Uray
Uray.jpg

Origins

The Uray are one of the races original to Atlantis, having been present before Atlantis was discovered by the Angels and Demons. The Uray themselves are the product of the union between the Elemental Ice and the Entity Fate. Their four sons: Fortunato, Amadeo, Faustus, and Lothario were the first of the Uray and all Uray of the present day descend from them. Because the Risers were also children of Fate, the Uray are considered ‘cousins’ to the Risers.

Location

Their small number, sensitivity to heat and sunlight, and the very nature of their ability meant the Uray were never prolific throughout Atlantis and were recluse early on. They found haven in the cave system of the mountains of Daland whose cold snowy climate was to their liking. As the Uray grew in number, they burrowed more deeply within the mountains and further refined their surroundings, creating their own society. This system of caves became known as the Cave of Crystals due to the high quantity of crystalline rocks within the mountains.

System of Government

As their population had indeed become a society and could no longer be simply run as a large family, there was need for a system of government. The patriarch, Fortunato, whose ability was the strongest, was chosen as monarch and a council of elders was put into place with a head adviser to the king, a system which still stands today.

General Appearance

In general, the Uray are very pale in complexion, often mistaken as albino. Their eyes are usually light colored, commonly yellow or blue and almond shaped. Hair is fair, normally white or blonde, though neither straight nor curly hair is more prolific. Skin is very pale with the tendency to burn rather than tan. They are normally small in stature, rarely reaching heights of six feet and fine boned. Facial hair is rarely grown.

Manner of Dress

Uray with the ability will dress in whites, golds, and blues. Important figures or those summoned to the Chapel will commonly wear long robes and gloves. The clothing of working Uray is varied, though some may wear uniforms particular to the guild they are in, especially pilots and guards. Uray without the ability, normally small children, will dress in black, blue, and gold. Uray of school age wear a uniform while attending classes. Boots or slippers are the most common footwear throughout the caves. Uray who do not yet have their ability’s hair is only trimmed and is not cut short until they gain the ability according to tradition.

Society

Until recently, the Uray were a race made up solely of men. No women lived within the Cave of Crystals, and in order to reproduce, a Uray had to travel outside the caves. If the Uray produced a child with a woman, the child would always be male and would always be a Uray. Said child would live with its mother until it reached the age of four years when he would be taken to the caves by his father. The mother would never be forced to give up her child, though due to the nature of the odd nature of a Uray in a Human society, the child would commonly be relinquished to live with his own kind. Recently, King Durante Parlant made it possible for Uray to marry and their wives to live within the Cave of Crystals, in part hoping to increase the thinning Uray population. King Durante was also fathered the first female Uray, how this will affect the Uray society is yet to be seen.

Uray begin schooling at the age of five which they will continue until the age of eighteen in which the Uray will enter one of the many varied guilds. Once the Uray gains his ability, he will also be summoned to the Chapel where he will look into the future with his fellow Uray.

The Uray live communally and share most common facilities. School aged Uray live in dormitories with their peers. Adult Uray have their own room or rooms, according to their job or if they are fathers.

The extent of the military within Uray society are guards who keep watch over the outside and inside of the caves and Glinter pilots. The Uray are generally peaceful and not known to wage war, this is partially due to their small numbers and that Uray are not thought to be, nor think themselves to be, strong proficient warriors or mages fit for the harsh conditions of a battlefield.

Economy

The Uray’s main source of income outside the Cave is their mining of the precious gemstones within the cave system and trade therein. Because the Uray live within the mountains, trading in exchange for produce and other goods they cannot make themselves is very important. Thus, their close proximity to the trade city of Lousmon is beneficial to both communities.

Within the Caves, to the Uray’s communal nature, money is of little importance. As food, medical care, clothing, and other basic services are free, there are no ’poor’ Uray. Money is normally earned and used by commissions for specific jobs, such as a tailor making a specific suit.

Magic & Abilities

Most well known is what is referenced as the Uray’s ’Ability’, which is that to see the future. Currently, they are the only race within Atlantis known to be able to do so, though texts seem to indicate the possibility of Risers also having some skill in that area. The Uray’s ability normally manifests itself between the ages of nine and twelve, though the youngest Uray to gain the ability was seven and the oldest was nineteen. The ability does not manifest the same in every Uray, for it is more powerful in some than others, resulting in clearer and longer visions that are more frequent. The descendents of Fortunato are said to have the strongest ability, with the king usually being regarded as strongest, though whether this is true is up to debate. Unfortunately, this ability which gives Uray their fame also causes some difficulties. If a Uray is ill, it can affect how his ability manifests negatively, causing it to become out of control. This commonly results in loss of short term memory due to frequent visions as well as said visions being weak and sporadic. A similar effect is seen in older Uray, though a thorough study on the ability and whether it can cause mental degradation has never been done.

Besides their ability to see the future, Uray have a good aptitude for magic, especially Ice. They are also known as quite proficient Glinter pilots.

Relations

The Uray are generally respected throughout Atlantis, though due to their reclusive nature, there are many outside of Lousmon, Daland, Vuldia, and the Kingdom of Atlantis who have never seen a Uray and know little about them. The Uray consider it their main duty to use their ability to assist the people of Atlantis, specifically the King and Queens whom they send records of their visions to and frequently correspond with. The Uray were also given the task of seeing the new Kings and Queens of Atlantis, giving them an important role to play in Atlantian history. As such, the Kingdom of Atlantis will go out of its way to assist and protect the Uray if there is ever a threat made towards them. Demons are especially worrisome in this situation, as the records of the Uray’s visions are kept confidential with the Kings and Queens and it is to their great fear for the Uray to be under the Demon’s siege with want to protect the future of Atlantis. Of course, the particular relationship between the Uray, the Kings and Queens of Atlantis, and the records of the future is subject to debate and some discontent among Atlantians who feel this system is corrupt in nature; though both Kings and Queens and Uray state that the information exchanged between them is not used for dishonorable purposes, this lasting problem is still being sorted out.