The Caralai live mainly in the mountainous Kossoro, as well as several island chains. However, they have been known to travel throughout the known world, mainly as merchants and priests. The Caralai are believed to be ascended creatures, given the gift of knowledge by a higher power, who are now burdened with discovering the meaning of life.
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The Caralai are a fragmented species, clinging on to past traditions and glory in their harsh new world. They once thrived in sprawling empires throughout grasslands, coasts and mountainsides of Crecia, however after a long a bloody war with the invading Azwrakki, the Caralai have become divided and spread throughout the known world in small city states, finding their own niche in the world.
Hakkiro remains the last bastion of the former Caralai glory, one of the safest cities in the world where conflict is prohibited, and all species welcome. It is a home to trade among all people. The city is floating on many isles and platforms in a small inlet surrounded by mountains, with only one entrance by sea, and catacombs and strongholds throughout the cliff sides.
Hibernaculum is the Caralai stronghold. Far to the north and high in the mountaintops, it is only accessible by air. It is the beacon of Caralai hope after their downfall to the Azwrakki, where millions of Caralai migrate to annually in the dead of winter. On the winter solstice a huge celebration is held throughout the city in which they celebrate life. On the mountains below the city is surrounded by Ch-chari hives, which have formed a symbiotic relationship with Hibernaculum.
Birds are seen as the spreaders of life, as they disperse seeds across the globe, with eggs being symbolic ways of passing life to future generations. Caralai spread their knowledge and peace throughout the world.
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The Caralai are philosophical and creative.
The foundations of the Caralai belief system is built upon deep thinking and philosophizing one’s very existence and passage into the next life. While a social species, time spent alone is rare but greatly valued to be with one’s soul.
The Caralai lack any original writing system, as such history and important stories are passed down to generations orally, evolving from simple stories to elaborate performances, art, and songs. The Caralai (Purusa in particular) are known for their grand and lavish festivals, especially on the summer and winter solstices.
Although the Purusa and the Xira generally get along, even sharing territory with each other, they do not share those sentiments with the Hantu, and the feeling is mutual. Mostly due to lasting tension from the Caralai flight millennia ago due to the Azwrakki ambush.
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Hantu are more solitary than their Caralai kin.
They highly value their talons, which grow larger, stronger and sharper than other ethnic groups. Hantu are known to decorate them and add armor and plating to them.
Due to their solitary lifestyle, natural stealth and excellent killing abilities, Hantu make great mercenaries and assassins, an image which many species are aware of.
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Weapon adapted from the Aolctic vi-zlachi for Caralai to attack with retractable spears from the air; only for very strong users, or specialized versions using talons. Created after Hibernaculum was constructed in Tlacaxa
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After the Caralai were forced to flee the flooding meadows by an Azwrakki invasion to the Kossoro Mountains, the alliance of refugees ensured that the only way into the center of their new home was through the highly protected straits of Hakkiro. Constructed on a crescent island in the center of the bay, all incoming merchants and traders must pass through Hakkiro, making it a densely populated trading cities. It is one of the few coastal Caralai cities, the largest, and most diverse, being home to many other than Caralai, mostly for its splendor and security.
Caralai have a divisive and bloody past, dominated by the Azwrakki invasions near the beginning of the 11th Age.
Caralai believe in an everlasting cycle or birth death and rebirth to gain transcendence in a final resting ground for eternity. People begin a cycle as a simple form of life and transcend through time and life, going up a tier of life with every rebirth. Before the Caralai life exists as birds, and Caralai are the final step of this mortal world. Beyond them is unknown, but many believe them to transcend to demons before entering an angelic state, the final life before true transcendence. Others believe that the Caralai are the final step.
To pass on to the next life one must die a natural death, not sullied by violence or disease (which is why many Caralai lead a pacifistic lifestyle), and the body must be cremated so that their soul can fly free. (the cremated part only applies to Caralai, however animals must still die of natural causes, leading to a universal protection of birds under Caralai law).
Should a Caralai not die a natural death, their soul will be tethered to their body until it is cremated, allowing the soul to reenter the cycle and find a new body.
While devoting one's life to studying and respecting the cycle is not a necessity to transcend, that way of life is highly respected.
Likewise, those who disregard the cycle are looked down upon and shunned from many Caralai cities. This most notably applies to the Hantu, many of whom work as nomads and mercenaries. Despite this, many Hantu cremate the dead and wish to be cremated, themselves, upon death, showing to some belief in the cycle.
They believe in the first Caralai, the first being to transcend from the life of a bird into true sapience, born thousands of years ago from a golden egg made of pure ichor, granted to him by the ethereal. It is said that through the ichor which acted as his amniotic fluid he learned the words of truth in which he was given the next steps of life to pass on to his people.
Caralai have one primary native language in addition to common, which has diminished in use over the years, reserved mostly for religious ceremonies and meditation. However in most major cities it is a requirement to learn despite its limited use.
As for writing, Caralai have 2 primary native scripts.
As Hibernaculum had a population of 99% Caralai, their native tongue and writings are used almost exclusively.
Commission other species to craft art and weapons for them, and architecture when possible. Depending on location they have been known to work with Kokkori, Khalikar, Humans, Escorrasi, Bjorsine, and Aolctic. As such, as a whole they try and keep friendly relationships with them, and generally avoid conflict without having powerful allies supporting them.
Caralai have grown to have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with Ch-Chari, in many cases constructing cities and monasteries on top or the sides of mountains that house hives.
After the Azwrakki conquests and the landing of Humans after the Starfall, many Caralai and Escorrasi became species without homes, melding cultures and homes. Many large Escorra port cities are also home to large Caralai populations, mostly Purusa as Xira prefer to stay in mountain cities and monasteries and Hantu tend to roam. Caralai are also common sights among Escorra trading fleets as parts of the crew, as scouts, merchants, bards/entertainment, other odd jobs around the ships, and occasionally as captains and first mates.