Aira

A nomadic and divided people, the Aira inhabit the Dark North and the Southern Reach in Laitheran. Two divisive cultures divide the Aira, the Aira-Ti and the Aira-Den.

Physiology
The physical appearances of the Aira are typically determined by whether they're an Aira-Ti or an Aira-Den. Regardless, both cultures (and both sexes) grow to be quite tall and live to be over one-hundred years old. Both are characterized by their curved horns, pointy ears, unique hair colors, and their feline-like pupils. Unlike females, males are born with face tendrils that start growing once they hit puberty. Due to their physiology, both the Aira-Ti and the Aira-Den are highly resistant to the cold and are more in tune with the Domain of Essence.

Aira-Ti Physiology
Having not been corrupted by Daemons, the Aira-Ti are the most natural of the Aira. Their skin color is a bluish-green, and their eyes are typically blue or gold. The Aira-Ti are distinguished by their animal tattoos, which are placed on a person's upper breast.

Aira-Den Physiology
The Aira-Den are subject to Daemonic corruption that changes their physique. Since arriving at the Dark North, the Aira-Den's hue changed into a dark grey and their eyes became purple or occasionally black. Having ingested Daemonic meat, the chieftains of the Aira-Den tribes are exposed to the most corruption. They become Daemon-like, and have increased strength, speed, and vigor. Some have been known to grow entire new limbs or claws, and even wings. However, this Daemonic corruption is both a blessing and a curse. It causes constant excruciating pain, such as when spikes or other random growths appear on their bodies.

Society and Culture
The Aira-Ti and Aira-Den are nearly complete opposites. Due to their history and former unity, these two peoples despise each other. Even so, both cultures are nomadic and are xenophobic when dealing with other races. Their societies are patriarchal, as the chieftains of their tribes are always male.

Aira-Ti Culture
The Aira-Ti retain their culture from the realm they fled from during the Conquest of the Almighty. They're the more peaceful and tranquil division of the Aira, but are still cautious and isolationist when dealing with the other races of Laitheran. Overall, they're a conservative people who idolize their tribe's history and adhere to intense societal dogma. They lack an organized religion, and instead follow the belief of animism. As animists, they believe in spirits and the sanctity of life.

At the center of Aira-Ti society is the Epistle. The Epistle is an ancient artifact from before the Conquest of the Almighty that is an ever-changing letter. Every year, the chieftains meet for the Epistle's Hearing to receive its guidance and direction. The Aira-Ti believe that the Epistle is home to the only all-knowing spirit in existence, which to them, explains its powers. The other tradition of the Aira-Ti, the Eternal Struggle, is a day of remembrance for the dead and history. However, ever since the division of the Aira, its become a day of hatred toward the Aira-Den.

Aira-Den Culture
A hateful and fiercely xenophobic culture, the Aira-Den are purposefully opposite of the Aira-Ti. They roam the Dark North, and they constantly raid northern Elyria and other civilized parts of the world near the Dark North. Unlike the Aira-Ti, the Aira-Den are nomadic raiders who are experts at naval combat in order to raid coastal settlements. The Aira-Den were once animists, but after their exile, they generally rejected religion and the sanctity of life. Most became irreligious, but others began to worship death. These two groups are at an uneasy peace, but are united in their hatred of the Aira-Ti and civilization.

Daemons are an important part of Aira-Den culture. In order to become a chieftain, Aira-Den warriors ingest Daemonic meat. If they survive the ordeal, they rise to power while others fall. This is called the Crucible of Daemonhood, in which both men and women hunt the largest Daemons of the Dark North. After a successful hunt, the hunters consume the meat. Most do not survive ingestion. The Crucible of Daemonhood occurs whenever a chieftain dies or when they determine that another tribe can be made. Unlike the Aira-Ti, women can become the leaders of tribes. On another note, the Aira-Den are known to enslave Daemons for physical labor or for war beasts.