Name: Mirn
Physical Characteristics:
Hair: Mirn hair is fine and silky, more often than not either a shade of white to dark blonde. Black has been found, but it is considered insulting to their goddess and many of these Mirn choose to be bald.
Eyes: Flat dull gray without exception.
Skin: Skin colors are as varied as humans, ranging from white to black. Darker skin is preferred, and is often seen as a sign of having earned theirLithos’ favor in a previous life. All Mirn share a similar scare design, two circles interlocked with each other, a line bisecting them (the placement of this mark is random). The Mirn believe this to be the sigil of their mother goddess, and it is consider a huge insult to look at this without expressed permission, and a killing offense for non-Mirn to touch it. (The sole exception to this rule are lovers, though often too much protest by the Mirn in question)
Basic info:
The Mirn are a monogendered species. Any gender characteristics that they may have are largely vestigial, but do tend to closely match humans. However, due to the process by which Mirn are born, and their uh….equipment shall we say, many consider the Mirn to be an all-male race. The Mirn, for their part, do not consider this to be true or at all accurate.
Mirn also tend to be preternaturally attractive in one respect or another. This manifests itself in anyway, even smell. However, more people are slightly disturbed by this trait than aroused, and Mirn do try and take some steps to suppress this trait when dealing with non-Mirn.
They are deft and dexterous as a general rule. Their race is somewhat famous throughout Avrith for being highly flexible and agile fighters and dancers.
Magic:
Mirn are incapable of using magic in any capacity.
Religion:
Without expectation, the Mirn worship their goddess Mirnala, for whom they are named. She is a creator god, initially described as a woman with flowing black hair, and the lower body of a snake that stretches infinitely. The following is considered the ‘first’ story in their extensive theology.
“She(Mirnala) and her sister/lover, Lithos, made love, and this was believed to be the beginning of everything. Lithos enjoyed the beginning, for it was empty and vast. To her, the empty was but a canvas, awaiting her paint. And so, Lithos began to create, bringing forth stone, water, fire, and air. She traveled far into this new emptiness, filling it with her great gifts.
However, in her rush, she forgot to bring her sister. Mirnala was a weak goddess, who needed her sisters great power to protect her from the things that came before.(note: Mirn mythology never expands on what this passage means.) Fearful and lonely for her sisters touch, Mirnala realized she would have to create a great work of art for her sister to notice. But, as was said, Mirnala was weak, and could not bring forth water, stone, fire, or even air.
Thinking for a long time, she removed her breasts. From this she created the earth and the sun. But this did not bring Lithos back. Mirnala worked her fingers raw upon the earth, creating mountains with her once soft hands (which, upon bleeding, created the oceans.) She then created the first animal (made from her tongue), the first bird, the first fish and so forth until the world was as it is. Yet still this did not bring back her lover.
Crying and fearful of being left alone, Mirnala removed her eye and a single strand of black hair. She tied the hair to the oceans and to her eye, so that they might be connected. It is to this that Lithos returned. Mirnala attempted to show her beloved sister her work, but she had given up so much that Lithos did not recognize her lover. Lithos examined the beautiful moon, and became mad with jealousy, angered at this ugly creature before her.
“How dare you, vile thing!” She would bellow, “I shall lock you in a cage and take this for my sister, so she might know my love for her.” And so she did, taking her great axe and cutting Mirnala in twain, locking her torso in an unopenable cage.
Lithos took her prize and then searched for her lover. It too many ages, for the universe is vast, before Lithos realized her mistake. She returned quickly to the earth, begging for forgiveness from a lover who could not hear her.
Lithos tied the moon to the oceans yet again, crying as she did so, for she could not open the cage. The tears that fell upon the ocean created the brine, and those tears that fell upon the land created the Mirn. Through tears, Lithos commanded the first Mirn to pray to her sister, so that she might know her regret and sorrow. And so we did and so we shall. Then Lithos removed her eye, for it meant little, and tied it to the moon, saying to the first Mirn, “I shall be with my sister again when all is at the end. Till then I shall sleep, but you shall be my lullaby. Do this and you shall not truly die." And so we did. And so we shall always."
Mirn religion is also marked for two important ceremonies, the ‘Trials of True Words’ and ‘The Immaculate Return’. The Trials of True Words are considered a rite of passage for all young Mirn. It begins with a four week long fast, filled with spiritual reflection and meditation. Then, after a much deserved meal, the young Mirn are sent out into the world to earn themselves a title (see language notes). This trial also influences their social status within Mirn society. The greater the deed is the more extravagant and complex the title becomes.
The Immaculate Return is a far more somber event that spans a life time. After completing the first phase of the Trial of True Words (at which point they are considered an adult), the Mirn in question is asked to deposit reproductive fluids into a sacred jar (often made by their own hands during the fast). The jar is taken by the temple priestess. It is logged and stored in dark chambers beneath the temple until the individual’s death, at which point it (and the individual’s body) are placed in stone tub. The tub is filled with a holy mixture of spring water and other ingredients (all kept secret by the temples highest clergy) and then sealed away for two years. At the end of the two years, the tub is opened, a new born baby Mirn being its only contents. Mirn believe that, should one not perform this act, they will lose Lithos’ favor and not be reincarnated.
On the subject of magic, the Mirn are a surly lot. While they see magic as incredibly powerful, they cannot utilize it. However, this is a good thing in their eyes, as magic is the right of gods and gods alone. Instead, they focus themselves on martial warfare as a matter of meditation and self-defense. They have a love for thrusting weapons, rapiers and spears being wielded with uncanny speed.
Language:
Mirn language does not make any use of pronouns. Instead, they refer to each other by a title earned in the Trails of True Words. Anyone who has yet to complete this trial is called a ‘Gy’thua Mirn’, or ‘young daughter of the Mirn’. This doesn’t tend to translate well into other languages, giving the Mirn a reputation as arrogant or long winded.
An interesting note is that, while other races consider the Mirn to be a male only race, all positions of honor (When translated) use effeminate titles. The head of the temple is the high priestess while lower clergy are referred to as priests. Mirn political figures often use the title matron.
Government:
Mirn settlements are led by a tribunal of elders made up by the high priestess, the grand matriarch (who is chosen by title) and the Lunar Matron. While the high priestess and grand matriarch serve for life, the Lunar Matron is swapped out every eight lunar years. The newest Lunar Matron is elected by vote, and proven by a trial of meditation.
The Lunar Matron is responsible for domestic affairs, ensuring the people are happy and healthy. The Grand Matriarch handles external political affairs, acting as both military general and diplomat. While the high priestess is technical at the top of the hierarchy, their position is often to break ties between the Grand Matriarch and the Lunar Matron and serve as the moral guide. The tribunals of all the Mirn settlements communicate regularly, though meetings of more than one or two tribunals are rare.
The Mirn population has always been too low to warrant creating their own nation, and as such they have frequently moved from nation to nation. As such, they often latch on to existing nations in exchange for modest trade. At the moment, the majority of Mirn live in Avirth, who won their loyalty after their exile from the lands of Folgoth.
Marriage and love:
Love with the Mirn is sacred and has few restrictions; however, they lack any formal marriage ceremonies. Instead, couples often tend to just begin cohabitation. If a non-Mirn somehow woos a Mirn, or vice versa, the non-Mirn is adopted into their society, however they cannot hold positions of political power.
Just gonna leave this here for a little while I work on my character. Hope its ok! (let me know if there are issues)