The Erynari are a long-lived sapient species originating on Eryn, with an extensive interstellar history. On Veyrath, the Erynari population descends from an ancient colony. They are commonly called elves. Their societies range from advanced spacefaring civilizations to distinctive planetary cultures, each with its own institutions and relationship with technology.
Erynari are upright bipeds distinguished by pointed ears, long dexterous fingers, finely structured features and balanced, economical movement. Complexion, hair colour, eye colour and build vary widely among individuals and populations.
In technologically advanced ICSS member states, Erynari have an average lifespan of approximately 1,000 Cycles, with some individuals reaching 2,000 Cycles. These lifespans reflect access to advanced medical care. Their long lives allow careers, apprenticeships, relationships and rivalries to endure across generations. Reproduction is infrequent: females experience individual fertile seasons separated by tens of Cycles. Slow population replacement gives family continuity, inherited expertise and the loss of experienced people lasting significance.
Longevity shapes opportunity without determining personality. Erynari can be patient or impulsive, generous or ruthless, traditional or experimental. Their long memories remain fallible, and age confers neither wisdom nor moral authority automatically.
On Veyrath, Erynari have an average lifespan of approximately 250 Cycles. The Kingdom of Eryndor is Veyrath’s largest Erynari civilization, with substantial communities also inhabiting Saphren, Vaelorin and other lands. Eryndoran culture prizes precision, craftsmanship, cultivated landscapes and institutions built to endure. Its scholars excel in medicine, horticulture, optics, materials and water engineering, while its aristocratic houses maintain an ancient tradition of wyvern riding.
These traditions belong to particular societies. They do not define every Erynari civilization or individual.
Erynari is the species name throughout the setting, including on Veyrath. It is used in singular, plural and adjectival forms. Eryn is the species’ homeworld, and Erynar is its main interstellar faction. Eryndoran refers specifically to the Kingdom of Eryndor and its citizens, while Eryndorin names its language. Shared ancestry does not imply shared nationality, allegiance or beliefs.
Human and Erynari crews commonly organize life aboard ships and other offworld installations around a five-mil routine repeated twice within each ten-mil Span. Each mil lasts 8.7648 standard hours. A complete Span lasts 87.648 standard hours and contains four sleep periods. The mil labels within a Span run from 0 through 9:
Mils 0 and 5: Alpha Watch (Duty).
Mils 1 and 6: Leisure/Maintenance.
Mils 2 and 7: First Sleep.
Mils 3 and 8: Bravo Watch (Duty).
Mils 4 and 9: Second Sleep.
This is a typical crew schedule, rather than a requirement that every Human or Erynari community follow galactic time. Veyrath retains its local calendar and six-hour campaign shifts.
Erynari possess natural Void affinity and are among the Void-Touched, making them eligible to learn High Magic. This does not make every Erynari a trained mage, assign an individual Resonance Affinity rating, or confer an individual Gift or Burden. Magical practice develops through training.