Duntrian

Duntrians are descended from tribes of peoples who lived in the Ashbow Mountains. Initially, these peoples lived scarce and nomadic lives in the mountains, avoiding notice from the calissae around them. Through years of mastery, they tamed hippogriffs in the mountains, providing them means to hunt in the valleys around their mountain homes for food. As the Thousand Year Wars waged on and calissae began to utilize the lesser mortals more often, giants living in Kamazar found and conquered the peoples living in the Ashbow Mountains to use them in their wars against dragons to the east. Over hundreds of years, these people grew loyal to the giants, who promised them all the land of Valdar would be theirs to rule once the dragons were defeated. After the withering, with no giants to rule them anymore, many tribes descended from the Ashbow Mountains to claim what they believed was theirs by right. Those who travelled east to present-day Duntry found the most success, conquering the region from Zamerian peoples who had previously settled it. The name "Duntry" came into use around 75 DC when they all united under a single king, taking their name from the settlement in the Ashbow Mountains where that king's tribe originated. Its root meaning is "Fortress".

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Duntrian culture started taking shape c. 75 DC, originating in the Ashbow Mountains northwest of what would become the Duntry region of Valdar. Approximately 2.5 million people in Aedelor are Duntrian, primarily living in the Kingdom of Duntry. Duntrians are primarily human (~85%), with elfkin (~5%) and giantkin (~5%) minorities.
Duntrian history has been marked significantly by the taming of hippogriffs and incorporation into their lives, and they have sought to emulate some of their greatest traits, as seen in their values. The hippogriffs are their primary source of might and advantage, and their riders are held in high honour in society. For this reason, it is only fitting that one appears on their banners. While hippogriffs can be many different colours and coats, the blue one pictured was known as Fionnbharr Bluesong the Fierce, companion of the first einithain, Fionnbharr Geargain.

Hippogriff Racing

The Duntrian people are well known for their hippogriff riders in battle, but they also take to the skies as a matter of sport. Hippogriff racing has been popular among Duntrians for hundreds of years and has undergone many evolutions over time. When Duntry was annexed by the Valdarian Empire and magic became more commonplace in Duntry, hippogriff racing once again underwent an evolution into what is now the modern-day version of the sport. Magic is used to hoist checkpoints in place, create obstacles, and more. While the sport has become celebrated in other parts of the Valdarian Empire, it doesn't hold nearly as much popularity as it does in its home of Duntry.