The Athar Race
The Athar trace their existence to the Great Lord of Light, a primal entity whose domain was the ceaseless radiance of Cealdun’s dawn. It was said that in the beginning, when the world lay in its infancy, the Great Lord reached into the horizon where the first light kissed the void. There, from the golden expanse of dawn, they gathered threads of pure luminance, each strand glimmering with untold potential. Woven together with the dew that formed in the fleeting moments between night and day, the Lord sculpted the first Athar—beings whose very essence radiated with life and purpose. These creations were not static; their forms shifted and shimmered, their contours indistinct and suffused with the glow of a newborn star. In those early cycles, the Athar lived as ephemeral beings of energy and light, unbound by the mortal constraints of flesh. They danced amidst the dawning skies, leaving trails of brilliance in their wake, their laughter a harmony of illumination. The Great Beast known as the Namer, one of the Eldren, emerged as their guardian and silent observer. The Namer’s role was to bestow upon the Athar a sense of identity and guide them as they adjusted to their newfound autonomy. Over millennia, the radiance of the Athar condensed, their luminous forms encased in vessels of warm flesh that allowed them to interact more fully with the burgeoning world around them. This transformation marked a pivotal moment in their history as they evolved from beings of pure light to those who walked, lived, and thrived amidst the material plane. When the ancient civilization fell during the Age of Silence, the Athar’s radiant unity was fractured. Scattered across the lands, they adapted to the varied and often harsh environments of Cealdun. Some sought refuge in the alpine ridges where the thin air amplified their inner glow, while others lingered near shimmering coasts, reflecting the sunlit waves. Though their physical forms began to diversify with the demands of survival, the Athar retained an unyielding connection to their origin. Their cores continued to emit a faint light, a fragment of their creator’s first dawn, serving as a constant link to their celestial lineage.Nature
The essence of the Athar lies in their inexorable connection to light. From their creation, they have been creatures of radiance, not merely reliant on its presence but intrinsically bound to it. Light courses through their veins, infusing their movements, their thoughts, and their very perception of existence. This intimate relationship fosters an innate drive to bring illumination to the world, both literally and metaphorically. Where darkness fosters fear and stagnation, the Athar are drawn to kindle clarity and growth. Their existence is marked by a natural inclination toward resilience and adaptability, traits inherited from their earliest days of transformation from energy to flesh. Athar are not purely creatures of the material; their inner glow reflects their spiritual depth. They possess an acute awareness of the unseen—a sensitivity to shifts in balance, whether within themselves or the world around them. This awareness grants them a profound sense of purpose, compelling them to seek harmony not out of obligation but from an intrinsic desire to align with the natural order of things. This need to balance light with shadow imbues them with a sense of curiosity, tempered by a calm patience that mirrors the steady rise of the sun.Terminology
The Athar are often referred to by other races as the "Children of Dawn," a title that highlights their celestial origins. Among themselves, they use the term "Elarin" to describe their kind, a word derived from the ancient tongue meaning "those who carry the light." The Namer’s influence lingers in their lexicon; their stages of life are named to reflect the phases of illumination. Newborns are called "Kindlings," a reference to the spark of light newly ignited. Youth are known as "Flares," denoting their vibrant energy and growth. Mature Athar are termed "Lumens," a title that underscores their steady, guiding presence, while elders are revered as "Auriels," embodiments of wisdom and the lasting glow of twilight. Their biology incorporates terms unique to their radiant nature. The core of light within each Athar is known as the "Auralis," a mystical organ that generates their inner glow and sustains their connection to the Great Lord of Light. This feature is central to their identity, believed to house not just energy but fragments of memory and insight passed down from their ancestors.Characteristics
The Athar are characterized by their ethereal resilience and unmistakable presence. Their physical forms, though tempered by mortal flesh, retain a subtle glow that waxes and wanes with their emotions and vitality. In times of joy, their radiance intensifies, casting warm, golden hues upon their surroundings. Conversely, moments of sorrow or introspection dim their light, leaving them veiled in a muted shimmer. This interplay between their inner state and outward appearance makes them both enigmatic and deeply expressive to those who understand their nature. Physically, the Athar possess dense, durable bodies shaped by their evolution to survive various environments. Their bones are imbued with a golden sheen, faintly luminescent under the right light, a lingering vestige of their initial brilliance. Sensory perception for the Athar extends beyond the typical five senses. Their eyes, adapted to capture even the faintest light, allow them to see with startling clarity in dim conditions. These traits create an innate connection to the world around them, enabling them to navigate complex landscapes with ease.Mentally, the Athar are contemplative and steadfast. Their thoughts often reflect the cycles of day and night, moving through periods of intense activity followed by deliberate introspection. This rhythm grants them an air of balance and reliability. While not immune to conflict, their inclination is to seek understanding rather than dominance. Their ancestry often inspires them to act as mediators and guardians, driven by the belief that light—whether physical or metaphorical—is a force meant to be shared rather than hoarded. In their interactions, Athar exhibit a calm warmth that draws others to them. They are natural storytellers, their words imbued with a quiet power that evokes the gentle unfolding of dawn. Despite their enduring grace, they are not immune to pride, sometimes overestimating their role in illuminating the paths of others. Yet even in their flaws, the Athar’s connection to light’s duality—both its brilliance and its shadows—grounds them as a race of profound depth and humanity.