Lorthashyn

The Lorthashyn are a primitive humanoid species descended from the ancient Lort'zyn, though they have lost nearly all knowledge of their prestigious origins. Dwelling in subterranean settlements across their harsh desert world, they maintain a rich spiritual tradition that unknowingly preserves fragments of their civilization's true history through religious mythology and oral traditions.

Ancient temple ruins on the Lorthashyn homeworld, showing architectural elements that echo lost Lort'zyn designs

History and Origins

The Lorthashyn are one of many scattered remnants of the once-mighty Lort'zyn civilization, though they remain unaware of this heritage. During the great civil war that followed the Ravager's death cry, a group of Lort'zyn found themselves stranded on what would become the Lorthashyn homeworld. Over countless generations, they gradually lost their advanced technology and knowledge, eventually devolving into a pre-industrial society.

The species has adapted significantly from their Lort'zyn ancestors, developing thicker, more insulated skin and enhanced night vision to survive in their harsh underground environment. Their bodies have become more compact and sturdy, better suited to navigating the tunnel networks they call home. Despite these physical changes, they retain the basic humanoid form of their forebears.

Culture and Society

Lorthashyn society revolves around a complex religious tradition centered on the worship of Sylor, their sun god, whom they believe once walked among them during a mythical "Golden Age." This belief system preserves a distorted remembrance of Uzhyr, though the Lorthashyn have no knowledge of this connection. Their priests maintain elaborate ceremonies and rituals, many of which unknowingly echo ancient Lort'zyn practices.

The Justiciars of Sylor form a prominent religious order within Lorthashyn society, serving as both peacekeepers and spiritual leaders. These grey-robed warriors maintain order in their underground cities while performing sacred rites to ensure continued rainfall and agricultural prosperity. Their traditions unknowingly preserve aspects of the original worship of Maaldir from before his fall, though they remain ignorant of his current corrupted state.

Religious Mythology

The centerpiece of Lorthashyn mythology is the tale of the Great Cataclysm, a legendary conflict between Sylor and his brother Oriol that transformed their world from a paradise of vast oceans into its current desert state. This myth actually preserves a fragmentary account of the war between Uzhyr and Morsvitae, though filtered through thousands of years of oral tradition and religious interpretation.

Their religious texts speak of "sky chariots" and "weapons of starfire," preserving distorted memories of the advanced technology their ancestors once wielded. The Lorthashyn interpret these as magical artifacts of the gods rather than understanding their true technological nature. Their priests still perform rituals meant to summon these divine vessels, though they have long since lost any ability to actually interface with such technology.

Technology and Development

Despite their prestigious origins, modern Lorthashyn technology remains at a pre-industrial level. They work primarily with stone, wood, and basic metals, though they show remarkable skill in irrigating their underground agricultural chambers. Their weapons are similarly primitive, consisting mainly of spears, bows, and other basic implements, though some show unusual design elements that unconsciously echo their ancestors' more advanced arms.

The Lorthashyn do preserve some remarkable architectural knowledge, constructing impressive underground cities with sophisticated water management systems. Their building techniques, while executed with primitive tools, demonstrate an intuitive grasp of advanced engineering principles - a faint echo of their species' former technological mastery.

Contact with Other Species

The Lorthashyn remained largely isolated until their discovery by the Overlords of Drl'vn, who deemed them worthy of advancement after evaluating their society. This contact marked their first interaction with spacefaring civilization since their ancestors' crash-landing millennia ago. They have shown remarkable adaptability in incorporating new concepts and technologies shared by the Overlords, though they interpret much of it through their existing religious framework.

The subsequent arrival of Elysian observers has begun a gradual process of technological uplift, though great care is being taken to avoid cultural disruption. The presence of Technate advisors has sparked intense theological debates among Lorthashyn priests, who struggle to reconcile these outsiders with their traditional worldview.

See Also

• The Nonet
• The War for Eternity
• The Technate of Elysia