The following news files will give you information about the forest-roaming Sylvans, one of the four elemental races of this world. If you would like to choose a Sylvan background for your character, please read each one carefully, and contact a member of the staff if you have any questions.
[History | Religion | Clans | Resources | Description
Society | Castes | Kingdom | Population | Names]
The story of what would become the Varati who live under the mountains is a long one--one that loses its first dates in a time where no dates were kept; in an age where the only names remembered were those of kings and heroes and their most important deeds.
No more than threads of ancient legends reveal clues as to the origin of he Varati. "When" and "where" will forever remain a mystery, but the "why," at least, has an answer. Why they live beneath their mountains in fortresses of stone and steel, and why peace has been so fleeting for their kind. Some call them barbarians who exist only for warfare, but surely no uncouth barbarian could appreciate--let alone create--the wonders they have built beneath their cavern walls.
Listen to the "why," then, and hear how a race of warriors and artists was forged.
"...Long, long ago, when the twin worlds were still held fast, our people were worshiped by the men of Earth. Many and fanciful were the names we were given by Earth's children--'jinns,' 'genii,' and 'efrit' only a few. We had powers beyond man's understanding, and used them to aid and to teach mankind. Husheng, our first great king of whom there is any record, lived in that age, and he taught humans the secret of forging and how to shape metal with fire.
"His son, Tahmuras, ruled after him, and his gifts were of spinning wool, weaving, and the domestication of animals. It was then that the other races grew envious. This went unnoticed at first, but the rifts were wide and growing wider. Like a tree bowing more and more steeply under a violent wind, events passed until the trunk could bend no more, and with a thunderous snap, the single tree was sundered in two.
"How? A collaboration between the Empyreans and the Atlanteans, who were blinded by jealousy. It was their actions that caused the Great Flood and separated the two worlds forever, never again to reunite.
"Little but a remnant of the Varati survived, and those only through the wisdom of our third great king, Jemshid. In a dream he beheld the fate of the worlds, and in a dream he found the answer to survival: to tunnel beneath the earth and build a great 'vara' as long as a horse could run and as high as the tallest tree. He warned our people of the coming danger, and those that believed him labored for months on the subterranean home. They brought food, livestock, tools and supplies down with them, enough to sustain many generations. All those who had scoffed at the idea were swept away and killed.
"And so we learned to live away from the sun; to survive with what the mountains could provide, and trade for what they could not. Instead of a prison tolerated by necessity, we made the vara our home. The sky and the earth and the sea were taken, but the underworld beneath the mountains was ours. No floating city or oceanic paradise would outshine our palaces. No other race was as familiar with fire, metal, or stone, and we used them to create wonders that surpassed the imagination.
"This was one of the few times of peace that our people enjoyed, but it did not last. Our fourth king, Zohak, brought an end to that. And worse yet, the wars were not fought without, but within.
"He was called 'the Demon King,' for some believed he was possessed by an evil spirit. How else to explain his cruelty? When he dreamt that he would be overthrown by a young prince from another clan, he ordered the massacre of all the children within the city. But one mother defied his decree, and hid her son with a simple 'shudra' family that lived atop the mountain. He was called Feridun, and when he had come of age, he led an army into the city and fulfilled Zohak's dream.
"But that was not the end of strife among our people. Feridun ruled for many years, and when he was old and ready to pass beyond, he divided the kingdom among his three sons. But two of them were greedy, and plotted the death of the third. They dishonored the bond of blood and killed their own brother, then sent his head to their father. The old king wept at the sight.
"But the slain brother had a son of his own, Minucher, and the youth waged war against his uncles, and eventually defeated them. It was to him that Feridun gave the kingdom when death finally claimed his spirit.
"And so our people knew peace again, for a time. The kingdom expanded, and some clans traveled to distant lands where they built new fortresses and varas beneath the earth's surface. The strife between our people and those of water and sky was still present, for our Varati were strong, and growing stronger. We posed a threat to the dominant kingdoms, but we did not yet have the power to take what was our right from the beginning--a place in the sun.
"Our seventh great king, Zal, forged the bond between our people and the hardy 'wyverns,' our fire-steeds. It was he who tamed the first savage queen and bent her to his will, and her offspring have served our people for generations.
"Rustem, one of Zal's many sons, was the eighth and last king before the coming of Atar. "Born of a union between the Sun and Dawn, he is fire in mortal form; a god of Light and a champion of Truth. Though flesh and blood as we are, he is immortal--never-ending. 'Khalid Atar,' we call him--'the Never-ending Fire.'
"He appeared at a time of chaos and brought order. After Rustem was killed in a battle against the Empyreans, the clans each vied for the throne, though none of them had a rightful claim. Atar came to us then, out of no- where it seemed; a mysterious warrior with wings of onyx and eyes of flame. He defeated each and every contender for the throne, and then took it himself.
"And he led our people to victory.
"For over four hundred years, we held dominance over the other races, and it was a time of glory for our people under our ageless king. We brought our enemies to their knees and spread our kingdom wide, conquering distant lands and creating works of wonder as only our people can. But as all things end, so did our 'Reign of Fire,' and it was due to treachery from within.
"False priests spread lies about our king, and weakened his power during one of his absences -- even turned some of his most trusted followers against him. The Visir he left in his place was overthrown, and it brought an end to our age of glory. But just as the phoenix that rises from the ashes of its own death, so may our kingdom rise again. With the help of his "Lions of Fire" and faithful priests, our king has destroyed the traitorous clans, and under his divine leadership we will one day quell our enemies forever, and never again live in darkness."
- The Oral History, as recited by the priests belonging to the Royal Clan of Khalid Atar.
Death, resurrection, and reincarnation are three concepts that have shaped the religion of the Varati people, and all three are embodied in their immortal god, Khalid Atar. He is called the "Neverending Fire," and he is both a king and a deity -- a celestial being in mortal form, whose power is so great that he can defy death itself.
The Varati were not always a monotheistic people. Before Atar's appearance over 1000 years ago, they worshiped a pantheon of many gods and goddesses, personifying such ideas as war, victory, light, and the sun. They also believed in an immortal soul, and that a man or woman lived out endless lifetimes that were each shaped by the ones before. This idea has carried over into the new religion, but most of the old gods were left by the wayside after the coming of Atar.
The clans were at war with one another, and the kingdom was in chaos. Khalid Atar appeared, a mysterious being with ebon wings and power over fire, and he defeated his opponents one by one in single combat. Such has often been the way -- although the seat of the kingdom is usually passed from father to son, there is no single royal bloodline. Each clan has a chance to rule if they can best the other candidates in combat -- nor is it impossible for the king to be overthrown during his reign. But since Khalid Atar took the throne, he has only been unseated once in the past thousand years.
He was not deified overnight. It was an uphill battle to prove himself as both a king and a god. But after countless victories, and leading the Varati into their "Reign of Fire," during which they held dominance over the other races for over four hundred years, he has widely been hailed as a true god, and the rightful ruler of his people.
That does not mean there was no dissent among the people. Rival, under- ground religions threatened to undermine his power and influence, and his loss of the throne at their hands proved that he was not omnipotent after all. But he has since stamped out his detractors with the help of his "Lions of Fire," the Agni-Haidar, as well as the Atarvani, and now his popularity may be stronger than ever. Many view him as a representative of the race as a whole; proud, determined, and possessed of an indomitable will to prevail. No matter what, he will succeed, just as the Varati will one day reclaim their place under the sun, even if they must do so by force.
Atar has come to represent the varied aspects of fire: warmth, security, and the dual nature of creation and destruction. The last two are especially prevalent in Varati religion -- the idea that one cannot exist without the other. Life and death go hand-in-hand, just like day and night, love and hate; chaos and order.
Atar embodies these dual aspects, for he is both immortal and mortal, powerful and fallible -- man and god. Every hundred years or so, he undergoes a spiritual "death." Often he disappears for a time, perhaps even several years, and no one knows where he goes or what happens to him. But when he returns, he is rejuvenated and strengthened both in body and mind. This is his "resurrection," or reincarnation, just like the mythical phoenix that is born again from the ashes of its own demise. With this living example of immortality, the Varati have less reason to fear death. After all, their god proves the belief in an immortal soul by his very existence -- he alone can face death and live to tell of what lies beyond it. Who would doubt his word?
For these reasons, funerals are not times of grief, but of celebration. The Varati view them much in the same way they view births, and the ceremonies for both are very similar. There is feasting and entertainment, and family and friends gather to honor the deceased, or to congratulate the new parents.
Should a death and a birth occur relatively close together, Varati may suspect that the new baby is the reincarnation of the deceased, and often they will give the child the same name as the departed in order to ease the transition from one life to the next. Also, slaves, servants, and wives may be put to death and immolated along with their deceased master so that their souls will be reincarnated with his, to serve him in the next lifetime.
Although the wives have a choice about joining their husbands in death, it is not always a free one. Widows are not permitted to marry again, and if they choose life over death, it should only be because they have young children to care for. Otherwise, the decision is seen as selfish and disloyal, and society views such creatures with contempt.
For more information about the Varati religion, please reads "news Atar" and "news Ushas" under the pantheon news files.
When a young man raised on a farm by a shudra family managed to gather an army and defeat the king roughly 2000 years ago, that was the beginning of military rule for the Varati. The young man was Feridun, and ever since his time, the leadership of the Varati was not contained in a single bloodline. His actions established the clans that have flourished to this day, and they provide the military might that makes the Varati a force to be reckoned with.
When a king's influence is shaky, his physical health in question, or his popularity on the wane, he is considered prey for the clans. Their warlords will choose that moment to strike in an attempt to claim the throne for them- selves. The man who can keep it is the man the Varati call "king," and only one man has managed to both keep the throne and unify the clans for an extended period of time. That man is Khalid Atar, the deified monarch of the Varati people, and even he did not always have complete control.
He was overthrown during one of his periodic absences, when several clans allied together to oppose the Visir he left in his stead. They were joined by members of the priestly caste who undermined his power and popularity, and the "elite" warriors, the Agni-Haidar, were destroyed in a last stand against the traitors as they defended the boy-Visir. After the God-King's return, he re- established the Lions of Fire, and managed to ferret out traitorous clans and quell the rumors spread by false priests. But the process was a long one, and vestiges of defiance may yet lurk in the other clans, waiting only for the right opportunity to grow into full-blown rebellion. Luckily for Atar, the number of clans remains small, though they are widespread.
Usually the clans are made up of an extended family or families, joined together by marriage or political alliances, who govern a certain territory or city. They are led by a single warlord, or Pasha, and his position is almost as precarious as the king's. A warlord's reign is typically brief, for he is constantly subject to treachery from within, or the possibility of defeat at the hands of a rival clan.
The wise leader must trust no one, and must nourish the paranoia of his rivals so that they will be too busy watching their own backs to try and stab his. Or perhaps the wisest leaders won't be leaders at all--at least not publicly. They may choose some figurehead that they can influence and manipulate, while they themselves remain safely in the shadows and out of the "firing line." Thus, it is never quite certain just *who* is in charge of a given clan, and the wise leader knows never to let his guard down, or believe an enemy truly vanquished.
To view the current list of major Varati clans, please view the rosters under "+faction/list." Then contact the player in charge either via @mail or page. Any further questions can be directed to the Varati admin.
The following lists show what resources the Varati are best known for:
Farming: grain, wheat, vegetables, fruit
Livestock: sheep, goats, cattle, hogs, horses, mules, wyverns
Mining: gold, silver, lead, copper, tin, iron ore, precious gems
Products: herbs, spices, mushrooms
Manufacturing: silks, rugs, textiles, perfumes, weaponry, jewelry, steel, silverwork, bronzeware, glasswareTrade-Goods (Items/Services Varati need from other races):
Atlanteans: salt, seafood, oil, pearls, coral, use of sea-ways
Empyreans: livestock, grain, wheat, fruits, vegetables, wine, oil
Sylvans: herbs/medicines, leather, fur, meat, lumber, land
Mongrels: manual/slave labor, farming, production
Sculptors have claimed that a statue was merely a shape hidden beneath the original surface of the stone, waiting for the questing hand to come forth with its tools and remove the extra pieces. Now, put breath into the cold rock, and an image of what a Varati is comes to life.
Rugged, powerful people, they convey the impression of being hewn from a block of granite, both in looks and movement. Yet no shambling mountains are they, for one has only to watch them work their metals to see the grace and dexterity in their hands and fingers as they pull beauty from lumps of rock.
Take that concept of stone further, and apply it to personality and demeanor--make the statue think. Stoic, stern, and practically immovable in thought and opinion, there nevertheless lurks a fiery ember within the heart of a Varati, waiting only for the breath of passion or anger to set it ablaze.
Little wonder then, why they make impressive warriors, for they seem built for warfare just as a sword is specially crafted for its purpose. True, not all of them are soldiers, yet rare is the Varati male who knows nothing of the ways of combat. Consequently, most are strong and powerfully muscled, both from training and working at the forge.
Clothing for the males is generally plain and serviceable, made from sturdy material that will withstand the rigors of combat and metalworking. Yet the females are as skilled with fabric and weaving as the males are in blacksmithing, and the Varati will often take advantage of celebrations and festivals as an excuse to display their finery. With their silks, satins, and intricate, gem-studded jewelry, the Varati hardly fit the image of the unrefined barbarians that many believe them to be.
While the males are rugged and heavy-set, the females tend to look less like a hewn block of stone, and more akin to smoothed marble. Their skin is a touch paler than the males', though still dusky, and most Varati are dark- haired and dark-eyed. Few of their females could be described as "dainty," for they possess many of the same characteristics as the males: strength and power mixed with a surety of movement. Yet they are still distinctly feminine, and some have claimed that Varati women are the most beautiful in the world.
Such a boast would be hard to prove, for that vaunted beauty is cloaked in mystery. Veils and long, flowing garments conceal the bodies of Varati women, oftentimes leaving no more than their eyes and hands visible. Perhaps it is the unknown that fuels the imagination and leads one to such extravagant claims, or perhaps there is some truth to it after all.
See the "+terms" files on such items as the sari, sark, haik, breeches, buskins, and zoris for more ideas on Varati attire.
Varati usually live to the ripe old age of 80-100.
To an outsider, the society of the Varati people might look severe and too rigidly structured. There is a sharp definition between each of the four castes, and very little opportunity to raise one's personal rank or lifestyle. The warrior-nobles, the "kshatri," rule by force, and even religion is strictly disciplined. Yet the outsider should also notice that, save for the competitive clan leaders, peace is all but prevalent among the castes, and rare is the Varati who seems dissatisfied with his or her lot.
At least, on the surface. Just as they make their homes in mountain fortresses that few can access, the Varati maintain a similar aloofness with their hearts and minds. Proud and unyielding, like the stony earth from which they come, they present a unified front to outsiders, refusing to admit to any flaws in their society's structure.
For, of all the races, the Varati are the most patriarchal. Theirs is a male-dominated society, and women have few options beyond the household. Even within the home, their status is precarious, for a man may take several wives, who must then vie for his favor. The clever Varati woman must influence her husband without letting him know she is in control, for the men usually prefer docile, submissive wives. In addition, a woman's worth is largely determined by how many sons she can give her husband. Should a wife fail to produce male heirs, or otherwise displease her spouse, she can be divorced with but a word. The fault almost always falls upon the woman; it is her family that is dishonored, and often they will refuse to take her back in. Estranged and alone, these women occupy a niche in society somewhere below even the "shudra," the mongrel caste. Some become beggars, others prostitute themselves for money, but once a woman has fallen this far, there is no going back.
The shudra are relegated to servitude, along with the naraki, or slaves. Each are typically made up of mixed breeds -- Mongrels and Halfbreeds. The parents of Halfbreeds are generally reviled, and whatever status they once had is lost. Some choose to live outside the kingdom rather than face the animosity of their former friends and family. Like the "fallen women" whose sins soil the family name, the parents of Halfbreed children visit the same punishment upon their relatives, and most families will disown such members to save face. If the shudra do not seem to chafe under the yoke of tyranny, it may only be through fear, rather than acceptance, as the Varati would like outsiders to believe.
The last main group are the Varati religious caste, the Atarvani. They are both mages and priests, trained to interpret the will of their god, and are as much servants of the people as the shudra and naraki. Trained within the hub of Varati culture, the mountain known as the "Throne of Fire," they spend years perfecting their magical crafts.
More information about each caste is contained within "news var-castes."
The strict caste system of the Varati had been touched upon in the files regarding society, but not explained fully. Therefore, the following will describe the four different ranks and what they entail.
First let it be noted that the Varati are the most rigid of all the races when it comes to tradition and adherence to the rules of society. Those lower on the social ladder would simply never dream of insulting their betters or actively trying to improve their lot. With their belief in an immortal soul and the idea of reincarnation, they accept that their current life is merely fate--a punishment or reward for lives previously lived. It must be endured, and endured well. The man or woman who does not accept their due-- who strives to be something other than what they were born--is not honorable. And honor, to the Varati, is of the utmost importance.
Honor encompasses many things: courage, valor, justice, mercy, and unwavering faith. The Varati who lives by that code of rules will be rewarded in another life; the one who does not will be punished. Those who are less fortunate than others were given that fate for a purpose -- punishment. So exhibiting kindness where it is unwarranted is to go against the will of god. In other words, there is little room for compassion or companionship between the castes. A "kshatri," one of the warrior nobility, will not befriend a mongrel, or "shudra," and consider him an equal. It is simply not done.
Therefore, each caste is separated by an impassable gulf, simply by accident of birth. Women, Halfbreeds, and Mongrels are, by and large, considered inferior to pureblooded males. While women can enjoy the status of a higher caste, Mongrels and Halfbreeds will always remain shudra or naraki. Often servants or slaves, the mixed breeds were put on this world to serve their superiors. They are the lowest of the low.
The next rung of society's ladder is occupied by the "vaisya," or common people. These are merchants, craftsmen, entertainers, metalworkers, etc.--the "working class" of the Varati. They provide the food, clothing, weapons, tools, and other provisions for the race. Few ever achieve great wealth, but for the most part, their lives are comfortable, and their status respected.
The last two castes share equal footing--or close to it. First there are the "kshatri," the warrior nobility. Long ago, the Varati made names for themselves as a warlike, aggressive race. This is largely due to their army, which eventually grew in might and numbers until they had displaced the royal families and taken their power for their own. Since then, the kshatri have filled both roles, and emphasized the famous saying that "might makes right."
And finally, we come to the "Atarvani," or priestly caste. Many are versed in the ways of magic, but more importantly, they provide religious leadership for the race. They are the emissaries between the people and their god, and interpret his word and will. It is even rumored that those who are particularly loyal to Khalid Atar and who have won his favor may earn a taste of immortal life, which only he may bestow. It is this prize, and the honored position of religious leader, that encourages many parents to send their young sons into the temples, for this is the only caste that one is not born into, but achieves.
Another group among the Varati, though not widespread enough to be a caste unto itself, are the Agni-Haidar -- the "Lions of Fire." They are an elite army answerable only to Khalid Atar, and fiercely loyal. They are responsible for wiping out any of Khalid's detractors, and many a Clan has suffered their wrath, for a real or imagined betrayal.
Please see "news Var-society" and "news Var-clans" for more information.
Initially, the Varati kingdom was confined to underground fortresses, or "varas," situated in mountains far to the north of Haven. But they have since expanded, and because their territory still mainly lies underground, there is no telling just how big it is. Often there are small towns or cities situated near the entrances to their underground kingdoms, where trade and meetings may take place, but visitors are rarely allowed to venture into the heart of Varati territory. Those few who have give accounts of lavish palaces built from stone and precious metals, ornamented with crystals, gems, and intricate designs. Shaping magic runs strong in the Varati race, and even those without it are renowned for their ability to bend rock and metal to their will. Not only that, but their women excel at weaving, and Varati textiles and fabrics are among the finest in the world. Anyone who accused them of being artless barbarians would truly be in for a surprise, were he ever allowed into their mountain homes.
Total Population: 7 million Varati citizens
Purebreeds: 5.5 million pure-blooded Varati
Mixed breeds: 1.5 million mongrel/impure/non-Varati citizens
Number of Clans: 10-12 Major Clans
40-60 Minor Clans
Kshatri: 1 million
Atarvani: 800,000
Agni-Haidar: 50,000
Vaisya: 3.5 million
Shudra: 1.6 million
Varati with the "affinity" for magic: 65% of population (3,575,000)
Magic at/above Adept level: 40% (of 3,575,000: 1,430,000)
Affinity for elemental-fire magic: 25% (of 3,575,000: 893,750)
Elemental-fire magic at/above Adept level: 15% (of 893,750: 134,063)
Most Varati names are Persian, Indian, and Arabic in origin, for this race was largely based on those mythologies. Female names should reflect the traits that Varati desire in their women: faithfulness, chastity, grace, and beauty. Men, meanwhile, are to possess such attributes as skill in warfare, virility, intelligence, and strong leadership.
A Varati's first name is the name bestowed on them by their parents. Often this name will have belonged to someone who died recently, for the Varati believe in reincarnation, and a baby born shortly after a death might be the deceased individual starting off his or her new life. The second name is the family name--similar to our surnames. This may be the same as a clan name, but if it is not, a child is given a third name to denote which clan he or she is from. For example, a daughter born to clan Tahmuras, of the family Nassur, might be called Vashti Nassur Tahmuras.
Female: Aditi (free and unbounded), Aisha (life), Alisa (a joy), Amal (hope), Ambika (the mother), Amineh (faithful), Anala (fire), Arda (bronze), Aziza (precious), Bathshira (seventh daughter), Cari (flowing like water), Chandra (moon), Chava (life), Deva (divine), Emmali (industrious), Esther (star), Faida (plentiful),Gemma (precious stone), Ghaliya (sweet-smelling), Hara (seizer), Jade (jade stone), Jamila (beautiful), Jasmine (jasmine blossom), Kalila (beloved), Kalinda (the sun),Kama (love), Kamila (the perfect one), Karida (virginal), Kavindra (mighty poet),Kesava (having fine hair), Lalita (charming), Leila (born at night), Matrika (mother), Meryem (rebellious), Noura (light), Opal (gem), Rashida (righteous), Rena (melody), Rubia (ruby), Safira (sapphire), Sakti(energy), Saril (the sound of running water), Selma (secure), Shaina (beautiful), Suri (knife), Tahira (pure), Trina (piercing), Vashti (lovely), Veda (wisdom), Yehudit (praise), Zada (lucky one), Zara (princess), Zarifa (graceful)
Male: Adar (ruler), Adham (black), Adli (just), Adri (rock), Ahir (last), Alim (wise), Ardon (bronze), Arslan (lion), ), Asker (soldier), Bal (wool- hair), Berk (rugged), Cahil (young and naive), Cyrus (throne), Dovev (to speak quietly), Duman (smoke), Gadiel (my fortune), Hadad (virility), Hakan (fiery), Harb (war), Haroun (exalted), Hassan (handsome), Isham (home of the iron one), Jamil (handsome), Javas (swift), Javier (brilliant), Jehan (gracious gift of god), Kalil (friend), Kasim (divided), Kaspar (guardian of the treasure), Kedar (mountain lord), Khoury (priest), Kiral (king), Kovar (smith), Lais (lion), Mansur (divinely aided), Mart (warlike), Mehmet (the praised one), Mehtar (prince), Mohan (delightful), Nandin (destroyer), Nassur (victorious), Numair (panther), Omar (first son), Rafi (exalting), Rahman (merciful), Salmalin (taloned), Samein (to be heard), Sarngin (archer), Segel (treasure), Seif (sword of religion), Sevilen (beloved), Siraj (light), Tahir (pure), Valin (mighty soldier), Yasar (wealth), Zeheb (gold)
