Sora

Sisters of the Moons. Plural is surori .

Basics

• Taxonomic Order: Akhoata

• Taxonomic Family: Myrreans

• Alignment: Aetherial

• Energy: Lunar Aether

• Lifespan: 300 years

• Diet: Lunar fare and mineral powders

• Habitat: Lunar mountains

Origins

Women drawn from moonlight.

Description

Surori are female-assigned people with grey skin that ranges from dark to light, hair that ranges from white to light blue, and three eyes (one in their foreheads). They have sharp claws that they use for climbing.

Procreation

Surori reproduce with the male-assigned members of any sexual species that has male-assgned members, always producing sora children, except when reproducing with enders.

Powers

Their skin repels esoteric attacks. Their voices can cause drowsiness in anyone who is adrenalized or otherwise overly energetic. They have a bond to the moon they are born on such that when they are on it, they have bonuses to all stats (+1) and if they are on Shem, they have bonuses and penalties based on the phase of the moon (+3 full, +2 gibbous, +1 crescent, -1 new). As beings of the moons, they need very little air and are resistant to cold and low-pressure atmospheres.

Eye Powers

Their eyes are empowered by the phases of the moon they are bonded to (as seen from Shem), even if they are on it. Their eyes are each a different color: their upper eye is white, their lower-left eye is green, their lower-right eye is blue. The upper eye is empowered when the moon is full; the surori can see into distant space with it. When the moon is waning, the green eye is empowered and can see esoteric energies. When the moon is waxing, the blue eye can see through solid matter if they blink three times in a row.

Paternal Powers

Their non-sora parent (usually the “father”, though this varies due to non-binary views of gender in their and other cultures) determines an extra power they have. While it may vary by individual if the individual has some inherent ability that is different from others of his species, these are the general guidelines:

• Aeonian: varies by individual.

• Aerligian: honesty edge.

• Ancient: varies by legend.

• Angel: protection from infernal powers during full moons.

• Animal Folk: animal senses or features.

• Asterian: astral projection from age 12 or so.

• Baleful: blood is infused with baleblood.

• Brannish: quick learning edge.

• Cephalan: analytic edge.

• Chthonian: natural toughness.

• Coeligian: more colorful hair, empowered by blue colors.

• Cythreulig: intimidating aura.

• Demon: protection from celestial powers during full moons.

• Dongxue: resourcefulness edge.

• Doppelganger: their green eye can see emotional auras.

• Dryad: plant affinity.

• Emet: they know their True Names from birth.

• Empath: mild empathic senses.

• Eximi: excellent vision.

• Fluer: more colorful hair, plant affinity during new moons.

• Froemmler: varies by froemmler’s parentage.

• Fuliginite: resistance to ambrosial powers.

• Gondal: appraisal sense.

• Human: hopeful edge.

• Ispilu : always bonded twins.

• Jark’aqirinaka: higher toughness.

• Ka’ar: heat resistance.

• Kokeb: no penalties during the day on Shem.

• Lemniscate: empowerment in perfect geometric structures.

• Mammonite: white sludge curse.

• Mangeur : weak psionic powers.

• Mutumwa: greater speed.

• Nanmai: read people bonuses.

• Pesperian: fortune sense.

• Psionist: moderate psionic powers.

• Shapeshifter: facial alteration at will, mild.

• Shemir: natural crafting skills.

• Specularo: walk on clouds.

• Spirit Folk: consult the GM.

• Taala: quick healing edge.

• Tantum: resistance to entropy.

• Thaumar: innate esoteric sense.

• Undine: attunement to the tides.

• Uruvakankal: bonuses to physical or mental abilities, depending on parent.

• Validus: dominant presence.

• Watcher: more patience than most.

• Wathite: higher strength.

• Wild Talent: varies by talent.

• Ysian: water-breathing.

• Zile : clear-minded drunkenness.

Weaknesses

Brown aether harms them. Being on Shem or another planet during the day weakens them (-1 to AWA and STR). Heavy atmospheres (including Shem’s) give them a -1 ATH. Under a new moon, they experience a -1 to all stats if they are on Shem. On other planets, they must attune to a moon or suffer -1 to all stats. If it has no moon, they suffer -2 to all stats.

Nations

There are three sora nations:

• Sorălbă: on the White Moon.

• Sorăgri: on the Grey Moon, the original nation.

• Soraverde: on the Green Moon.

The colors in their names refer only to the moon and not their skin colors, which are always a shade of grey.

Culture

The Sorăgri nation is a matriarchal culture that dwells in the mountains of the Grey Moon, where they have beautiful, circular cities surrounding massive lunar mirrors. They are ruled by a council of bătrâni (singular bătrân), or elders, who are elected from the surori who are over the age of 200. Every city sends a bătrân to the capital every three years to serve as part of a council that makes major decisions for the nation.

Every city is centered on the lunar mirrors, which are used to reject dangerous esoteric energies and spread lunar aether throughout the community. These mirrors are smaller and less powerful than the Lesedian Mirror, though they share similarities. Unlike the Lesedian Mirror, which turns light into the bright, the aether of pure light, these mirrors turn sunlight and ma’dhahabi into lunar aether. They do not stand upright like the Lesedian Mirror, but sit within the ground as concave bowls. Surori walk upon these mirrors when the sun is brightest and bask in the power there.

Their cities are split into three section: the children’s area (Devica), the mother’s are (Mati), and the region of the elders (Krona), which all have the same names as are commonly used for the three lunar goddesses (borrowed from their distant cousins, the mesecinae). Each section touches the central mirror.

The Devica area is where all children dwell - with adults to watch over them - until they come of age. This area of the city is much like a massive school campus with boarding halls, dining halls, school halls, auditoriums, playgrounds, sports fields, and other areas where children can learn, play, and grow. While it is not required of them nor looked down upon if they choose not to, most surori spend time every day with their children, but the majority of work raising them is left to special caretakers called îngrijitorii (singular îngrijitor).

The Mati section is more like a normal city. In this section, surori go about their daily lives and perform the functions that keep their society running, save for governance and religion. Businesses, public parks, art galleries, entertainments, markets, and more are commonly found here, as well as the main bulk of the military. Each neighborhood also has a post de pază, or guard station, where anyone may go if they are in distress or in need.

The Krona section is home to the elders. Here, there are the halls of the councils, where decisions are made, and the great temples to the lunar goddesses (who are actually nephesh). While every section has its house of healing, the most potent healers are found here as well. This is the spiritual center of all sora communities.

When children are born to a sora, they are taken after three days by the caretakers, who make sure the parents know where to find the children in the Devica section. Parents usually spend a few hours each day with their children, especially with newborns, with whom they bond as they feed them. Once a child is old enough to walk and play, they are placed with other children and encouraged to socialize. By the time they are nine years old, they are placed in a learning center for part of the day (no more than three hours). The time they spend learning each day increases every three years until they are 24, at which time they spend nine hours a day learning until they come of age at 25. When they are between 15 and 21, they usually choose a role in the community they wish to pursue, and during their final year of childhood, they focus intensively on training for it.

Once they come of age at 25, they are sent to live in the Mati section, where they are employed in the role they chose to focus on in their last years as children. There is a ceremony on the mirror every year for those who are moving on to adulthood.

As adults, surori’s lives are spent making sure their community runs. They fill different vital roles. Each role is of equal value to the community and respected as such.

• Aedpoezie: an aqyn-like poet and bard responsible for praising the moons. The term is borrowed from the language of the mesecinae.

• Aripa-oglinzii: those who ride giant lunar moths between communities.

• Aspirat: general term for artists of any kind. They are revered for the inspiration and emotional power they share with the community.

• Avvucatu: the closest equivalent in other societies is a lawyer - they speak for those accused of crimes in front of the council of elders, but they do not necessarily make arguments based on law (as there are rarely formal laws). Instead, they help their “clients” (for lack of a better term) explain what happened.

• Bătrân: the elders who run the cities.

• Bucătar: those who prepare food for the community. They create large meals for the children every day. Most adults prepare their own food, but all are welcome to the communal meals in the Devica section. Some elders choose to always eat communally.

• Călugăriţă: usually elders, though sometimes adults, who live in remote communities and perform tasks of worship of the moons.

• Cautator: those who are tasked with using their powers to investigate any issues or problems in the community. They answer to the elder councils directly. They are trained specially, but they only serve in this capacity for nine years, retiring usually to be regular guards and then later to be teachers.

• Centra: lunar druids. Those who bond to the lunar landscape and channel its aether as druids.

• Comerciant: traders and merchants. They only trade within the community unless they have special permission from the elders, and then only on special nights.

• Curvă: witches who use sex magic. They are greatly respected for their powers.

• Cutit: rare warriors, rangers, or werewolves tasked specifically with killing someone. They are usually those already trained for stealth.

• Dansatoare: those who dance the sacred cyclical dances of the moons each month. Called “nightdancers” on Shem.

• Făcător: general term for other artisans, the most common of which are builders, silversmiths, and jewelers.

• Fatalup: the “wolf girls”, surori who keep the great lunar wolves that protect their communities.

• Fata oglinda: makers and tenders of the mirrors. They are beloved and instrumental in many rituals.

• Fermier: farmers.

• Fiarăprieten: those who keep other animals for the community.

• Ganditor: those who study the moons and other topics.

• Gesturi: fools who caper and gambol, tell jokes and tales, and celebrate during every festival.

• Învăţător: those who teach the children.

• Lupdoamnă: “wolf women”, rangers of the lunar landscape, similar but not identical to the arktoi (with wolves instead of bears). They protect the wilderness and scout for trouble. They also serve as huntresses.

• Marinargri: grey sailors, those who travel between the moons on lunar sailing ships.

• Muncitor: general term for a laborer or worker of any kind that has no specialty. This is the majority of the population.

• Muzicant: musicians in general, but the most common and revered play the țambal.

• Nevastă: witches. The heart of sora society. Almost every sora is a witch, though most practice casually. Those who make it their focus are the protectors of all society, and though some specialize (tending the mirrors, healing, etc.), most practice witchcraft as a primary focus.

• Noaidi: shamanesses who connect to their ancestors all the way back to the moons themselves. Very rare, usually wild loners, but highly respected.

• Pazalunii: the Moonguard, the sora archers whose skill is legendary. They wield crescent blades as well. They defend the communities from enemy armies.

• Paznic: common guards whose role is to help those in trouble.

• Preoteasă: priestesses, usually among the elders, who lead the community in worship of the moons.

• Pricolici: werewolves. Zoanthropic warriors, usually lupdoamnă, who are the last line of defense for the community.

• Rihtuitor: photographers who take pictures with lunar aether. Their art is valued greatly even outside their communities.

• Săpător: miners. They are important because they gather the mineral powders that complement the food of the surori.

• Strălucitor: only in technologically advanced variations, these are those who create films with lunar aether for light.

• Ţesător: weavers of moonlight who create the diaphanous clothing all surori wear.

• Vestitor: those who send messages between communities using the mirrors.

• Vindecător: witches who specialize in using lunar magic to heal.

• Vorbitor: extremely rare priestesses who read the phases of the moons in order to predict the future and speak the will of the goddesses.

Crime is very rare in their communities, but some surori do end up in other cultures engaging in criminal activity. Jucatorii are gamblers who are frowned upon in surori society. Strângătorii are lunar pirates. Codoşii are smugglers. Hotsz are a legendary cult of thieves who use the new moon to hide themselves.

In sora culture, wolves are sacred. The wolves of the moons of Shem are powerful and magical beasts that are semi-domesticated and semi-wild within sora communities.

Elders among the surori retire around the age of 200, at which time they take up roles of guidance, healing, and faith. They are greatly respected, and their advice is sought every day by the surori.

Non-surori are common within sora communities because of the need for them when it comes to reproducing. Because many non-sora cultures are not matriarchal, they often come to sora communities with different beliefs about family, but the sora do not accept this. They allow parents to show love for and support their children, but anyone living in sora society must conform to their way of life or leave. They do not tolerate patriarchal values, as these are an affront to the moons themselves.

National Cultures

The other nations are very similar to the Sorăgri, but with differences influenced by their locations:

• Sorălbă: on the White Moon, the Sorălbă have fewer options when it comes to food, so they eat more mineral powders and have a greater reliance on mining. They dwell within heavily fortified cities because of the danger from more powerful militaries nearby. They also do not have as many wolves. Werewolves are unheard of within their culture.

• Soraverde: on the Green Moon, the Soraverde have more options for food and for animals to work with. Agriculture is bigger and mining is rarer. They also mix more with other species, especially the mesecinae, whom they consider equals and sisters.

Esoterica

Surori are the original witches. They are the greatest wielders of lunar aether. They taught witchcraft to the women of Shem long ago. In their culture, other commonly used powers include true shadow, hvittodgg, dream energy, iremia, arcane shadow, nzwara murazvo, bailaohu jinghua, aemoa, emotional resonance, qeernariji, botshepehi, curacion, euphotonia, euphony, euphoria, euskepsia, complexity, ayase, tahalana, kutsegula, tutelary energy, fate, fortune, serendipity, ethereal essence, fuinneamh, poioumenon, unfugl, b’qar, mashoaab, menab’e, gebvel, and kakraohy. Use of anumun is rare in all cultures, but it is more common in sora culture than many others.

Religion

Surori worship the moons. They believe they are descended of the “goddesses” of the moons, which are actually nephesh, and that they are made of moonlight. Their religion is led by elders called preoteasă, or priestesses, who channel lunar aether and lead the community in rituals and prayers.

Religion is interwoven into their society - almost all surori are witches and honor the lunar goddesses through cyclical rituals - but some folk within society have special roles in their faith. Călugăriţă live in cloistered communities and serve special purposes there. Centra bond to the lunar landscape and channel lunar viridianites. Dansatoare dance special night dances in special rituals. Fata oglinda tend the mirrors that are the center of their cities and have special roles in all rituals. Noaidi live in the wilderness and channel ancestral powers to draw directly from their lunar ancestresses.

On rare occasions, a vorbitor will arise among them to bring messages from the lunar goddesses, usually before a time of great tribulation.

Gender

In sora societies, gender is assumed to be neutral (though female pronouns are used when using gendered languages) unless an individual decides otherwise. The three commonest genders in their societies correspond to the three moons: nefiinţă (White Moon, agender) is the default; nevastă (Grey Moon, erroneously correlates to “woman” in patriarchal society) is only chosen for those who take on witchcraft as a full-time job (including those who take up specialties such as sex magic or healing, as well as priestesses and călugăriţă); and dătător (Green Moon, erroneously correlates to “man” in patriarchal societies, but among the surori, refers generally to those who choose to bear children, which is a source of great confusion to outsiders).

Marriage is unheard of among the surori within their own communities, which confuses those they choose to reproduce with sometimes. They welcome anyone who wants to be part of their communities so long as they follow the societal norms, but reject anyone who tries to impose patriarchal values or gender roles. Some surori do bond for life with a romantic or sexual partner, regardless of gender, but most do not. Sex is considered a fun activity for most, and sex between surori is common. If they wish to reproduce, they either find a person from another species living in their community or they leave for a while to find someone.

Those outsiders who do live with them usually end up adapting, though they often keep the genders from their own cultures if that’s what they are comfortable with.

Economy

Surori own all important property in common. They have personal property where appropriate, but there are no businesses or exploitation. They do engage in trade, but it is controlled by the council of elders.

Military

The surori have various warriors among their societies who protect them from enemy armies, natural dangers, and help with problems within the community. They answer directly to the council of elders.

• Cautator: those who are tasked with using their powers to investigate any issues or problems in the community. They answer to the elder councils directly. They are trained specially, but they only serve in this capacity for nine years, retiring usually to be regular guards and then later to be teachers.

• Lupdoamnă: “wolf women”, rangers of the lunar landscape, similar but not identical to the arktoi (with wolves instead of bears). They protect the wilderness and scout for trouble. They also serve as huntresses.

• Pazalunii: the Moonguard, the sora archers whose skill is legendary. They wield crescent blades as well. They defend the communities from enemy armies.

• Paznic: common guards whose role is to help those in trouble.

• Pricolici: werewolves. Zoanthropic warriors, usually lupdoamnă, who are the last line of defense for the community.

Language

The main language of the surori is based on Romanian with many, many, many loan words from Slovenian, which is what the language of the mesecinae is based on. The mesecinae are said to have taught the surori to talk, as their culture and people were mute for many Ages before they two met.

Trade

Surori commonly trade silversmithed objects, jewelry, mirrors, and services with others outside their communities.

Outside View

Surori are considered by most class societies to be evil witches who use their power over the moons to drive people mad. They are said to feed people to their wolves.

Notables

• Cenușie, Grey Mother, Sora Manifest, Aeonian

Estimated Populations

• Sorălbă: 33,000

• Sorăgri: 99,000

• Soraverde: 33,000

• Other: 33,000

Sample Stats

PRO 8
ATH 9
STR 8
AWA 9
WIL 8
PRS 9
STH 12