Shuri
The Shuri (ʃɜ:ʳ.i:) caste is the most magically talented caste of the lower Danaij castes. They manage the temples of all of the Forsaken Land, even within the human nations. While anyone may join the clergy, it is the Shuri that remain in the highest positions, while non-Shuri and non-Danaij are barred from advancing to such positions. The Shuri hold no privileges of rulership, but they are highly regarded as spiritual leaders and emissaries of Ispa and her children.
Shuri share bloodlines from the original founders of the temple and caste, and they actually rarely marry between each other—or at all. Sometimes two Shuri may marry, or a Shuri may marry a Shan or Chau, but to continue their family lines, most Shuri are content to spread their seed or impregnate themselves with the children of those of higher castes with high magic potential. Many Shuri become the consorts of nobles and royalty in order to bear their children into the Shuri or impregnate their patron with a child they may bring into their caste. Children sired or born to a member of any of the Vana castes have no claims of legitimacy to those castes, but their future is secured amongst the Shuri. The Shuri may also adopt illegitimate children of the Vana castes that show potential for magic. There are also a number of Shuri born between priests, though their parents are rarely married or even committed to each other. Any children born amongst the Shuri that show a disappointing lack of magical prowess may be offered into the Shan if they have martial talent, or cast off into the lower castes.
On rare occasion, individuals from lower castes of high magical prowess may be accepted into the Shuri. When it comes to breeding, the Shuri care more about magical ability than appearance or noble blood. They are only biased toward nobility as they have the purest and most powerful ability for Dark Elementalism.
The Shuri have a wider variety to their appearance, but still often have many traits of the noble castes, due to the fact that their preferred partners are amongst the Vana castes. They also have long lifespans, often ranging between 800-900 years.
