The Nalarii Race
The Nalarii were first shaped by the Great Lord of Shadows, whose domain encompassed the voids where light dared not venture. From the absence of illumination, the Great Lord spun ephemeral silhouettes, beings composed entirely of shadow. These early Nalarii moved like whispers on the periphery of existence, their forms defined by the interplay of absence and presence. For ages, they thrived in the cool stillness of the night, creatures of subtlety and grace who navigated the thresholds of the seen and unseen. Tragedy befell the Nalarii when their race was extinguished entirely. The cause of their extinction remains unknown, a mystery shrouded in the very darkness that birthed them. Their absence left a profound void, their legacy preserved only in fragments scattered throughout the shadows of Cealdun. It was the Sculptor, one of the Eldren, who sought to restore them. In collaboration with the Vestige of Dread, the Sculptor gathered the motes of their shadowed essence. But the shadows alone were not enough to reform the Nalarii. Drawing upon the elements of the other Great Lords, the Sculptor wove together a new form. Earth provided the stone for their bodies, fire forged their cores, water imbued their forms with fluidity, air carved their contours, and light sealed their essence within. These restored beings were unlike their predecessors. The new Nalarii emerged as living statues, each embodying the fragments of their own past and the remnants of countless others. Their bodies, forged from stone, metal, and mineral, bore physical echoes of the original race and the features of those whose shadows had been interwoven into their creation. This rebirth tied the Nalarii to all the races of Cealdun, as their forms carried traces of the lost and the fallen. Despite their reconstruction, the Nalarii retained an unmistakable connection to shadow, their very existence a rebellion of endurance, absence made tangible.Nature
The Nalarii are beings of duality, embodying both the void and the substance forged to fill it. Their essence is one of stillness and reflection, a quiet strength born from their unique origins. They are drawn to places of quiet and mystery, their connection to shadow granting them a natural affinity for the liminal and the hidden. Unlike their original form, the restored Nalarii possess a physicality that ties them to the world, while their shadowed essence lingers as a reminder of what was lost. This duality shapes their instincts and desires. The Nalarii are contemplative by nature, often driven to explore the nuances of existence and the boundaries between what is and what could be. They are inherently empathetic, their essence attuned to the echoes of those who came before them. This empathy manifests in a tendency to collect and preserve stories, memories, and artifacts, as if seeking to anchor themselves in the lives of those who contributed to their creation.Terminology
Among other races, the Nalarii are often referred to as the "Children of the Dark," a title that reflects their history of loss and restoration. Within their own culture, they use the term "Umbryn" to describe themselves, an ancient word that translates to "those of the shadow's embrace." This term signifies both their origin and their connection to the void. The Sculptor’s influence is evident in their terminology, particularly in how they define their stages of life. Newly formed Nalarii are called "Shards," representing the fragments that coalesce into their being. As they mature, they are known as "Veins," reflecting their evolving identity and the remnants of those who came before. Fully grown Nalarii are termed "Obelisks," symbolizing their strength and permanence, while the elders are revered as "Monuments," guardians of shadow and memory. Their biology is rich with unique descriptors that reflect their reconstructed forms. The "Duskeye" is the nexus within each Nalarii that binds their shadowed essence to their physical structure, a place where darkness and substance intermingle. The "Veilstone" is the term for their outer surface, a layered composition of stone and mineral that shifts subtly under different lights, revealing glimpses of the shadowed essence within.Characteristics
The Nalarii are defined by their striking and enigmatic presence. Their forms, though crafted from stone and metal, move with an uncanny fluidity, as if the shadows within guide their every motion. The interplay between light and darkness across their surfaces creates an ever-changing appearance, lending them an ethereal, otherworldly quality. Their features often carry subtle hints of the races whose essence contributed to their creation—a curve of an ear, the shape of a jaw, or the texture of a surface—though these traces are always veiled in the overarching design of shadow. Their senses are finely attuned to the interplay of darkness and light, allowing them to discern subtle contrasts and nuances that others might overlook. This sensitivity mirrors their introspective nature, drawing them to spaces where shadow and substance converge.Mentally, the Nalarii are deeply introspective and analytical. Their thoughts often dwell on the nature of identity and the interplay of the past and present. This reflective nature makes them natural seekers of knowledge and understanding, though it can also render them prone to melancholy as they grapple with the weight of their collective history. Despite this, they possess a resilience born of their reconstruction, a quiet determination to endure and evolve. Socially, the Nalarii are both enigmatic and inviting. They value connection and community, seeing themselves as part of a greater whole that transcends individual existence. Their interactions are often marked by a profound sense of respect and curiosity, as they seek to understand the lives and experiences of those around them. This openness, combined with their mysterious origins, makes them both compelling and unsettling companions. To the Nalarii, life is a delicate balance of shadow and substance, a dance between what was, what is, and what might yet be.