The Torinian People

(An image I drew of a Torinian over a decade ago)

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The Torinians

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Race: Human with increasingly avian characteristics

Size: 5 to 7 feet

Complexion: varies from light skinned to dark skinned

Sometimes, derogatively referred to as "the bird people", Torinians are humans who live on the summit of Mount Litocoro on Iracal Island. Outside of Iracal Island, very little fact is known about the Torinians. That is primarily because the many explorers traveling to the island rarely return from their journeys. Their fate, like the island, is shrouded in mystery. What is known about the Torinian people came from the mouths of people who claim to actually be natives of the island.

According to those travelers, the Torinians are a militaristic people living in relative harmony with an array of Harpies in the mountaintop city of Torin. The people of Torin were not native to Felarya, they merely found themselves on the island suddenly and they had to quickly find a safe place to settle in. Almost as if guided by fate, they found their way to the top of Mount Litocoro, which was unclaimed by any giant predators at the time. They built a fortified city there and grew greatly in numbers. The first century together since the invasion of Harpies was especially tumultuous for the two races, but they eventually found a strange sort of kinship with each other. Apparently, the Island has a power that yields changes in lifeforms similar to the effects of the Miragia Forest, though not quite to the same extent. Years of living through the often harsh weather conditions and living along side Harpies have contributed to the changes still taking place in these humans. The most common of the physical changes are avian-like eyes, a lighter bone structure, and plumage mixed in with the hair on their heads. Another form of cross pollination that has occurred is in the way both humans and harpies there speak. Torinians can speak the "crass" language of the harpies, while some harpies (such as the gentle Gale the Dreamer) have learned to speak in a very polite and refined way.

The Torinians have also developed innate magic. This store of raw magical energy inside their bodies is often referred to as "psiki" and can be focused in many ways but is usually manifested externally in the form of elements. As it turns out, they require the use of Iracal Crystal to manifest their innate magic externally but this isn't a problem since the crystal is found in abundance all over Iracal Island, sometimes in 80 foot tall monoliths. One way the Torinians focus their innate magic is in physical enhancement; increasing attributes such as speed, strength, and awareness by two or three times. The ability to increase durability in battle is very helpful to the Torinians because their lighter bone structure is more prone to breaks than the normal human skeleton. However, it is impossible for anyone to maintain that focus for an extended period of time; during those periods in a battle when the focus of their magic is lost their lighter skeleton is becomes a weak point. A second way their magic, or psiki, is focused is through weapons crafted with shards of Iracal Crystal that allow them to project energy in the form of elements. A third way, as the famed young healer Gabrielle Epidaurus had discovered, is to focus their magic into healing power. This ability is very difficult to become proficient at. The Torinians and Harpies together are currently existing in a fragile truce with the Sphinxes after decades of war but still face many threats from Iracal Islands other inhabitants.

[The History of the Torinians]

While the majority of their predators were hunting below, the humans had established a city on a mountain summit and lived by the rule of King Cretes Torin. After losing their previous home to the giant predators, the people of Torin focused their efforts into fortifying their new city. But the echoes of the battles between sphinxes and harpies in their long war came closer to the city and became louder by the day. The great fear that was held by many was that the giant predators would eventually discover their presence at the mountain summit. That dreaded fear which was pushed to the back of their minds would one day be realized when a giant harpy named Ourana ascended from below, rising out of the clouds like a fiery phoenix to claim mountain's peak. Such as a fog lifts in the morning, the peace that the humans enjoyed came to an end. "Pushed into a corner" by the sphinxes, the harpies retreated to the top of the mountain planning to make their last stand, and there they found the humans who had to quickly ready themselves for battle. The harpies devastated the Torinians and devoured many of them but not without taking some casualties themselves. The humans had proven themselves very capable fighters with their machines. The harpies would have finished the humans off but matriarch which led the harpies called for an end to the battle.

(Additional information: The bronze-skinned matriarch gazed upon the badly beaten - but not defeated - humans with piercing irises of gold that shined with a subtle hint of fire in them. Her long white hair blew in the wind; her feathers were as bright snow on a sunny day. The splendid beauty of the uncommon Harpy was lost on the inhabitants of Torin however, because she was enormous even by giant standards, which made her a fearful sight to behold. Given the clever workings of her mind, Ourana saw other uses for what was typically her prey. Ourana offered to make a covenant with the humans. She promised to let them live if they agreed to help the harpies against their enemies, the sphinxes. The humans were wise enough to understand that they had no real choice but to accept the offer because if they somehow managed to defeat the harpies, they would still fall against the sphinxes who were bound to pursue the harpies up the mountain.)

The Torinians accepted the harpy's offer to covenant and join forces to defend against the sphinxes - it was either that or die. They began to rebuild, with the help of the harpies bringing them materials, and they prepared for the eventual arrival of the sphinxes. Not too long after their shaky covenant was made, held together only by the respect that the harpies had for their matriarch who ordered the covenant, the day of battle came. The Torinians fought beside the harpies, surprising the ill-prepared sphinxes and dealing them a heavy blow. Torinians outfitted the harpies with armor and rode on their backs operating mounted ballistae. Together, they pushed the sphinxes back in a long series of campaigns until the sphinxes had no permanent foothold anywhere near Mount Litocoro. Because of this victory, the harpies promised to refrain from eating Torinian humans (except those who were exiled for crimes, that is).

Over the next couple of centuries, the Torinians and the harpies of Mount Litocoro became almost a single tribe. And outside of a few cases of accidental predation (being a harpy dentist is a hazardous occupation), the Torinians didn't have to live in fear of being eaten. The only time predation was allowed was in the execution of criminals who had committed acts worthy of death. Yes, even in a harpy occupied city, humans still victimized other humans. There was never a shortage of harpy volunteers eager to serve as the executioner. Another way harpies contributed to Torinian society was they escorted workers outside the city to allow them to farm, mine and do logging. They could also carry back a lot more material than the human technology could manage. During rare times when a worker or two would "mysteriously vanish" while on the job, the harpy who was responsible for them was punished. This was the decree of the matriarch Ourana. The punishments were not always severe enough for the Torinians who called them "little more than a slap on the wing."

Young harpies and the Torinian youth grow up in close proximity. Allowing humans to watch over the harpy nests had been beneficial to both sides.  Strong friendships had come out of raising the young harpies around humans. A natural result of these close upbringings is that the later generation of Torinians and harpies had absorbed each other's manner of speaking. The cultural cross pollination has also led to citizens going to watch harpies play their games, usually involving a criminal in the arena fighting for his life. On the flip side, some harpies had become fans of the human's stage plays and sporting events.

A number of Torinians had come to accept the harpies' rule and never wanted to see the status quo changed, even going as far as to make a goddess out of the matriarch. But there were some that felt oppressed, like having the harpies there was like constantly having a sword dangled above their heads by the "high and mighty" predators. King Torin, the former ruler of Torin, was the first and last of a group called the Revolutionaries. Tired of living in the intimidating presence of the giant predators, the Revolutionaries launched an attack to try and take Ourana hostage and demanded that the Harpies leave - it was the only way that they could feel free again as humans in the city. That was the day that King Torin died and Ourana became the Queen of Torin.

While the many years together has strengthened their bond, there are occasional reminders that the harpies with them are still very much their natural predators; growing up with them can only do so much to change that fact. Even though cases of predation were rare, the threat still existed because there was literally nothing to stop a harpy from eating a human aside from her own willpower to resist the urge.

[Government]

With the deaths of King Cretes and his son Prince Rhodes after their attempt to force the harpies to leave Torin, the harpy matriarch Ourana promised to honor the requests made by a group of people selected by the Torinians. This select group became Torin's first senate.

THE QUEEN MATRIARCH - As the head of her flock of giant harpies, Ourana was recognized as an immovable figure among the Torinian people. She had immense power and with that control, much to the dismay of Torinians in the early years of the harpy occupation. With the passing decades, she had a change of heart and her image went from "overbearing tyrant" to "firm ruler." In the present, the people generally have no issue with referring to the matriarch as "the Queen."

THE SENATE - Led by a descendant of King Cretes Torin who is named Cornelius Torin, this elite collection of citizens consists of military members, scholars, doctors, and more. They hold Ourana to her promise to give the people a voice.

[Resource Gathering]

Torinians grow food on parts of the mountain that they have terraced. After harvesting, this food is usually transported up the mountain either by beasts of burden called groxum or they are airlifted by harpies.  Water can be gathered from the rain but the majority of the water is drawn by pump systems from groundwater within the mountain. Fishing usually takes place on the southwest side of the island where Torinians focus their patrolling efforts. The waters between Iracal Island and The Isle of Rebirth (called Yarzvan by the Kelermites) are the safest for Torinians to sail.

[Torinian Warfare]

(a) The Torinian Army: There are two main divisions of the military force. The Standard Legionnaires and the Elite Legionnaires. Torinian school for young people ages 13 and up is a military academy which leads graduates into other roles in their society. Upon entering this academy, students make a pledge to be loyal to the Harpy Matriarch (Queen Ourana) and to protect Torin City. Those students with Elite potential are put through an intensified training program; it is grueling and borders on cruelty at times. Aello, a Demon Harpy, oversees the training of both humans and harpies (and she is fierce).  For the Elite candidates, the final trial before graduation (typically taking place when the candidate is at age 18) involves traveling across the predator-filled land outside the walls to retrieve a flag and return home with it. It sounds simple enough, but in Felarya many do not make it home. One class of twenty students separated into groups of four may see only twelve students return successfully. Sometimes these trials can take up to weeks to complete. This Final Trial is optional but must be taken to join the ranks of the Elites. Before the event begins, Aello makes sure to warn all Elite Legionnaire candidates that if she learns of them doing anything treacherous or dishonorable during their final trial it will result in them getting devoured by her on the spot.

(b) Magic: There is a store of raw magical energy inside the Torinian's bodies that they believe is linked to their souls, it is sometimes refer to as Psiki, or soul force. The psiki can be shaped or focused in many ways but usually manifested as elemental magic. Because Torinians don't possess any knowledge of anything but innate magic, they are generally intrigued by any magical artifacts that they might come across.

The Torinians were not always proficient with magic - discovering the ability to generate fire, wind, and lightning came by accident. Not long before the arrival of the Harpies, a skilled young craftsman named Archeladon had been collecting materials for the creation of a sculpture to present as a gift to King Cretes Torin for the birth of Prince Rhodes Torin. He gathered some Iracal Crystals for decoration. Being the fierce perfectionist that he was, he frowned upon his creation and cast it against a wall in frustration. To his surprise, the sculpture exploded into flames and blew a gaping hole in his sturdy stone wall. After experimenting with the pieces of the sculpture, the young artist found that the Iracal Crystals were the source of the fiery blast. He took his discovery to the King who wasn't overly pleased with Archeladon's gift, that was until the military applications occurred to him.

After more experimentation, it was learned that the abundant crystals unique properties that harnessed the elemental energies within a person's body. They didn't actually grant the user any additional power at all. More research fount that only the recent generations were born with the innate elemental magic within them and each Torinian seemed to have a particular affinity. When test subjects channeled their energy through the transparent crystal it would glow either red for fire, yellow for lightning, white for wind, blue for water, and green for earth. Although each had the ability to use any of the elements, the element of their affinity was by far the strongest. The use of their innate magic could also enhance their physical abilities. The focusing of their psiki (innate magic) can multiply attributes such as speed, strength, durability, and awareness by two or three times. This is especially helpful because the Torinians have a lighter bone structure that is slightly more prone to suffer breaks.

(C) WEAPONS: Weapons, Artifacts, and Transport: Much research went into the engineering of weapons to utilize the Iracal Crystals. Although there were a wide range of weapons developed, for the most part the soldiers rely on four basic weapons: the bow, the spear, the sword, the shield.

-- The Ballistae had two types: conventional and energy based. The energy-based Ballistae featured Iracal Crystals and required at least four soldiers to power its powerful energy bolts. Ballistae were sometimes mounted to the backs of harpies in battle.

-- The Sky Glider, a transport device, is basically a smaller version of a hang-glider. It's built with a wooden frame and Iracal Crystal handles, then fitted with both large and small harpy feathers  to form the wings. The gliders were engineered to be propelled by wind magic but were rarely used because of the airborne predators. Even though their excellent vision and lighter weight enhanced the Torinians' abilities to pilot the gliders, the only pilots capable of out flying a predator were those with a natural affinity for wind magic.

(d) Tactics: The Torinians have extraordinary vision which is well suited for long range weapons such as the bow. While guarding the city, they stand in large formations and fire hundreds, or thousands of arrows into the sky at the invading predators. In the wilderness, they use their sight to their advantage by stealthily striking from a distance, then using their swiftness to either evacuate the area or move for another shot. Living on a mountain summit, the Torinians have adapted well to hiking and climbing. The best of them take to the incline with astonishing speed and stamina. Outrunning a predator on a mountain side may not be out of the question for them. If they lack a long range weapon, the sword and shield are called upon. When facing an opponent in hand to hand combat, so to speak, they rely on a very kick-oriented fighting style, which was adopted to suit their skills.

[Culture, Faith and Spirituality]

(a) Festival; The Celebration of History:

The last day of every calendar year, which the Torinians recognize as the end of the snowy quarter, the people of Torin gather in their enormous garden for a festival called the Celebration of History. With many delicious foods made using leaves and berries from the Crystal Blossoms in the garden, the Torinians have a massive picnic to reflect on their history and express appreciation for each other; each and every Torinian has contributed to the building of their great city. The people pray to the founders and all those that have given their lives for the city to descend from Heaven and join in the festivities. The celebration goes well into the wintry night until the rain begins to fall, signaling the beginning of the new calendar year.

 (b) Faith:

The Torinians believe that once they pass on they will all be reunited in a city in Heaven that King Cretes Torin has built specifically for his beloved people. Whether this is allowed by any other powers that may exist in Heaven is irrelevant to the Torinians because they are convinced that a large city of people have the power to create anything by believing in it hard enough. This is also why they believe that souls that they hold sacred can become bona fide deities. It also explains why they believe that souls of fallen soldiers can return to the land of the living and defend those that call upon them, even in spirit form, before returning to their Torinian city in Heaven.

(c) The Sacred Torinian Figures (aka The Torinian Pantheon):

The Torinian Pantheon may be unconventional in the sense that it contains only one actual God, Somah. The other members are Torinians that have attained a sort of higher sainthood, being God-like in some ways; so incredible were their accomplishments that they were believed to be divinely driven and thus resulted in them becoming regarded this way.

Beautiful stone, bronze, and crystal monuments depicting them in their most of glorious of moments grace the cityscape; some standing 40 feet tall, and some statues serving as pillars on buildings. In the Temple of Somah, statues line the walls with inscriptions describing their notoriety.

SOMAH: chief among the three crowned figures of the pantheon. Somah is portrayed in artwork as a humanoid figure with a hundred wings and radiant light in place of his head. Somah is believed to embody karma and destiny, a force that can cause or prevent any event. The people pray that Somah brings good events and protects them from the worst. Although none will say that the day Ourana and the Harpies conquered their city was a positive event in their history, they all admit that it may have prevented an even worse fate. Such is the way of Somah. It is also believed that he can be persuaded by positive energy released in the thoughts and actions of Torinian people; in other words karma. Furthermore, living or dying surrounded by negative Karma brings terrible events to those that remain behind. If a man cares for the well being of his family and friends, he should create as much good karma as possible so that they will be protected after he is gone.

CRETES TORIN: the founder of Torin and benevolent King who once ruled over the city. The Torinians believe Cretes Torin still watches over his beloved city and its citizens. He grants wisdom and fortitude to leaders or those in positions of power. He is a loving father figure to all. He is the second highest among three crowns wearers. Ironically, it was Ourana, the Harpy who ate Cretes and his son Rhodes, who proposed the idea of the three crowned figures and their inclusion among them. His statue in the Temple of Somah portraits Cretes Torin in his Kingly attire with a scepter in his right hand and Torinian people sitting in his open left hand.

RHODES TORIN I: the courageous and chivalrous warrior who was known among the conquering Harpies as the "moral backbone" of the Torinian army. Rhodes is the third crowned figure in the pantheon. He represents the virtuous; upholding honor, courage, ambition, and dedication. He helps people during difficult trials, encouraging them to face the trials proactively with optimism and resilience. He is portraited in art work as a young man wearing light armor, with a shield in one hand and a sword bravely pointed forward in the other hand.

ARCHELADON: the skilled craftsman who became a grand architect responsible for many wondrously designed structures such as the Theatre of Torin. He was also an engineering genius and designed the tools, machines, and weapons that the Torinians thrive on. After his passing and injection into the pantheon, Archeladon has been viewed by the faithful as one who bestows creativity and inspiration to both artists and engineers. He is most often portraited painting, sculpting, or drawing; but he is also portraited in a thinking position over a new invention.

PYROS THE GIANT SLAYER: the elite warrior who was said to have once brought down a Sphinx by choking her from inside her throat. He was a towering mass of muscle who preferred his uniquely designed sword over the bow for the thrill of close range combat. The ferocity of his heart was palpable in the intensity of the fire he wielded. Though many bare witness that he was eventually eaten by what appeared to be a Blue Sphinx, the Torinians would rather conjure up romanticized tales of why he vanished. As a sacred figure, it is believed that Pyros grants bravery and might to warriors in battle. He is portraited in full Torinian armor; either battling, slaying, or standing victoriously over a predator of some sort.

HESEODORUS: "The Great Storyteller." A man just as legendary as the characters in the stories he told; Heseodorus was more than a master of story telling or a historian, the Torinians believed that their primary God (Somah) would show Heseodorus visions of significant events from all over the world the moment they happened. Heseodorus would then sit, open his book, and write the visions that appeared before him.

As a sacred figure, Heseodorus watches over the Torinians and writes their deeds in a book that shines like a star. Torinians actually point to the brightest star in the sky and believe that it's the Great Storyteller watching from Heaven; recording every single act of kindness, every humorous moment, and every heroic feat. No good deed goes unseen. When a Torinian passes on and ascends to Heaven, his or her legend will already be well known. Heseodorus will then tell those stories to King Torin and all those that now live in their city in Heaven; there will be a party where a wonderful time is had by all.

GABRIELLE THE HEALER: merely a child at her passing at the beginning of the war with the Sphinxes, Gabrielle was renowned for her inspiring selflessness. She “put grown men and women to shame” with her countless displays of compassion; caring for the sick, wounded, and broken hearted. Gabrielle was said to be the first Torinian to ever discover the ability to heal others through touch, and even hugs. The raw magical energy within her was transformed into a healing power through her immense desire to help the wounded. Adults became her pupil, hoping to release their own healing powers which were badly needed during the conflicts with the Sphinxes. At 13 years old, Gabrielle was crushed while rescuing an injured soldier trapped in a collapsing hospital. She is quoted to have said with her last breath, “I only wish that I could see our enemies right now so that I could tell them that I love them.”

As a Sacred Figure, Gabrielle descends from Heaven and comes to the aid of the sick, wounded, and broken hearted. She encourages Torinians to follow the love in their hearts to help others and forgive others, even their enemies. She is depicted in art work as a young girl wearing a dress with a crown of Crystal Blossoms on her head. She is often caring for a person in need, or delivering gifts and hugs to a grateful person. At the base of the statue of Gabrielle that stands outside of the hospital named after her is inscribed, “Love is what created us. Love is what heals us. Love is what will save us.”

THE DECEIVER: the one who's name is forbidden to be spoken, Torin's infamous traitor. The Deceiver's images are unlit, unkept, and often stained from being peppered with trash from Torinians. The youthful female warrior with enticing beauty was once a jewel in the eyes of the Torinians before she sided with a Sphinx. Now she is often depicted in murals and paintings of various scenarios with one hand always hidden behind her back to portrait her dishonesty.  She has no place of honor among Torin's sacred figures; she is there because the darkness that she represents will always be present in every person and must be overcome. Whether this demonization was rightful, or not, this is what the Torinians believe her to truly be. A statue of the Deceiver stands outside the Temple of Somah looking for any righteous soul to corrupt, beckoning them forward with one hand while the other is hidden in her usual manner. She is the one who whispers into ears of every Torinian man and woman, soliciting the thoughts they must not give in to. Snaring the upstanding and misleading them down a dark path to destruction. Sewing discord wherever walks. She is the protector of liars, thieves, and murderers.

[EXILES - THE TRIBE OF LOST ONES]

The battle that saw Torin City conquered by Harpies ended with the humans that refused to submit to Ourana either be eaten on the spot or exiled. Most of those who were put out of what was left of the city were initially believed to have been eaten by the predators of the wilderness, but it is now known that many of those humans have survived. The Tribe of Lost Ones is what they call themselves, but in the neighboring villages and cities of Iracal Island they are most commonly called barbarians.

The Tribe of Lost Ones are nomadic in that they constantly pick up and move but they have been known to return to past locations to settle. Their presence is one that all traveling humans and the like should be mindful of because they survive not only by hunting, but by ambushing the ill-prepared and robbing them blind. Like other tribes in Felarya that are fighting for survival, the Lost Ones are not above capturing travelers and using them as decoys to escape predators.

Of course, the tribe would like to avoid predators in the first place; the tons of stolen weapons and artifacts can only help them so much. It probably goes without saying but the Lost Ones know the wilderness very well and they are physically fit to a person, fit enough to outlast many predators in a chase even. Another approach they've taken is camouflaging their scents by following behind Kensha Beasts and covering themselves in the material (fur and/or other material) the canines leave behind. By doing this the tribe has often been able to fool predators into thinking they were not humans.

Still, even given all this it seems unlikely that this tribe of exiled men and women could have survived for as long as it has. It may just serve as a testament to the power of the human spirit and what they can accomplish with the will to survive, and plenty of good luck of course. On that note: Somah, the traditional God of fate and karma, is still worshipped as the primary deity by the Tribe of Lost Ones (or a slightly tweaked version of Somah that better fits the Lost One's way of life), unlike in Torin City where Somah has been usurped by King Torin and is barely acknowledged anymore outside of his "Fire mark" which is typically included in traditional artwork or where tribute is paid to the city's history somehow.