Waves crash against sheer, crystal cliffs which seem to have an amber glow from within as the sunlight permeates through the red-brown mineral. Atop these headlands, a crystalline city of architectural marvels shines like a beacon to seafarers out on the horizon. Figures can be seen on the numerous balconies jutting from the cliff face itself, accessed by well-lit corridors which bore into the cliff and connect to an underground marvel filled with enchanted art installations, voices of lecturers, and the bustle of day to day activity.

Such are the homes of the ulnar, colloquially known as “Headlanders”.



Ulnar society is divided cleanly into two, well-fitted halves.

The ulnar themselves are made up of two races: The nocturnal “lunar”, and the diurnal “solar”. Almost every ulnar is born as part of a pair of twins, one of which is solar and the other of which is lunar. These pairs almost always remain complementary in some way throughout their lives. For example, if one pursues dance, the other might pursue music. Many cultural events and holidays also involve dual roles assigned to each member of a pair. However in rare instances this intimate connection is one of rivalry, sometimes forming mortal enemies.

An ulnar civilization also reflects this duality, consisting of both above-ground and below-ground structures. Externally, ulnar dwellings are semi-transparent slanted walls and curved, multi-faceted shapes. These are made of slates of different types of crystal to form aesthetic color designs. From the outside, one can see blurry shapes moving within. However on the inside, the bright sun is softened to a comfortable natural light source. The architecture also funnels the high sea winds from the cliff faces into the structures as a form of air conditioning. While at night their open plazas offer a tranquil view of the evening sky, which the ulnar study with great care.

Below ground, the land's natural cavern system has been expanded and polished into a marvel of society no less beautiful than that above. These are decorated with tinted light sculptures made from carefully guided sunbeams and crystal filters, Manicured fungal gardens, plus well-designed civic areas. The avenues of personal residences often contain wafts of intricate spices and the sounds of deceptively simple notes masking complex melodies.

Ulnar cities are located atop the cliffs of the Great Sea, typically near crystal outcrops which can be mined for materials. Due to the nocturnal and diurnal halves, ulnar cities operate at all hours.



A number of ulnar are masters of crystal smithing. Ulnar weapons are made of crystal as strong as steel, and their magic is sometimes infused into crystal. Humans have been known to contract ulnar to build exotic, crystal ships.

The cliffs of an ulnar community sometimes are populated by small, crystal constructs created by students in the ulnar scholastic institutions. These may include crystal butterflies fluttering in flocks; spinning, crystal spirals which slowly fall the height of the cliffs and later rise out of the crashing waves of the sea; etc. Many of these items let out subtle, crystalline chimes which, on their own, may be too quiet to hear. But as a whole, it gives the exterior of their cities a quiet, supernatural soundtrack just detectable above the roar of the waves.

A popular instrument among ulnar minstrels is a curved xylophone held to the musician by a shoulder strap. Each key is a finely tuned crystal, and the the musician plays it with finger coverlets/rings which act as hammers when tapped against the keys.



The ulnar hold curiosity in high regard, and allot much of their long lives towards pursuing and mastering a skill; be it art, athletics, research, or craft. Just as how the ideal, clean shape of a crystal can form through more chaotic materials, so too can individuals perfect themselves. To an ulnar, nothing is so beautiful as a master's work coming across as simple and natural to the onlooker.



An ulnar might set out as an adventurer in an effort to improve society, through knowledge gained or through justice served. Gaining knowledge might come in the form of filling in uncharted portions of the map, studying artifacts and archeology, or even through the anthropological/psychological pursuit of examining the other adventurers which the ulnar travels with.

Regardless of the reasons, an ulnar makes for an excellent addition to an adventuring group. Ulnar are generally well learned, and the precarious locations of their homes has trained them to be quite nimble.



Ulnar have three eyes, the third arranged horizontally above and between the other two. Some ulnar have pupils, some have a solid eye color.

Their skin is a patchwork of deep black and pale white, and a wide variety of patterns can be found. Both hues are opaque, able to withstand the sun's UV. The lunar race generally has more black than white, while the solar race generally has more white than black.

Although ulnar are hairless, they do have fleshy extensions along their skull which offer some of the same aesthetics as hair, and these growths have variance within ulnarian populations.