Feedback:User/GreatWallStr/Concept Race - Lyrens

New Race Concept: Lyrens
These creatures are based on the MODERN interpretation of Sirens-- no, not winged creatures, but rather the seafaring kind. Their abilities center around three main philosophies: Loma, Nor'yaa, and Chu'ta. I will go into detail on this later on, but first I will cover other details. This race is designed to FULLY take advantage of the underwater features that will be presented-- who better to appreciate the deep sea than a race that dwells in underwater cities?



History
Created in 1 BE to be servants of Abaddon, the Lyrens dwelt underwater in beautiful cities. They were the servants and entertainers for the evil god himself, and he crafted their voices to be the envy of angels. They were formed as slender and graceful, and their hypnotic voices were given to them as a method of keeping daring sailors away from their Capital city of Ossicvalia.

However, after Abaddon's defeat and Kormir's ascent into godliness, the humble Lyrens were left to their own ruling. They began pursuing magic, as well as ancient secrets that had been hidden in the depths of the sea. They eventually set up a sort of hierarchy, with priests and priestesses being the leaders. Due to their superstitions, the Lyrens feared the mainland, and called it "Unchii", which literally translates to "Sea of Stone". They believed that Unchii was cursed, due to the fact that few who went to the surface returned. Little did they realize the missing Lyrens were victims of experimentation by an isolated Asuran krew which studied sea creatures, and was fascinated by these fishlike beings.

When the great dragons awoke and all hell broke loose across Tyria, the Lyrens' capital city was pushed to the surface. They were at first nearly blinded from how bright everything was, but as soon as their eyes adjusted they began scouting around. They are relatively new to this unique world of land-dwelling beings, but were delighted to see that humans look similar to them (though most consider humans ugly). They do not know it, but they had been designed by Abaddon to be his own "version" of humans.

Philosophies
(Click the symbols to see a more detailed picture)

Loma: The philosophy of "Mist". This is the philosophy of elemental binding, of connecting to the environment. Lyrens cannot control "water" in a liquid form, but rather in a cloud of mist. This can be razor-sharp to cut opponents, or spread out to conceal allies and use for stealth. By focusing their abilities, Lyrens are able to walk on water. Those who follow the path of Loma are taught that there are secrets all around, and that just as mist can hide dark intentions of those nearby, with the power of Loma it can be cleared, and all brought into light. This philosophy teaches that it is the individual's responsibility to bring others to justice, and defines justice not as equality, but rather as civility, honesty, truthfulness, and such. They are aware that the world is never a fair place, and do not believe it is their place to try to change that; but rather they embrace where they are in life in a sort of Caste System. They do not believe in an afterlife, but rather reincarnation.

Nor'yaa: The philosophy of "Mind". This is the philosophy of manipulation, hypnosis, and psionic manipulation. Through meditation, Lyrens are able to alter the perceptions of others, creating illusions. They were never taught that the mind was sacred, but rather that each mind was a book waiting to be opened and adjusted. They have strict laws that have been passed down from the High Priest Calix of Osdonia declaring that Nor'yaa shall not be used on fellow Lyrens except in self-defense or in a training environment. However, these laws never mentioned not using these abilities against other races, so the Lyrens are curious about perhaps 'testing' the newly-discovered land-dwellers. Nor'yaa and Chu'Ta go together, for it is through sound that they are able to hypnotize opponents, whether it be hypnotic singing or a soothing melody plated on a lyre or flute.

Chu'Ta: The philosophy of "Sound". This is the philosophy of sound manipulation. Lyrens were blessed with flawless voices, and have learned to use their enhanced strength with the power of Chu'Ta, resulting in sonic screams, projected persuasion, etc. With instruments they are able to shoot precise soundwaves, whether it be to deafen an enemy or cause cognitive disruption. Chu'ta teaches that music is a language in itself, and Lyrens are able to "communicate" in a similar method to the humpback whale, as well as use sonar in a way similar to that of a dolphin. This ability to hear sounds well above human hearing is a benefit, and allows them to communicate without giving away their location.

Anatomy and biology
Diet and Lifestyle:

Living in the depths of the seas or in coral reef communities, Lyrens are omnivores, and eat meat raw, often wrapped in seaweed or other underwater plants. They live significantly longer than humans (3x as long) due to their strong magical connections, but will still die of age. They remain youthful until nearing their death, where they will suddenly rapidly begin aging. Upon dying the life within them will simply pass away, their spirit leaving but an empty vessel. When humans die, their flesh eventually rots and their bones become dust, but when Lyrens die their bodies become like seafoam, washing away like water.

Breathing and Speech:

Lyrens have a duel-voicebox system that enables them to produce multiple tones at once. When underwater, they take in water through their nasal operculum and throat gill slits. Floating into the chest cavity, the water passes through a series of gill rakers and arches, eventually exiting through the lower gill slits that run along the bottom edge of the ribs.

To allow for breathing air, Lyrens were created with a Pharynx that splits into 2 tubes, and they are capable of closing one and opening the other at will. One tube leads into the chest cavity, used for breathing underwater. The second tube leads into the collapsible lungs, which are used when breathing air. When a Lyren needs to breathe air, they naturally compress their chest cavity-- This forces all the excess water out. Afterwards, the Lyren then tightly seals their gill slits, then expands their chest cavity again. Doing this, while having the 2nd pharynx tube (leading to the lungs) open, the air will be forced into the lungs, causing them to expand from their previous collapsed state. Lyrens are able to breathe without a diaphragm due to their ability to expand and contract their chest cavity, forcing air in and out of the expanded lungs.

Various gill openings are capable of being shut, and doing this can produce results accordingly. For instance; Lyrens can produce sounds similar to an Orca or Whale (but with multiple tones at once) by closing their lower gills as well as their mouth and nasal operculum, and forcing air or water through their throat gills. One of the Lyrens' 3 main languages is made up entirely of sounds produced in this manner. To quickly release a jet of water, and propel themselves forward when swimming, Lyrens can close their Nasal and throat gills, then compress their chest cavity very suddenly. This forces water out of the lower chest gills, giving the Lyren a sudden boost, similar to an octopus. This sudden boost helps Lyrens quickly escape enemies underwater, but repeated use of this skill can be taxing on their energy.

Eyes:

Distantly "related" to Margonites, Lyrens have 4 eyes. Though they blink like humans, they have a second, transparent eyelid which blinks sideways, and is actually a nictitating membrane that protects their eyes underwater.

Other notes:
 * Lyrens also have a slender, finned tail that helps them quickly move through water. This muscular tail moves in an up and down motion, similar to a dolphin's.
 * Although they are only slightly taller than humans, Lyrens have different body proportions; their legs are significantly longer, and this assists greatly in swimming.

Society
Lyrens value beauty, both in architecture and in personal appearances. Their natural youth makes them the envy of some other races. However, they are often treated as inexperienced due to their naivety and youthful appearances.

When a Lyren reaches marrying age (15-17) they will begin courtship rituals, including proposing to the one they've chosen with a Nymsong Shell, found near an underwater volcano. If they become engaged, they will then be separated for 1 year while the home is built for the couple. After the year is up and the two still wish to be married, they will have a wedding ceremony in the home city of the one who proposed. Lyrens have children every 5-6 years, and the children develop quickly. A child will be cared for not only by his or her mother, but by several nannies who will assist in caring for, training, and educating the child. However, since contact has been made with the surface world, Lyren traditional courtship rituals are becoming a thing of the past, adopting newer methods from the other races.

In-Game Traits
In-game, Lyrens are very slender, and aside from their previously mentioned anatomy they looked very similar to humans. Their capital city of Ossicvalia has been lifted into "Unchii", as they call it, but they have other smaller cities and towns still underwater, including Nalia, the City of Marble; Osdonia, the abyssal city; and Halishine, located in the middle of a great coral reef. They swim MUCH faster than normal, and with sonar they are able to be aware of their surroundings even in the depths of the dark abysses and deep sea.

Architecture: The Lyrens' architecture is based on ancient Grecian and Egyptian styles, with quiet simplicity being the overall pattern. It is not uncommon for "holy places" to have symbols engraved into the walls and columns, due to their religious emphasis on magical glyphs and runes. The buildings rarely have complete roofs, but rather simply openings with fabric draped over, or even rounded dome-like roofs. Because there are no major weather conditions, roofs and walls are mostly for privacy, and as such often have openings throughout them.

Armor: Lyren armor is very streamline and hydrodynamic; very close to the body. However, there is also a great amount of fabric involved in the outfits, made from a smooth silk fabric that is spun from the silk of special underwater spiders that make their air-bubble nests in coral reefs. Weaponry includes harpoons, tridents, and scimitars. Magic is very valuable to the Lyrens, and their weaponry is often decorated with the symbols of Loma, Nor'yaa, and Chu'ta.

Racial "Skills":
 * Stance of Eldarron-- Enables Lyrens to "walk" on water. Clicking this skill once will activate it, clicking it a second time will deactivate it. While active, water's surface becomes like solid ground to the character. However, this skill rapidly depletes energy, lasting only a few seconds.
 * Hydrodynamics-- A passive trait that Lyrens obtain at the beginning of the game, this trait gives the character enhanced swimming speed.
 * Propulsion-- A skill that only works while underwater. Clicking this skill causes the Lyren to compress their chest cavity and force the water out of their lower gill slits, giving them a sudden boost forward. To properly aim this "boost", the Lyren must already be swimming in that direction, and can steer while they still have momentum. If used while stationary, the Lyren will be boosted upward, towards the surface.
 * Siren's Song-- A piercing shriek that stuns all enemies in the area, but uses a large portion of energy.

Notable Lyrens
Eldarron of the 3rd Dynasty: A high priest of Loma, Eldarron traveled to the surface world when Abaddon had become unseen (they did not yet realize he had been defeated). It is written he had trouble staying at the surface with the rolling waves, and he focused his power. The symbol of Loma, which had been tattooed to his forehead, began to glow brightly. As though he were lifting himself out of ground, he firmly planted his hands on top of the water and lifted himself up. Stepping up onto the water, Eldarron focused his abilities through his hands and feet, allowing him to walk across the water. Though the winds blew and the waves crashed all around him, Eldarron continued in this manor until he reached shore and found a fisherman at the docks. The fisherman was greatly surprised upon seeing Eldarron, for no human had before seen a Lyren. Eldarron took a moment to assure the man that he meant no harm, and after a great while of doing so finally managed to speak with the man. It was not long before he learned that Abaddon had been defeated, and he quickly ran back to the ocean and vanished into its depths, going back to Ossicvalia to report the news. Since this fateful day, the Lyrens have been taught how to walk on water just as Eldarron did, and it is now referred to as the Stance of Eldarron. Upon entering this stance, water becomes just like ground to a Lyren, and they are able to run, jump, and walk on the surface of water. Doing this slowly depletes their energy, but can be turned on and off, allowing them to quickly disappear into the water if they need to. He is not alive by the time of GW2.

Nejine of Halishine: One of the priestesses of the temple of Halishine, Nejine grew up in the coral reefs. When she was little she would often be caught peering up at the surface in curiosity at the world above. She was used to the warmth and sunshine, and would sing to pass the time while she worked. She was greatly gifted in the art of Chu'ta, and her soothing voice could tame almost any creature. She is famous for developing many forms of Chu'ta. She is alive during the time of GW2.

Quotes
"The sunshine... it's warmth; it's good. To think how many decades my ancestors lived without such a comfort... almost unthinkable." --Nejine

"I hath walked upon the water's crest, yet my footsteps didst leave but a trail of ripples. Canst thou do the same, O children of Abaddon? Thou art born of the waters, crafted with life. Whither have ye come to day? Yet I bring not glad tidings, lest I be damned by my companions; for Abaddon hath seen an end, he is no more." -- Eldarron when reporting the news of Abaddon's death, while also sharing his new accomplishment (walking on water).

Thanks to ArenaNet and fellow GW fans for reading, and if you have any suggestion, direction, or commentary that you would like to add, or would like to know more details about Lyrens, please check out the discussion tab. :D Thanks! -- GreatWallStr 16:37, 28 February 2010 (UTC)