Sylvari-Moda (Modern Sylvari)
- Home Plane
- Vitaea
- Category
- Landborn
- Ancestor Race(s)
- Sylvari-Vitae (True Sylvari)
- Home Region
- Azorea
- Racial Abilities
- Dexterity, Wisdom
- Racial Features
- Plant Anatomy, Dream of Dreams, Summon Sylvan Companion, Biolumenescence
- Years of Existence
- 200,000 years
- Average Lifespan
- 100 years
- Average Weight
- 150 lbs
- Average Height
- 5.5 ft
- Skin Tones
- Medium Skin Tones
- Playable?
- Yes
- Extinct?
- No
- Size Category
- Medium
- Speed
- 35
- Movement Types
- Walking
- Hair
- Thick, Brown, Wavy, Beardless
- Body Features
- Normal Humanoid
- Divergence Cause
- Region
- Average Generation
- 20 years
- Vision Type
- Normal
- Vision Distance
- Unlimited
- Short Description
- Dryads with shared ancestral knowledge
- Languages
- Aethyrian Common, Sylvan
- Default Upbringing
- Communal: Raised by a village, order, or organization
Full Description
The sylvari are omnivorous humanoid plants. Some sylvari closely resemble humans but with a fey cast to their features such as tilted eyes and pointed ear tips; most display plantlike features such as hardwood for bone structure, have foliage and petals for hair, and bark acting as flesh. They glow faintly during the night. Golden sap moves through their veins instead of blood and pollen falls off of them as they move. They are much more slender than the average human and about a head shorter. While sylvari can seemingly absorb sunlight and become rejuvenated, they still must eat and drink to survive. It is unknown to outsiders if the sylvari die of old age, as they are known to have died only through violence, poison or disease and do not appear to age. When a sylvari is harmed, tendrils form over the wound and their bark expands to recover the area, leaving no scar. They heal at the same general rate as humans. All sylvari have luminescent cells in their skin, causing them to glow in the dark. Sylvari cannot be corrupted by most necromancy, but simply die instead.
Sylvari emerge fully formed from golden fruit pods which grow on the branches of the Pale Tree. Prior to emergence they share a bond through the Pale Tree which they call the Dream of Dreams. In this dream, a growing sylvari is exposed to the consciousness of the Pale Tree and the vast pool of knowledge accumulated by all previous sylvari. When a new one emerges, a portion of this knowledge remains with them, including basic wisdom and understanding from the Pale Tree and a small fraction of what other sylvari have seen and experienced, though this rarely includes specific memories. After emergence, the bond with the Pale Tree is weaker but it links all sylvari and, to an extent, other plants. On rare occasion, twins can emerge from the same pod and they exhibit a greater empathy toward one another.
Society
Sylvari are usually honest, direct and focused, taking most things at face value. With the dream ensuring there is so much in common with the other sylvari, the experience is cherished for creating uniqueness between them. They are eager to learn, experience and understand.
Sylvari emerge fully formed from golden fruit pods which grow on the branches of a massive magical tree known as the Pale Tree. Prior to emergence, they share a bond through the Pale Tree which they call the Dream of Dreams. In this dream, a growing sylvari is exposed to the consciousness of the Pale Tree and the vast pool of knowledge accumulated by all previous sylvari. When a new one emerges, a portion of this knowledge remains with them, including basic wisdom and understanding from the Pale Tree and a small fraction of what other sylvari have seen and experienced, though this rarely includes specific memories.
Despite the kickstart of knowledge from the dream they still seem naive as there are some matters which seem beyond their comprehension. Emotions and tact, in particular, are difficult for them to grasp, so often a sylvari will state out loud something which would normally be politely avoided by other races. Death too is not fully understood but viewed as something to be embraced and, as with many things in a sylvari's life, is viewed with a great degree of curiosity. These views serve to form an acceptance of and fascination with death that other races may find disturbing.
As they are all born from the Pale Tree they could be considered all of the same family; however, their family bond is not as strong as most families, with many sylvari considering others more like distant relatives with few exceptions, such as twins born from the same pod or those who shared dreams, though the latter may also result in lovers. Romance is practiced among the sylvari, disregarding gender between those involved. To a sylvari, love is spiritual and eternal, regardless of physical form and contact, and sexuality is simply a natural part of life. So long as it is entered into with good will and joy, the gender doesn't make a difference.
Cycles
Dawn
The Cycle of Dawn refers to those born between midnight and 6 a.m. These sylvari are typically diplomatic and friendly, and are naturals when it comes to planning and conversing with others. Their Luminary is Aife, an experienced diplomat who has traveled to the major cities of Tyria. Aife is Firstborn of this cycle.
Noon
The Cycle of Noon refers to those born between 6 a.m. and noon. Those born at this time are fighters, skilled combatants who prefer actions over words. They prefer to experience things firsthand and attack problems head-on. Niamh is their Luminary, the leader of the Wardens and a bold warrior. Niamh is Firstborn of this cycle.
Dusk
The Cycle of Dusk refers to those born between noon and 6 p.m. They are usually intelligent and philosophical, and enjoy studies and puzzles over physical pursuits. Their luminary is Kahedins, a kind soul who helps newly awakened sylvari understand their visions in the Dream of Dreams. The Sylvari of the Cycle of Dusk are said to be entertainers and crafters during the personal story. Faolain, Kahedins and Trahearne are Firstborn of this cycle.
Night
The Cycle of Night refers to those born between 6 p.m. and midnight. These sylvari are inclined to be secretive and self-contained, preferring to travel alone. Their Luminary, Malomedies, is very private, and considered a stern and caring mentor. Malomedies describes Sylvari of the Cycle of Night as "sentinels, scoundrels, and mathematicians." Caithe, Malomedies and Wynne are Firstborn of this cycle.
Government
The Pale Tree leads the sylvari; she manifests a spectral being in a chamber at the base of the tree to communicate with others easily and give her guidance and instructions. Various sylvari act as ambassadors to the other races and will send reports to her so that she may judge what to do. On difficult decisions, the Pale Tree will call upon the Firstborn and any sylvari who may be a specialist in the situation(s). The Firstborn, being the oldest and having the most experience of the world, act as leaders to the sylvari, being respected for their wisdom and in turn they lead the sylvari underneath the Pale Tree. Four of them in particular (one of each cycle) have taken on positions of leadership, organization, teaching, and guidance for the sylvari people.
Sylvari Names
Sylvari names, as well as place names, are generally inspired by Celtic (Irish, Scots Gaelic, and Welsh) names. Sylvari do not normally have surnames, as they're all part of the same "family," though to each other they are more like distant relatives except in special cases.
Sylvari do not "choose" their names nor are they outright given by the Pale Tree or other sylvari. Instead, the sylvari simply 'know' their names upon awakening, though why is never explored and the sylvari do not question why this is.
Male: Abhean, Cadeyrn, Dagonet, Diarmad, Itheann, Lachaidh, Kahedins, Malomedies, Melydiod, Pellan, Trahearne
Female: Aife, Alainn, Amaryl, Benerla, Brigh, Brigit, Caithe, Cinea, Faolain, Geileis, Killeen, Meme, Morwyn, Muireall, Niamh, Noxia, Padra, Rhyn, Saeraquel, Vanus, Vella, Wisteri