Ellurian West Teldanari
| Etenari | |
|---|---|
| Racial Characteristics | |
| Average Weight: | 5'8" |
| Hair Color: | widely varied, but includes the white of the Teldanari |
| Eye Color: | widely varied, but does include the strange reddish pink of the Teldanari |
| Other Information | |
| Country of Origin: | Currently from Elluria via Aslar, ultimately originating in Teldanar |
| Significant Populations: | Elluria |
| Language: | Etenari language (a dialect of Teldanari) |
| Major Religion: | Alouism |
| Related Races: | Teldanari |
The Ellurian West Teldanari, most commonly called Etenari, are a group of Teldanari people who were relocated to Elluria from Aslar in the time before the Southland War. Most of these people were from the middle regions of Aslar and spoke Aslar as their native language. Due to their relative isolation from other Teldanari peoples, they have developed their own unique spin on Teldanari customs. Also due to geographical relocations over the period of their history, these people tend to have a lower number of the very pale-white (perhaps albino) features that their eastern cousins display. Many Etenari people look indistinguishable from very fair Ellurian or Aslarian humans (excluding, of course, mode of dress).
After their relocation, many Etenari found work in the docks and fishing cities. They quickly became expert seamen, known for their patient mastery of many ocean-related skills. Etenari-prepared fish is a local delicacy in some parts of western Elluria.
Culture
Etenari revere Alou, the "nameless god" (also "the faceless god"). From the age of 12 on, both men and women cover their faces and their bodies with loose white cloth as a display of faith.
Beliefs
The Etenari have a song which is passed from generation to generation, telling of the greatness of Alou and how Alou spun the world into existence off of a great wheel. The world and all creations of Alou were beautiful and flawless, but Man grew too enamored of the power of the Wheel and tried to use it for his own amusement, thus irreparably altering both the nature of humanoids and the world. Alou vowed to fix the mistake Man had made by removing Man from being (and thus Men took up the veil (laadakh, called laakh among the Teldanari) to hide themselves from Alou), but one child's innocence and purity stopped his hand.
Mankind was saved, but the Etenari wear the veil still, to remind themselves to be humble and think always of the mercy of Alou and the beauty of the natural state of things.
Redemption
Unlike with their Eastern cousins, the Etenari make special exceptions to the general rule of laadakh, allowing for those who have shown great skill and bravery in service of Family and Oaths to remove their laadakh after a rite called Redeeming. This exception applies only to the person who is Redeemed via the rite, and does not pass to their children or relatives, unlike most Etenari honors. A Redeemed Etenari person may still wear the laadakh at special occasions, such as the naming of a child or funerals. A notable Redeemed Etenari person is Sarah Killian.
Peculiarities
Family and Oaths
Etenari people place high value on Family and Oaths. A person will gladly lay down their lives to protect their kinsmen, and will do what is necessary to ensure the continuation of their clan.
A promise made by an Etenari person is widely considered as good as a deed already done.
Dietary concerns
Etenari people refuse to eat eggs or baby animals out of deference to the wishes to Alou. (See "Beliefs" above.) Breads are bound together with chia rather than egg. They have no problem eating seeds and grains as these are not recognised as "offspring". Something which requires aid (in this case water) to become life is not considered a child. Eggs hatch on their own, seeds (agriculturally grown) require preparation of the soil, toil, careful handling, etc, to produce "offspring" (seedlings).
Wholeism
The traditional Etenari consideration is that a family or clan is one being rather than many separate ones bound together by circumstance. This extends to their understanding of nature and the world at whole, as well. One animal is the same as another, one plant the same as another. They are instances of a greater whole. It is for this reason that an individual will gladly give their life to ensure continuation of their family or clan: their life is not being wasted, it is simply one part of the whole acting to defend the whole.
Language
Ellurian West Teldanari speak an Aslar-influenced dialect of Teldanari which is written with Aslarian glyphs.
Adoption
Etenari are distinguished from their Eastern cousins by their liberal attitude towards adoption of outsiders into the whole. Any person who proves themselves willing to lay down their lives to defend a clan of Etenari, or who takes up an oath of an Etenari person and sees it to completion becomes eligible for the status of Etenayari, "Found/Discovered Etenari". If the clan finds them to be worthy, they will become another member of that clan. Immediate full-blood siblings of the Etenayari are also considered to be Etenayari, however recognition of this status requires that they themselves claim it by presenting themselves to the clan Fathers. The children of Etenayari are not Etenayari, but rather simply Etenari.
Etenayari are expected to adhere to the same general guidelines as Etenari people themselves do: protect the Whole, keep one's oaths, etc. They are, however, not penalised if they fail to wear the veil (laadakh) and don't keep to the dietary restrictions (though this is frowned upon).
Etenayari are not clan-mobile, unlike Etenari. (They remain with the clan they are adopted into until they die, and cannot be adopted by/taken into another clan. The exception to this is Etenayari who later become Etenayari Nisaad, Nisaadari (the contemplative Etenari equivalent of monks).)