Ashari

The Ashari, known in antiquity as the Gau Drashari, are a multiracial people divided into four tribes: Air, Earth, Water, and Fire. Each of the four tribes live in locations where the Elemental Planes have bled into the Material Plane. The Ashari make it their duty to guard these portals, ensuring that nothing dangerous is able to pass between the planes.
The Ashari are, for the most part, insular, living in remote areas and only occasionally interacting with the outside world or even each other. Their tribes are made up of a diversity of races; in Tal'Dorei, Genasi are most often found among the Ashari rather than common society.
In their role as guardians of the Elemental Planes portals, the Ashari have developed deep connections to their respective elements that influence each Ashari's culture. Their leaders are usually skilled in druidic or other nature magics, but their societies include a variety of professions and classes aside from druids.
Not all Ashari necessarily follow or worship deities. Some have a more animistic faith, revering the elements themselves are mistrustful of or disinterested in the gods. Some Ashari worship Melora, but they take caution with anyone who worships a non-nature-aligned deity—especially Erathis, despite her relationship with Melora. The Ashari in Zephrah often favor Melora, those in Pyrah favor Pelor, those in Vesrah favor Sehanine, and those in Terrah favor Moradin.
The Ashari are mistrustful of the dwarves of Kraghammer, who constantly disregard their warnings about reckless mining and whose arrogance during the last eruption of the Terrah rift (before 812 PD) led to earthquakes and the collapse of an entire mountain.
The Ashari greet each other with the word "Kaitiakè" (meaning respect, guardian, keeper) as a sort of salute.

Culture

Once in every generation, in each of the four tribes, a member is chosen to set out on an Aramenté, or "Noble Odyssey". During this journey, this Ashari member seeks out each of the other tribes and ventures through the portals they guard. Upon completion of this journey, the empowered Ashari member's lifespan increases significantly and becomes the elemental master of their respective tribe, and the elder retires. The person chosen for an Aramenté is usually—but not necessarily—a druid or nature cleric.

Type

Druidic Circle

Subsidiary Organizations

• Air Ashari
• Earth Ashari
• Fire Ashari
• Water Ashari

Deities

• Erathis
• Melora
• Moradin
• Pelor
• Sehanine