Welcome to Norlyra!

A project by Vermiir

Community

Emnao build up villages, cities and castles. There are noble, rich and poor people. There are prestigious professions and despised ones. Thus, the relationships between individuals vary greatly.

Professions and Society

The profession an Emnao chooses plays a major role in the community, as not all professions are equally respected. Generally speaking, it comes down to usefulness, but it is still a complicated matter. To give a few examples:The toolsmith is popular among the common people and highly respected, since the tools he makes simplify everyone’s daily life. However, this does not apply to the nobility! They have no need for sickles, chisels, and the like. Therefore, every toolsmith is useless to them, and they look down on him accordingly.Conversely, architects are very popular with the nobility. They design their castles and oversee the construction. Useless snobs to the common people, who simply build their own houses.Tailors are needed by everyone. From the king to the common citizen, it is a universally respected profession.The executioner is a special case. He also serves as a torturer and a doctor. In the service of the nobility, he earns a lot, and even the common people gladly make use of his services as a doctor. Nevertheless, he is anything but respected! No one wants to live next to someone who earns a living through executions and torture. They are despised or feared by most people and therefore usually live as hermits.

Hybrids and Multihybrids

Emnao usually remain in the kingdom where they were born for their entire lives. However, there are professions that require travel, and there are individuals who want to travel. It is not unusual for these emnao to find their great love in another kingdom. At first glance, a partnership between two different subspecies is not a bad thing. But they still attract skeptical looks.However, if the unequal couple has children, the whole family comes under social pressure. The parents are accused of betraying their respective homelands, their culture and their ancestors. They are not banished because of this, but they are often treated with contempt.The hybrid children cannot help their existence, but they are living proof of their parents' "transgression". A stain that is not welcome.Multihybrids are met with even more contempt. They are the result of several generations who have forgotten their origins and "betrayed" their homeland.However, not everyone is equally strict about this. Among the nobility, in highly respected families, and in large cities, hybrids are an absolute no-go. In rural areas and among the common people, on the other hand, people are more tolerant, and that is where you’ll find most of them.

Religion

Emnao build shrines and decorate them with flowers, gems and statues. Warm colors for Varna, cold colors for Mahfil. But the popularity of each god is different in each kingdom. Notana for example is where Varna is said to have been born, therefore she has more and bigger shrines there and people wear more gold than silver there.

The Kingdoms of Norlyra

With the exception of a few islands, the Emnao have claimed the entire world for themselves and divided it into seven kingdoms. Each kingdom is, in turn, divided into several principalities. This helps the kings administer and oversee their vast empire.

Unclaimed Land

Hierarchy

King
The king decides everything. He determines the laws of the land as he pleases, negotiates with other kingdoms, or wages war against them.Queen
The queen is a representative. If the king dies or is unable to rule for other reasons, she takes his place.Princes
Each kingdom has up to 10 principalities. The rulers of these principalities help the king to administer the land and ensure that laws are obeyed. They also advise the king as a council.Prince/Princess
Although the royal couple's children have no decision-making power, as heirs they nevertheless hold a high rank in society. Among them, age determines rank. The oldest child becomes the next king or queen, and the children of the princes become their spouses.The rest of the population is equal in rank, regardless of whether you are poor or rich. Life, however, is still better if you have money and a prestigious job.

Random additional Facts

#1 Global Black Market
Of course, it’s the king who decides what’s illegal and what isn’t, which is why there are differences between the kingdoms. So where do you get illegal goods? From a country where they’re legal! Many a dealer earns a little extra by smuggling goods into a neighboring country and selling them there illegally. Foreign traders are not uncommon, since even some legal items, such as herbs, are not available in every country. The big problem here, however, is not just drugs, but the fact that in some countries ancient customs still prevail, and even things like slavery are still legal there. As a result, there are criminal organizations that kidnap and sell Emnao and, indeed, Renliin worldwide.#2 War in the Realm
In principle, the army belongs to the king. However, soldiers inevitably live within a prince’s territory and are therefore subject to him. In fact, it does happen that princes wage war against one another. Usually, though, this does not last long, as the king generally intervenes to restore peace. The methods he employs vary widely. Some kings turn to the soldiers, order them to lay down their arms, and thereby force the princes into a duel. May the strongest win. Others simply depose the princes and appoint two new ones. Still others try to sit down together and find a diplomatic solution. But some just let it happen.

Renliin and the Elements

Here is a little overview of the elements and what can be done with them. However, these are just examples. Renliin can also use their element in other ways. For example, darkness doesn't necessarily have to be fog; it can also be more like black fire.

Sounds

Since Renliin have poor eyesight but very good hearing, nonverbal communication mainly takes place through a variety of sounds and only rarely through gestures.Howl
A loud howl conveys a message over a large area. A deep howl is a threat or warning. A high-pitched howl is a cry for help.Chirp
Chirping is used to coordinate hunting. These sounds are often ultrasonic to prevent the prey from hearing them. However, sometimes they are deliberately made audible to scare the prey and drive it into a trap. There are many different chirping sounds that have specific meanings like "follow" or "kill".Whimpering
When afraid, in pain, or to signal submissiveness.Purring
When very happy, satisfied or proud.Snarling
Growling is a direct threat and an expression of anger.To the Emnao, all Renliin sound the same. However, the Renliin recognize the voices of their companions and know who makes which sounds. Even with strangers, they can tell whether they are male or female and approximately how old they are.

Renliin Names

When a Renliin is born they get introduced to the tribe. Their parents choose their first name. It's the name of a famous person, of a friend, an ancestor or one the parents simply like. For example Rakan, Adara, Doreenik, Natori, ...Young adults gain their second name during a traditional event where they need to show off their skills. These names are given by the oldest tribe members and refer to the individual strength of each Renliin. These are names like Quickbite, Brightflame, Coldsong, .... These names do not replace the first name. They are additional. However some people choose to call others by the first name, some by the second, some by the whole.If a Renliin does something very special or heroic it even can be honored with a third name by the elders. This name would refer to whatever great they did. For example Childsafer, Beastslayer, Peacebringer, ....Naming CeremonyYoung Renliin at early adulthood are asked to fulfill basic tasks like hunting, fighting and element usage while the whole tribe is watching. In addition they can show something they believe to be good at. This can be anything from singing and dancing to climbing and running or even crafting and weapon usage. This is no competition and there are no expectations to fulfill but every Renliin must do it. After every Young is done showing off their skills the five oldest tribe members will privately discuss names for each young Renliin. This can take days depending on the number of participants and how easily the elders can agree on something. The oldest tribe member will announce when they're done. In the evening, the tribe gathers to watch the oldest member of the tribe ceremoniously give the young their names. Afterwards there will be a big celebration. Till sunrise the whole tribe will be singing and dancing. The young are considered adults and full members of the tribe now. They'll be welcomed and celebrated as such. The ancestors are also called to celebrate with them and welcome the new generation.This ceremony is a tradition in every tribe. So if a Renliin doesn't have a second name, it's immediately clear that he is either an outcast or a clan member.

Community

Renliin live in tribes or clans. In both cases, the pack is the most important thing to them. It is family and home. Being banished, being alone, without a pack is a nightmare for most Renliin, but of course there are also those who like to be their own masters.Within the pack—whether it’s a tribe or a clan—men and women are completely equal. Sexism occurs only in isolated cases.Renliin are loyal partners for life. The concept of marriage is foreign to them, but they don’t need it either. Within the pack, everyone knows who belongs with whom, whether it’s a matter of family ties or romantic relationships.

Religion

Renliin are spriritual beings. They have a strong connection to nature, especially their own element and believe in destiny, curses and a cosmic balance.They may ask the gods for help and blessings but they don't really pray. Renliin also don't build shrines, churches or anything alike. Their gods do as they please and can't be bribed.