total of sixteen Corsair Fleets in operation across Aloria, but five are most notable among their number. These include the Medes Fleet led by the unique dual leadership of Ladies Saalamun and Vasnaf, the Sefetjew Fleet led by Lord Kahnef or “Lord Demon-claw” and the Kheni-Hetef Fleet led by Lord Ammunakhonet, a Hollow Warden who has led his fleet since it was created nearly three centuries ago.
Some believe there are members of the Faces of Baskarr who were long ago killed by the gods of the Estellon pantheon in the war between the Allorn and Dewamenent Empires. It is commonly said only the sages of the Siwath-Khenu could answer such questions, and they are very difficult to locate.
Some wonder if Ghilland, Herder of Treasured Beings may have a connection to the Asha beyond as the being most closely associated with their enslavement.
The Satoor is technically a dress, but appears more like stylish fabric with a lean fit.
Asha prefer to go shirtless, though can also wear Ailor clothes in case they want to fit in.
Asha can get really really big, if they put in the work.
Not all Asha have to be muscular tanks, unlike what this Wiki page may imply.
Fur painting to appear like tattoos are fairly common among the lower social class Asha.
Dewet Fashion means using ancient egyptian aesthetics to appeal to the old Dewamenet legacy.
Otter Asha are known to be energetic and fun loving Asha, even as Bound Asha.
Rodent Asha are less common, but nonetheless still good friends to have.
Elastaan is very popular as a fabric not only among the Asha, but also Regalians.
Rat Asha are fierce fighters, with many of them working as gladiators in Regalia.
Equally, other types of Asha are commonly found due to their ferocious fighting skills.
Even if the Asha look like predators, some still have a very calm and kind expression.
