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{{Info races
{{Info races
|image = B22ac5ff78a7386eb2b8cb1dc6792fb7.png
|image = 3c1166940ed1b3c4fae5b461c035b301.png
|pronunciation = Yah-nar
|pronunciation = Yah-nar
|classification = [[Magus]]
|classification = [[Magus]]
|subraces = None
|nicknames =  
|nicknames = Plant-People, Children of the Forest, Forestfolk
*Plant-People (derogatory)
|languages = [[Modern Altalar]], [[Common]]
*Forest Child (endearing)
|naming = Elven
*Vasilta (Elven)
|languages = Modern [[Altalar]], [[Nātl]], [[Common]]
|naming = See Language section


|distinction = Plant-like Humanoids with a mysterious past and dangerous future
|distinction = Plant-like humanoids with a mysterious past and open future
|maxage = No limit, though the oldest Yanar is around 350 years old. Any 200+ year old is locked behind the Trustee permission.
|maxage = 500 years.
|height = Maximum of 6'
|height = from short to tall, depending on Floral Shift.
|weight = Varied, depending on Ovalation
|eye = Varied, depending on Ovalation
|hair = Varied, depending on Ovalation
|skin = Varied, though mostly green tones
|}}
|}}
Wandering the forests of [[Daendroc]] and [[Teled Methen]] are the Yanar, a race of plant-like people thought to be the children of nature and the purest beings to walk the world of Aloria. In truth, the Yanar are neither of these, and they are far more enigmatic than their appearance makes them out to be. The Yanar were created by the Elven goddess [[Estel]] during the last decades of the [[Elven Empire]], making them an artificial race. They were originally perceived to be the heralds of the goddess, but since the disappearance of Estel, both the role of the Yanar on Aloria and their relation to their creator has become far more complicated. Yanar are often entirely misunderstood; many of their race appears as innocent child-like plant people, or old decrepit bark walkers, yet in reality, they carry far-reaching responsibilities and goals which may yet affect the world in ways none could have ever conceived of.
A syncretic [[Race]] that once lived alongside the [[Elves]] in the [[Allorn Empire]] as one of its many non-[[Elven]] minorities, the Yanar are a Race of plant-like humanoids that have been around for about as long as the Elves have, but have since [[Cataclysm]] detached their entwined fate from the legacy of the collapsed Elven Empire. Many still foster good relations with the many offshoot [[Elven Races]], but others have ventured into the wide world in search of new purpose, new allies, and new friends. The Yanar are truly undefined by history, their role in the Allorn Empire was so small that they do not face the same scrutiny as other Elves might, and for many, a Yanar is a unique and rare sight that invited curiosity. Inherently interested in nature, and also intrinsically a part of it, the Yanar go wherever mother nature has spread her roots, intent on preservation and harmony or to live as freely as they please.  


==Physical Characteristics==
==Core Concept==
Yanar have no singular appearance that can be defined to represent their entire race. Yanar can be as large as [[Orcs]], or as small as [[Dwarves]]; as frail as [[Cielothar]], or as well-built as Avanthar. Their race knows no physical permanence, because they are able to re-shape their own physical appearance as time goes by. Yanar use Shape Essences to appear radically different depending on which essences they used to shape themselves. The act of consuming Shape Essences from the Ovalyte—a sort of Shape Essence producing gland that Yanar possess—is called Ovalating, which is explained more thoroughly below.
The Yanar are roughly split between three distinct population groups that aren't really subraces, rather more like subcultures. The most commonly found in an urban setting are the Ferlon who have spread out in the world whether for curiosity or purpose. The Senlon have remained close at home and to their roots, still finding their way into cities, but living on the peripheries where nature can be felt all around. The Dulon are a rare sight, once unfortunately trapped on the wrong side of the Kathar-Allorn divide, but now having adopted a distinct culture of control over nature rather than subjection to it. Each subculture represents a different aesthetic, but also different reasons for why they might appear in Regalia, with different allies and different friends to make.  


Aside from their commutable appearance, Yanar always retain some themes in common from shape-to-shape. Generally speaking, their skin consists of a green tone, while their humanoid silhouette is made up of plant-like materials. Where Ailor may have hair, leaves and other floral plumage exists. This plumage can vary greatly from Yanar to Yanar due to the effects of Ovalating, which also affects their eyes, teeth, body proportions, overall size, [[Body Build]] and facial structure. Many describe Yanar as an imitation of other Alorian races except made of plants, as they shape themselves in the resemblance of the others. Curiously, Yanar have no age limit, or at least not one that has been observed. The earliest Yanar were created around 50 BC and have still been found alive to this day, but many new Yanar are born each year, so not all Yanar are ancient. Still, some ancient Yanar exist from back in the days of the Elven Empire and the fall of the [[Nenya]]—personal witnesses to the doom of their beloved mother trees and Estel. That being said, few of these truly ancient Yanar remain as many died during violent conflicts after the collapse of the Elven Empire or the subsequent Ailor encroachment on the forests where they lived.  
===History===
The exact origins of the Yanar are murky, because they existed in a somewhat uncivilized state by the time the Elves first unified under [[Talea]] and formed the very first Allorn Empire. The Allorn Empire subjugated many minority Races (and purged a few as well), though the Yanar had a somewhat unique and privilege position. While most minority Races were demoted to slaves or class-less citizens of the magical Elven Empire, the Yanar had the blessings and protections of the [[Estelley]] gods. Their intervention, when the Allorn Empire expanded and impeded on the Senlionn Forests (the Yanar homeland, now part of the Allorn Empire), made the Elves respect the Yanar as different from all other Empire minorities, granting them great freedoms and exemption from the military or service and the Elves seeing themselves as their protectors. The Yanar formed communities in and around Estelley Temples as a result, and as the Allorn Empire descended in mania and decadence, history mostly passed the Yanar by who were very politically unengaged, and uninterested in the carnal delights that the Elves had started lusting after. In many ways, because of this non-engagement and disinterest, as well as their community isolation, the Yanar could ethically avoid blame for the Allorn Empire's greater crimes like genocide (against the [[Dewamenet]]) and slavery (of all other Races) as Yanar do not take slaves. The Yanar finally became politically active several centuries before the collapse of the Allorn Empire, as agents of the Goddess Mana, using diplomacy, subterfuge and even violence to try and turn the tide of Void corruption among the Elves. They were far too few to change the tide when they finally did act, making only drops worth of change in an ocean of social decay. The Yanar suffered severely during the [[Night of the Weeping Stars]], when pre-[[Kathar]] Elves took axe and torch to the Estelley temples, burning down the Va'sil Trees and proto-Mana Trees, killing many Yanar in the process who desperately tried to defend them. As the Empire collapsed, many Yanar fled the Empire's boundaries for lands beyond, or retreated deeper into the forests, or in the case of the Dulon, were caught behind enemy lines. The Yanar diaspora that fled the continents of the Allorn would end up in places like [[Southwynd|Ashaven]] and [[Regalian Archipelago|Regalia]], international ports of which rumor was spreading far and wide. The Senlon Yanar who retreated deep into the forests eventually re-emerged, making alliances with the Xotik [[Maquixtl]], preaching for the need of a stronger connection with nature and a detachment from the corruption of urban culture. The Dulon were unfortunate enough at first to become corrupted with Void Essences in the [[Dread Empire]], but later would come to praise this circumstance, becoming fervent supporters of various darker gods and spreading their dominion over nature far and wide. Yanar society unlike that of many other Races is very divided in the modern era, with many Yanar choosing their own destiny away from the memories of the fallen Allorn Empire, while others try to stay true to their origins and rebuild the respect they once held in the eyes of the Estelley faithful.
===Yanar Sub-Cultures===
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
{|
|[[File:noimg.png|170px|thumb|left]]
|
<span style="font-size:130%;><center>'''Ferlon Yanar'''</center></span>
The Ferlon are urban city dwelling Yanar, preferring to live in housing made by other Races, surrounded by literally anyone and everyone, and trying to be friends or allies with as many as possible. Ferlon are most accustomed to the ways of living among other Races, and as such try to appear more like them (including humanoid skin tones), by wearing silk clothing or having jobs as business owners. Ferlon Yanar often come to Regalia to experience the jewel of the world, where anything can be seen, anything can be tried, and any mistake can be made, to have it their way.
|}
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 33%;">
{|
|[[File:noimg.png|170px|thumb|left]]
|
<span style="font-size:130%;><center>'''Senlon Yanar'''</center></span>
The Senlon are nature adoring Yanar, who try to live in or as close to wild unkempt nature as possible, preferring the company of Maquixtl and Estelley faithful. Senlon remain very true to their original roots, appearing more plant and flower like with vibrant dazzling colors and scents. The Senlon live more in tune with nature, taking and using only what they need and giving back by preserving the health of flora. Senlon often come to Regalia to be with their migrant Maquixtl allies, or to help the cause of environment preservation, a burgeoning cause in the capital.
|}
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 33%;">
{|
|[[File:noimg.png|170px|thumb|left]]
|
<span style="font-size:130%;><center>'''Dulon Yanar'''</center></span>
Once caught behind enemy lines, the best way to describe Dulon Yanar is to call them "Void Yanar". The Dulon have abandoned their Estelley worship origins to join the Kathar in their worship of darker faiths. Their ideology dictates that Nature is not a force to be respected and lived under, but one to use their unique skills and command of to control and subjugate. Dulon are inherently antagonistic to Senlon and Ferlon, seeking to usurp power over nature, and aligning with other [[Evolism]] and Kathar allies. They seek power in Regalia, often at the expense of other Yanar.  
|}
</center>
</tr></table>


Internally, Yanar resemble much of the same as other races. They have humanoid-like internal organs that cause them to breathe, digest food, and have a heart beat. Their blood is however of a thicker consistency than for example Ailor blood, and is also dark green as opposed to red. Yanar do not physically bruise, nor can they break bones (as their bones are far more flexible than Ailor bones), though intense impact damage can shatter the plant material that their body is made of, meaning they still take heavy damage from falling high distances. Yanar skin is also notably weaker than Human skin. It is more susceptible to cuts and slices, and incredibly flammable, to the point where even high levels of heat pose a true threat to the race.
===Physical & Mental Characteristics===
[[File:EkT2XO-XgAQYGO4.jpg|260px|thumb|right|Many Yanar use their control over the plants and flowers on their body to approximate clothing]]
Yanar have a very flexible physical appearance, because of their natural ability to Floral-shift, making them effectively shapeshifters though with obvious plant themes. Yanar (and half-Yanar) should always look recognizably plant-like with floral, bark, or other plant matter covering their body parts, hair, etc. Their skin tone can be that of vibrant flowers, however they are also able to mimic the skin-tone of other Races, and even reduce the amount of plants and vines and flowers on their body so they fit in more (or do the exact opposite and become more or less indistinguishable from a walking bark-person). Yanar appearances aren't always grounded in the same appearance, with many of them changing frequently. Yanar can also be encountered in many shapes and sizes, with a body that approximates a muscular form, a slender one, or a very burlesque one. They can be tall or short, have natural eye colors or funky combinations (though efforts should be taken to avoid eye color combinations common in [[Afflictions]] or [[Affinities]]). Yanar also inherently intersex, and can swap between any gender presentation or identity. Yanar are capable of reproducing with other Races, which always results in Half-Yanar, who have the same general appearance, though have noticeably less plant matter on their body, even less than those full Yanar who try to adapt to Regalian society by toning down the amount of flowers in their hair. Personality wise, Yanar are never grounded in any one particular personality. There are kind, generous, skittish, brave, and cruel Yanar, all products of their environment and a process called Wildbirth. Yanar when either choosing to do so, or undergoing a large deal of stress, can cocoon themselves, after which they are reborn they have a completely different personality better suited for their new situation or the stress they are dealing with. They retain all their memories, Abilities and connections, but may also shapeshift their appearance to look very different (though this does not extend their max age).


===Yanar Reproduction===
==Heritage Traits==
[[File:yanhuman.png|260px|thumb|right|Yanar are adept with any form of plantlife.]]
When designing a Character, Proficiency Points allow for a limited Ability selection with Point Buy Packs. Heritage Traits adds free Packs and Mechanics on top of that to help with cultural themes. Free Packs grant Abilities usually, while Mechanics change the way a character functions in Roleplay through subtle, and usually out of Combat ways. In essence, Mechanics just add aesthetic flair that invest in the niche of each culture. Free Packs never raise Proficiency Points, but the character must be able to purchase them normally. (ex. if a character is a certain Affinity that locks them out of a category, they cannot take that specific free pack and must choose the alternative option.) If a Free Pack grants Magic of some type, that Magic can be of any Alignment the character can normally choose, or limited to a select alignment, which will always be written in the Free Pack description.  
Yanar reproduction is one of the most hotly debated topics among some Yanar-focused scholars, in that they are the only race to (technically) reproduce asexually. Yanar completely lack the sexual organs of both genders, and can in fact not perform intercourse with any other race. They also do not need a partner to produce offspring. A Yanar may, once every year, enter a cycle of rebirth where a flower-like pod may be grown on their back. During this time, the Yanar will contemplate all they have done in the past year and decide whether they have experienced enough to provide for a child. Ailor often misinterpret this as saying a Yanar should have earned an income to sustain their child, but this is not entirely true. When Yanar enter a cycle of rebirth, they impart the rough experiences, thoughts, and emotions of the past 12 months into the flower-like pod where the child will be born from. Through these experiences, the personality of the newborn Yanar will shape itself. If a Yanar for example has experienced a lot of death and sorrow, it may choose to reject the cycle of rebirth because the offspring from such experiences is assured to be defeatist, lacking in life-spirit and perpetually sad. If a Yanar has however experienced events of great pride, satisfaction, and communion with their family and friends, a child will be born with ambition, life-lust and social skills.  


When the Yanar does willingly enter the cycle of rebirth, a small flower will form, usually on their back (though in some cases can also be on the stomach), which will grow over a period of three months. After three months, it is about the same size as the pregnant belly of an Ailor woman. The bearing Yanar will then feel it is ready and enter a state of euphoria before “giving birth” to the child, by sitting down and allowing it to crawl out of the flowery pod, which then wilts and falls off, leaving behind no markings or signs of ever having been there. The child that comes out will, at the time of birth, be a perfect miniature copy of the Yanar that gave birth to them. In physical appearance they will be identical, and in personality, they will take whatever emerges from the experiences the parent had in the past 12 months. A Yanar child grows to an adult within 10 days—the fastest maturing cycle witnessed among any race. They are still rather childish in those first 10 days, but function like proper adults when the period is roughly over, with some latent child-like personality traits present for a few months more. If a Yanar does not Ovalate during the child’s growth (or if the child does not Ovalate after becoming mature), parent and child will essentially be identical. Most Yanar children change their appearance very quickly after birth to differentiate themselves from their parent Yanar.
Mixed Heritage characters (i.e. characters born from two parents of different Cultures) may take one parent's 'Free Packs' and mix and match up to 5 Mechanics from both parents, although some Peoples cannot produce Mixed Heritage children (due to Magical/Fantasy reasons).
 
===Free Packs===
Despite the fact that Yanar do not have sexual organs or genitals, it does not mean that they cannot “make love” to each other, or other races. To Yanar, intercourse takes place on a more spiritual and emotional level than a physical one. When Yanar wish to engage someone in such an act, they gently place their hands under the recipient’s jawline, after which the two will close their eyes and clear their minds. If the recipient is willing, they will experience the Yanar’s affection in their mind and feel in a way that is almost indistinguishable from real physical intercourse. Yanar are, as such, still able to cultivate healthy relations with other races without the need to get very physical. They are often considered very clean lovers as such.
* Yanar can choose one free Pack from the [[Medical_Point_Buy|Medical Point Buy]] Category, or choose one Pack from [[Magic Point Buy]].
 
* Yanar can choose one free Pack from the [[Chem_Point_Buy|Chem Point Buy]] Category.
===Yanar Ovalytes===
[[File:yanhold.png|260px|thumb|right|Age also has an effect on Ovalating, often resulting in tough bark-like skin which can be reverted with younger Shape Essence.]]
Yanar Ovalytes are a gland located underneath their tongue, which take the form of small tubes that excrete Shape Essences instead of saliva. Shape Essences act as a natural saliva and do not have any effects on the Yanar as long as they are not Ovalating: the process of imprinting the Shape Essence with the appearance of another humanoid race. When Yanar Ovalate (which can only be done on command, they cannot do it accidently), their fingertips begin to wetten in a manner similar to sweating, though Yanar do not actually have sweat glands nor can they naturally sweat. Instead, their fingertips are coated in a slightly sticky resin that feels rough when applied to another person’s skin, but not alarmingly so. When this resin scrapes the bare skin of another person, it harvests the Shape Flux of that person, which travels through the Yanar’s bloodstream to the Ovalyte, where Shape Essence is produced from a particular individual. The Yanar may then choose to swallow the Shape Essence, or to spit it out in a container where it can either be stored, or given to other Yanar for consumption. When Shape Essence finds itself outside the mouth of a Yanar, it hardens and takes on the taste of sweet candy.
 
When a Yanar consumes the Shape Essence of another race (Yanar can in fact not produce Shape Essence from other Yanar) they will slowly start to change their bodily make-up to resemble the template of the Shape Flux more. For example, a short, frail Yanar that consumes the Shape Essence of a large muscular Orc will experience muscular growth and height growth, while a male-appearing Yanar consuming the Shape Essence of a Varran Female may slowly procure female hips and plumage that resembles Varran fur on their body. Yanar don’t have a gender, so when consuming the Shape Essence of a male or female, they simply produce body aspects of said gender without truly becoming female or male.
 
Shape Essence changes are not instant. They are gradual and slow, and may take up to 24 hours to manifest fully. Furthermore, Shape Essence changes are mostly cosmetic beyond teeth and musculature, while consuming the Essence of for example a Varran may grow a tail, it does not give the Yanar Varran-like abilities. The same applies to internal Orc organs and other Racial abilities. The process is painless, though it can be alarming to Yanar who have never experienced it before or rarely do. A single session of Shape Essence consumption is not sufficient to make a Yanar completely morph their body. Seven or eight Shape Essence consumption sessions are necessary to completely change a Yanar to an eerily similar plant-like replica of the Shape Flux template, assuming they kept consuming the Shape Essence produced by the same person. It is thus possible to mediate between multiple people by switching between them each time Shape Essence is consumed, eventually resulting in a unique appearance that does not fully resemble any of the templates.
 
Shape Essence consumption does not have any effects on other races, it simply tastes like sweet candy to them. That being said, Shape Essence has been strongly hinted to have some potent alchemical uses. Most curiously of all, when a Yanar’s mouth is filled with the Shape Essence of a specific person, and their lips make physical contact with the original Shape Flux template, the kiss experienced will be intoxicating and incredibly pleasing. This is an ironic showcase of vanity where the Shape Flux template is essentially bombarded with feelings of self-lust while they aren’t aware of it.
 
==Mental Characteristics==
[[File:yanangry.png|260px|thumb|right|Yanar are one of the more peaceful races, but capable of just as much anger and violence as the others when they need to.]]
Yanar personalities, much like their physical appearance, are never truly set in stone. Yanar receive a certain codified personality upon their birth, but through experiences and feelings these personalities can change over the years. Furthermore, Yanar have two ways to influence their personality both permanently and temporarily. The main means of permanent personality change is through the process of Mind Tranquility, an act where a Yanar (during Yanar “love making") may accept the mind perceptions and emotional experiences of the other person. This does not transfer thoughts or memories, but rather the strong emotions that were tied to it; for example a feeling of intense loss and betrayal over a divorce, or happiness and satisfaction over a child. These can, if the Yanar permitted the Mind Tranquility to take place, seep into their personality and change it quite forcibly.
 
Another method to temporarily change a Yanar’s personality or mood is through the act of Bond Sharing. Bond Sharing is a mental ability that all Yanar possess, to be able to speak in a telepathic language with each other through touch. Additionally, while Bond Sharing is ongoing, all Yanar participating may choose to open their feelings to each other. In such a situation, a single Yanar may share a specific emotion with others through touch, which can have varying effects. For a Yanar who has experienced an extremely traumatic event, this can be very beneficial. By using a Bond Sharing to share this thought, the other Yanar that participate will share the burden with the sharer, which gives the Yanar participating an intense feeling of consolation and belonging. Alternatively, a Yanar can also share the immense pride and satisfaction of a child succeeding, which gives the other Yanar joyous feelings of happiness, at the cost of giving it away by the sharer. Bond Sharings have no limit. Two, seven, or even ten Yanar can all participate in a Bond Sharing as long as they are connected with each other. Speaking in such a Bond Sharing is not instant, it goes at about the same speed as normal speech, though simply occurs in the minds of those participating. There is one negative side-effect to Bond Sharing however, which is the temporary personality lingering. Even though sharing a traumatic experience helps the person who suffered it, it also imparts their sadness in part to the other Yanar. Similarly, if a Yanar tricks other Yanar into a Bond Sharing with hostile intentions, they could transfer intense feelings of hatred and violence to the others, causing them to potentially all erupt in a massive brawl.
 
Bond Sharing can also be used on non-sentient plants such as flowers, bushes, herbs, and even trees. When Bond Sharing with a plant, Yanar may “sing” through their mind to the plant with a telepathic melody. While performing this singing (often called Evergrowth), the plant matter they are Bonding with will experience rapid growth, to the point where smaller plants will grow visually as if weeks are passing (though the rate is much slower with trees). This is usually why Yanar houses are overgrown with plants and vines, as they are able to rapidly grow a garden around themselves almost anywhere as long as water and good soil is present. These Gardens are especially important for Yanar, because they tend to be the central locations where so called Yanar Colonies form. Yanar Colonies are explained more thoroughly in the Society Section.
 
==History==
[[File:yanorcmongkey.png|260px|thumb|right|Some Yanar look wildly different from the more humanoid ones when they use Shape Essence from Orcs or Url.]]
The Yanar first arrived in 40 BC on the eve of the [[Void Invasion]], when Estel again attempted to warn her followers of impending doom from the Demonic forces. Elven priests of the [[Nenya]] temples watched as the colossal Nenya trees grew giant flowers as large as full-grown horses. The flowers rapidly wilted, shed their petals, and bore fruit that slowly bent to the floor, and it was from these fruits that the first Yanar burst forth and laid eyes on the world. Elven priests tried to heed the warnings that these Yanar delivered, but ultimately could not persuade their leaders to take action (largely due to the heightened arrogance of the Elven Empire).
 
As the Void Invasion commenced, the Yanar wandered in search of purpose. Estel then bestowed them with gifts of plants and life, and the Yanar used these gifts to turn the natural world against the Voidlings in the form of protective Colony Gardens. However, the Archdemon moved swiftly, and the [[Kathar]] infiltrated the Nenya temples beyond the Yanar’s reach. On the [[Night of the Fallen Star]], with fire and axe they first cut down the priests, and then the trees themselves. Some fled, but most of these colossuses moved too slowly to escape. It is said that the forest itself wept and cried out that night as the trees fell one by one. As the Yanar were tied to the Nenya, they became confused and lost, and when Estel fell, so too did the Yanar. Many died, but many more disappeared into the forests.
 
The mysterious plant-like race wandered the land for nearly 200 years, diminishing in number and existing in a fog-like uncertainty, becoming merely a fable to Humans. Yet as magic slowly returned, so too did the Yanar come to their senses and their original mission: to protect the natural world and warn of coming travesties. Perceiving them as a threat, the Kathar pursued a solution and were blessed with the fungal curse, the [[Dulofall]]. Many Yanar soon succumbed to this corruption, unable to prevent the fungus from contorting their being into the very thing they sought to protect against. The Dulofall became a feared affliction of the Yanar, and many colonies fled in search of safe communities to integrate in to. Presently, they persist as caretakers of nature, but they do so as part of the [[Ailor]], Elven, and [[Varran]] populations, while encapsulated in their own Yanar Colonies. Beyond their introduction, Yanar history is short and unremarkable. This is largely because their race is very much about individualism as opposed to the grand achievements of their race as a whole. Yanar only serve as a footnote in the history books of others, though due to longevity, individuals could have impacted many centuries of history among other races.


===Mechanics===
* Yanar can regrow or re-attach lost limbs over the span of 24 hours after they were lost, they cannot become Undead unless an Ordial Entity intervenes.
* Yanar can become Marken/Urlan, but if so, the fur is replaced with plant-fibers/leaves/roots/flowers.
* Yanar can manifest a dream realm where anyone who sleeps in their Region/Base/Estate can travel to.
* Yanar can speak to plants and trees, and even encourage them to grow faster or hide, or change their appearance.
* Yanar can even create new plants altogether in their own Region/Base/Estate, complete with fruits and flowers.
==Society==
==Society==
Yanar have a natural urge to gravitate towards each other, not only for security, but also for community and belonging. They do not have any structural hierarchy, but often choose the largest or most pleasant garden of a member Yanar as their main Colony Garden, though they may have more than one Garden surrounding it. Inside these Colony Gardens, Yanar presence gives life to the Soul Essence within the flora around them. This gives the Soul Essence temporary sentience and a physical shape as so-called Solur Companions, that dance and play around the garden with both with each other and the Yanar. Solur Companions offer a last line of defense inside a Colony Garden, catapulting themselves at unwanted invaders and poofing out of existence in a puff of vile-smelling yellow smoke that makes anyone caught in it retch. Solur Companions do not have true intelligence, but play around with each other in a childlike manner, playing tag and pulling at various body parts or clothes a Yanar has, despite the fact that they are only fist-sized.
===Language===
The Yanar have their own language called the Silmaan, but this language cannot really be used in Roleplay because it is a near-telepathic communication method that Yanar use with pheromones. It is not capable of transferring simple concepts like "I like this" or "I want that", and is certainly not useful to have whole conversations in, though other Races can pick up these concepts, even if they have never experienced it before. Their language in general lacks a vocabulary or translation, and as such, they often speak the languages of other Races like Elven languages or even Common in Regalia so all other Races can understand them. Yanar names are non-gendered and they often do not have surnames, only taking a spiritual clan-name in case they align with a Maquixtl family:


===Politics===
'''Example Yanar names:''' Taethor, Critha, Aphelor, Leitha, Ram, Saegra, Aew, Caph, Merilin, Gwaun, Gail, Erist, Niid, Caan, Iach, Rusta, Hithu, Telia, Millia, Senila, Talia.
[[File:yanorcola.png|260px|thumb|right|Some Yanar look ridiculous even after using the Shape Essence of an intimidating person, due to their flower plumage.]]
Yanar don’t have a formal concept of politics, largely because their psyche is often in flux, and because longevity makes appointing rulers very difficult for longer periods of time. Yanar have the concept of trust investment, in which an individual or group of Yanar (or even a non-Yanar) may simply enjoy the silent approval of the other Yanar to speak in their name or act in their best interest. This concept is never really spoken out loud, but heavily implied when a Yanar suggests an individual to deal with the group’s issues and no-one else speaks up about it. Yanar don’t really have power struggles like Ailor society does, though some cases contention can occur where a Yanar’s personality changes within the group, resulting in an urge or ambition for power, which can sometimes cause a power struggle. Yanar often have a difficult time accepting rule from a person who thinks they deserve it, as opposed to a person who was silently and passively appointed to the position out of comfort of the others. That all being said, Yanar are incredibly flexible when it comes to adapting to existing hierarchies in other states, as they generally wish to thrive wherever they can, while paying homage to the order of things wherever they integrate.  


===Culture===
Yanar do however have a so-called "Wild-name", but are very picky with who gets to know this name. There is a cultural understanding among the Yanar that handing out a real name grants a person power over them, and there have been some historical cases that imply this is more fact than reality, with Spirits seeking to discover the real name of Yanar and then invading them, secrecy being their only defense. Wild-names are normally created with a combination of Silmaan scents, but they can be roughly translated to three-word compounds:
[[File:Companion222.png|260px|thumb|right|Solur Companions are adored even by non-Yanar for their cute, child-like demeanor.]]
Yanar culture mostly breeds out of the idea of sharing a communion, a theme that perpetuates itself throughout all their ideologies and actions. The easiest way this can be observed is in the charitable nature of Yanar towards each other, freely sharing resources, food and clothes. Private property rarely exists among the race, and when it does, it is often for a very specific reason: for example, a Yanar may hold onto an item when they know the others won’t understand its purpose, or won’t respect its purpose. Aside from their own sharing notions, Yanar are also charitable to other races, [[Cielothar]] in particular. In many ways they adopt Cielothar principles and cultural notions, mostly related to their clothing and jewelry, but also life views in general. That being said, Yanar are able to physically and mentally alter themselves to supplant the need for the Avanthar-Cielothar symbiotic relationship, thus creating their own protector class Yanar to ensure that the race as a whole does not become co-dependent on another species. This does however often create a clear distinction between Yanar that are part of the collective for protection, and Yanar who protect the collective. Physical difference can also be extreme, ranging from more childlike Cielothar-like Yanar who provide the food, and tall, broad Orc-like Yanar which protect the Yanar Colony from outside attacks.


Yanar do not have traditional marital unions like Ailor or Altalar do. Yanar cannot conceive a child together, which often leaves them with a sense of emptiness or non fulfillment when sharing a life. Yanar marry in much the same manner as Cielothar do, and are inherently monogamous—though outlying cases have been known to showcase polygamy or partner swapping, particularly because of the age of Yanar. Between a Yanar and non-Yanar married couple, Ovalating usually solves the problem of not being able to conceive a child together, as Ovalating takes the essence from both parents. For two Yanar who are married however, such options aren’t available since Ovalating does not work with other Yanar. Yanar who are married together have, as such, found another way to reach this specific satisfaction of offspring that belongs to both of them: the practice of Graftalation.
'''Example Tanar Wild-names:''' Resplended Autumn Mother, Verdant Valley Herald, Blessed Orchid Beauty, Eternity Lavender Matron, Greatest Daffodil Knight, Treasured Lilac Trophy.
 
Graftalation uses much of the same mechanics as Ovalating, but uses a surrogate tree and the Shape Essence of both Yanar. While the Shape Essence itself does not contain anything useful for another Yanar, when a tree fruit is covered with the Shape Essence of two Yanar that is properly mixed, the fruit will slowly change into a Yanar Fruitling over the course of three days. The base fruit can be anything from an apple, to an orange, or even a banana. Then after about a month, the Yanar Fruitling will hatch and create a Yanil: an organism best described as a plant-like imitation of an animal. A Yanil is much like a Yanar in that it is a plant-like re-interpretation of another living creature, except that it takes the form of a domestic animal rather an a humanoid. They are unable to speak, but have heightened intelligence to the point where they can develop a distinct personality and memories, a clearcut persona mixture between both parent Yanar in fact. They have a strong connection to the parent Yanar, and while others might see them as animals since they are often quadruped creatures, Yanar often treat them as if they are their own children in their 10 year life span. Yanil appearance depends on the fruit type used to create the Yanil, below is a list of possible outcomes.
* Apple, results in a hedgehog-like Yanil, though the spikes are soft and flowery
* Apricot, results in a rat or rodent-like Yanil
* Banana, results in a small primate-like Yanil with long arms
* Cherry, results in a songbird-like Yanil
* Fig, results in a rabbit-like Yanil
* Bundle of Grapes, results in a small hawk-like Yanil
* Melon, results in a small (goat sized) pony-like Yanil
* Lemon, results in a cat-like Yanil
* Mango, results in a fox-like Yanil
* Olive Branch, results in a snake-like Yanil
* Orange, results in a small dog-like Yanil
* Pear, results in a pygmy pig-like Yanil
* Pineapple, results in a loud bleating goat-like Yanil
* Pumpkin, results in a small woolly sheep-like Yanil
* Strawberry, results in a guinea pig-like Yanil
* Grapefruit, results in a ferret-like Yanil
 
Creating a Yanil is not a practice solely limited to married Yanar. Close friends often create a Yanil as well to give a physical representation to their friendship, as it also strengthens the bond between them. It is technically possible to include a non-Yanar as well by having both parents Ovalate with the Shape Essence of a non-Yanar, though this is often frowned upon, particularly because the concept of a Fruitling is considered a holy tradition with religious sentiment, and should remain a Yanar-only activity. Yanil creation is also in many ways a very communal thing. Yanar are able to graft fruits on trees, even when they technically aren’t fruit bearing trees, to the point that a Yanil may grow from the tree’s nutrients. This results in the creation of so-called Yanassil: large trees upon which Yanar couples and friends graft their Fruitlings in large numbers. These trees thus stand, filled with a wild variety of fruit and Fruitlings, and become a central location for Yanar religious worship of the Fated Faith.


===Religion===
===Religion===
[[File:YanarNew.png|260px|thumb|right|Yanar can also look younger when they use the Shape Essence of Cielothar in particular, or Ailor children.]]
By far and large, most Yanar are avid [[Estelley]] worshipers (except the Dulon, who often follow [[Evolism]] and other faiths the Kathar do), with a particular reverence for Mana in the modern day. That being said, other Gods and Goddesses may equally be worshiped, Estel herself is also considered important, while most other Races who worship Estelley leave Estel largely to the sidelines as the slumbering arch-goddess. Even when Yanar are not faithful, they still have a positive perception of Mana as their modern protector and patron (excepting the Dulon again). Because of the historical relation between Yanar and Mana, as well as the wider Estelley temples, other Elven Races tend to see Yanar as heralds of Mana, or the wider pantheon. They are considered in a higher statue of virtue, though this is largely historical revisionism, as Yanar are more than capable of committing sin, and frequently acting outside of the bounds of what is expected of the faithful. In many ways, this is a furtherance of the general perception among Elves that Yanar are weak, simple-minded, lacking in culture and in need of protection. Only those who have spent a lot of time around Yanar, and the Maquixtl, have a genuine deep respect for them as equals, seeing them less as heralds of the Gods, and more as just fellow faithful.
Religion among the Yanar is difficult to understand to outsiders, even more so to the Elven races. In essence, the religion—which is named the Fated Faith—is based on the creation of the Yanar by Estel, but the Yanar do not recognize Estel as their highest being. The Yanar believe that foremostly, the Nenya are their guides and protectors: prophets of the words and laws of Estel. These words and laws are also rather complex to explain, they are not a certain set of codified laws like “Do not steal” and “Do not murder”, they are simply the general understanding that Yanar were created with a purpose, and that purpose itself is commutable to the situation and global threat at hand. For example, during the days of the Demon Invasion, Yanar were messengers who warned of the impending fall of the Elven Empire. When the actual invasion occurred, many Yanar switched their needs to protectors, while centuries later when Ailor wars occurred, they took on a more healing and caretaking role, before turning more militaristic again when the [[Bone Horror Crisis]] happened. Yanar religion as such dictates a world view where the greatest risk to all life (though more specifically all plant/animal life in nature) must be assessed, and combatted to the best of their abilities. The Nenya are their prophets, Estel is their creator, but neither are really their gods, or origins.
 
The Yanar believe the highest power in their spiritual faith is the Fated Ones. Who exactly the Fated Ones are is not entirely clear since no Yanar has ever really been able to write a thesis on it before being contradicted by another group of Yanar. The truth is that Yanar were never truly told or informed of what the Fated Ones were by the Nenya or Estel before they disappeared from Aloria, though the Yanar continue to pay homage to the Fated Ones to this day. It is said that the Fated Ones created Estel, who in turn created Nenya, meaning that the origin of all things for the Yanar is the Fated Ones. They believe the Fated Ones lived in an ascended state of communion with Aloria itself; a symbiotic relation with the world where their thoughts and feelings carried far and wide through nature, and mixed with others who were equally connected. The Fated Ones were said to have fallen at the hands of corruption, though again, what this corruption was has never been fully explained. The Yanar simply believe themselves to be the protectors that the Fated Ones wished for in their hour of need, thus continuing to see them both as gods and masters worthy of praise and homage, though they equally praise Estel as their lesser creator, thus allowing them to interface with [[Faith of Estel]] worship in a lesser degree.


Yanar worship frequently takes place around a Yanassil, large Fruitling trees that Yanar use to breed their Yanils. These worships usually involve communal feasting, drinking, dancing and praying. Yanar do not engage in sacrifices or offerings of any kind, since they believe the will of the Fated Ones is engrained in all things natural, and as such, offering food as a sacrifice would be like offering a god a piece of themselves. That being said, some twisted and warped Dulofall Yanar have been known to engage in sacrifices of other races. They see the lesser races as corrupted beings who maligned the Fated Ones and brought the ugly reality of dominance over nature into the world, perpetuating it. Yanar do not have priests or oracles. Religion to them is practiced communally, by all equally.
===Families===
Yanar are the only Race that find it comfortable to insert themselves into composite families of other Races, meaning, to be adopted when there is no blood relation. The Yanar population globally is not terribly large (not nearly as small as the Dwarven population, but certainly not sizeable). This is largely because of the fact that it is fairly rare for Yanar to copulate with other Yanar, in fact more commonly pairing and marrying into Maquixtl families, or just being adopted by them. Yanar families do exist, but they often model themselves after other Family units, or adopt non-Yanar into their fold to make sure it's not exclusively Yanar. Dulon Yanar are in fact very prized by the Kathar, and every Kathar family aims to have at least one Dulon Yanar present in their midst, because they bring a great deal of utility value in their nature control skills.  


Many Scholars have speculated that the Fated Ones are actually the [[Seraph]] Civilization since many of the hints point in their direction, though a clear cut conclusion has never been found, purely because many contradictions exist also. Most notably in the fact that the Seraph dominated nature, they did not live in harmony with it. Some other Scholars yet insist that it might have been a civilization that came before the Seraph or after, or that traditional understandings of the Seraph are far too limited because of the lack of historical records on a civilization that died seven thousand years ago.
==World View==
* Yanar are always a bit ambivalent or negative about the return of the Allorn Empire. While they will vocally support their friends who want a return of the Allorn Empire. Once an Empire has fallen, it can fall again for the exact same urban corruption and decay reasons unless those aspects are removed.
* Yanar in Regalia are usually either very loyal to the Regalian State, believing it to be more stable and generally well put together than the Allorn Empire once was, or apathetic towards it, just being happy to be in a relatively peaceful place with relatively little repression and freedom of religion and movement.
* [[Unionism]] does not acquire much of a hold on Yanar, due to it strongly contradicting Yanar Estelley sensibilities. Yanar Unionists do exist, but are generally ignored or excluded by the wider Estelley Yanar and Elves.
* Yanar are inherently ultra-progressive people who appreciate the concept of democracy and honesty, until they are not. Yanar generally lean progressive, but Yanar who are more violent or have a wilder temper, may be more inclined to believe autocracy is more effective, especially after the collective trauma over the inability to avert disaster of the Allorn Empire and how a stronger more centralized government like Regalia might have prevented collapse.
* Yanar are very uncomfortable around Suvial, because everything they are is drenched in the aesthetic of fire, the very thing that Yanar are wildly afraid of. They don’t outwardly hate the Suvial, they just choose to stay clear of them as much as they can.
* Despite their fear of fire, fire is not a sure-fire way to scare a Yanar into submission mid-combat. Usually, their bravery and dedication to their convictions triumph in the moment.  
* It is commonly believed that Yanar photosynthesize or only eat plants, but both statements are false. Yanar can also be omnivores or outright carnivores, and in fact have a blood circulatory system and similar organs on the inside.
* A false theory about Yanar souls circulated for over a decade based on incorrectly interpreted data, that claimed that Yanar did not truly possess a soul of their own and were artificial. Recent research has shown this to be wrong.
* Yanar can never truly starve, as even the most isolated Yanar in the darkest of dungeons can grow small plants and fruitlings and nuts from the cracks between bricks and stones, even without water and sunlight.
* Though Yanar are very gregarious and open to others usually, Yanar are extremely sensitive to unwanted touch, and consider uninvited bare-skin contact to be a grave insult.
* Yanar care deeply about the origins of a person, believing them to intricately affect what they are like in the present day. As such, Yanar will often ask “where are your roots?” so as to act where someone is from, to understand who they are now.
* Yanar (despite jokes and comedy to the contrary) do not consider eating plants or destruction of plant-life as murder or violence. That being said, they would prefer proper treatment of plants and a level of respect for nature that does not involve senseless destruction of flowers and trees.  


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Yanar don’t formally have a gender either mentally or physically, though often choose a preferred gender and ask others to use the right pronouns, for the sake of practicality. Yanar often struggle with the concept of self identity since their personality is a substrate of another, and their gender does not present itself as traditionally as among other races.  
* There have been many wild theories about Yanar being related to the [[Grul]] and even some now-extinct Races that existed in the west of the old Allorn Empire, but no records remain to verify truth from fiction.  
* There is such a concept as excess-Ovalating. In some cases if a Yanar consumes the Shape Essence of one particular race many times over a short period of time, even their normally green skin-tone may change to something resembling the Shape Template more. This can even go as far as turning the skin greenish pink or pinkish green.  
* The Yanar had a special relation with the [[Va'sil Tree]]s, though their closeness largely faded over time as they become accustomed to Allorn society. When the Va'sil were still around, Yanar would often socialize around and with Va'sil Trees.
* Despite Yanar not having a gender, Yanar marriages are often between Yanar who believe themselves to be more female and a Yanar who believe themselves more male. While same sex-belief Yanar marriages exist, they are rare. It is not known why this occurs naturally.
* Yanar have an unexplained discomfort towards insects. Theories claim that it is because of the habits of insects to skitter and crawl, and Yanar over-sensitive skin to gentle touch.
* Yanar, to conventional understanding through [[Soul Magic]], don’t have a soul. When they die, Soul Essence does not dissipate, nor can it be removed from them, though they can be Demonically Possessed. It is not known why this occurs, but some Scholars have speculated it is because what passes for their souls are made up of recycled Soul Essence in nature.
*Yanar historically had little connection to Manaseia, the being Mana was once part of. Their worship was instead broadly spread between the different Estelley deities, but the rise of nature in the final decades of the Allorn Empire alongside the Wildering, drove the Yanar to largely focus around Mana.
* A small Unionist converted or Unionist-minded cult of Yanar exists that are absolutely desperate to procure Shape Essence produced from the Emperor of the Regalian Empire, and would pay handsomely to anyone able to procure and store it.  


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[[category:races]] [[category:Magus Races]]
[[category:races]] [[category:Magus Races]]

Latest revision as of 21:44, 10 March 2024

Yanar
3c1166940ed1b3c4fae5b461c035b301.png
Race
Pronunciation Yah-nar
Classification Magus
Common Nicknames
  • Plant-People (derogatory)
  • Forest Child (endearing)
  • Vasilta (Elven)
Languages Modern Altalar, Nātl, Common
Naming Customs See Language section
Racial Traits
Distinctions Plant-like humanoids with a mysterious past and open future
Maximum Age 500 years.
Height from short to tall, depending on Floral Shift.

A syncretic Race that once lived alongside the Elves in the Allorn Empire as one of its many non-Elven minorities, the Yanar are a Race of plant-like humanoids that have been around for about as long as the Elves have, but have since Cataclysm detached their entwined fate from the legacy of the collapsed Elven Empire. Many still foster good relations with the many offshoot Elven Races, but others have ventured into the wide world in search of new purpose, new allies, and new friends. The Yanar are truly undefined by history, their role in the Allorn Empire was so small that they do not face the same scrutiny as other Elves might, and for many, a Yanar is a unique and rare sight that invited curiosity. Inherently interested in nature, and also intrinsically a part of it, the Yanar go wherever mother nature has spread her roots, intent on preservation and harmony or to live as freely as they please.

Core Concept

The Yanar are roughly split between three distinct population groups that aren't really subraces, rather more like subcultures. The most commonly found in an urban setting are the Ferlon who have spread out in the world whether for curiosity or purpose. The Senlon have remained close at home and to their roots, still finding their way into cities, but living on the peripheries where nature can be felt all around. The Dulon are a rare sight, once unfortunately trapped on the wrong side of the Kathar-Allorn divide, but now having adopted a distinct culture of control over nature rather than subjection to it. Each subculture represents a different aesthetic, but also different reasons for why they might appear in Regalia, with different allies and different friends to make.

History

The exact origins of the Yanar are murky, because they existed in a somewhat uncivilized state by the time the Elves first unified under Talea and formed the very first Allorn Empire. The Allorn Empire subjugated many minority Races (and purged a few as well), though the Yanar had a somewhat unique and privilege position. While most minority Races were demoted to slaves or class-less citizens of the magical Elven Empire, the Yanar had the blessings and protections of the Estelley gods. Their intervention, when the Allorn Empire expanded and impeded on the Senlionn Forests (the Yanar homeland, now part of the Allorn Empire), made the Elves respect the Yanar as different from all other Empire minorities, granting them great freedoms and exemption from the military or service and the Elves seeing themselves as their protectors. The Yanar formed communities in and around Estelley Temples as a result, and as the Allorn Empire descended in mania and decadence, history mostly passed the Yanar by who were very politically unengaged, and uninterested in the carnal delights that the Elves had started lusting after. In many ways, because of this non-engagement and disinterest, as well as their community isolation, the Yanar could ethically avoid blame for the Allorn Empire's greater crimes like genocide (against the Dewamenet) and slavery (of all other Races) as Yanar do not take slaves. The Yanar finally became politically active several centuries before the collapse of the Allorn Empire, as agents of the Goddess Mana, using diplomacy, subterfuge and even violence to try and turn the tide of Void corruption among the Elves. They were far too few to change the tide when they finally did act, making only drops worth of change in an ocean of social decay. The Yanar suffered severely during the Night of the Weeping Stars, when pre-Kathar Elves took axe and torch to the Estelley temples, burning down the Va'sil Trees and proto-Mana Trees, killing many Yanar in the process who desperately tried to defend them. As the Empire collapsed, many Yanar fled the Empire's boundaries for lands beyond, or retreated deeper into the forests, or in the case of the Dulon, were caught behind enemy lines. The Yanar diaspora that fled the continents of the Allorn would end up in places like Ashaven and Regalia, international ports of which rumor was spreading far and wide. The Senlon Yanar who retreated deep into the forests eventually re-emerged, making alliances with the Xotik Maquixtl, preaching for the need of a stronger connection with nature and a detachment from the corruption of urban culture. The Dulon were unfortunate enough at first to become corrupted with Void Essences in the Dread Empire, but later would come to praise this circumstance, becoming fervent supporters of various darker gods and spreading their dominion over nature far and wide. Yanar society unlike that of many other Races is very divided in the modern era, with many Yanar choosing their own destiny away from the memories of the fallen Allorn Empire, while others try to stay true to their origins and rebuild the respect they once held in the eyes of the Estelley faithful.

Yanar Sub-Cultures

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Ferlon Yanar

The Ferlon are urban city dwelling Yanar, preferring to live in housing made by other Races, surrounded by literally anyone and everyone, and trying to be friends or allies with as many as possible. Ferlon are most accustomed to the ways of living among other Races, and as such try to appear more like them (including humanoid skin tones), by wearing silk clothing or having jobs as business owners. Ferlon Yanar often come to Regalia to experience the jewel of the world, where anything can be seen, anything can be tried, and any mistake can be made, to have it their way.

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Senlon Yanar

The Senlon are nature adoring Yanar, who try to live in or as close to wild unkempt nature as possible, preferring the company of Maquixtl and Estelley faithful. Senlon remain very true to their original roots, appearing more plant and flower like with vibrant dazzling colors and scents. The Senlon live more in tune with nature, taking and using only what they need and giving back by preserving the health of flora. Senlon often come to Regalia to be with their migrant Maquixtl allies, or to help the cause of environment preservation, a burgeoning cause in the capital.

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Dulon Yanar

Once caught behind enemy lines, the best way to describe Dulon Yanar is to call them "Void Yanar". The Dulon have abandoned their Estelley worship origins to join the Kathar in their worship of darker faiths. Their ideology dictates that Nature is not a force to be respected and lived under, but one to use their unique skills and command of to control and subjugate. Dulon are inherently antagonistic to Senlon and Ferlon, seeking to usurp power over nature, and aligning with other Evolism and Kathar allies. They seek power in Regalia, often at the expense of other Yanar.

Physical & Mental Characteristics

Many Yanar use their control over the plants and flowers on their body to approximate clothing

Yanar have a very flexible physical appearance, because of their natural ability to Floral-shift, making them effectively shapeshifters though with obvious plant themes. Yanar (and half-Yanar) should always look recognizably plant-like with floral, bark, or other plant matter covering their body parts, hair, etc. Their skin tone can be that of vibrant flowers, however they are also able to mimic the skin-tone of other Races, and even reduce the amount of plants and vines and flowers on their body so they fit in more (or do the exact opposite and become more or less indistinguishable from a walking bark-person). Yanar appearances aren't always grounded in the same appearance, with many of them changing frequently. Yanar can also be encountered in many shapes and sizes, with a body that approximates a muscular form, a slender one, or a very burlesque one. They can be tall or short, have natural eye colors or funky combinations (though efforts should be taken to avoid eye color combinations common in Afflictions or Affinities). Yanar also inherently intersex, and can swap between any gender presentation or identity. Yanar are capable of reproducing with other Races, which always results in Half-Yanar, who have the same general appearance, though have noticeably less plant matter on their body, even less than those full Yanar who try to adapt to Regalian society by toning down the amount of flowers in their hair. Personality wise, Yanar are never grounded in any one particular personality. There are kind, generous, skittish, brave, and cruel Yanar, all products of their environment and a process called Wildbirth. Yanar when either choosing to do so, or undergoing a large deal of stress, can cocoon themselves, after which they are reborn they have a completely different personality better suited for their new situation or the stress they are dealing with. They retain all their memories, Abilities and connections, but may also shapeshift their appearance to look very different (though this does not extend their max age).

Heritage Traits

When designing a Character, Proficiency Points allow for a limited Ability selection with Point Buy Packs. Heritage Traits adds free Packs and Mechanics on top of that to help with cultural themes. Free Packs grant Abilities usually, while Mechanics change the way a character functions in Roleplay through subtle, and usually out of Combat ways. In essence, Mechanics just add aesthetic flair that invest in the niche of each culture. Free Packs never raise Proficiency Points, but the character must be able to purchase them normally. (ex. if a character is a certain Affinity that locks them out of a category, they cannot take that specific free pack and must choose the alternative option.) If a Free Pack grants Magic of some type, that Magic can be of any Alignment the character can normally choose, or limited to a select alignment, which will always be written in the Free Pack description.

Mixed Heritage characters (i.e. characters born from two parents of different Cultures) may take one parent's 'Free Packs' and mix and match up to 5 Mechanics from both parents, although some Peoples cannot produce Mixed Heritage children (due to Magical/Fantasy reasons).

Free Packs

Mechanics

  • Yanar can regrow or re-attach lost limbs over the span of 24 hours after they were lost, they cannot become Undead unless an Ordial Entity intervenes.
  • Yanar can become Marken/Urlan, but if so, the fur is replaced with plant-fibers/leaves/roots/flowers.
  • Yanar can manifest a dream realm where anyone who sleeps in their Region/Base/Estate can travel to.
  • Yanar can speak to plants and trees, and even encourage them to grow faster or hide, or change their appearance.
  • Yanar can even create new plants altogether in their own Region/Base/Estate, complete with fruits and flowers.

Society

Language

The Yanar have their own language called the Silmaan, but this language cannot really be used in Roleplay because it is a near-telepathic communication method that Yanar use with pheromones. It is not capable of transferring simple concepts like "I like this" or "I want that", and is certainly not useful to have whole conversations in, though other Races can pick up these concepts, even if they have never experienced it before. Their language in general lacks a vocabulary or translation, and as such, they often speak the languages of other Races like Elven languages or even Common in Regalia so all other Races can understand them. Yanar names are non-gendered and they often do not have surnames, only taking a spiritual clan-name in case they align with a Maquixtl family:

Example Yanar names: Taethor, Critha, Aphelor, Leitha, Ram, Saegra, Aew, Caph, Merilin, Gwaun, Gail, Erist, Niid, Caan, Iach, Rusta, Hithu, Telia, Millia, Senila, Talia.

Yanar do however have a so-called "Wild-name", but are very picky with who gets to know this name. There is a cultural understanding among the Yanar that handing out a real name grants a person power over them, and there have been some historical cases that imply this is more fact than reality, with Spirits seeking to discover the real name of Yanar and then invading them, secrecy being their only defense. Wild-names are normally created with a combination of Silmaan scents, but they can be roughly translated to three-word compounds:

Example Tanar Wild-names: Resplended Autumn Mother, Verdant Valley Herald, Blessed Orchid Beauty, Eternity Lavender Matron, Greatest Daffodil Knight, Treasured Lilac Trophy.

Religion

By far and large, most Yanar are avid Estelley worshipers (except the Dulon, who often follow Evolism and other faiths the Kathar do), with a particular reverence for Mana in the modern day. That being said, other Gods and Goddesses may equally be worshiped, Estel herself is also considered important, while most other Races who worship Estelley leave Estel largely to the sidelines as the slumbering arch-goddess. Even when Yanar are not faithful, they still have a positive perception of Mana as their modern protector and patron (excepting the Dulon again). Because of the historical relation between Yanar and Mana, as well as the wider Estelley temples, other Elven Races tend to see Yanar as heralds of Mana, or the wider pantheon. They are considered in a higher statue of virtue, though this is largely historical revisionism, as Yanar are more than capable of committing sin, and frequently acting outside of the bounds of what is expected of the faithful. In many ways, this is a furtherance of the general perception among Elves that Yanar are weak, simple-minded, lacking in culture and in need of protection. Only those who have spent a lot of time around Yanar, and the Maquixtl, have a genuine deep respect for them as equals, seeing them less as heralds of the Gods, and more as just fellow faithful.

Families

Yanar are the only Race that find it comfortable to insert themselves into composite families of other Races, meaning, to be adopted when there is no blood relation. The Yanar population globally is not terribly large (not nearly as small as the Dwarven population, but certainly not sizeable). This is largely because of the fact that it is fairly rare for Yanar to copulate with other Yanar, in fact more commonly pairing and marrying into Maquixtl families, or just being adopted by them. Yanar families do exist, but they often model themselves after other Family units, or adopt non-Yanar into their fold to make sure it's not exclusively Yanar. Dulon Yanar are in fact very prized by the Kathar, and every Kathar family aims to have at least one Dulon Yanar present in their midst, because they bring a great deal of utility value in their nature control skills.

World View

  • Yanar are always a bit ambivalent or negative about the return of the Allorn Empire. While they will vocally support their friends who want a return of the Allorn Empire. Once an Empire has fallen, it can fall again for the exact same urban corruption and decay reasons unless those aspects are removed.
  • Yanar in Regalia are usually either very loyal to the Regalian State, believing it to be more stable and generally well put together than the Allorn Empire once was, or apathetic towards it, just being happy to be in a relatively peaceful place with relatively little repression and freedom of religion and movement.
  • Unionism does not acquire much of a hold on Yanar, due to it strongly contradicting Yanar Estelley sensibilities. Yanar Unionists do exist, but are generally ignored or excluded by the wider Estelley Yanar and Elves.
  • Yanar are inherently ultra-progressive people who appreciate the concept of democracy and honesty, until they are not. Yanar generally lean progressive, but Yanar who are more violent or have a wilder temper, may be more inclined to believe autocracy is more effective, especially after the collective trauma over the inability to avert disaster of the Allorn Empire and how a stronger more centralized government like Regalia might have prevented collapse.
  • Yanar are very uncomfortable around Suvial, because everything they are is drenched in the aesthetic of fire, the very thing that Yanar are wildly afraid of. They don’t outwardly hate the Suvial, they just choose to stay clear of them as much as they can.
  • Despite their fear of fire, fire is not a sure-fire way to scare a Yanar into submission mid-combat. Usually, their bravery and dedication to their convictions triumph in the moment.
  • It is commonly believed that Yanar photosynthesize or only eat plants, but both statements are false. Yanar can also be omnivores or outright carnivores, and in fact have a blood circulatory system and similar organs on the inside.
  • A false theory about Yanar souls circulated for over a decade based on incorrectly interpreted data, that claimed that Yanar did not truly possess a soul of their own and were artificial. Recent research has shown this to be wrong.
  • Yanar can never truly starve, as even the most isolated Yanar in the darkest of dungeons can grow small plants and fruitlings and nuts from the cracks between bricks and stones, even without water and sunlight.
  • Though Yanar are very gregarious and open to others usually, Yanar are extremely sensitive to unwanted touch, and consider uninvited bare-skin contact to be a grave insult.
  • Yanar care deeply about the origins of a person, believing them to intricately affect what they are like in the present day. As such, Yanar will often ask “where are your roots?” so as to act where someone is from, to understand who they are now.
  • Yanar (despite jokes and comedy to the contrary) do not consider eating plants or destruction of plant-life as murder or violence. That being said, they would prefer proper treatment of plants and a level of respect for nature that does not involve senseless destruction of flowers and trees.

Trivia

  • There have been many wild theories about Yanar being related to the Grul and even some now-extinct Races that existed in the west of the old Allorn Empire, but no records remain to verify truth from fiction.
  • The Yanar had a special relation with the Va'sil Trees, though their closeness largely faded over time as they become accustomed to Allorn society. When the Va'sil were still around, Yanar would often socialize around and with Va'sil Trees.
  • Yanar have an unexplained discomfort towards insects. Theories claim that it is because of the habits of insects to skitter and crawl, and Yanar over-sensitive skin to gentle touch.
  • Yanar historically had little connection to Manaseia, the being Mana was once part of. Their worship was instead broadly spread between the different Estelley deities, but the rise of nature in the final decades of the Allorn Empire alongside the Wildering, drove the Yanar to largely focus around Mana.

Accreditation
Writers MonMarty
Artists MonMarty
Processors Okadoka, FireFan96, HydraLana
Last Editor Firefan96 on 03/10/2024.

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