Meet Yananda - The Great Shaman
The Banquet Begins Here: A Glimpse of The Great Shaman, Yananda
You are lucky to get this glimpse of the Great Shaman, Yananda, for few have seen him since the shadow of the dark djinn settled over the Lands of Vaniya. It is said that he lives a life of solitude, in a secret complex of ice tunnels and caves beneath the glacier of Ghunali, high in the Tan Kun mountains. The truth be known, only a handful of Pathika know the whereabouts of this mythical character from a bygone age.
A sketch of the approach to the Glacier of Ghunali in the central range of the mighty Tan Kun mountains.
One of ‘The Four’
Yananda, is one of the Four Shamans, revered leaders of an ancient way of being, the Way of Mah’rai. Each Shaman is selected early in life by a Shaman elder and trained in the Way of Mah’rai. A Shaman’s life is dedicated to cultivating their connection with the source of light, Mah’rai, and it is said that the greatest Shamans’ cells transmute, becoming Mah’rai, giving them great powers. When one of ‘The Four’ dies and leaves their physical body, their wisdom and energy are passed onto their Osua, a Shaman student.
The Way of Mah’rai once created balance across the Lands of Vaniya, but since the Great Wars, the darkness of the djinn, Malazhiim, has spread like a virus, dividing the people and decimating the ancient Way. In the Age of Tzan, when we join Tarun on his epic adventure, The Four have disappeared; in fact, many believe they have perished. Tarun’s only hope though, lies in finding The Great Shaman before the curse of the dark djinn takes over his mind and free spirit forever.
A drawing of the last sighting of The Great Shaman Yananda
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is a Shaman in Epic Fantasy?
A. In epic fantasy, a shaman is often a spiritual guide who can connect the physical world with supernatural forces, spirits or other realms. In The Jar of Dreams, the Great Shaman Yananda follows the ancient Way of Mah’rai. Rather than simply wielding magic, the greatest Shamans cultivate a connection with Mah’rai, the source of light, until it becomes part of their very being.
Q. What is 'The Way of Mah'rai?'
A. The Way of Mah'rai is an ancient spiritual tradition followed by the Four Great Shamans. It is a tradition where each shaman dedicates their life to the practice of growing their connection to the universal source of light known as Mah'rai in Vaniyan. It is said that mindful adherence to the Way of Mah’rai over many, many years will allow the greatest shamans to transmute their cells into Mah’rai itself, giving them immense power.
Q. How are Shamans Selected in The Jar of Dreams?
A future Shaman is selected early in life by a Shaman elder and trained in the Way of Mah’rai. A Shaman dedicates their life to deepening their connection with Mah’rai. When one of the Four dies and leaves their physical body, their wisdom and energy pass to their Osua, the Shaman student who follows them.
Q. Can Normal People Follow 'The Way of Mah'rai?'
A. Yes. The Way of Mah'rai is open to everyone. In the Age of Dahara, a more peaceful age before the Age of Tzan (when The Jar of Dreams is set), many people followed the practices that were taught by the Shaman and Pathika.
