The Norodiir Seed

[Lirinya 2644]

(Art By Miss_Confined)

 

“Our history is what created us, but it is our future that will define us. Work hard and with honesty, be brave and faithful, for that is the path we walk.” 

 

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As goes the tale….

 

For as long as the mali’ame have walked the lands, there have been the Norodiir kin. Whilst their story has not been one of too much note, part of modern history is written with their name detailed within. 

Stood proud the realm of Aegis was Laurelin, the prized city of the Princedom of Malinor which was headed at the time by the High Prince Native and his council. Through its twists and turns in history, Malinor saw its various mali children come and go, though it also saw rise to various prolific individuals and families. One such individual went by the name Lirinya. An elfess of no particular note, she settled herself along the outskirts of Laurelin and brought rise to an inn within the treetops. With the inn so deeply situated within the woodlands, oft brought to her door were those wounded from the night's hunt- creatures within the shadows terrorised those unprepared.

 

For years she served the princedom as its tavernkeep and its healer, until the High Prince took note. He welcomed the tavern under his protection and so it continued to thrive as a beacon to all mali for what felt like centuries. Her prolonged support of the mali kin was consistently noted, and in thanks, the High Prince awarded Lirinya a seat on his council. Unfortunately,  however, corruption soon fell upon Malinor…

 

The undead wreaked havoc through the lands of Aegis, and Malinor was not spared. Their claws hooked the souls of the unsuspecting and pulled them into darkness. The tavernkeep was no exception, and she soon found herself within the service of the Undead. Tragedy befell the princedom, and Malinor was eventually destroyed as the descendants began to make their plans to flee Aegis.

 

It is believed by some that Malin himself saw fit to forgive the elfess for her transgressions, and saw fit to rid her of the undead corruption in thanks for the service she once offered to the mali of the realm, for she continued to live a fruitful life well into the lands of Asulon.

 

The Norodiir kin continued to flourish into the lands thereafter. Be it by blood or by bonds, those who took up the name ensured that they remained following the same compassionate path that their ancestors had once done. 

 

It was not until Athera that the family took up its more tribal roots, in following the ways of their ‘ame kin the Caerme’onns. With a union tied between Caermeo’nn and Norodiir through the marriage of Artimec and Ash’ya, the elfess began the transition with her talonnii’s faith and culture. From this union came the rise of the Norodiirs first druid, Toren. The Bull Druid.

 

The talonnii faded to obscurity until well into the second age, which is where the story continues….

 

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Traditions and Faith

 

Traditions

Each and all of the Norodiir kin follow their own paths, but all remain learned and practised in the core foundations of the kin. The children are taught to hunt as is befitting for an ‘ame cub, but they were also taught the importance of medicine. Whilst able to often rely on the magical abilities of some, a salve and a stitch can be crucial in a pinch.

 

There are six key pillars in which the seed operates its core teachings from. These pillars are as follows. 

 

Loyalty

Compassion

Resolution

Empathy

Knowledge

Faith

 

Seed ilmyumier

Whether tied by blood or by bonds, the Norodiir kin all share a common ilmyumier. Upon the upper half of the dominant arm was where a curved oceanic wave of blue wrapped around the entire bicep. Several crests of the wave were left unconnected from the remainder of the ilmyumier, to allow for further additions where needed,  whilst others joined to form a complete pattern- to signify the everlasting bonds of the seed.

 

Faith

Whilst the faith of the Norodiir kin has been sketchy at best, their core beliefs have always been the ways of the aspects. It was not until more recent times did the younger kin develop a better understanding for the wild faith and the pillars. 

With their history and teachings pointing more towards medicine, it is only natural that the Mani of Dolphins, Hamasta, has been the one which the kin have sought throughout their prayers and blessings. 

 

Opting for compassion and harmony, the younger kin of the seed oft sought out the way of the sage, for its understanding and accepting nature resonated with those who walked with Hamasta in their prayers.

 

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Appearance

 

As the Norodiir kin first set foot upon Aegian soil, it is safe to assume that their appearance has varied exponentially throughout history. With the original descendants sporting paler skin to the more recent boasting a more sun-kissed complexion, their only telling features were their consistent hair colour, and eye colour. 

 

Eye colours as a standard were green or blue, with blue being the rarer of the shades. For hair, anything from a deep auburn to a rich brown were standard. They were average if not somewhat below in height, usually capping somewhere around 5’8”. 

(Artwork by Wolf Fram)

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Trials

The trials serve to build a bond between seed and kin, to not only guide the individual down the path in which the seed follows, but also to ensure the correct fit. 

 

To Build Bridges

The initial task is that of introduction and education. The joinling is expected to seek out the history of the seed they intend on building bonds with. Books, discussion- whatever it may be. Be it history from ancient texts or more recent pieces of information gleaned from a conversation with a mutual friend. 

 

To Heal the Wounded

Once the joinling is certain that this is the correct path, they are tasked with obtaining, and practising some basic medical knowledge and skills. This can be done in several ways, and should they already have some medical knowledge, they are already halfway there. 

However, there is no magic allowed in any form, only the use of salves, tinctures, and other mundane tools.  The joinling is asked to seek out a situation in which their medical knowledge can be put to practise. 

 

To Follow Faith

With faith one of the key pillars of the seeds teachings, it is no surprise that it plays front and center in its trials. The joinling must take off on a hunt alone, taking with them the medical knowledge they acquired previously. Guiding the hunt in honour of Cerunnonns, they should be prepared to not only successfully hunt a creature to offer as food of the settlement, but should also be ready to mend their own wounds significantly enough to guide themselves home once more.

(For practical purposes this can be done as solo RP, or with someone playing the creature to be hunted, or even as a small RP story/post.)

 

To Give Honor

With what remains of the creature slain for the previous task, the joinling must create a minimum of three items; trinkets, weapons, clothing etc in honour of the creature and the sacrifice it gave. These items can be forged, stitched, or inlaid with other natural materials, but the remains of the hunted creature must be centrepiece.

 

To Celebrate 

In celebration of the joinlings completion of the tasks, a feast in the honour of Hamasta will be held within the settlement and blessings will be given by a priest or priestess of the Wild Faith. In an exchange of thanks, the joinling will offer the crafts made to the people of the settlement, to those they hold particularly highly in regard. The Priest/Priestess will be asked to offer a blessing to the joinling on their journey of their chosen path- and celebrations will be allowed to conclude naturally.

 

[WestCarolina 1779]

Spoiler

Great work Liri!