Virac Race Packet

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In the temperate wildlands around the equator, there is a valley that few outsiders are even aware of. The people that live there are introverted and those that do travel are most unwilling to reveal the location of their home lands. It is called the Virac River Valley, named for the people that inhabit it, not the pathetic excuse for a river that flows through the center.

This is the homeland of the Virac - whose very name speaks of their arrogance. The most prominent race in the Valley, they live high above the valley floor in caves and caverns within the sheer mountain walls, soaring over the forests below to hunt the native wildlife. Enslaved for hundreds of years by a succession of dark magi, the last twenty years have been a time of rebuilding - a culture rising, phoenix-like, from the ashes.

Language
Much of the Virac language is not spoken, but implied with body language. A lot can also be gleaned from inflection and accent. When they do speak, Virac are not usually very verbose, choosing as few words as possible to make their point.

Below are the most commonly used words:

[/i][/b] - a suffix added to a name or word to show the word respect. The word itself loosely translates as "Flowing" or "Elegant". So "Medilari" would mean "My elegant love".
As or Az - Air or Wind.
Asari - "The Elegant Wind" the official name of the assasin's caste. Singular is Asar.
Ero - Love, affection, devotion, dedication.
Eros(male) or Erosi(female) - A term of affection roughly translating to "Lover" or "My Love". This term is very seldom uttered in public, as it is considered very racey and sensual.
Gar - Outsider or Foreign. In times past this word was used to describe any that came from outside the Virac valley. In recent times it has been replaced in this usage by Naer.
Medil - A respectful term for one's dear friend or mate. Loosely translates to "Dear" or "Sweety".
Melard(male) or Melardi(female) - A derogatory term used to describe a child that is owned or in service to another from birth. These are typically orphans and often slaves. The closest translation to the common tongue would be "Bastard".
Metch - Life or Blood.
Metcharia - A literal translation would be "The blood that flows through me". These are the characteristics of the Virac that designate caste.
Naer - Loosely translates to "Everyone Else". Used to describe any race that isn't of the Virac. See "Gar".
Nek - Pronounced "NIK" meaning a weapon, blade or sword.
Nekari - "The Elegant Blades", the official name of the Warrior caste. Singular is Nekar.
Rit - Water. Specifically, natural water like that found in springs, streams and lakes.
Ritari - The traditional name of the river that flows through the Virac River Valley. The word is in two parts "Rit", the ancient word for water, and "Ari" which loosely translates to "Flowing" or "Elegant".
Sel - A defensive wall or berm. Also used to describe a shield or guardian.
Selari - "The Flowing Wall", the official name of the guard's caste. Singular is "Selar".
Virac - The most literal translation is "The People". Some translate it as "The blessed people", "The beloved people", or "The enlightened" but it is closer to a collective racial "us" when used by a Virac, or a respectful, elegant "Those guys over there." to outsiders.
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Castes and Classes

The race is divided into 4 castes or classes, that they call "metcharia". These are easily recognizable by physical characteristics of the Virac, differences in the skin, claws and even size.

[/i][/b] - The stealth caste of the the Virac. Often they are assasins or spies, and relate themselves with the wind. They posess only wrist claws (one from each wrist) that tend to be shorter and thinner, but slightly more brittle than the other Virac castes. Their exoskeleton is significantly more thin than the other castes, though it is always in the hardened state. The blood cells in their skin are close to the surface, making their skin darker, almost black. Many Asari are born without wings, and those that are tend to trim them, if not remove them completely, as they believe that the added weight and mass make them less elegant, making it more difficult to move about unseen. They have only two horns, usually at the temples.
Nekari - The soldiers and warriors of the Virac. This is the most prevalent caste besides the Naemetch. They have a single claw in each wrist and a short spike from each knee. Their claws are of moderate length, and tend toward broad, tapering shapes. They usually have four velvety horns encircling their heads with a fifth bony protrusion at the crown they call the "King Horn". They revere their wings and consider flight to be a sacred expression of their new freedom, though they tend to be weak, clumsy fliers. Their exoskeleton is of moderate thickness, and only presents in times of stress or duress.
Naemetch - Literally the "Weak Blooded". These are the most populated caste of the Valley. They appear as tall, winged humans. They possess no horns, nor do they grow claws.
Selari - The guardians and protectors of the Virac Valley. They wear their claws on their elbows and some grow curved, wicked blades from the tops of their feet. Like Asari, their exoskeletons are constant, turning their skins black, but their tend to be the thickest and hardest. Their wings are also the largest, and must be the strongest as their thicker skeletons give them more weight. They do not typically grow horns, and will file them if they do.
Noghari - Rumored to be decendant of the Virac people, the Noghari or "Elegant Friends" are short - often less than 4 feet - grey-skinned people that are not native to the Virac valley. Twenty years ago they came to live there, setting up settlements on the valley floor. They are a warrior race, devoted in service to the Valley's royal family.
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