Viera

Protectors of the Great Plains

Hailing from the Great Plains, the Viera are a rare sight in the world. They are a solitary race of leporine features, swift of foot, and proficient with a bow. That proficiency is only matched by their ability to commune with animals, whom they live in delicate harmony with.

History

The outside world knows very little of Viera’s history. It is believed that they were once fiercely loyal bunnys, who protected a wounded spirit of Aura. When that spirit died, they were blessed and uplifted, transforming into the Viera, noble protectors of the Great Plains, atop the legendary Carbuncle Rock. Viera have lived isolated from the world since their origin, preferring to protect their world from intrusive invaders. They live a tribal lifestyle, hunting across the plains alongside beasts they commune with.

Clans

There are three types of Viera in Aura, all of which are incredibly rare. The Viera who live sheltered away from the world. The Vi, exiled Viera who have defied their customs, who now wander the world outside the Great Plains. The Veela, halfborn Viera created by the forbidden union between a Viera and an Auran. And the Primal Viera can be found the Misty Barrens.

Tongue

Though Viera mannerisms are more feral and animal-like, curiously enough they speak Auran. Their dialect is more primitive. A wild-species, they often communicate with actions, gestures, and animal-like purrs and growls. These actions make certain words in Auran simply unnecessary. “I am a friend”, can be explained with the lowering of ones head. “I like you”, can be spoken with a smile and the lowering of the right ear. “I am upset”, is done with a twitch at the left side of the mouth, and lowering of the left ear.
Distribution: The Great Plains, Vi and Veela can be found in or around Minos, Myriad, and Feylands.

Physical Attributes

The Viera have leporine features, pointed feet, long ears and limbs. The dark-skinned Viera often wear stiletto-like shoes, due to the shape of their feet. Their trademark long ears grant them exceptional hearing. Their other senses are also heightened. The Viera stand tall, averaging six feet. Their powerful legs carry them with speed, but also in silence. Viera are deadly hunters. They live to be over 300 years old, and after maturing, retain their appearance until old age. Males are much rarer than females.
Viera ears are so superbly attuned to nature that some can even sense changes in the weather. They are also known to be incredibly sensitive. These ears are magic, enabling a Viera to commune with animals through primal magics. However, the dangerous and powerful hunters are not without their weakness. The Mists are even more dangerous to a Viera. When immersed in the Mist during combat, they may fall into a berserk-like state called a Mist-frenzy. In this state, they are unable to commune with animals, and turn vicious against those they are fighting, killing without mercy. If a Viera falls to a Mist-frenzy and either kills a Viera, or brings about the death of a fellow Viera, they are exiled. This is in fear of Feral Viera.
Primal Viera are vicious monster-like variants who have fallen to a permanent Mist-frenzy, and become transformed. The Veela are different from Viera physically, with shorter ears, fairer skin, and blonde hair. They tend to be shorter in height to their full-blooded cousins, and some lose the ability to speak to animals. Their life spans are half that over a Viera, only averaging 150 years. Veela are forbidden from entering Viera society.

Culture

Viera are an isolated society who view Aurans as bullish brutes who trample and claim without thought. Carbuncle Rock is a sacred sight they vehemently protect from invaders and trespassers. Viera live a nomadic lifestyle within the Great Plains, founded by foraging, crafting, weaving, and hunting. They are the masters of the bow. They stride across the wilderness at great speed, and can even commune with animals. This feeds into their deep culture of spiritual harmony. Take only what you need. Live in peace when you can. And always give back.
Viera can appear vicious, in actuality they are very emotional creatures, whether on the surface or beneath it. They enjoy physical activities and can never remain still for long. They like dancing, running, wrestling, climbing, and riding. They are free-spirits, energetic, and always ready to speak their mind. They can also be rather stubborn, refusing to bend values or break traditions.
However, Viera are also known to be curious of new things. They take an interest in outside society, thus creating the need for laws against Viera to be too curious! This curiosity has lead a few Viera astray. Furthermore, Viera are passionate, physically displaying emotion when they can no longer control it, including in love. When a Viera falls in love, more often than not, it is for life. And they tend to fall in love very quickly when something captures their fancy. This is why they are such gifted tribespeople. They discover a passion for a pursuit, and take great enjoyment in doing it for the rest of their lives.
Viera fear and combat the Mists. They believe it to be their duty to defend the Great Plains from the invading Mists. Viera will flee from the Mists when possible, then return to clean up the land from intrusive predators who seek to spoil the plains. They blame Aurans for the Mists, believing the two to be linked.

Nomenclature

Viera names are given at birth. They are usually feminine and tribal by nature. Each Viera develops a true name, which has a symbolic meaning. This name is some variation of their given name and tribal name separated by an apostrophe. Fiora of the Calla tribe might have a true name like, Fio’lla.

Dress

Viera prefer minimal clothing and protection for maximum speed and stealth. Masters of the bow, hunting, and riding, they require a freedom of movement. For this reason, they were very little, adorning themselves in various clothes, hide, and leather, protecting only what is necessary. They tend to leave their arms and shoulders unencumbered, with bracers to protect their forearms. Viera also wear specially-designed stilettos for comfort due to the shape of their feet.