Starbearers

Ahrokalis (singular: Ahrokal) are a race of small, caped, cave dwellers. Not often spotted during the light of day, these kindhearted nocturnals with a penchant for glassworking have quite the reputation for their good will, and for good reason.

Physical Appearance
Ahrokalis are a race of one to one and a half foot tall bipeds. Vaguely humanoid, even comparable to a porcelain doll, they have four limbs, no extra extremities, and a near expressionless face. Their skin comes in a variant of shades, but is most commonly off-white, pale blue, or pale red. As an Ahrokal ages, their skin darkens, though this is a massively long process.

Aging process and appearance over time
Generally, an Ahrokal will reach maturity at 40 years, which is signified through the achievement of colour to their skin. After this, the colour will continue to grow in strength, finally beginning to darken in old age at the age of 150. It’s unsure how long after this an Ahrokal will live, but rumour has it they will do so until their last Commitment is fulfilled.

In pre-adolescence, an Ahrokal's eyes are white all over, no discernible pupil or iris, and in adolescence they gain their colour, and usually the eye colour is in the same hue group as the skin. Red tones mean redder eyes, blue tones mean bluer eyes etc. Pupils become visible, growing from tiny pinpricks barely darker than the existing eye colour, eventually the dark colour claims the whole eye, as the elder Ahrokal need more light to be able to see in the dark of the caverns. Essentially completing the cycle

Capes
Ahrokalis care very deeply for appearances, adorning their bodies with natural-coloured clothing, and thick capes over that. As an Ahrokal ages, passing through each stage of life, their cape will gain colour, and grow with them. A child who does not yet have colour, will have a cape of only one band. A maturing Ahrokal will gain an extra band after maturing, then another as they darken. On top of this, Ahrokalis will decorate their capes with glasswork, as it is a trade of great importance to them, and as their skill in the trade improves, beads of varying complexity will be added. From simple round beads, to ovaloids, even ribbons or abstract cut shapes will be added.

Alongside their capes, Ahrokalis will carry with them a staff and wire basket, full of their closest belongings. The staff can be of any style and wood type, as can the basket. This is where the Ahrokalis get the local nickname of “starbearers” as the way light can catch the glass inside has been likened to some as the glittering of a star.

Glasswork
importance of glasswork?

Commitments
commitments

Naming Conventions
Ahrokalis name themselves after the celestial objects they are said to have been descended from. Stars, galaxies, constellations, comets, even planets.

Examples of some Ahrokal names:

Andromeda, Vega, Arcturus, Saturn, Sirius, Pluto.