Seutai

“When you harness the power to see the flow of the heavens, then it is also when you are most vulnerable to the place beyond. Let your will be stronger.”

- Seutai Scholar Yue

Of the Seutai, the tale is told of a grieving Hunluan woman who beseeched the stars for a child. Her prayer was answered by a strange being that bestowed on her the gift of life—a child that bore a strange likeness and always looked to the night sky with a longing.

The Seutai are an insular people; the borders of Yonakai are guarded well to prevent unknown outsiders from entering, and they can be distrustful of those they do not know. This adds to the mystery of their land, and the Children of the Stars are seen with some superstition, both good and bad, depending on where you are in the world. Their lives are spent in a rather monastic lifestyle, though it is often based on the family of the Seutai, housing several generations and relatives within their walls. While their lands are much smaller than those of their Hunluan neighbours, they have access to more open land, leading to a more relaxed way of life, though much like the Hunluan, they are a self-sufficient people. They tend to take care of most of their own needs, cautiously trading for what they cannot make themselves from outsiders and being careful as to who is allowed within their lands. Those that do not remain with their kin are often travelling musicians or artists, seeking inspiration for their works or even seeking adventure away from the restrictions of their home.

They make for fine astronomers, some even finding patterns to see the possible future laid out between the stars and the moon, viewed from their courtyard, which is laid out especially for the purpose. Seutai regard magic with a great deal of respect, knowing that the wrong actions can bring about an unfavourable future. Some would think their use is rigid and unbending, but their practices, even the smallest, are used with ritualistic reverence, seeking to guard the veil between the worlds. This means their magic is powerful, steeped in tradition, and has been used for a long time, though it can be seen as uninspired by some, both outsiders and even among the younger generations.

Appearance

They dress simply; all that they wear is well-made, crafted by those who take great pride in their work. Needlework is often displayed in elegant patterns, and there is a sense of ceremony in much of what they wear.

They have the pointed ears of the Alva, a trait each of them shares; their hair is black, and their eyes are shades of brown. Some may even confuse them for the people of Hunluan, something the Seutai detest greatly. Though they share some features, the Hunluan do not have pointed ears.

175-195cm in height.

Lifespan

Alva live for much longer than their human counterparts, reaching anywhere from 200 to even 300 years old if they have been in good health.

Religion & Beliefs

Ouros and Ahaka are revered among the Seutai. Ouros for the sense of balance brought to their lives, and Ahaka for being the guardian of the veil. These gods are often worshipped at small shrines dedicated to them.

Geography

The mountains and cliffs of Hunluan slowly give way to the plateau of Yonakai, only interrupted by the border that is drawn by both natural and constructed walls. Many cliffs and mountainous regions intersperse the flatter regions of Yonakai, all the way to the coast.

Society

Seutai tend to be a formal society, with much of their social interaction having much ceremony about it, and it is this ceremony that extends to much of their lifestyle. Even their use of magic is performed with a sense of this and done so with great care. Because their spells are ancient and powerful, but also well practiced, new spells are thoroughly tested before use by those trained in such things, ensuring that they will not cause harm to both the present and the future.

Children begin training at a young age, and no matter their standing within society, it is up to local lords to ensure that every child receives this training.

Architecture

With a unique style, the curved, tiled roofs of the north-west are as popular within Yonakai as they are in Hunlua and Khaniha. Buildings are something of an art form for the Seutai, constructed mainly from wood; they are so precise that there are very few nails holding them together. Gardens are an important part of Seutai homes, and there will always be an open courtyard with clear views of the skies, perfect for astronomy studies.

Wealth & Trade

Seutai artists and craftsmen may not have the numbers that other lands have, but their skills have been honed to a fine art, and many appreciate the quality and skill that go into the goods that come from Yonakai. Fine silks, art, and unique weapons, as well as the scholarly research that is well documented by Seutai Scholars. The Seutai, however, are more commonly known for their skills at closing veil breaks as well as hunting down rogue sorcerers and demons, which often puts them in competition or partnership with the Alia demon hunters.

Slavery

Seutai see no need for slavery and find the practice distasteful. Upper houses of society will often hire workers, though these people are paid reasonably for their time and treated with respect.

Other Notes/Trivia

Seutai is a creatively (Read: we butchered some words) and loose portmanteau of Tsuki (月) meaning moon, and Tenrai (天来) meaning heaven-sent. Though as with the Hunluan, these translations are loose and may not be accurate.
The Seutai draw inspirations from Japan and the Japanese culture. This can be a useful aspect if you are looking for real-world inspirations for your character and their design. Yamatai is a useful in-game culture to utilise as well.
The Alva are our equivalent of Elves in other media. However like all of our races, we try to put our own unique style to them by drawing from a number of folklore sources. For instance the tale of the Hunluann woman beseeching the stars for a child is inspired partly by Snegurka (A Slavic folktale figure, a child made from snow by a childless couple), and the Yuki-onna (Specifically the regional identy of that of a Princess of the Moon World that came to Earth, but was unable to return to the Moon).

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