Rheged

Laurentia's northwestern region is home to a mighty people known as the Wägemundings. The Wägemundings are a great warrior people full of stout and heart. They were one of the five main human tribes to cross the Land Bridge of Lagash into Laurentia. They traveled north and settled in a land that they called Thule, and formed three mighty kingdoms: the Skofnung, Heruls, and Namdal. During the Great Cataclysm, most of Thule sunk into the sea, and turned the kingdom of the Skofnung into an island kingdom. One tribe from the kingdom of the Heruls known as the Rheged, survived this apocalyptic event, and ventured east across the continent. During their migration, the Rheged picked up certain customs and beliefs from the people they interacted with. Even intermingling with them on occasion.
Being descendants of the Wägemundings, the warrior prowess of the Rheged was well known. They'd raid, plunder, and trade for whatever resources they could get, but would never be able to settle anywhere for too long. This would go on for about a century until they reached the lands of the Gifthas. The old Gifthas kingdom was in turmoil due to the wars of the successor states of Dalraddia and Reynes. Seizing the opportunity to take advantage of the crippled kingdoms, the Rheged invaded and took what they wanted. Recognizing their ferocity in battle, Dalraddia wished to make an ally of these nomadic people and made them an offer: Fight for Dalraddia against Reynes, and the lands of Reynes would be theirs. The only catch, was that they'd be subjects of the Dalraddian king. The Rheged willingly accepted this wishing to finally have a home for their people. Reynes was defeated, and the old Reynesian lands were now under the lordship of the Rheged.
At first, the coexistence between the Rheged and Dalraddians was quite peaceful. Even though the Rheged were now the new lords of the region, they were always ready to learn and adapt to the customs and traditions of their new subjects. This made them quite popular, and intermingling between these two people became all the more common. To this day, no one in Rheged is of pure Wägemunding or Gifthas ancestry. They became an entirely new group all on their own. Appearance wise, the Rheged are quite imposing like their Wägemunding cousins. They're of a medium to tall stature with either straight or wavy hair. Hair color among the Rheged tends to be brown, black, or red. Their skin is quite fair in color, and typically have lighter eye colors. Even though they heavily intermingled with the native Gifthas population -- adopting customs and traditions -- they have still kept many tropes from their Wägemunding past. To the Rheged, they hold one's honor above everything else.
For several centuries Dalraddia was at peace, but cultural tensions would soon begin to divide the kingdom. The Rheged lords soon became disgruntled with Dalraddia's leadership and the Rheged people's demands were not being met. Rheged rebelled against the Dalraddian crown and fought a war of independence. Out of Rheged's many fierce generals, warriors, and heroes, a warrior woman named Aelfwyn stood out among the rest. She would soon rise to become the movement's leader, and would defeat the Dalraddian army within three decisive battles. Aelfwyn would win Rheged's freedom and become the fledgling kingdom's first ruler and queen. To this day, Rheged has enjoyed it's autonomy, but tensions have always remained high at their northern and southern borders.
Ever since the Rheged settled in Reynes, they have always done battle with the marauding Picts. With the help of the Iron Mountain Dwarves, Rheged has always succeeded in fending them off -- as well as raids from frost giants, orcs, and goblinoids from the Northern Wastes. To the south of Rheged, many cities and towns along Dalraddia's northern border and eastern coast remain ethnically and culturally Rheged. Most of these places wish for a union with their brethren, but Dalraddia refuses to budge. Since Rheged's independence there has been bad blood between the two kingdoms, and this situation does not help their relations. Could war be brewing once again, and might Rheged intervene?

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Adellufu, Weynild, Stanhild, Estrith, Alhburg, Cuthburh, Saethryd, Baldeth, Freawaru, Alkeld, Wrtheve, Osgifu, Eaba, Beyhild, Burchwen, Everildis, Modtryth, Winfred, Eadgyd, Ailred, Leofwaru, Alfhilda, Edith, Eadwine, Waerhild, Denegyth, Wendreda, Alfrun, Engeleis, Einilda, Frigyth, Ceolwynn, Winfrith, Aeschild, Osthryd, Thedware, Ailred, Heiu

Masculine names

Romund, Hunlaf, Brunwulf, Winfrith, Gaenbald, Sigebert, Erwald, Wiermund, Turoc, Theodlac, Osric, Cerdic, Cinric, Hygebald, Alnoth, Botulf, Wusfrea, Thurstan, Alwyne, Cuthbald, Morkere, Godfred, Egferth, Maethelgar, Leofwine, Tunfrith, Winnibald, Bardolph, Wulfhelm, Cynestan, Eadmer, Denewulf, Waldhere, Seaxwulf, Herbert, Alchred, Ekbert

Family names

Acton, Dumkirk, Auchtergate, Webb, Warner, Mulliner, Nantforth, Treport, Milner, Fisher, Ward, Nader, Kilghyll, Langay, Kinthorpe, Fletcher, Parker, Archer, Singer, Pontgill, Norbury, Stutford, Knight, Rock, Stanier, Sadler, Shiphurst, Bradcester, Nandon, Smythe, Berger, Chaplin, Machin, Tregarth, Auchfirth, Pontwyke, Salter, Ward, Palmer

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Along with the Picts and the Wägemundings, the Rheged are one of the few human groups in Laurentia to have their own distinct language. Before Thule sank into the sea, the Wägemundings spoke a language known as Old Thulian. It was spoken throughout the region of Thule and two distinct dialects started to develop. In southern Thule, the Skofnung spoke South Thulian, which would eventually turn into the modern day language of Skofnung, or the "Skoftunge." In the northern part of Thule, the kingdoms of Herul and Namdal spoke North Thulian.
After the Great Calamity, and the Rheged emigrated out of Herul, the Rheged still spoke North Thulian. As the Rheged moved further east, their dialect started to become more distinct and different as they picked up certain words and terms from the different cultures they interacted with. Over time, this would develop into the language that it is today and is simply known as "Rheged."

Culture and cultural heritage

The Rheged have always been known as great warriors. From their days when they were the Herul, all the way up to the forced exodus and emigration across the continent. Even though they have always been great warriors, they didn't truly become a martial society until they conquered the lands of Reynes for Dalraddia. The Rheged were allowed to rule over these new lands as lords, and even though they heavily integrated with the Gifthas population, a lot of their Wägemunding heritage was kept intact. As said previously, the Rheged are warriors, and damned proud of it. Due to their geographic location, this has made their society almost completely geared towards war and combat.
North of the Rheged are the viscous Picts, with whom they are in almost constant conflict with. West of the Rheged is the Northern Wastes which are filled with roaming frost giant clans, orcish war tribes, and vicious goblinoid gangs. Being surrounded on all sides by enemies, Rheged culture and society is geared towards war and the preservation of their homeland.

Coming of Age Rites

In Rheged, terms of adulthood are determined by whether or not one has completed their military training. At the age of seven Rheged children (both boys and girls) are to start a form of informal training given to them by their parents. They start to receive more formal education at the age of ten. Once they hit 16, the young men and women of Rheged are required to go through martial training until the age of 20. They are then seen as fully fledged adults in the eyes of Rheged society, having finished their first duty to the preservation of the kingdom. Once martial training is completed, it is required and customary for all males to serve in the Rheged army for two years. For women this is optional. After those two years one may choose to whether or not they wish to continue their military service. For those that do not they are permitted to return to ordinary life, but are still required to be among the militia or levy. This way Rheged ensures that should the kingdom fall to invasion, every man, woman, and child can bear arms to defend the kingdom.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The Rheged are known to build burial mounds or 'cairns' as they call them. Family's usually have their own cairns, and those who came from a wealthy or noble background are buried with many valuables.

Common Taboos

One's word in Rheged culture is taken with high regard. If one goes back on their word often enough they become untrustworthy individuals and become ostracized by society. The ties of blood are seen as something sacred. Betraying or killing one's kin can result in the person being executed, exiled, or cursed. Retreat in battle is also seen as shameful and dishonorable. The only way one can regain this lost honor is to redeem themselves through some sort of act. This act is determined by the priests.

Common Myths and Legends

Many myths and legends of the Rheged are shared with their distant Skofnung kin. They believe that the giant Ymir was the first being who all giants sprung from. The gods soon came after, did battle with the giants, slew Ymir, and used his body to create the world. The Rheged share many gods with the Skofnung but they tend to use different names. For instance Odin is Wotan, Thor is Thurunaz, and Heimdall is Heime (just to name a few). The Rheged have also adopted a few Laurentian gods into their pantheon such as Morrigan, Brigantia, Lugh, and Nuada.

Historical figures

• Queen Aelfwyn
• King Horsa
• Wulfstan the Mighty
• Eadwacer the Conqueror
• Offa
• Princess Freawaru
• Lady Estrith

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Being descendants of the Wägemundings, the Rheged tend to have some more progressive gender roles and ideals. Even though that is so, they're still somewhat behind that of their distant Skofnung kin. Both men and women in Rheged are trained how to fight --due to a long standing warrior tradition-- but the women aren't usually called upon to fight unless in dire need. Men are typically seen as the ones who provide for the family, but it isn't uncommon for women to work as well. Even though women can also work, they're still expected to maintain certain household duties. Women are still seen as care takers of the home, but are still allowed to divorce their husbands, own property, and gain inheritance. Women may also be found in positions of power, and their social standing is not determined by that of their husband.

Courtship Ideals

Life among the Rheged can be harsh, brutal, and short. They fight an almost constant war with insurgents outside of their borders. This has made the Rheged value what time they have. Courtship is usually fast and does not last long. When men come of the right age and are ready to marry, they wear a token around their neck symbolizing the goddess Freja. The tokens are usually unique to each family. He wears the token to show that he is available should any woman express interest. If both parties are interested arrangements are made for their betrothal; and the man will then place his Token of Freja around the woman's neck as a sign that she is taken and intended for one another.

Major organizations

• Rheged
• Dalraddia
• Herul

Dunlending Captain by JLazarusEB

Parent ethnicities

• Gifthas
• Wägemunding

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• Rheged