Ciadrì

The Scions of Stone

Clinging to the coastline, warmed by the northerly winds and the waters of the great Cuanmòr ocean, the lands of the Ciadrì are a refuge from the bitter cold of Slèitear Talamh’s interior. The dark stone mountains on the south-west of the island play host to an equally grey and unyielding people. They are all of them a stubborn folk, whose culture is steeped in superstitions and rituals, which they perform faithfully in the hope of one day regaining contact with the old gods.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Ailis, Brìde, Caitlin, Doirin, Eilidh, Flòraidh, Giorsail, Isbeil, Lìosa, Mòrag, Niamh, Olibhia, Peigi, Raonaid, Seònaid, Teàrlag, Ùna

Masculine names

Asgall, Baltair, Calum, Donaidh, Eòghan, Fionn, Griogair, Iain, Lùcas, Mànas, Niall, Oisean, Pàl, Ràild, Seumas, Tàmhas, Uailean

Family names

Allanach, Bòid, Crannach, Deòireach, Foirbeis, Gallach, Ìomharach, Lathurna, Màrr, Niocalsan, Paorach, Ròs, Sutharlan, Tolmach, Urchardan

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The first inhabitants to set foot on Slèitear Talamh were hunter-gatherers, migrating southwards, following the retreating ice sheets before the floodwaters claimed the Sunken Lands and isolated the islands of the Shivering Sea from Mahai. For over 400 generations, the hardships and limitations of life on Slèitear have shaped the culture of the Ciadrì people. Throughout the ages many petty kingdoms and tribal societies have emerged across the island. Typically these have lasted no more than a few generations at best before, like the shifting sands of Marar Iyaka, they dissolved, evolved, or vanished into oblivion.

Shared customary codes and values

The Ciadrì value tradition. Theirs is an ancient culture, strongly tied to the land on which they have eked out an existence for many thousands of years. It is no surprise then that despite the disappearance of the gods at the end of the Age of Light, the druids of Slèitear still hold a considerable amount of spiritual power. Although dwindling in number, and almost all relegated to the fringes of society, these druids still command an enormous amount of respect from the everyday inhabitants of the island. They work tirelessly among their mountain homes to preserve old practices and revive the lost divinity of the old world.

Common Etiquette rules

A culture rooted in the savage fight for survival, the Ciadrì value strength, courage and prudence over more intellectual pursuits. They are not a brutish people, but they are forthright in their communication and do not tend to suffer fools. They place an immense weight on the importance of familial and tribal loyalty and most Ciadrì are distrustful of those outside of their own clann.

Common Dress code

The clothing of the Ciadrì is woven from richly dyed wool into bright, colourful plaid patterns. Knee length tunics are worn over loose pants and a leather or chain belt around the waist holds everything in place. Heavy, ring-headed pins fasten thick woolen cloaks to ward off the chill, and wooden or leather sandals are tied to the feet with leather straps.

Art & Architecture

Most of the Ciadrì live in round houses with windowless walls made of wattle and daub. Sometimes, more high-ranking members of Ciadrì society build their houses from large stones, which are held together with clay. Whatever the walls are made from, the roundhouses are capped with large, conical thatched roofs made from straw or heather, and piled with mud to insulate them against the cold. The interior of all Ciadrì roundhouses are dominated by a central fire, used for cooking and heating.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The religious practices of the Ciadrì predominantly revolve around ritual offerings and sacrifice. Generally, sacrifices are reserved for important occasions, such as the passing of the seasons or to draw special attention to the great needs of the people during times of strife. These sacrifices involve the slaughter of domesticated animals, and While offerings most often take the form of weapons and jewellery, which are either buried in stone chests called Dhèciste, or cast into still bodies of water in special ceremonies held by the light of the full moon.

Common Taboos

It is considered taboo to eat the flesh of an animal bred within the Ciadrì’s tribal lands. These animals are kept for their wool, milk, or eggs and meat must only ever be consumed when it is sourced from the beasts of the wild.

Historical figures

Much of what is known of the history of the Ciadrì has been passed down through their oral tradition, and as such it can be hard to separate the numerous myths and legends from actual events from the people's past. One such historically ambiguous figure is legendary Elidh Brùn, who is said to have been the first to unite the nomadic tribes of ancient Slèitear. She ruled as the first ever High Chief, and founded the first permanent settlement on the banks of the river now bearing her name.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Sculpted by their harsh island home, the Ciadrì are a lean and lithesome people. Taking pride in the long length of their auburn hair, it is often worn in intricate and elaborate braids. Like many Southrons, the Ciadrì believe that they invoke the favour of the old gods by painting swirling symbols across their faces and chests and this is a common practice in the lead up to battle or before the attendance of important ceremonies. The people of Slèitear decorate their hair with beads made from glass or amber, and chunky armbands and torcs of bronze, silver or gold are common accessories used to show off the wearer's wealth.