Nation of Kyr
The people of Kyr see life as a series of intellectual challenges to be considered and solved. Individual achievement is highly prized, but the contributions of the individual strengthen the whole. More cosmopolitan than other nations, the Kyrie do not have tribes, but possess three lofted cities amid the sharp peaks and redwood forests of their challenging land. In these enclaves, they keep the collected knowledge of the people and the world.
The lofted cities are centers of culture, politics, thought, and learning; all things that the Kyrie value highly. They see each person's voice as both their bond and their right; they consider a verbal agreement "given breath" and every bit as binding as a written one (though really, get it in writing too). They organize their cities by democratic participation; all adult Kyrie are expected and required to participate, barring specific inability and exception. This is seen as a sacred duty, and failure to fulfill it usually results in various punishments.
There are two aspects to political participation: The Lottery and the Vote. Each year, the lottery draws 50 names from each city and an additional 50 from smaller settlements and outlying lands, who are required to serve in the government, administering all civil projects and drafting/revising laws for the year. New laws are submitted to the yearly Vote, in which all adult Kyrie and permanent residents (including Kyr-Ora) must take part.
The most important things to the Kyrie are competitive aspiration, innovation, and the Song. The Kyrie enjoy intellectual challenges and puzzles of all kinds, and enjoy both sports and games of all kinds. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of architecture, magic, and Arcanatech, looking for ways to build ever upward and improve life in their challenging environment.
Additionally, if a citizen wishes to remain in their government role, they may submit themselves to the vote for a specific term, which must be approved by the citizenry. For such votes, resident foreigners and Kyr-Ora are not allowed to participate, as they are unable to themselves be subject to the Lottery or hold government office. If an extension of office is approved, the office holder is exempted from the Lottery for the year following the end of their term. Conflict resolution is not considered part of government service in this way, and is typically outsourced to the Kyr-Ora.
Particularly exciting are efforts to preserve the recorded voice, given the importance of Song to the Kyrie. Families share and pass down a sacred Song that is unique to the family; and sung at special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and the like. To the Kyrie, the Song captures and expresses the very breath of life, and they are very fond of music and skilled musicians, especially singers.
Kyrie Names
Given Names
Kyrie given names are inspired by Tibetan, Nepalese, Korean, and Tolkien's Elvish languages. The name you choose does not have to match the sounds or meanings from any of these languages, and could include inspiration from additional languages such as Mongolian, Jeju and Ladakhi.
However, Kyrie names are usually not more than two syllables in the first name (diminutives or pet names excepted). Short, Greek inflected names like Niko or Etna can work too. Some Kyrie go by diminutives ending in -kin or -net (Kammakin, Pemmekin, Tannet, Kammenet). Kyrie names can generally be used for any gender.
Family Names
Kyrie names are structured as [given name] [family name]. Kyrie surnames typically honor an ancestor; older or more well known family houses reference the oldest known ancestor or most famous member of the house.
Name Examples
Aera Kri
Jin Samlo
Pemet Shir
Niko Lam
Turin Kursang
Costuming References
The Kyrie dress in keeping with the climate-- thick wool and layers when it is cold, and breezy tunics, saris etc. when it is hot. Feather and wing shapes feature heavily in their attire, often over or alongside simple, streamlined silhouettes. In spite of the distance between them, Kyr and Vonor influence each other heavily in terms of fashion, though more in terms of shapes and overall styles than colors; as transmitted through items described and imported by the Orani caravans. In general, the Kyrie prefer greens, blues, whites, light browns, and similar light colors.
OOP References
The Kyrie draw inspiration from Tibetan aesthetics, especially in names and cold weather dress, as well as the Rito from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and the Mirkwood elves of J.R.R. Tolkein. Warm weather dress is also inspired by Indian/Pakistani clothing, such as saris, kurtas, dhoti, and the like. The description of the Lofted Cities themselves take a great deal of inspiration both from Rito Village, and the League of Legends: Arcane.
Check out our Citadel Kyr Pinterest for pictures of costume references.
Faith & Religion
The Kyrie honor the creator goddess, whom they call the First Singer, She who composed and first gave voice to the Song of Creation. The Kyrie believe that the lives of all who dwell in Tokavah are notes, simple phrases in composition, and that the span and purpose of life is to develop your note to its fullest potential. When you die, it is said that the note of your life rejoins the Song, but if it brings too much discord to the grand harmony, you must return to the world and try again from the beginning.
Kyr does not have a formal church, but many shrines and temples, for semi-formal ritual observance. Called “Chantries”, Kyrie temples are built for acoustics, as most of their prayers and religious content is sung. Those who maintain the temples typically also lead such services; these are called Chanters. A common religious verse is The Song of the Song, which does not propose to /be/ the Song of Creation, but tells the story of it’s initial composition. The first part, known as “The Silence Is Broken,” is as follows:
Now the First Singer lifts Her voice,
The silence is forever broken,
The Song through time soars back and forth,
The Universe is filled with music.
Join her in the song of all creation,
The world is made, and all that dwells with in it,
And Her children come, their voices raised in song,
The silence is forever broken
The Rising Air, the Falling Air,
Her gifts are given to Her children,
In harmony, to each our share,
Rings out between the tree and mountain,
Join Her in the Song of all existence,
See our future rising bright around us,
And still Her voice shall guide us though the dark,
The silence is forever broken.
There are other verses and melodies to this song, as well as further poetry which details how the First Singer sang creation into being, but the above is one of the more common and popular renditions.
As in other nations, many Chanters are also Channelers, though it is not strictly necessary. Those unable or unwilling to sing may also participate, either through sign-language renditions of the sacred verses, or occasionally, through a kind of spoken-chant service.
Economy & International Relations
Kyr is a very cosmopolitan nation, possessing many raw resources in terms of stone and quarried material, wood (living wood and deadfall, largely), crafted goods, and those crops/animal goods that can be husbanded in the precarious environment. Meat and milk in Kyr typically comes from goats, yaks, and particularly hardy sheep; local crops include figs, ramps, strawberries, cold-hardy leafy greens, barley, and buckwheat. Kyr also operates one of the two coin mints in the world, the other being in Vonor. Kyr is a major importer of fish and ocean products from Ishuii, animal products from Razir, and just about anything from Vonor, especially wheat flour and lowland produce.
Just as Kyr’s political structure is fairly centralized, so too is their economy, mostly driven by the fact that land ownership is all but impossible. As such, the Kyrie do not own homes; they apply for them through the housing office, and are assigned rent accordingly based on the property in question (size, local, demand etc.) The rent is considered a part of their tax obligation, the calculation of which is a major part of the duties of the government bureaus. Each year, the total cost of improvements, maintenance, and other public projects approved in the Vote is calculated, divided by the population numbers (based on household, weighted by number of people in the household based on their status (age, ability, etc), approved and a tax bill is issued based on this.
Taxes can also be paid in kind-- for example, if you're an artificer or the like, a certain number of hours spent doing maintenance on infrastructure counts for your rent/tax obligations. Likewise, herders, business owners, etc. may donate equivalent portions of their product to the government in lieu of coin. Those whose business draws them elsewhere, such as adventurers, who do not need to maintain a residence in the Lofted Cities are still recorded as citizens for the purposes of the Vote, but are typically exempted from tax obligations and from the Lottery, depending on the circumstances.
Interactions with other nations
Kyr frequently feels more isolated than the other nations due to the inhospitality of the terrain, especially with the encroachment of the badlands. The people are generally eager and interested to welcome travelers from all nations, though they, like all people, can fall prey to stereotypes from time to time.
The following information is the general, cultural biases (both positive and negative) that Kyrie tend to have toward those from other nations.
Ishui
Ishui is the closest neighbor to Kyr, both in accessibility and in interests. Though they may seem opposed-- Ishui being people of the past, and Kyr of the future, the rational Kyrie recognize well that understanding of how to confront the future comes from history. They have shared interest in astrology as well as other forms of learning. That said, while they both will agree that learning is sterile without being put to practical use, they tend to differ widely on exactly what “practical” and “use” means, Kyrie academics seeing the Ishui as too cautious and resistant to true experimentation.
Additionally, Kyr are particularly fond of imported fish from Ishui, and very much enjoy the flavor of their music as well.
Ora
For the Kyrie, the Orani are a logistical problem more than anything else. Kyr-Orani provide useful conflict resolution services-- particularly helpful in academic disputes or matters involving publication credit-- and adopt other enriching trades. They are generally seen as living in a happy symbiosis with their Kyrie hosts, which does not mean they are exempt from the desire to manage, regulate, and order that embodies the bureaucratic Kyrie society. There’s a diversity of opinions, for example, on whether and how the Vote, Lottery, and Judiciary should change as they relate to the Kyr-Ora, and such debates are part of the background noise of political life on the margins there.
For the Mendicants, the Kyrie are always eager to welcome their news and wares, and to show off their latest innovations-- something that the Orani sometimes seem to endure, rather than embrace.
Razir
Of all the nations, the Kyrie understand the Raziri least. They are nearly impossible to hold any kind of conversation with, as they think neither ahead nor behind, but only of what’s happening right now. This may sound good in a spiritual, meditative sense, but is utterly baffling to the Kyrie, who would very much like to have a plan first. The Raziri are ambitious and competitive-- passions understandable to most Kyrie-- but the things they’re interested in competing over are frequently lost on their north-western neighbors. Raziri music and dance are very much admired in Kyr, however, and any good student of musical theory absolutely must make at least one visit to Razir during their lifetime.
Vonor
In spite of the distance, Kyr is heavily influenced by their cosmopolitan opposite, and flatter themselves that the opposite is also true. There is a lively commerce between the Academy colleges in Kyr and in Vonor, and a great deal of intellectual sympathy between the two peoples as well, when they can meet. There can sometimes be a mismatch in temperament between them-- visiting Vonori often seem moved to silence in the Lofted Cities, and it is hard for the Kyrie to tell if this is awe, overwhelm, or disdain. Additionally, The Kyrie find Vonori religious practice both fascinating in its mystery and secrecy, and incomprehensible in how little singing seems to be involved.
Trade & Magic Skills
Although you can find masters of all the magic and trade skills among the Kyrie, some are more common than others, and the way the Kyrie practice the skills might be different than those of other nations.
Term Explanation:
Rare: Relatively unseen, only a few experts in the entire nation
Uncommon: Not seen often and would be considered unusual among the population for someone to obtain an intermediate level or mastery of the skill.
Common: Frequently found among the population, and it would be expected for most people to at least have a basic understanding of the skill.
Wide Spread: It is normal for adults to have an intermediate level of skill, and there are masters of the skill in almost every family.
Artificing
Rarity: Widespread
In Kyr, Artificing is probably the most common skill, which can be surprising to those who think of the Kyrie as a largely cerebral, study-focused culture. This does not follow the idea far enough-- Kyrie innovation demands that study proceed to actual, practical application. Thus, artificing is considered a useful foundational skill, regardless of a person’s primary profession, though many Kyrie do proceed to become full Arcanatechnicians.
Arcanatech
Rarity: Widespread
The maintenance required to keep the lofted cities suspended and the lifts going involves a great deal of artificing and Arcanatech. Given that this sort of service is a principal means of paying in-kind tax to the state, nearly every family has at least one Arcanatechnician, either in study on new and exciting innovations, working on the city structures themselves, or both.
Inscription
Rarity: Common
Particularly among members of the Academy of the Rising Wind, Inscription is very common in Kyr. Kyrie scribes frequently collaborate with Ishui colleagues on histories, document preservation, and other scholarly pursuits.
Sigilcraft
Rarity: Common
Many Kyrie scribes continue the pursuit of Sigilcraft and Glyphcraft, especially as it pertains to Seraphic, the ancient language of magic. Hampered by a dearth of reliable touchpoints for translation, such scholars are focused on creating functional lexicons for Seraphic, and are eager to discover new references for it-- and also to develop new sigils and glyphs, of course.
Physicker Studies
Rarity: Common
Every land needs doctors, and Kyr is no exception. Physick is neither the most or least common pursuit in Kyr, but generally viewed in high regard, and very much in demand in a place where accidents with machinery or from falling are very real risks.
Alchemy
Rarity: Uncommon
Considering that quite a lot of alchemical components in Kyr have to be imported, the expense, time, and difficulty of the study make Alchemy a fairly uncommon discipline. However, those researchers who are so dedicated are as passionate as a Raziri about it, frequently commissioning shiny, bespoke equipment for their work, and pursuing new formulas with other like minded devotees.
Ritualism
Rarity: Common
Wizardry is considered a noble intellectual pursuit, lending itself to the Kyrie love of research and innovation. Kyrie wizards often seek connections with Vonori wizards as well, finding their perspective infinitely valuable, if sometimes slow in coming. The Academy has a healthy number of both resident Vonori Wizards, and histories of wizards from all nations.
Channeling
Rarity: Common
Channeling is well understood in Kyr, and is the principle magical focus of the Harmonium discipline in the Academy. Kyrie channelers are often excellent singers or chanters, dancers, or practitioners of evocative sign language. Given the forward-looking inclination of the Kyrie, they are also very likely to lean into the “Oracle” role of Oracle channeling, engaging in divinatory practices such as cards, stones, or astrology. Many of those who attend the College of Soaring Spears, seeking a martial path, are also Channelers, following the Champion bent.
Gardening
Rarity: Uncommon
There are some kinds of agriculture possible in the sharp peaks of the mountains and the lofted cities, but it’s fairly limited. Farming communities higher up in the mountains live more rustically than their cosmopolitan brethren, having little time or energy for much else but their work. Agricultural products being in very high demand, it is a very difficult, but rewarding lifestyle; farmers are nearly always able to cover their (fairly minimal) tax obligations in kind, with sufficient remaining to turn a profit. For purposes of taxes, the Lottery, and the Vote, they are generally considered citizens of whichever city is nearest.
Order Presence
Academy of the Rising Wind
Kyr is the chief sponsor of the Academy, and the vast majority of Kyrie citizens attend a college in their city for at least one to four years. The Academy is also the source of any military organization, when such is needed, and is otherwise deeply embedded in the life of all three lofted cities. There are those in Kyr who resent the influence that a technically independent organization has over their internal affairs, however, and movements to create more separation between them have cropped up now and again.
Braided Band
The Braided Band have a fairly checkered reputation within Kyr-- “Trade” is fine, “Craft” is fine, but the “Tradecraft” aspect of the Order can overwhelm the other two elements in the minds of some Kyrie. The crafting side, however, is generally respected, with many municipal Arcanatechnicians holding membership therein, particularly if they were not suited to Academy life, or after graduating therefrom.
Caretakers of the Heartsgrove
Naturally, the Kyrie have a deep respect for the Heartsgrove, though it does not enjoy particularly strong membership among the Kyrie. There is certainly a path to Heartsgrove membership that goes through the Academy, and being a Heartsgrove Physicker is definitely a mark of status within Kyr.
Kinship of Pallas Adine
There is a strong sympathy between the College of Soaring Spears in Azlet and the Kinship of Pallas Adine, such that many Academy graduates of the Militarium discipline wind up joining the Kinship upon departure, when there is not a pressing local need. That the leadership of the Pallas Adine and the College of Soaring Spears are as close as they are is a source of suspicion for those already mistrustful of Order influence in Kyr generally.
Wardens of the Endless Road
Militarium graduates who don’t go into the Pallas Adine, as well as those who are adventure minded but not cut out for academy, frequently go into the Wardens of the Endless Road. This is considered a very respectable Order, protecting the travelers that Kyr relies on for information and commerce, and otherwise staying out of local affairs, which means that they cause very little conflict with anyone.
The Good and the Bad
You may enjoy playing a Kyrie if you are fond of research, mad science, experimental technology, or academia. The Kyrie are egalitarian, democratic, and forward thinking, which usually means given to creating complex plans, though they can be impulsive in the name of progress. If you like singing--or if you’re good at/willing to learn sign language-- Kyr may also be for you.
On the other hand, Kyrie bureaucracy can be officious and complex. They can be seen as taking risks that are in excess of their purported reputation for rationality, much to the alarm of members from other nations. This can create the impression that the Kyrie are deeply, stultifyingly boring-- until they are suddenly, catastrophically not.