Vilyara Sila

The Righteous: Vilyara

Behavior & Society

• Social Structure: Priest/Priestess, Arch-Cardinal, Cardinals, Sky Marshals. Vilyaran society is meritocratic and spiritually guided rather than hereditary. The High Priestess/Priest serves as their highest leader and is chosen by the Wind rather than by bloodline. Beneath her, Arch-Cardinals assist with administration, law, communication, and the functioning of society. The Skywarden commands the Sky Marshals, who maintain order and security. Social mobility is encouraged: birth does not determine a person's potential, and those with the intelligence, skill, character, and dedication required for a position are permitted to pursue it. Though the Priest/Priestess is the head of the hierarchy, most see them in a Fatherly or Motherly light, following them in a reverent and loving manner.
• Communication: Vilyarans primarily communicate through spoken Common, although education and scholarship make learning additional languages relatively common. Their communication tends to value thoughtfulness, composure, and careful consideration. As with all Sila, their relationship with their Cloudstriders is different from ordinary communication. Each Sila shares a Braided Soul with their bonded Fox Cloudstrider, creating a telepathic connection that allows the pair to understand one another beyond spoken language. Laws and ordinances are passed to the Arch-Cardinal, to the Cardinals, who then pass it to the temples around town to get to the people. General news is found out via newspapers, letters, etc.
• Intelligence Level: Can vary as much as humans though they tend to put emphasis on educating ones self.

Cultural Practices

Vilyaran culture places its greatest emphasis on character. A good life is not defined by fame, wealth, military achievement, or social rank, but by knowing oneself and striving to become the best version of the person one is capable of being. A fisherman who has found his calling and devoted himself to mastering it may be considered every bit as successful as a scholar, Cardinal, or military commander. Compassion, self-knowledge, discipline, integrity, wisdom, service, and personal growth are highly valued. Society takes responsibility for caring for its poor, widowed, and vulnerable rather than treating hardship as evidence of personal failure.

• Every Sila has a fox like Cloudstrider they are soul bound to.
• They choose to fly more often then walk.
• They take their worship of the Air Elemental very seriously. It is in the fiber of their being.
• Because anyone could be chosen for the Silence of the Wind Trial (becoming the Priest/Priestess) there is an emphasis on character and knowledge.

Customs and Traditions

• The Braided Soul: Like all Sila, Vilyarans bond with a Cloudstrider from infancy. Fox Cloudstrider eggs are placed with infants, allowing Sila and Strider to grow together as their souls intertwine. Neither is considered subordinate to the other; the Strider is a lifelong companion and spiritual counterpart rather than simply a mount.
• Silence of the Wind Trail: When a new High Priestess/Priest must be chosen, eligible candidates travel with their Cloudstriders into the Silent Canyon and undertake a sacred trial. Rather than selecting their leader through inheritance or political appointment, the Vilyarans allow the Air itself to choose. Because Sila and Strider possess a Braided Soul, the candidate's Cloudstrider participates in the trial as part of the same spiritual whole. The Air's eventual choice is understood to be unmistakable.
• Retreat to Silent Canyon: The High Priestess/Priest may later return to the sacred canyon when seeking clarity or wishing to commune privately with the Air. It serves not merely as the location of her selection but as a spiritually significant place throughout their leadership.
• Two years before a male's debut into society they are sent to the Skywarden's Reach for two years to train and learn combat.
• Two years before a female's debut into society they are sent to the Grand Wind's Cathedral for education, especially focusing on religious studies.
• After the teens complete their education and debut into society, they can choose to then attend the Vilyaran Academy for a higher education or if they wish they can continue on to the Skywarden's Reach to fight for their paeple.
• Personal Calling: Vilyarans are encouraged to discover where their own talents and nature are best suited rather than pursue prestige for its own sake. Reaching the limits of one's potential in an ordinary calling is considered a worthy life.
• Care of the Vulnerable: Supporting those who cannot presently support themselves is considered a communal and moral responsibility. Widows, struggling families, and the poor are not expected to earn dignity through status before receiving assistance.
• Arts & Recreation: Music, literature, storytelling, craftsmanship, flying, games, artistic competitions, festivals, and time spent with Cloudstriders are important parts of Vilyaran life. Intellectual pursuits are respected, but leisure and beauty are not considered incompatible with personal growth.

Historical Events

• Info

Other Information

• Languages Spoken: Common though others can be learned.
• Religious Beliefs: Guardian worshipers for those in the City.
• Technology Level: Advanced Steampunk
• Tools & Weapons: Anything is available that lands in an advanced steampunk situation. Weapon accessibility up to guns- these would be heavily difficult to come by.
• Allies: Demon & Fae
• Enemies: Faun, Naiad, Miakis, Sila, Dracian
• Current Status: Thriving