NARIV
Land
Folk & More
Music
The Land
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Nariv, home to never-ending plains of green, fields of wheat and beautiful valleys. Their characteristic triangle buildings are crowned with grass and flowers. Its capital, Nárima, is located at the very heart of the land, deep within a valley where fog and rain struck more often than not.
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Newcomers who travel to Nariv are fascinated by its countless graveyards. When osvarii die, the bone covering their faces falls and becomes a mask, preserving every feature and symbol. The graveyards in Nariv display the faces of the dead on peculiar ribs of stone that emerge from the earth.
Visitors will often ask a guide to walk them across the graveyards, and explain the story behind each mask. Narivii who need to make important decisions will visit the graveyards too, bringing small offerings to the deceased and a prayer or two for guidance.
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Something else Nariv is known for is its many temples and shrines. Unlike other constructions, these must be built using traditional methods by the faithful themselves. Most shrines can be found scattered across the plains and the fields with offerings to the goddess of harvest, Éa, with the fruits and vegetables in season.
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Cities and villages are built anywhere, no matter how steep the earth, for if a house is not meant to be, one god or another will strike it down.
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Other osvarii in pursue of peace of mind and spirit often move to Nariv from all over Alor.
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The Outskirts of Nárima
Illustration by Lauma Sliņķe
A Mask Graveyard in Nariv
Illustration by Lauma Sliņķe
The Folk
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Narivii are the kindest-hearted people in Alor, or at least so their reputation says. Deer ears crown their round faces, and allow them to hear any happenings in the plains from a great distance. Although most of them live peaceful lives, they can react quickly to dangers and adapt to all kinds of climates. The symbols on a Narivi's face are light green.
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Most Narivii are very traditional and aren't too accepting of new technology, but are fascinated by new faiths and deities. They also believe each living being has a soul, and its beauty is nourished through one's good deeds.
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Any visitor will find Narivii to be extremely hospitable and welcoming, and will open their doors to those in need. When meeting other osvarii, they will often offer food or drink. It's hard to find a Narivi who isn't carrying several loafs of bread and a waterskin on their persona.
Unlike other lands in Alor, Narivii will hardly use death as a punishment. Instead, they will use mahrym to transform the criminal in body and mind, and make them work serving others for the rest of their days.
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There are many noble houses in Nariv, which results in many disputes over territory. There are meetings every season in this regard, but none has resulted in a violent conflict with the sole exception of Vental and Pluien.
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Lerelith and Loréd, Tevtäeræ
Illustration by Lauma Sliņķe
Lórric, Hard-Working Farmer
Illustration by Lauma Sliņķe
Specialisations
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The vast majority of Narivii will often accept the mahrym and positions passed on to them by their elders, hence why most are farmers, cooks and innkeepers, as well as tevtäeræ in temples dedicated to a vast number of deities. Other races see them as peaceful, hard-working folks that have little interest in warfare.
As established in the Mrygat's records, almost all Narivii ask to inherit mahrym from deceased members of their families. These include Emotion, Materia, Thought and Transformation.
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Faith
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Narivii are very welcoming to all new deities, no matter how small. Each temple is built according to the deity's many followers, requiring at least one tevtäera to function.
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Tevtäeræ serve as guides for the faithful. While some will celebrate rites on certain festivities, others will only provide counsel if asked and remain observant the rest of the time. Tevtäeræ can change temples and deities at their own discretion, unless they have been assigned to keep a certain mahrym.
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In general, though Narivii might change their allegiance to smaller deities often, they all believe in Nue, the child god of harmony and death. They also believe hard work and loving one another (even the Vasarigæ) will allow their souls to continue living, both in the earth and in the hearts of those they have loved.
Winter Nights in Nariv
Illustration by Lauma Sliņķe
Winter Traditions
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Narivii seek refuge in their cozy homes with the change of seasons. They are very well prepared for the winter, and they take the opportunity to be together during the entire season. Houses are beautifully decorated with motifs depicting small winter deities, and look taken from a fairytale.
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They engage in many indoors activities such as baking, brewing, knitting, making small handcrafts, storytelling, playing mahrymic card, string and board games, even take on new hobbies for the season.
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The only ones who step outside the house are those in care of animals, procuring them shelter, feed and clean water through the winter.
It is the only time during the Alorian year that Narivii don’t go to the temples, but it is also the season when they pray the most for a good spring. There are door-to-door Faith services for those who require them.
Music