Tolätxaw nìprrte’!

This music fits them very well :)

Welcome back to the home of the Syorkilvan. These green "cousins" of the Metkayina and other reef Na'vi live by a giant river that seems very similar to the terran mangroves. Their slightly smaller, yet muscular build suggests that they'd make fierce, dangerous warriors – if they wanted to, that is. The Syorkilvan are very laid back and prefer a nice mud bath over high speed chases on ikranback or bloody underwater battles with spears and knives. How laid back, you ask? If you look closely, you can see the algae growing in their hair.

The name "Syorkilvan" comes from the Na'vi words syor ([sj·oR] P F vin. relax, chill out) and kilvan ([kil."van] P F n. river).

Ecosystem

The Syorkilvan live in the "Payna’rìng", a place very similar to terran mangroves. It houses many familiar as well as unfamiliar pandoran animal- and plantlife.

Animals

Tìrangoa Yompayoang Nìwankxa Predators: none

Diet: fish, various mid-sized animals, na'vi (if untamed)

Characteristics: around 10m in length, can climb trees in search of prey, very fast and agile swimmer

Sacred place

The sacred roots of the syorkilvan are hidden inside a deep underground cave.The entrance lies underwater and can only be reached on the back of a nìwankxa.The rocky walls and gigantic roots are covered by a pink, flourescent substance similar to algae or a fungus. It appeares to have a symbiotic relationship with the roots and the presumably gigantic tree attached to them. Curiously, the corresponding tree has never been seen before.

If ingested in large quantities, the pink substance is said to cause hallucinations as well as strengthen a Na’vi’s connection to Eywa and the departed. Only an experienced Tsahìk could attempt this without permanently losing their mind. Despite this, there is a legend from many generations ago claiming that the pink substance once sustained an entire Syorkilvan clan during a time of great sorrow, where they were forced underground for months.

If this were true, this likely had permanent effects on future generations and could explain some of the beliefs, actions and personalities seen in today’s Syorkilvan Na’vi.

Glossary

Here are the words unique to the Syorkilvan that are not (directly) found in the Na'vi dictionary.

• Syorkilvan prop.n. Na’vi clan name (c.w. from syor relax and kilvan river)


• Nìwankxa prop.n. “Hidden mouth”, firebelly croc (c.w. from nìwan in hiding and kxa mouth


• Yompayoang prop. n. “Fish eater”, mangrove thanator (c.w. from yom eat and payoang fish)


• Tìrangoa prop. n. “Mud walker”, walking fish (c.w. from tìran walk and ngoa mud)


• Payna’rìng prop. n. Habitat similar to mangroves on earth, home to the Syorkilvan (c.w. from pay water and na’rìng forest)

Lifestyle

If you're looking for a high intensity, danger-filled lifestyle, the Syorkilvan are not for you. These guys get up early in the morning, finish all their hunting, foraging and meal prep for the day and then simply relax in the warm waters until nightfall.

Diet

They eat animals resembling terran fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Sometimes they hunt for bigger prey, although that's treated as a special occasion. Other than that, they forage for mushroom-like organisms and tasty plants. Food is an important aspect of their culture, as the Syorkilvan love preparing elaborate (and often very spicy!) meals using many different ingredients. In fact, preparing a simple meal is one of the first lessons a child learns as soon as they have the fine motor skills for it. This shared love for food is also reflected in their conversations: A "Hello" is usually followed by a "Wanna come eat with us?".

Living situations

They use grass, rope, twigs, leaves and animal hides to weave walls between the giant roots sticking around in the water. These homes are only accessible by diving inside from below. They also like climbing up the tree itself to create more cozy places in the canopy.

Growing up

Just like any other Na'vi clan, a birth is treated as something to celebrate among the Syorkilvan. As soon as it's safe for the baby and the mother, the baby is introduced to the rest of the group. While they can't really swim yet at this point, they instinctively hold their breath underwater. And so, the babies are carried around in a sling on the father's or mother's back while they swim, forage or do other baby-safe activities. If desired, friends and family of the parents will offer to watch the child.

A Syorkilvan child clutching a Nìwankxa toy made out of straw. It is a common gift for young children, who then proceed to paint it however they like (often together with the gift-giver, who makes sure that more paint ends up on the toy instead of on the child...)

Almost as soon as they can walk, the Syorkilvan children can also run, swim and climb. They start helping out with important tasks, but aren't expected to do as much as an adult, of course.

When the youngsters approach adulthood, they set out to tame a Nìwankxa. Contrary to the usual chill and relaxed lifestyle, this ritual is surprisingly intense. They set out to find a Nìwankxa lying in the water, waiting for prey. If the creature notices them, it will attempt to ambush and eat them. The youngsters will need to catch the right moment, jump on the Nìwankxa's back and try to connect their queues while surviving the "death roll" of the creature. As soon as this happens, they are recognized as a fully fledged adult.

Adults may set out to hunt alone, choose a mate and maybe someday become Olo’eyktan or Tsahìk of the clan. They may also get tattoos, although they aren't as important to them compared to the Metkayina – therefore, Syorkilvan tattoos are usually less frequent and detailed.

Leisure

After important work is done, the Syorkilvan partake in numerous fun, relaxing or social activities. They let themselves float in the warm river, dive for seashells to make accessories out of them, race each other on the backs of their Nìwankxa, jump from giant roots into the water, play catch and hide-and-seek, bury themselves in warm mud (it's good skincare!) or just bathe together while chatting about their day.

Make your own!

This fan clan is open for anyone, as long as you don't directly profit off of it (i.e. creating adopts or customs for real money). Already established characters with extra art etc. can be sold for money. Make as many characters as you want, you don't need permission! Please credit me at least once when posting your new character.

Stuck on what to name your oc? Use my generator! (click the link or use the embedded version below) Bonus: Here's an art reference for drawing a female Na'vi face.

Language