MANYARI
An entirely unique creature born through the union and bonding between the Children of Man and Valkys, through the imbuing and exchanging of yarik. Their innate knowledge of worldly energies gives them the unique ability to work in tandem with yarik stones and crystals in order to store and recover yarik at their command. Their name was chosen as an honorific combination of Man and Yhkari.
Related: Inyari | Yhkari | Children of Man
KEMAHNI
Pron. /keh-MAH-nee/
Born to Saleal and the first son of the Orahai, Kemahni is a spry and happy child brought up to be the savior of his people. He has never fought his purpose, not knowing the greater meaning of his life, but has always disliked being special, wanting to live a normal life. He has the ability to see spirits, a trait once only thought to be wielded by the Inyari Wisewoman.
SALEAL
Pron. /sah-LEE-Ahl/
Saleal originally hails from the plateaus of Panocua and served as their champion in the Ascendant’s Path. Reckless yet highly creative, she has a knack for getting herself into, and out of, extraordinary situations. Preferring solitude as she navigates the world, Saleal trusts only a select few with her love and friendship.
Later, the first Great Mother of the Orahai, Saleal was blessed to give birth to Kemahni in the twelfth summer of the Orahai. Reluctant to be a Great Mother, she finds purpose in her son and a drive to protect him through all his life’s tribulations. She is also a very capable fighter and user of yarik, skills that have never waned.
ASCENDANT’S PATH
The Ascendant’s Path is a series of trials designed to determine the next Chieftess to lead a Manyari tribe or to replace an aging leader. The trials are divided into six primary Paths: Beginnings, Will, Mind, Body, Heart, and culminating in the final trial, known as the Ascension. Each Path tests a unique aspect of an Ascendant, with the tasks for each Path selected collaboratively by the Wisewoman overseeing the trials and the hosting village.
MANYARI OF THE 36th ASCENDANT'S PATH (349 AA)
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Pron. /chAY/
The oldest of the participants of Ascendant’s Path, Chae has returned for her second attempt at the Path, having trained with her previous knowledge of the trials to garner a win. Assure of herself and not intimidated by the rest, she still shows a love for her people and is always willing to help where needed.
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Pron. /EH-jAH/
Badura’s participant in the Ascendant’s Path. Ejah’s tall stature and dexterous movements are matched only by her dedication to the Manyari people. She has a natural charisma that builds confidence in others. She makes time for self-improvement whenever possible, finding her shortcomings and learning to correct them.
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Pron. /GAH-lee-ah/
A rather studious and curious Manyari that comes from the village of Teeklan on the southwest coast of the Greater Wilds. She has a great memory for things, but also journals and draws her journeys as she is accomplished at both—skills she learned from her greater grandmother who helped to start the village.
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Pron. /OH-eh-bee/
The chosen representative for the Rivad, Oebi has an extensive knowledge of yarik and is a gifted yarik stone crafter. She is a sleek, radiant Manyari participating in the Ascendant’s Path, always on the lookout to improve the world with her knowledge of yarik. Oebi isn’t afraid to challenge anyone who uses their knowledge or wisdom as an excuse to act poorly and selfishly.
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Pron. /ROHN-fee/
Lake Feahn’s chosen participant, Ronfi, is a Manyari who often takes the path of least resistance but always finds a way to complete what she starts. Resilient and self-assured, Ronfi finds joy in her actions, embracing the discovery of her own
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Pron. /sAH-lAY-AWl/
Saleal hails from the plateaus of Panocua and serves as their champion in the Ascendant’s Path. Reckless yet highly creative, she has a knack for getting herself into, and out of, extraordinary situations. Preferring solitude as she navigates the world, Saleal trusts only a select few with her love and friendship. Above all, she is driven by the need to prove she is the best in any competition.
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Pron. /teh-HEE-nah/
From the village of the Guardian Tower Wesgo, Tehina is the winning Ascendant. She is a strong, statuesque Manyari, and a great climber. She shares a bond with a sister from the neighboring city of Essga, Zeneya, and who also shares her birthday.
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Pron. /vee-OH-rah/
The Gahji Ascendant, Viora is quick to temper but skillful enough to match her talents. For her, every task and trial in life is a battle, and much like Saleal, always vying to prove herself. Viora’s determination makes her unwilling to give up, especially when she believes she’s been wronged, and will stop at nothing to win.
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Pron. /zeh-NAY-ah/
The chosen participant from the village of Essga, Zeneya is Tehina’s counterpart. Like her sister from Wesgo, she is a tall, sculpted Manyari, and only matched by Tehina’s power and grace. When she is with Zeneya, she feels unstoppable and unafraid to tackle anything. She shares a birthday with Tehina.
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/AH-sAH-vAH/
The first daughter of Ejah and the only second-mother birth, a yarik-less child of the Orahai. Diminutive but unaffected by her shorter stature, she cultivated a strong resilience and honed her ability to fight. When Kemahni was born, she was the first to be his Guardian and did so despite any tribulations that happened during her post and his upbringing, ultimately forfeiting her commission to her younger sister Kiyadeh.
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/chAY/
One of the oldest tribeswomen of the Orahai, a midwife, mentor, and matchmaker to many, Chae is looked upon for advice on all types of relationships, including those involving males. She is an aunt to Stell and Tobia and treats them as her own since their mother was killed during an attack on Orahai village.
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/dAY-OO-nAH/
She is well known by all the tribe as a flirtatious girl, always with open ears for information and having the ability to see things in others that most don’t.
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/EH-zhAH/
Chieftess of the Orahai and mother to Ashava and Kiyadeh. Along with Saleal, Ejah was given the task of starting a new tribe in the furthest reaches of Manyari territory. With stalwart leadership and a calm focus, the village of Orahai was quickly established and grew to a sustainable size.
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/kEE-yAH-dAY/
Secondborn of Chieftess Ejah, Kiyadeh was born alongside Kemahni and shared a closeness with him, having the advantage of being around Ashava while she protected and cared for Kemahni. She is eventually mandated to be a Wind Rider and tasked with ushering a new Inyari, Noriendi, back to her village of Orahai. She convinced Kemahni to allow her to be chosen for First Union.
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/stEl/
She is the younger sister of Tobia and the niece of Chae. A student and teacher of spiritual focus, Stell finds herself connected with everything around her and gets lost in her runaway thoughts and curiosity about life.
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/tAHd-wEE/
Tahdwi is uniquely connected to yarik, as she understands its flow through all things. She has the gift of the singing winds. She is originally the self-proclaimed first friend of Ashava until becoming half of their committed relationship. Her carefree and loving nature has helped keep the ones around her safe as she strives for peace and harmony for all in her tribe and the nature around her.
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/tAH-sAH/
Master trainer of Wind Riders for the Manyari tribes, Tassa resides in the Wind Flow Crater. A veteran, she retired from the field of battle and now trains new recruits in combat and wielding wind yarik. She is also one of the primary liaisons with the Inyari.
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/tOH-bEE-AH/
The older sister of Stell, Tobia is looked upon with admiration for her strength and unstoppable work ethic. She can be found working daybreak to dusk on any task that the village needs. She is also Chae’s niece.
OTHER NOTABLE MANYARI
MANYARI TERMS
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Manyari trained in the combat art of fire handling, utilizing yarik stones in their gear or by holding yarik crystals in their mouths to spit fire. Highly skilled in close-quarters combat, they are regarded as some of the most relentless warriors among all the Manyari tribes.
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Honorific title given to mothers who bear male children.
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A grouping of larger scales on Manyari that are naturally occurring and can be trained to grow in specific areas and in certain ways. Hardscales are seen as prestigious but mostly serve as natural means of defense.
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Pron. /SAH-yoh/
A type of water vessel that is long and bow-shaped, capable of holding up to four passengers. Fewer when carrying cargo. The sayo itself does not contain yarik, but its oars can be embedded with yarik stones to help propel water more efficiently during travel.
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A situation when two female Manyari bond to create a child, resulting in offspring with no yarik abilities. A mighty toll is placed on the body carrying the child, to a degree that is dangerous to the health of the mother.
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Water Dancers are trained swimmers who use yarik to move effortlessly through water. They can manipulate water into offensive or defensive forms or use it to elevate themselves and traverse distances quickly, even outside bodies of water. Water Dancers are also experts in the art of Gahjia, flowing with fluid grace that mirrors the movement of water.
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Spear wielding Manyari with the ability to soar through the air on yarik winds. Usually paired, Wind Riders are guards of villages and under the direct command of the Chieftess. Being chosen to become a Wind Rider is rare and seen as an honor. The spears are difficult to create as the crystals and metals are also rare, and their workings are a closely guarded secret by the Ykhari. The spears are only presented to new Wind Riders by an Inyari.
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A practical device designed to hold a yarik stone or crystal in place, allowing it to absorb elemental energies. Often crafted as decorative pieces, these holders are also believed to ward off bad fates and provide protection.
INYARI
A group of Manyari who are considered more pure and closer to the original pairing of Man and Valkys. They present with more obvious scales in an abundance of places, have red hair, and a greyish tinted to their skin. All Wisewomen are Inyari and bring knowledge from their Ykhari parentage to pass down to tribes and guide them.
XEWAN
Pron. /ZEH-wahn/
Inyari woman with great knowledge of the world. Xewan has been choosen to lead the 36th Ascendant’s Path, leading the nine girls through the trials of her design. She is calculating woman, convinced that one of the girls will bring about the restoration of the Ykhari.
NORIENDI
Pron. /nOH-rEE-En-dEE/
An Inyari set to be the new Wisewoman of Orahai, Noriendi was to travel with Kiyadeh upon completion of her Wind Rider training back to her home village. She is one of eleven sisters who lived in the village of Awai. She sees all creatures of Nevold as equal and searches for harmony in the world.
WISEWOMAN OF ORAHAI
An aged Inyari and first Wisewoman of Orahai, she has been crucial in the creation of other villages and was given the opportunity to establish Orahai before she would pass the responsibility to a new Inyari that was set to relieve her. A woman of remarkable knowledge of the world at large and with the ability to see spirits of the afterlife.
