Eluran

Elurans are blessed with several gifts they attribute to the Amaranthines. Their keen senses let them navigate well in darkness and can pick up subtle changes in a person’s demeanor. Their claws are retractable and razor-sharp, allowing them to quickly scale obstacles or rake their foes. Beyond this, elurans are blessed with natural magic, which they can use to unleash a destructive roar or a comforting purr, depending on their lineage.

Many elurans believe these gifts originate with the patron spirits of elurans: the Amaranthines Khaluz, Guardian of the Sun, and Eresutha, the Moon’s Companion. These sister Amaranthines are depicted as fearsome cats—Khaluz with golden fur and a mane of fire and Eresutha with a sable coat spotted with silver and eyes that glow like twin stars. Khaluz and Eresutha are often linked to the Dawnmother and the Nightfather, respectively, and are said to be responsible for the movement of the sun and moon across the sky.

Elurans have a reputation as haughty and aloof people. Though often perceived as pride, these behaviors have their roots in eluran culture, which emphasizes a cautious approach to outsiders. Young elurans are typically taught that outsiders should be dealt with diplomatically but always from a position of strength. Elurans who follow these traditions avoid show-ing vulnerability to strangers and conceal their true strengths. Once an eluran trusts someone, they become akin to family and can be addressed casually in ways that strangers or acquaintances would consider insulting. Keeping outsiders at arm’s length is a matter of politeness as much as shrewdness. 

Elurans can be found across Everden, but in the continent of Wesden eluran culture has two distinct branches—the northern elurans of Firnveldt and the southern elurans of the Luzos Empire in the Tanglewilds. Though elurans across Wesden speak the same language, differences between how it is spoken among northern-dwelling and southern-dwelling elurans have caused the language to shift over time into two separate dialects. To an outsider, the dialects seem near-identical, but each has subtle variations in pronunciation and expression that are obvious to fluent Eluran speakers. Diplomats, merchants, and those who frequently travel between the Tanglewilds and Firnveldt learn how to switch between the two so they can speak the local Eluran dialect wherever they go.

Eluran culture is traditionally matriarchal. This tradition still holds sway within the Luzos Empire, where the high-est positions of authority are largely held by female elurans, including the Faa’Seng, the leader of the Empire. The Faa’Seng is responsible for maintaining harmony between the different factions of the Tanglewilds and between her people and the jungle itself. Among elurans in the north, leadership positions are held by folks of every gender. Within all eluran societies, age marks an eluran as wise and worthy of respect. As the common eluran saying goes, “Gray whiskers mark a well of wisdom.” 

Traditionally, elurans have a family name that they carry throughout their life, but their given name can change. Rather than retain the same name from birth, eluran children accrue many different names before adulthood, generally bestowed by older friends and relatives. These names are given to them following notable events in their life, and which one sticks tends to be out of a young eluran’s control. Eluran children give their friends secret names based on events shared only between them. 

Only upon reaching their fifteenth summer is an eluran considered wise enough to be able to choose a name for themselves. In the eyes of eluran society, adults have earned their right to be called as they wish, and elurans often change their adult name after a significant moment in their life. If an outsider mocks an adult’s chosen name or continues to call them by one of their kittenhood names, it is considered a grave insult. In contrast, close friends, family members, or lovers may still use kitten names or secret names with sentimental meaning in private. When speaking Eluran, it is customary to say the family name first.

EXAMPLE ELURAN NAMES

Family Names (Meanings): Groang’et (Strong), Hramet (Healthy), Luzkeh (Golden), Rra’let (Beautiful), Teeket (Sharp), Tletet (Perfect), Uthkeh (Silver), Zheuet (Even-tempered)

Male Names (Meanings): Amreth (One World), Kaithree (Money Man), Kenkak (Throat-biter), Ketfeckle (Shame-cutter), Kwohuh (Wind), Thaket (Striker), Tlatul (Scatterer), Tlereth (Lives in Paradise), Totrov (Cold Hunger)

Female Names (Meanings): Aifkeip (Holder of Good Territory), Aolutee (Lady’s Star), Aoluth (Lady of the Moon), Aolvair (City Lady), Apfeeth (Solstice End), Apkekh (Enemy-finisher), Eulmuth (Dark Moon), Murfesh (Blood Season), Teeshumur (Star’s Blood), Yeshterr (Vine-walker), Zharrkesh (Front and Back Claws)

Neutral Names (Meanings): Elumfess (Climber in Darkness), Fa’esh (Long Whiskers), Fomurr (Moving Eye), Lagok (Fish), Tongterr (Land-walker), Upchoat (Master of Long Naps), Uth’heeres (Silent Moon Song), Yetklee (Nimble Runner), Yetlurr (Nimble Paw)