Overview

Within his dwelling-place at Araka-Kalai, Ilvir devotes himself to his strange Art— the creation of strange semi-macgical beings. These creatures are commonly called Ivashu.

They are also known, rather poetically, as The Fatherless Multitude, The Accursed Beasts of the Barren Cycle, and The Blessed Brood. These names suggest the wide range of attitudes that exist towards these creatures.

The Barren Cycle

It is generally accepted that Ivashu are sexless, infertile and cannot reproduce. When Ivashu die, Ilvirans believe, their souls return to Araka-Kalai where they are reincarnated in a new form. They then leave Araka-Kalai and go back out into the world. When they die, again they return to Araka-Kalai again— and so on. This endless series of death and rebirth is known as The Barren Cycle.

Most Ilvirans believe that Ivashu' bodies are molded by Ilvir out of the earth's loam. The god then gives life to them by implanting a soul. Others hold that Ilvir actually births the Ivashu out of his own divine flesh.

Ivashu & Other Creatures

Few non-Ilvirans understand the distinction between Ivashu and the other strange creatures who dwell in the wilds of Hârn. They indiscriminately apply the term 'Ivashu' to any monstrous creature— whether created by Ilvir or not. The meredragons of the Ilmen Marshes, the Gargun (Hârn's 'orcs'), and even wolves and lions are often called 'Ivashu' by the unlearned.

To complicate matters, some Ilvirans believe that all creatures (i.e. not just Ivashu) are created by Ilvir. They believe that the only difference is that the bodies of Ivashu are formed by the directly, while the bodies of other creatures (including human beings) are created by him indirectly. Ilvirans who follow this tradition believe that the souls of all creatures (Ivashu and non-Ivashu alike) are implanted by Ilvir and return to him after death.

Some Ilvirans believe that Ivashu are a higher (or, at the very least holier) form of life than animals and humans since they have been formed by Ilvir himself. Others view them as inferior, flawed creatures who are, through their multiple deaths and rebirths, undergoing a gradual process of perfection.

Ivashi: The Divine Tongue

Though some Ivashu are barey sentient beasts, many are intelligent and speak their own language, which is called Ivashi. Those Ivashu who speak all use an identical form of this language. Many Ilvirans beleive that Ivashi is the language spoken by Ilvir himself. Ivashi is thus known as The Divine Speech.

The language is extremely difficult for humans to learn, although some Ilvirans have learned it. Some temples conduct extremely sacred rituals in Ivashi.

Other Ivashu Lore

There are several beliefs about Ivashu that are common among Ilvirans, but which are largely unknown among others.

Perhaps the most widespread of such beliefs is that an Ivashu will never— and indeed cannot— attack or cause harm to another Ivashu.

Another such belief is that Ivashu can remember their past lives with clarity and have access to the knowledge of countless generations of Ivashu.

It is also believed that there are many Ivashu who can take the form of human beings and live among us. Individuals who live unusually long lives, who have bodily deformoities, who have little/no interest in sex or marriage, or who are otherwise strange or eccentric are often rumored to be Ivashu.