Hearthen

Spread primarily across the rugged landscapes of Alinemia and Undalia, the Hearthens thrive in temperate and mountainous environments. They are a tough yet refined people, known for their hot tempers but grounded by an unshakeable sense of honor and loyalty. Physically, they are shorter than Sarins, with pale bluish-purple skin and long ears that point sharply upward, but their most distinctive feature is their antler-like horns. Since Alinem is the Goddess of the Dead, Hearthen culture deeply reveres ancestry, and a Hearthen's antlers are sacred; they are a living resume rather than mere decoration. In childhood, these antlers are left smooth, but upon passing the Rites of Stone into adulthood, the first carving is made. Horn carving and body piercing serve as clear markers of status, where intricate carvings recount clan history and specific piercings denote personal achievements. Society is led by the Matriarchs of the High Halls, older women whose antlers are so heavily carved they look like filigree, serving as the keepers of lore and the commanders of the mountain fortresses. Conversely, the ultimate punishment is Shearing, the cutting off of the antlers, leaving a Hearthen without horns as a ghost effectively invisible to their society.

In the high-density regions of Alinemia, the Hearthens build glorious cities where every building resembles a gothic cathedral, famous for their decorated, towering spires. Because they are children of the Death Goddess, they act as the world's undertakers. Other races often pay Hearthens to maintain vast catacomb-cities where the dead are interred, for the Hearthens treat the dead with even more respect than the living. They do not fear the end, viewing Alinem not as a monster but as the Final Host, believing that a life well-lived is one that concludes with a glorious death that can be carved onto one's clan horns. While they possess no specific elemental affinity, Hearthens are versatile magic users distinguished by their ability to regenerate mana faster than any other race. This rapid regeneration makes a Hearthen mage uniquely suited to channeling sustained spells rather than single powerful bursts.

The status of men in Hearthen society mirrors that of the Givrins, as they are born into the lowest rank and must earn every step up the social ladder. A male is born Unblooded, possessing only a mother-name. When a man turns sixteen, his family roots are forgotten, and he must endure a set of trials that seal the rest of his life. In order of prestige from high to low, a man can become a Vanguard (warrior), a Sire (stud), a Stone-Wright (builder), a Steward (servant), or a Drudge (worker). If he fails to become any of these, he is either outcast or sold as a slave. While not slaves within their own hierarchy, they are never considered equal to women and must work tirelessly to maintain their standing.

Politically, the Hearthens view the Lunians and Givrins as sister races. Having fought side by side during the Great Lunian War, their bond remains unbroken, serving as the primary deterrent against Sarin expansionism. Although they do not hate the Sarins, ties have historically been strained. However, since the Great Lunian War ended and the Keelaian Empire was dismantled, relations have begun to improve. The main point of divergence remains strictly tied to the opposition of their mother goddesses—death versus life—two forces to which both Hearthens and Sarins are inevitably bound in the cycle of existence.