Umbrauri

Like all Auri, the Umbrauri 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. For the Umbrauri, their skin ranges across shades of gray or can even be slightly purple. Their hair is a stark white color, often being grown out and tied back. Many Umbrauri dye streaks of their hair various colors, with some communities using this to denote status within a group. Like all Auri, the Umbrauri lack facial and body hair. Umbran clothing is made from some of the unique materials found within the Underlands, being either vibrantly colored or dark and foreboding. Umbran eyes, typically vibrant red in color, are often described as holding an almost troubled look that stems from their unfamiliarity with the surface world.

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. In the case of the Umbrauri, they also possess a mental resistance to the psionic abilities that some of the Underlands' inhabitants possess. Additionally, the reputation their people have makes many others fearful of them, a fact that some Umbrans utilize to their advantage.

The Umbrauri, as with all Auri, first came to be from their empathy towards the Celestial Mother Byrthana, with their ears growing tall and pointing towards the heavens to better listen to the Gods. Soon after, those who would become the Umbrauri chose to leave the surface world and delve into the Underlands, swearing to protect Asobria from the evil and darkness of the Void and saving Byrthana from further strife. As they spread throughout the Underlands, most of their people remained devoted to their people's original purpose and remained there for centuries. The few that chose to leave and return to the surface were met with an Asobria vastly different than when they left, especially in the form of the hatred the world felt towards them.

The Umbran lifestyle is highly militaristic, a trait that has stemmed both from their people's original purpose and the dangerous environment they reside in. Thanks to the incredibly long lifespans of the Auri, individuals are able to spend decades or even centuries honing their skills against the Underlands' dangers. These dangers have shaped Umbran culture into being incredibly practical, and most communities only engage in activities that further the survival of the group. Anything that would be seen as purely recreational is discouraged, as many Umbran elders would view these activities as 'distractions.' Danger lurks around every corner in the Underlands, and the Umbrauri need to remain focused due to this.

Umbran culture also deeply revolves around the concept of protecting others, and they have burdened themselves with acting as guardians for Asobria. Whether the apparent threat is an Aberration from the Underlands or a dark entity from the Void, Umbrauri are quick to jump to the defense of those around them. While Umbrans adventuring on the surface are rare, those who travel with them are quick to notice their selflessness.

For anyone who is first meeting an Umbrauri, the most jarring aspect about them is their apparent apathy. Many Umbrans, especially those who were born and raised in traditional communities, often choose to push away and ignore their emotions due to the militaristic lifestyle of their people. In Umbrauri culture, emotions can and will make one unfit to face the dangers of the Underlands and should be pushed aside. While this trait makes it difficult for many of their people to fit into surface-dwelling societies, it also leads to Umbrans remaining incredibly calm under pressure. If in a dangerous situation, the Umbrauri are quick to rely on their intuitive minds and not act on instinct. It leads to many adventurers seeking out Umbrans to join their party, but the utility of their apathy sadly does not spare them from mistrusting glares.

A majority of the Umbran people remain isolated within the Underlands, with only an odd few ever coming to the surface. Those that do choose to leave the Underlands do so with the hopes of a better, safer life, but they instead are met with scorn and fear. For many cultures, especially those within the Holy Empire of Acolytius, the events of the Silvan Retribution are still falsely blamed on the Umbran people. Combine this history with their distinct culture, and many Umbrans face a long and difficult road if they wish to fit into a new society. Yet, their people continue to persist despite the hardships. Through the actions of Umbran heroes such as Nurei of the Arcane Asobrian Adventurers, the perception of their people is finally being changed for the better.