Hetware
When humans crossed over the Land Bridge of Lagash into Laurentia, the Hetware were one of the main human ethnicities who came to inhabit Laurentia. The Hetware traveled along the coasts and eventually settled in the western and northwestern parts of the continent. In appearance, the Hetware are known to be tall, usually thin, but also stocky in some cases. Hetware women tend to be proportionately curvy, and most Hetware have lighter skin tones -- even though there are those with darker skin tones like the Wendlas. The Hetware mainly have either blue or green eyes and wavy hair in shades of brown. Despite most of the Hetware hair color being in shades of brown, red hair isn't uncommon and there are quite a few instances where men are known to have brown hair and red beards.
The Hetware were partially successful in avoiding the events of the Second Great War and it was during this time that they began taming and riding dragons from the Caledonian Mountains. Before the popularization of the Laurentian Pantheon, the Hetware were known to have worshiped a triad of gods. These gods were Talos, Senuna, and Balther (known as Bahamut in Gondwana). Whether there were more gods that the Hetware worshiped isn't known, but when the Laurentian Pantheon gradually spread throughout the continent, the Hetware gods started to be seen as different aspects of these gods. Talos became associated with Nuada, Senuna with Morrigan, and Balther with the Daghda. This made the spread of the Laurentian Pantheon throughout Hetware lands quite simple.
As the Hetware began riding dragons, one group out of a city known as Lyonesse, started consolidating power around themselves. They did this by exacting tribute and creating large trade networks. This was started by a regional prince known as Haralt. Haralt's son Herfast continued his father's practice and created the House of Haralt. The Haralt dynasty would go on to create a great kingdom of dragon riders and dragon knights known as the Kingdom of Lyonesse. Lyonesse's history was prosperous. They would come into early conflicts with the Griffin Kings of Elenarr, and at one point, they even fought off an invasion from Ceredgion. There were even minor skirmishes with the kingdoms of the Wägemundings. Lyonesse's luck would soon run out.
Their kings started enacting weird lines and rules of succession. The heir to the throne would be assigned to rule over the city of Hadrian. They would be known as the Prince of Hadrian. Whoever the Prince of Hadrian was, was the heir to the throne. The next in line would be assigned to rule over the city of Skye. After them the Groenfort, and after them the city of Arrush. Whenever the Prince of Hadrian would become king, whoever was ruling over Skye would become the next Prince of Hadrian, and those who presided over the Groenfort and Arrush would move up as well. This would lead to intricate and confusing lines of succession where kings would be succeeded by their brothers, uncles, sons, nephews, and cousins. This caused a lot of political instability with many cadet branches of House Haralt springing up all over the place. This would even lead to several different wars of succession due to disputes over who succeeded who.
When the Great Calamity struck Laurentia, Lyonesse would suffer from floods with the sinking of lands to the west, famine, and disease. Many of the cadet houses of the Haralt dynasty took the opportunity to split off and create city-states. The Kingdom of Lyonesse was no more. Some of the more important Hetware city-states were the states of Groenfort, Hadrian, Skye, Arrush, and Bellinmore. Hadrian would consolidate the lands around it and become the Kingdom of Caledonia, while Skye consolidated themselves into the Kingdom of Berwick. The Groenfort was the most aggressive out of them all and forged the largest successor kingdom which became Hebrides.
In later years, both Caledonia and Hebrides would suffer from coastal raids and attacks by the Skofnung. But, with Hebrides being the most powerful out of the Lyonesse successor kingdoms, they tapped into their resources and built coastal fortresses. This would disuade the Skofnung from attacking their coasts, but the Caledonians weren't spared. They've never been able to adapt due to a poor economy and lack of resources (the region didn't entirely recover from the Calamity). The Hetwaren kingdoms of remained like this to this day.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Una, Cairstine, Gisle, Fleurine, Sibylle, Damete, Adele, Nathalee, Amiere, Muriel, Silis, Liosa, Aoife, Eamhair, Grace, Torene, Genie, Isbeil, Lucrais, Sorcha, Mor, Malmhin, Eithrig, Hawise, Launde, Agnes, Bride, Nancy, Batilde, Alienor, Sionag, Ceana, Albreide, Raghnaid, Marsaili, Brigdhe, Lene, Younette, Adeline, Amfrei, Mairi
Masculine names
Artair, Douglas, Daniel, Seumas, Raimund, Balduin, Thomas, Rotger, Torcadall, Padruig, Ealar, Emory, Martin, Comnhall, Uilleam, Grimald, Grimolt, Seoras, Osbert, Conn, Romoalt, Berenger, Anscher, Fearchar, Fulkes, Gilles, Ealar, Bearnard, Cailean, Osbern, Eachann, Uisdean, Arnult, Herluin, Gillbert, Garin, Anchetil
Family names
Grannd, Camshron, Haket, Brun, Creag, MacRiada, Tolmach, MacNobaill, MacRoth, Druimein, MacCruimein, Grachet, Petremol, MacRigh, Todt, Dunaid, Rahal, Bunker, Ryall, MacArtair, MacGaradh, Rosach, Seagach, Preas, MacAra, Druiminn, Rathais, MacUilleam, Mathanach, Brinon, Warren, Wallace, Guaire, Bhasa
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Hetwarens had a strong ethnic identity that was quite prevalent when they were unified as the Kingdom of Lyonesse. Even though they're still quite proud of their heritage, most Hetwarens now have stronger regional loyalties to their respective kingdoms. As a whole they're known for their strong spirit and particular love for physical activities.
These physical activities and contests differ in each Hetwaren kingdom, but the "Trunk Toss" and "Boulder Throw" are two constants known throughout Hebrides, Caledonia, and Berwick. Starting in the spring is an event known as "The Games" is held in each Hetwaren kingdom. These games are held until the fall and involve a number of physical activities and are open to anyone who wishes to participate. These games used to be a way for local rulers to recruit the strongest warriors into their armies, but through time they simply turned into events for pure enjoyment.
Berwick and Caledonia tend to be more rural and traditional in their cultural practices, while Hebrides is significantly more developed, and the kingdom's people are known to have a bit of a more adventurous spirit. Socially, Hetwarens have a large social gathering that usually happens once a month. These still take place in cities and villages, where the populace gathers in a village hall. Traditional folk music is played along with traditional dances. Its quite the social occasion where nobody dares miss out. As for matters of religion, the Hetwarens used to have their own separate set of gods. The most popular of these gods were Talos, Senuna, and Balther. Balther is believed to have taken prevalence after the Hetwarens began taming dragons. These gods eventually lost popularity as the years went on, and started to be lumped in with the Laurentian Pantheon. This made their conversion quite easy.
As for the tradition of taming dragons, no one truly knows who the first dragon rider was. It is generally believed that certain villages began taming them around the same time, and the practice would then take off. After Lyonesse fractured into many different petty states all vying for dominance and power, dragons were pitted against each other -- and like the griffins of Elenarr, many of them perished. The practice ceased and to this day, no one really knows how to replicate it. Probably for the best.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Hetwarens participate in cremation for their dead. A practice which involves burning the body on a pyre. Once the body has been burned, the ashes are gathered and taken to a small stone structure known as a "Portal Tomb." These portal tombs are small erected stone structures that serve as gateways for the dead to cross over into Avalon. Each family tends to have their own portal tomb where the ashes of their loved ones are spread.
Common Myths and Legends
Before the Hetwarens accepted and converted to the Laurentian pantheon, the Hetwarens had their own set of gods. Very little is known about these gods except for three who seemed to be the most important: Talos, Senuna, and Balther. Talos seems to have been a god of warriors, storm, judgement, and protection with Senuna appearing to be a goddess of war. As for Balther, Balther was a dragon-like deity that took prevalence as the head of their pantheon.
When the Laurentian pantheon spread to the Hetwarens, Talos started to become heavily associated with Nuada, Senuna with Morrigan, and Balther with the Daghda. This made it quite easy for the Hetwarens to accept and eventually convert to this new set of gods. Nowadays, the Hetwarens generally believe in the common cosmology myth of how the world was created. With Danu being the mother to Arawn and the Daghda, and the Daghda eventually creating the first gods and the world itself.
Historical figures
- Hadrian
- Prince Haralt I
- Prince Herfast I
- Prince Herfast IV
- Lord Fellheart
- Coenred the Profaned
Ideals
Gender Ideals
The Hetwarens are known to have a bit more social equality between men and women in their society as compared to other kingdoms. This is particularly true in Hebrides and parts of Caledonia. In Berwick they tend to be a bit more "traditional." Like many kingdoms in Laurentia, Hetware is considered a patriarchy where they have much influence and sway. They tend to serve as heads of the family, become prominent nobles, own businesses, become priests, and typically become warriors.
Even though many aspects of Hetwaren society are dominated by men, women still manage to play quite a prominent role. Women are allowed to become priests, healers, poets, and are even allowed to be diplomats. Often times, women will serve as judges during political disputes. And sometimes military disputes as well. When it comes to relationships, a woman is free to choose her own husband by law, and cannot marry against her will. Despite that, political marriages between nobles was still quite common.
Courtship Ideals
When Hetwaren couples tend to get more serious and begin to actually think about marriage a little ceremony is held where guests gather in a circle around the couple and join hands. In this circle, the couple will promise themselves to each other and they are now engaged. The engagement period lasts for a year and day and acts as sort of a test or trial marriage to see if it will actually work. Once the length of time has expired, the couple will either separate or wed.
Major organizations
- Hebrides
- Caledonia
- Berwick
- Lyonesse
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