Sómniaoř

The Legacy of the Sómniaoř

Origins

• The Sómniaoř are an enigmatic people believed to predate the organized civilizations of the Foreonit era. Their origins are unknown, but their mysterious wanderings and their mastery of the Threads defined them as a people apart from others.
• According to fragmented records, they were granted the ability to interpret the Theósastrikíseikónas—a cryptic, divine text—by Jolel, the Deik who brokered cosmic balance. The text granted them unparalleled access to the Threads, allowing them to weave reality itself.

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Role in the Binding of the Threads

The Sómniaoř were unrivaled sorcerers, their powers manifesting in ways that blurred the line between physical and metaphysical existence. They didn’t merely manipulate the Threads—they lived within them. Their society revolved around this connection, creating a culture steeped in metaphors of weaving, binding, and preserving balance.

• The Great Tapestry: A mythical construct described in their lore, believed to be the interconnected web of all existence. Every action, thought, and life was a single thread in this tapestry.
• Threadbinding: The Sómniaoř’s greatest power lay in binding the Threads of fate and reality to specific places, objects, or people. This became the foundation of Lumea Sangelui’s five castles, which they wove into existence as both physical and metaphysical sanctuaries.
• The Tethering: Some Sómniaoř conducted this sacred ritual to pass their knowledge and abilities to chosen individuals outside their bloodlines, creating a generational chain of sorcerers.

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The Idle-Glance and the Fall of the Sómniaoř

Sebastian's Idle-Glance

• Sebastian’s grief-driven act of the Idle-Glance severed the world’s connection to the Aetherial Threads, causing catastrophic consequences for the Sómniaoř.
• The Idle-Glance acted like a scythe through their power, instantly unraveling their lifeblood. Many Sómniaoř perished, their identities dissolved into the Aetherial Plane as they became Unwoven.
• Those few who survived became a shadow of their former selves, their powers diminished to a fraction of what they once were. They retreated into obscurity, their knowledge fragmented and their influence waning.

Legacy of the Idle-Glance

• Despite their fall, the Sómniaoř left behind an indelible mark on history. Their writings, etched into the walls of the five castles and hidden throughout Lumea Sangelui, became the foundation of modern sorcery.
• The Threads Severed: Post-Idle-Glance, attempts to restore the Threads have yielded limited success. Sorcerers today rely on the fragmented knowledge of the Sómniaoř, but no one has achieved their mastery.

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The Five Castles of Education

Purpose and Design

• The Sómniaoř established the five castles as bastions of safety and education for future generations in Lumea Sangelui. They are sanctuaries against the dangers of the wildlands and the chaotic remnants of the magical world.
• Each castle is imbued with the remnants of the Threads, making them semi-sentient and uniquely attuned to the needs of the students they house.

Philosophies of the Castles

1. Castle of Aurithis (Castle of Preservation):
   • Focus: History, tradition, and conservation of ancient knowledge.
   • Known for housing the most intact Sómniaoř texts, this castle emphasizes the importance of preserving the past.
   • Symbol: A golden thread woven into a circle.
2. Castle of Drevyn (Castle of Balance):
   • Focus: Philosophical teachings and the interplay of fate and free will.
   • Students here learn to harmonize with the Threads, even in their weakened state.
   • Symbol: A scale balanced by threads on either side.
3. Castle of Voltrehn (Castle of Conflict):
   • Focus: The defense of Lumea Sangelui and strategies for survival.
   • A more militarized institution, it teaches combat techniques and the rudimentary use of threads for tactical advantage.
   • Symbol: A broken thread reforged into a blade.
4. Castle of Sovantra (Castle of Vision):
   • Focus: Dreamwalking and the exploration of the metaphysical.
   • Students delve into the Aetherial Plane, guided by the philosophies of the Dreamwalkers.
   • Symbol: An eye encircled by swirling threads.
5. Castle of Zynriel (Castle of Creation):
   • Focus: Innovation and the weaving of new possibilities.
   • Students here attempt to replicate the Sómniaoř’s Threadbinding techniques, often with limited success.
   • Symbol: A spool of thread unraveling into light.

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Caravans and the Sómniaoř’s Legacy

• The Threaded Caravans that transport children to the castles are a direct continuation of Sómniaoř traditions. These caravans are enchanted, ensuring safe passage through the dangerous wildlands.
• Thread Guardians: Each caravan is accompanied by a small group of descendants of the Sómniaoř, who use their limited abilities to protect the children.

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Modern Sorcerers and Sómniaoř Influence

• Reverence for the Sómniaoř: Sorcerers today view the Sómniaoř as legendary figures. Their works are considered sacred, and many modern practitioners spend their lives studying the fragments of their teachings.
• Political Influence: The Sómniaoř’s writings form the philosophical backbone of many political systems, particularly in Lumea Sangelui, where their laws and structures are based on Sómniaoř interpretations of the Threads.