Gifthas
When humans crossed the land bridge of Lagash into Laurentia, there were five great tribes or ethnic groups that arrived on the continent. One of these peoples were known as the Gifthas, and they came to settle in the eastern regions of Laurentia. They made their homes in the nearby forests and plains east of the Blue Mountains, and took up to taming the horse. Physically, the Gifthas are of medium stature with pale skin and dark hair -- typically dark brown or black. A majority of the Gifthas people have blue eyes with brown eyes being less common.
In their earliest days, the Gifthas identified as one people, but were ruled over by many different chiefs throughout their villages and communities. During the Second Great War, the Gifthas joined the coalition of humans and dark elves to fight against the high elves and their enslavement of the gaians. After the war concluded, the Gifthas found it wise to centralize their power and be ruled over by a king. They did this to further protect themselves since their lands were one of the main fronts of the war. When the Gifthas unified they became the Kingdom of the Gifthas. Their first king was Breas I and he would rule over the Gifthas for over thirty years. Breas would come to have four sons: Eamon, Braon, Barhan, and Anluan. Gifthas tradition states that inheritance be divided between the sons of the family, and upon Breas' death that is exactly what happened. Breas hoped that the brothers would help and rule together to establish stability. The exact opposite happened. The Gifthas realm split into four kingdoms, one for each son. These kingdoms were known as Armagh, Oriel, Dartraige, and Aldwynn.
For over 200 years these realms competed for dominance with the goal of re-unifying the Kingdom of the Gifthas. The Kingdom of Aldwynn would succeed, and would be established by Eolann the Great. Eolann ushered in an age of advancement and learning, as well as military expansion. He would wage wars against all of Aldwynn's neighbors -- mainly the elves -- in an attempt to further extend Aldwynn's reach. Eolann would rule for 47 years before being succeeded by his son Lughna. The old tradition of dividing the inheritance had been abandoned due to the disaster of the first kingdom's dissolution. Lughna however, never really wanted to be king and wasn't quite suited for the job. He only ruled for about eleven years before dying of natural causes. But, in that time he never announced his successor. He had three sons: Domnall, Lochlann, and Ambros. These sons would fight for their father's throne in an attempt to achieve the same glory as their grandfather.
Like the old kingdoms before them, the three brothers and their descendants fought for supremacy among the Gifthas. Three new kingdoms were then established. The kingdoms of Armdell, Reynes, and Dalraddia. Armdell was the weakest of the three and would eventually bow under the pressure of Reynes. For several decades, Dalraddia and Reynes fought for the rite to rule, until the arrival of a new group of people. After the Great Calamity, a tribe of Wägemundings from the old kingdom of Herul who were known as the Rheged, showed up on the doorsteps of the Gifthas. Seizing the opportunity, Dalraddia made an offer to the Rheged. Fight for Dalraddia against Reynes and the lands that you win shall be yours. You shall rule over them as lords under Dalraddia's banner. Wishing to not pass up on such a golden opportunity, the Rheged took it. Reynes would soon fall.
After several centuries of integration, the Rheged soon developed their own culture and identity that was separate from the rest of the kingdom. After several centuries of trying to coexist, the differences were just too great. The Rheged fought a war of independence to split off from the rest of the Gifthas and Dalraddia. Dalraddia still exists to this day, but their tensions with the Rheged are still ever so high.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Riona, Geileis, Mairsil, Scoth, Caitlin, Taillte, Ailbhe, Daireen, Samthann, Mugain, Morrin, Nora, Eachna, Tiarnan, Deidre, Affraic, Scathach, Ailish, Agata, Moina, Dunla, Saorla, Orla, Ethna, Roise, Daroma, Failenn, Dairile, Fodla, Grania, Dunlaith, Eimear, Eilis, Mairin, Sine, Brigit, Faife, Eistir, Osnait, Eithne, Abhlach, Ina
Masculine names
Bran, Diarmand, Lughaidh, Earnan, Seathan, Felemid, Oscar, Loman, Feichin, Dabhag, Brine, Achobran, Eolann, Cianan, Cathal, Achobran, Beanon, Fachtna, Rumann, Caomhan, Solamh, Neasan, Finbar, Colm, Finnchad, Muadhan, Feradach, Aona, Cronan, Sean, Sioda, Fraech, Garbhan, Beacan, Daigh, Ardghal, Donagh
Family names
Uaid, Conchuir, Garmhaic, Giollain, Maolconaire, Uainin, Broin, Ardghail, Crotaigh, Midhir, Corragain, Laoghaire, Mainchin, Cormaic, Caoimh, Bruachain, Raighne, Braonain, Gealbhain, Ciardha, Cionnaith, Ceitinn, Mhartain, Beollain, Criodain, Dubhartaigh, Diomain, Maolmhaghna, Giolla, Aimheirgin, Fearghasa, Gadhra
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
With the Gifthas settling east of the Blue Mountains in the nearby forests and plains, they took up a tradition of husbandry. To be clear, the Gifthas don't live and die in the saddle, but they are known for having the best horses on the continent -- and in turn, the best cavalry militarily. At first, the Gifthas were a bit nomadic and only settled in places for about a year before moving on. The Gifthas who had settled in the forests soon became more sedentary and began the establishment of cities which would then take root with the remaining Gifthas (who were the majority) that lived on the plains. To this day, this has marked two different aspects of Gifthas society and culture.
Those who dwelt in the forests rapidly expanded their cities, becoming more organized. While those who lived out on the plains had cities that developed more slowly, making them more rural areas. The majority of the Gifthas population live in these rural areas. The land itself seems to shape their culture, outlook, and way of life.
Historical figures
- King Breas I
- Prince Eamon
- Prince Braon
- Prince Barhan
- Prince Anluan
- Eolann the Great
- King Lughna
- Prince Domnall
- Prince Ambros
- Prince Lochlann
Ideals
Gender Ideals
In Gifthas society, men are typically known as the "breadwinners." Those who typically go out, work, and provide a living for the family while the women stay home and look after the children. It isn't uncommon for women to work as well, but they're still expected to perform all the household duties. As for social standing, a woman's social class in society is determined by that of her husband.
Courtship Ideals
When it comes to marriage and courtship, there are plenty among the Gifthas who marry for love, as well as a number of marriages that are arranged. In an arranged marriage, the bride's male family members organize the match. Even though the male family members find a suitor, if the female finds that she doesn't fancy him at all then she is allowed to reject him. A common custom among the Gifthas, is that when a male is interested in moving forward in the courtship to the point of marriage, he will show up at the female's door. When she opens the door he will throw in his boot or whatever footwear he has. If the lady intended throws the foot wear back out the door then she isn't interested.
Major organizations
- Aldwynn
- Armagh
- Oriel
- Dartraige
- Dalraddia
- Armdell
- Reynes
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