The Erdathi - The Earthen Wards
Meaning: "Children of the Earth" or "Earthbound Kin."
The Erdathi are a rugged and resourceful subrace of humans who inhabit the rocky highlands and mountainous regions of Nytheria. Known for their strength, ingenuity, and deep connection to the land, they have carved out a resilient existence amidst the challenging terrain. Their culture revolves around craftsmanship, resourcefulness, and a profound reverence for the earth and stone.
Height and Build
Height: 2.5 to 3 meters
Compact and muscular, the Erdathi’s stature reflects their physically demanding lifestyle and their mastery of highland survival.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance:
Skin: Earthy tones, ranging from warm beige to deep, sun-kissed brown, often weathered by wind and stone.
Hair: Typically dark (black, brown, or ash gray), often worn short or tied back for practicality during labor or battle.
Eyes: Shades of brown, green, or gray, reflecting the rugged landscapes they call home.
Build:
Strong and stocky, their bodies are built for labor-intensive tasks and endurance in the high-altitude conditions of their homeland.
Culture and Society
Clan Structure:
The Erdathi are organized into tight-knit clans, each centered around a mountain stronghold or a network of highland villages.
Leadership is often communal, with decisions made by councils of elders, skilled artisans, and proven warriors.
Beliefs and Spirituality:
They revere the Stoneward Pantheon, a group of deities representing strength, endurance, and the life-sustaining power of the earth.
Rituals include stone carving, crafting, and offerings to sacred rock formations believed to house the spirits of their ancestors.
Way of Life:
The Erdathi are master miners and stonemasons, known for their ability to extract and shape stone with precision and artistry.
Their society thrives on cooperation, with communal efforts focused on agriculture, herding, and defense.
Abilities
Physical Resilience:
The Erdathi are highly resistant to fatigue and injury, excelling in both physical labor and combat.
Climbing and Traversal Skills:
Their familiarity with rugged terrain allows them to scale cliffs and navigate treacherous landscapes with ease.
Craftsmanship:
Renowned for their stonework and metalcraft, they create tools, weapons, and structures of exceptional durability and beauty.
Weapons and Armor
Weapons:
Erdathi weapons are crafted from highland metals and stones, including warhammers, picks, and axes.
Ranged weapons like slings and javelins are common for hunting and combat.
Armor:
Heavy leather armor reinforced with stone or metal plates is designed for protection without sacrificing mobility.
Elite warriors wear intricately carved stone or enchanted metal armor adorned with clan symbols and protective runes.
Relationships with Other Races
Dwarves:
The Erdathi share a mutual respect with Dwarves, particularly the Frost Dwarves and Zarqir, with whom they trade and collaborate. However, competition over mining rights often leads to tension.
Elves:
While cautious of the Vaelari’s magical prowess, the Erdathi appreciate the Sylvan Elves’ harmony with the natural world and occasionally trade with them.
Humans:
Other human subraces view the Erdathi as hardy and self-reliant, though their reclusive nature often limits interactions.
Cultural Practices
Stone Ceremonies:
These involve carving intricate designs into stone slabs as tributes to their gods or as markers of important events.
Rites of Passage:
Young Erdathi must craft a tool or weapon of exceptional quality as a symbol of their transition to adulthood.
Highland Feasts:
Seasonal celebrations featuring communal feasts and competitions of strength, skill, and craftsmanship.
Notable Traits
Masters of stonework and survival in mountainous terrains.
Fiercely independent and resourceful, thriving in isolated and challenging environments.
Deeply spiritual, with a culture rooted in the reverence of the earth’s enduring strength.
