Silvauri

Like all Auri, the Silvauri are of a comparable height to humans while typically weighing slightly less and possessing slender features. Their defining feature are their ears, reaching tall and pointing towards the heavens. In the case of the Silvauri, their skin is olive in color and almost seems to have a luster to it. Their hair, often grown out and braided, is typically black or dark brown in color. Like all Auri, the Silvauri do not have facial or body hair. Silvan attire is usually made of either animal hide or fur, but plants are sometimes used as accents or in ceremonial outfits. Silvan eyes are a vibrant green color, and they are often said to have a piercing gaze that can pick up even the smallest details.

The Auri races possess heightened senses compared to other races, with eyes that can see in the dark and ears that can pick up even the slightest noises. Additionally, they possess lifespans that last centuries and are able to outlive virtually all other races in Asobria. For the Silvauri, their attention to detail allows them to notice even the smallest changes while searching for something, and their swift movements allow them to quickly pursue whatever their target is.

The Silvauri came into being the same way as all other Auri, being gifted tall ears that pointed towards the heavens for their empathy towards Byrthana. When the ancestors of the Umbrauri and the Altauri expanded outward, however, the first Silvauri chose to remain in the place that they were created in, which are now the lands of Towerfirth. They have since remained within the ancient forests, believing that it too was blessed by the Gods and striving to maintain it. As generations went by, they thrived in their isolation and built cities and traditions that were intertwined with the nature around them. With the events of the Silvan Retribution, however, the Silvauri's lands became part of the Holy Empire of Acolytius and brought their people out of their solitude. While this new cultural influence did change some individuals, many Silvans still remain devoted to their original ways.

Silvan culture has historically revolved entirely around the forests they call home, and their lifestyle has been molded in a way that they could not thrive anywhere else. Everything is done in a way that works in tandem with the surrounding environment. Even their own homes are built within the branches or stumps of great trees, with entire sections of cities such as Kemitsu Lons stretching throughout the forest canopy. Traditional Silvan clothing, most notably the armor of their elite warriors, are made from plants such as the Ironleaf. Every potential resource within the forest has a use to them, and this practical knowledge has become ingrained into each individual. This culture has persisted even in the wake of changing authority, proving the resilience of the Silvauri people.

The Silvauri are well-known for their devotion, mainly to their personal goals and aspirations. The incredibly long lifespans of the Auri races grant individuals so much time to focus on whatever it is that they have devoted themselves to, ranging from simple hobbies to wide-reaching dreams. Living a life with that much time, however, leads to their people being quite slow to trust others. But when their trust is earned, they are even slower to forget those worthy allies.

Silvauri culture is deeply intertwined with their forest home in a practical sense, but it also is tied to it almost religiously. When one lives as long as the Auri do, their perspective on the natural world and their place within it reflects this. This is how the Old Faith came to be, and it was ancient Silvans who became the first Druids in Asobria. For some time, most Silvauri were followers of the Old Faith and saw themselves as members of the ecosystem. This perspective rendered their hunting practices as sacred, and it was something they did sparingly due to the stance that they were murdering a being that was their equal. However, not all Silvans wished to follow the Druidic ways, instead choosing to devote themselves to Jynti, the Goddess of the Hunt. As part of this following, hunters offer sacrificial offerings in Jynti's name so that she again provides ample food in the future. While these practices are still done with reverence, it has shifted the perception of where the Silvauri fit in relation to the animals of the forest, with the game they hunt now being a gift given to them by their Goddess. The following of Jynti has since become their people's primary stance on their way of life, but those who follow the Old Faith still practice their ways deep within the forests of Towerfirth and beyond.

Prior to the events of the Silvan Retribution, the Silvauri remained isolated within the forests of Towerfirth and seldom interacted with outsiders. Once their homeland was annexed by the Empire, however, they were quickly brought out of their solitude. Under this new authority, their lands are flourishing. The Empire brought with it more wealth and development, providing new opportunities that many Silvauri have taken advantage of. Many more Silvans, however, have instead focused on their newfound struggles. Even with all of the good the Empire brought, many Silvauri believe that their original culture has been pushed aside and that their people are slowly being forced into an Imperial lifestyle. Alongside this, a new influx of travelers to their lands has led to their home forests being changed almost irreparably, and some bring with them the fetishization of the Silvan people. Despite the benefits that the Empire has brought, many Silvauri are unhappy with their new authority and hope for some form of change.