Valhir

Eastfolk. They mostly live underground.

Valhir are the second most magic-oriented out of all Folk. Their magical tradition is modular and based on gestural drawings.

Biology
Out of all Folk, valhir appear to be the closest to humans, even being capable of passing as one. However, having lived underground for thousands of years, they have evolved several characteristics that are typical to cave-dwelling species.

Valhir are extremely pale. Their skin has no melanin and is sensitive to sunlight - it burns easily and doesn't tan. The color of their hair ranges from white to black. Both their skin and hair grey with age.

They have good low-light vision but - due to having had artificial light from the very beginning - don't mind brighter areas either.

Valhir lifespan is relatively high, averaging at over 100 years.

Valhir height has regional variation, with average height ranging from the 150cm/155cm of south to 165cm/170cm of north. This is likely due to founder effect.

Culture
Their culture differs by city-state. Generally the Southern cities are more conservative, with the exception of Termida.

They used to be strictly matriarchal but are slowly progressing towards a more egalitarian culture. The divide between sexes is less apparent in the law than it is in practice.

Professions used to be divided strictly by the sexes. For most of their history men have been locked out of "powerful" professions as politicians, priests, scholars, and magi. They were instead relegated to physical work or lower level clerical and supportive work. Professions such as miner, builder, and soldier were considered too intellectually dull for a lady, but this division was and still is more apparent in higher classes. Lower class women had to bring bread to the table in one way for another. Nowadays professions are still divided by sex in practice, but not enforced as much.

Their systems of government tend to favor oligarchy with democratic elements and the other way around. Even in Termida, men rarely hold high political positions.

Valhir heritage is matrilinear and clan-based. Powerful clans hold great influence over politics. When marrying, men forfeit their old clan and take the name of the new.

History
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Religion
Valhir have a polytheistic religion. Their world-creation mythos is similar to that of High Folk.

Priesthood is in some cases limited by one's sex.

At least some of their gods are Living Gods - gods that actually walk the earth.

Gods
Nar'cira, the Walker of Forgotten Paths. Goddess of darkness.

Is-idril, the Beating Heart of the Mountains. Goddess of lava and tectonic movements.

Duanna, the Verdant. Goddess of vegetation.

Azmara, of the Endless Laughter. God of dancing, singing, and making merry.

Valeri/Vaal
Istvalana Vaal

Karish Vaal

Thaime Vaal

.

Dren
Livilia Dren

Al'ashla Dren

.

Nar'cira
.

Nar'kalah
Mir Nar'kalah

Mihar Nar'kalah

Prominent Cities
Termida

Layath Cair