THE CRYSTAL CAVE SYSTEM & THE SAMORA
Map of the entire Crystal Cave System coming soon, along with visuals of the two mounts!
Not everything is always as it seems when it comes to history. It was believed until quite recently that 8000 years ago, the Crystal Cave Tribe had gone extinct. The ruins that are carved into the cave's walls have been void of life for a long time, with no clear evidence of what happened. Those who study the Crystal Cave's ruins have long been troubled with one question: "What had happened to these people? What caused their annihilation?". Yet, the proof lay deep beneath the floor of the Crystal Cave, nestled within the Earth. This is where our story begins.
The Crystal Cave Tribe, the Samora, had suffered a sudden loss due to a cave collapse that brought their civilization down as they knew it. Yet this wasn’t a sad demise to the Samora, in fact it was the opposite. The tribe was strong and stubborn and rebuilt their lives. Having moved deeper into the cave system than ever before, for thousands of years, the Samora’s bodies began to adapt to the darkness. Much like the flora that was intensely rich in the depths of the underground, the Samora had developed a unique quality... They themselves were evolved to have bioluminescence. Over the years with the diet consisting of the flora and fauna that was bioluminescent as well, they themselves started to adapt and change. Now the Samora have a constant glow to their crystals.
Stellarite, the Samoran Capital. Level 3 of the Crystal Cave System
Until now, what was known of the Crystal Cave was only a small fraction of the depths of it’s mysteries. Researchers previously believed that the Crystal Cave was only a smallish area of open space under Prism Island, housing only fungi and some species of fish. Now it is known that the cave system runs deeper, under the ocean and even spanning into some areas below the mainland. Within these deeper caverns, multitudes of flora, fauna, and even a civilization has thrived.
Researchers and Archaeologists once thought that the Crystal Cave Tribe [Samora] were extinct. They were unsure of what had happened as the only thing left from the Cave Dwellers were their empty homes carved into the stone walls. Researchers also previously believed the Samora and had lived solely off of small fish and fungi.
Although those are a part of their diet, the deeper cave system has an elaborate flora and fauna that is beyond what researchers were able to see. Plants have adapted to the cave system and tend to cluster around ‘openings’ in the cave that have light from the crystal toppings from the island. Trees that bear fruit even grow in these small areas. Although there is light shining from the crystals above them, the flora are still bioluminescent. Root vegetables grow larger in the cave system and are a staple part of the diet, along with fish and other small fauna that live within the system. Farmers cultivate both animals and plants to help keep the tribe alive.
The Samora people have lived cut off from the rest of the Prism Realm for thousands of years, trapped by hundreds of thousands of pounds of boulders and rubble from the Collapse. These people have done nothing but allow this to make them stronger. Their civilization thrives under the main world, both dark and aglow at the same time. They are intelligent people, and have mastered farming, herbalism, hunting & gathering, fishing, mining, blacksmithing, pottery, leatherwork (using the hides of cervibex and smaller animals), and much more. They carve into the rock & crystal walls of the caves to make homes for themselves, and put their own bioluminescent crystals and the flora of the caves into glass orbs to light their paths, homes, etc. They enjoy decorating their bodies with paints made from the glowing flora, and jewelry made from metals and beads made from their own crystals. Clothing is usually made from light leathers, to protect them from sharp cave walls, but keep them nimble enough to explore and hunt.
The main cave system that the Samora people live in is very open. At the floor of the cave there is a massive, freshwater lake with glowing flora & beautiful fields surrounding it. Above the lake is a glittering, absolutely massive stalactite made of crystal, hanging from the crystal ceiling of the cave. Many vine-rope and wooden bridges connect the stalactite city to the sides of the massive cave, where roads have been carved to wind back and forth, leading down to the floor of the cave. Around 250 Samora people live outside of the main city (usually farmers, miners, and hunters, or those who are poor), carving their homes into the rock walls of the cave or massive boulders on the rocky floor. About 550 Samora people live in the city, bringing the total population of the Samora people to around 800.
The main city in the underground cave system is Stellarite. The center of the city is carved out of a massive, multi-story crystal stalactite that hangs from the ceiling of the cave. Homes, apartments, small and large spaces alike are carved on the outside of the stalactite. The center is carved out to form a sort of a City Circle, a large crystal carved tree in the center of it. Clean, fresh water pools at the carving’s roots and flows through the streets in shallow, carved out grooves. The City Circle features a market area where the Samora people can peddle their wares and purchase what they need. The large opening to a library sits south of the circle, and a public bath all sits to the north. Water runs down from the above cave system into the massive stalactite, making it possible for the Samora people who live here to have cleaning running water via gravity. They have carved systems inside of their walls and floors, making it so waste and unused water simply falls from the bottom of the stalactite, into a large lake below.
This lake, Lake Calyire, is massive, and quite deep at the center, but gets quite shallow at the shores. The Samora were intelligent enough to add specific plants, fish, and other organisms to the lake, engineering their own eco-system to filter the waste water, making the lake water crystal-clear, purified, and safe to drink. They use this lake below the main part of their city to grow water-specific harvestables, and also many enjoy swimming in it for fun.
The Samora people use their own glowing crystals, as well as other bioluminescent objects such as flora or bugs and put these items in small glass orbs for lighting. Often beads & jewelry made from one's own crystals are used in the hair & fur. Body painting is a common practice, and is often done for style or festivities. Accessories are often also used for lighting.
THE SAMORA
Playable Samora’s are within the age of 50-75 years old and are ambitious young adventurers. Some may have been by complete accident and had to surface due to being lost. The cave system expands under the ocean and even under the mainland of the world.
(The Samora breed are unable to possess these rarities: Solid Color Pelt, Merle, Unihorn, Missing Mindstone, Dragon’s Vein Crystals, ALL Bloodline Rarities)
Crystals:♦
Bioluminescent crystals are exclusive to the Samora breed only. Crystals constantly glow with a bioluminescent glow, usually a similar color to the crystals or a lighter tone.
♦ Lifethorn pulse is always a different color than the crystal glow.
♦ The Samora tend to have more face crystals than other breeds of Arkaine, to aid with their sight in the dark.
♦ It is customary within Samora culture to round and polish crystals so they are smooth. They tend to keep horns short to protect themselves in the cave systems.
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Eyes:♦ Pupils are always a lighter color than the iris, grey, or white.
♦ Sunblindness effects all Samora, and they must wear protective eye-gear when in direct & indirect sunlight.
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Ears:♦ Small, rounded ears held to reduce the loss of heat. Samora ears tend to be quite plush, and even a bit fluffy at the base and on the inside.
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Fur & Hair:♦ Most Samora have hyena-like manes. These manes grow along the spine, anywhere between the base of the neck and the base of the tail. This does not limit head hair.
♦ Ears (base & inside), leg tufts (along the back of the achilles & calf), and cheeks usually sport thicker, longer fur. These are the only places Samora can have extra body fur (other than their mane), unlike the Koami who can have body fur almost anywhere. Also unlike the Koami, this fur is not curly.
♦ A rare trait within the Samora breed is Shimmer Shards; some Samora have developed bioluminescent crystal slivers in their hair (tiny) that makes their hair shimmer and glow slightly. Appears like 'glitter'.
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Bodies:♦ Body types tend to be shorter and/or stocky. Common height is 4'8-5'5 but a few Samora have been noted to reach 6'. Height is not gender specific nor is it frowned upon to be any height or gender. All can be useful in the community.
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Abilities:♦ Telepathy is naturally stronger with the Samora breed. They tend to have a longer 'range' than other Arkaine breeds.
♦ Soul Shaping abilities (psychokinesis) tend to come easier for Samora. They DO NOT need to train in another mage class before training in Soul Shaper.
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Culture:♦ Smaller Samora are on the front lines of cave exploration. They are nimble and can reach deep down into the systems with little fear of getting stuck in tight spaces. The larger Samora usually are tasked with construction; building out the caves and tunnels is important. Typically when exploring they go out in pairs.
♦ The Samora have no knowledge of what weather is, or how it works, as they have lived completely underground for thousands of years.
♦ There is a ceremony at 100 years of age that marks them as a true tribes-member. This is where the Samora will select the job that best fits them to assist the tribe.
♦ The Samora have mounts that are specific to the cave system; you cannot find these species elsewhere:
> Muntanias: named after mountains, these massive creatures resemble badgers and are extremely fierce if encountered in the wild.
The Samora have tamed and domesticated these creatures over the thousands of years of living in the caves.
The Muntanias assist them with carving out new tunnels and larger cave areas. These creatures are completely dayblind and wouldn’t do well above ground.
> Cequile: An extremely rare and dangerous mount that is exclusive to the Samora and the Crystal Caves.
Deep within the Crystal Caves is a nest of strange creatures that thrive. The Cequile have the appearance of a feline snake crossbreed.
To tame one of these can be life and death for the Arkaine that attempts, but once bonded, the Cequile is a companion beyond a lifetime.
The Samora say that the bond is almost as strong as a blood bond once formed. Although attempted in earlier years, the tribe has not been able to domesticate the Cequile.
Breeding attempts in captivity have failed or if successful the clutch does not hatch.
