Vencarel

The history of the Vencarel on Verail was first recorded in the year 306 FV, when several hundred elf-like humanoids arrived on Verail through a portal. According to most records, they were escaping a dying world with the weakened heart of their homeworld's “Violet Sun”, Eoarl.

Despite mistrust from many denizens of Verail, the Vencarel managed to find allies in the Kahvlarashar and the Hengeyokai. Eventually the three managed to restore the heart enough to prevent remaining power of Eoarl, and with it the Vencarel race, from dying. Since then, the nation of Evei'Carel (Roughly translates to “Carel Restored”) was established.

The Vencarel rarely involve themselves in the events of others, and usually attempt to act as mediators between waring nations. They remain one of the few peoples on Verail to have never instigated a war, believing that initiating conflict spits in the face of Eoarl's gift of life.

Despite this, Vencarel are much more capable of defending themselves than most often assume. The Knights of Eoarl, led by the High Exarch of Eoarl, are a significant threat, should anyone force the hand of the Vencarel.

Biology
Vencarel biology has been most closely compared to the elves.They have pointed ears and slender bodies. While theories of an actual relation between the two races have arisen, the fact that the Vencarel are from another world entirely make them difficult to believe.

They tend to be born with various markings across their body, often forming intricate patterns. Unlike the Kahvlarashar, they do not seem to be an indication of energy, but simply some unusual form of birthmark.

Their hair and eyes both tend to have various shades of blue, green, red or orange, usually in duller hues. Rarely, purple hair or eyes can be seen, although the trait seems to be recessive, and is very rare in general. These physical traits are almost always coupled with a strong connection to Eoarl.

An odd detail learned in early studies of them is their reliance on Eoarl's energy. According to those studies, were they to be separated from Eoarl's power, they would become unable to reproduce, and their bodies would begin to age rapidly until they inevitably go extinct.

Culture
The Vencarel have a strong adherence to the traditions of their homeland, a fact that has often caused other races to be mistrustful of them on account of the stark difference in culture. Outsiders, or Ku'liten, as they call anyone who is not from Evei'Carel, however, have found that they are more than happy to share their philosophies with them, as long as they are willing to learn. A rare few, such as Neveira Shadowslayer, have even managed to receive Vencarel titles.

The primary driving force behind Vencarel philosophy is the bonds they form throughout their life. Whether to people, animals, or even objects, they believe a person is defined by their closest bonds. One's Fin'eul is generally considered to be the first bond a Vencarel will form in their life.

Vencarel hold a different sense of morality compared to other cultures in that they do not believe it is selfish for someone to put those close to them above others. They would say that, if a person would not choose their closest friends and family over complete strangers, they hold no true connection and should pursue their relations to those strangers instead. The concept of nepotism being looked down upon in other cultures is something they find absurd, and has led to a belief among the Vencarel that outsiders form "Relations built only of lies, not of love."

Vencarel tend to value items on a very individual basis, with their most valued possessions being those of sentimental rather than tangible value. While this rarely effects their economy, as items of strong sentimental value will not be sold anyways, this factor is sometimes exploited by less moral outsiders, stealing items of value to a Vencarel and then trading it back in return for something of far more objective value.

Naming
Vencarel usually posses four parts to their name at adulthood. The first part of their name is given by their parents at birth. The second, which is often seen as their surname to many other races, is the first name of their Fin'eul. When the Vencarel selects a Kaiyla, their Kaiyla's first name is added to their name as well, after the name of their Fin'eul. The final part of their name, added before the first part, is selected by the Vencarel upon reaching adulthood.

For example, in a Vencarel named Al'Ver Se'Zel, Ver is the name given by his parents at birth, Se is the name of his Fin'eul, Zel is the name of his Kaiyla, and Al was selected by him upon reaching adulthood.

Vencarel tend to refer to eachother by their full names in all situations, which often seems overly formal to outsiders. The reasoning behind it is that each part of their name represents a part of them to the Vencarel, and dropping part of it is considering to a be a declaration that they are not worthy of that part of their name. This is also the reason why Revenants of the Eclipse drop their names, as declaring themselves a Revenant is a declaration that they are unworthy of even themselves. Oddly enough, calling a Revenant by their original name is also seen to be an insult, as it trivializes their vow as a Revenant.

Vencarel who have interacted with outsiders frequently have often grown used to being casually insulted on a regular basis, however.

Childhood
Vencarel determine age based on accomplishments rather than years. Vencarel children reach Si'alisah, the first rank of life, after developing the ability to walk and use basic speech. After this point, they will be paired with a child of Ka'alisah, the fifth rank of life. This pairing is a critical component in Vencarel society. The younger child is known as the Kaiyla, and the older child is known as the Fin'eul. The pair will live their lives together until the Kaiyla reaches Ka'alisah, after which they will become Fin'eul to Kaiyla of their own, and their Fin'eul will be considered an adult in Vencarel society.

The bond between Kaiyla and Fin'eul is one many other races have a difficult time fully understanding. What is known is that it is one of the strongest bonds most Vencarel will ever form, and creates a loyalty few outsiders will ever understand.

Racial Traits
- Ability Score Modifiers: Vencarel are wise, and strangely strong despite their build, but their lack of traditional learning tends to make them less knowledgeable than other races. They gain +2 Wisdom, +2 Strength, and -2 Intelligence (0 RP)

- Size: Vencarel are medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size. (0 RP)

- Type: Vencarel are humanoids with the Vencarel subtype. (0 RP)

- Base Speed: Vencarel have a base speed of 30ft (0 RP)

- Languages: Vencarel begin play speaking Vencarel and Common (0 RP)

- Skill Bonus: Vencarel receive a +2 bonus to Knowledge (Religion) and Sense Motive checks (4 RP)

- Ward of the Violet Sun (2 RP)

The power of Eoarl is especially strong against beings from other planes, and every Vencarel is infused with some amount of Eoarl's power. Vencarel receive a +2 bonus to saves made against effects produced by creatures with the outsider type.

- Soul Relic (4 RP)

The life of a Vencarel is defined to that which is closest to them, and even those that leave their home will always have something important to their life with them, a fragment of their soul, as they would describe it.

A Vencarel may begin play with a Soul Relic, which grants its user a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and saves against fear, and a +1 competence bonus to a single skill of the Vencarel's choice. Alternatively, if the chosen item is a tool, it may instead grant a +2 circumstance bonus to that skill. The Soul Relic may be a tool, or any type of item which could be a magical item. If it is a weapon or armor, it begins play as a masterwork version of that item.

The Vencarel's emotional connection to the Soul Relic causes it to be more susceptible to magical energy, allowing it to be enchanted at half of the usual cost.

If the Soul Relic is lost or destroyed, the Vencarel receives a -2 penalty to attack rolls and will saves, and to the skill the item benefited, for one month or until the item is recovered.