Wendlas
The Wendlas people are one of the 5 major human ethnic groups to cross the Land Bridge of Lagash into Laurentia. Many of the Wendlas have darker eyes and hair color, and even though many of them do have lighter features, many still fall into the stereotype of darker features -- with sometimes slightly curly hair. They're often times known to be a bit more muscular. When the Wendlas crossed into Laurentia, they began to settle in the central and southern part of the continent, and lived as dis-unified tribes. They lived peacefully with their elven neighbors until the Second Great War. Once the war had concluded the Wendlas went back to their old and traditional ways.
A new threat emerged from the sea. A group known as the Fomorians invaded Laurentia and began to conquer the sea elf kingdom of Lindon and began enslaving man and elf alike. Eventually a hero emerged among the Wendlas. His name was Berion. He rode into battle on a griffin and wielded the fabled blade Fragarach (the sword of the god Lugh). He helped drive the Fomorians back into the sea and united the Wendlas into a single kingdom known as Elenarr. He would be its first king and established the ruling House of Beros -- which would come to be known as the "Griffin KIngs." Elenarr grew in strength and prosperity under many successful rulers. They would become ambitious and seized more lands for themselves, which brought them into conflict with the sea elves and high elves. Elenarr's borders would expand while the elves would retreat into their woodlands.
Not much of Elenarr was affected by the Great Calamity except for the region of Rowland, which would become its own set of islands and develop a distinct culture -- separate from the other Wendlas. Eventually, Elenarr's good fortunes would run dry. Elenarr's last king was King Luthais III, who was commonly known as Luthais the Mad. His daughter, Princess Rhoslyn, was poised to succeed him, but the king's brother, Lord Feargus, wanted the throne for himself. The Elenarr Civil War would begin. Lord Feargus controlled Western Elenarr while Princess Rhoslyn controlled the eastern part of the kingdom. The House of Beros was now divided. Rowland took this opportunity to secede and become their own kingdom. The region of Lerwick -- having been separated by the highlands -- took advantage of the situation as well and became independent.
The civil war never came to a steady conclusion, and the kingdom was permanently split. Western Elenarr would eventually become the kingdom of Calanais. Lord Feargus' branch of House Beros would eventually die out and his descendants would be succeeded by one of their cousins from House Meylor -- which is the current ruling dynasty Calanais. Eastern Elenarr transformed into the kingdom of Skara Brae. Princess Rhoslyn's branch of house Beros would live and still technically does but under a new guise. One of her descendants --Queen Teleri-- married a nobleman from House Hartbrand. Their children would take on the Harbrand name. House Harbrand still rules over Skara Brae and thus, the descendants of House Beros.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Elen, Meleri, Efa, Caitlyn, Nerys, Ariana, Delyth, Dona, Llian, Morwyn, Briallen, Mai, Beca, Enfys, Rhian, Gwendoline, Wynne, Ceri, Elinor, Aerona, Carys, Gwyneth, Deryn, Anna, Beti, Gweneth, Olwen, Meleri, Heledd, Sara, Ceridwen, Delwen, Nerys, Callwen, Megan, Braith, Alis, Lynn, Rhona, Iona, Morgan, Pyrdwen, Rhoslyn, Glenda
Masculine names
Iver, Arthur, Cenwyn, Emrys, Dyfri, Gwynn, Gerallt, Gawain, Edryd, Rhydian, Moren, Afan, Emyr, Carwyn, Sawel, Pedr, Hewyl, Berwyn, Delwin, Drystan, Steffan, Efrog, Arfon, Sion, Aberthol, Amren, Myrddin, Will, Gwilym, Meurig, Edwyn, Gwallter, Owen, Baglen, Alan, Aeron, Darren, Cadwallen, Phylip, Gwili, Baddon, Vaddon, Tristan
Family names
Mortimer, Bees, Roberts, Bellis, Binnion, Gurganus, Reese, Reed, Yarwood, Harbrand, Gethins, Geddings, Pewitt, Rosser, Howells, Griffiths, Swavely, Pewitt, Trahren, Rhys, Dewey, Bowen, Mattox, Goff, Lloyd, Maddocks, Dacus, Griff, Harries, Cadwallader, Gough, Gurganus, Mabbet, Mathias, Dew, Uren, Cadigan, Howe
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
A strong base for the development of Wendlas culture is around the family. Most families consist of the immediate family members -- being parents and children. Many of the extended family meet about once a week. In Lerwick and Rowland -- due to their smaller size -- it is believed that many of their families are related, so there are often times conversations among strangers, asking about relatives that they have in common. This is also more common in the more rural areas of Calnais and Skara Brae. Even though there are many families in Calanais and Skara Brae who share the same surname, they usually don't tend to be related.
When Berion united the Wendlas into the Kingdom of Elenarr, the griffin became an important symbol. This is due to Berion riding a griffin into battle and this created the practice of taming and riding griffins. This practice would stop however, after the Elenarr Civil War, since many griffins were killed and almost driven to extinction.
On matters of religion, the Wendlas observe what is now called the Laurentian Pantheon. This is a group of gods that came to be commonly observed by the Wendlas, Hugas, Gifthas, and Hetware. It is believed that there were other gods and goddesses outside of this pantheon who were worshiped, but they got lumped in and combined with others. The Wendlas appear to have popularized the worship of these gods but whether they actually did or not isn't known for sure.
Coming of Age Rites
The coming of age rites for a Wendlas boy and girl usually come about at either the ages of 12 or 13.
For the girl, it usually involves some sort of challenge. This challenge could be having them make something by hand, solving a riddle, or searching for a hidden object. The challenge tends to be difficult and tailored towards the girl. While the girl is performing her challenge, a bowl of sacred water is placed upon an alter to Brigantia. When the girl has finished the challenge, she approaches the alter, with her family (or whoever else is present) forming a semi-circle around her. Brigantia is called upon as a witness with the priest asking the girl her name, why she has come, and if she is ready to assume her role in the community. The girl is to answer truthfully and presents proof that she has completed her challenge. The priest then places the girls hands into the bowl, recites important words, and then sprinkles the holy water on top of the girls head with the saying of some more important words. After this, the girl should thank the gods, make the proof of her completed challenge an offering to them, and then a celebration is held. This celebration involves a feast with gift giving to the girl in the wake of her new role.
As for a boy, the boy must stand with his feet apart. Each foot on a patch of bare ground. A priest is to anoint his head with oil and give him the Blessing of the Hunter. Then, the boy will either go out on a hunt to hunt and kill an animal, or participate in a hunt of skill by locating a certain number of objects -- this tends to depend on area and customs of the city or village. After the boy receives the blessing, his weapon is anointed with oil as well. While he is on the hunt, an alter with the same oil is prepared before Silvanus (Cernunnos). When the boy returns, the god is called upon as a witness, and those gathered form a semi-circle around the boy. The priest then asks the boy his name, why he is here, and if he is ready to assume his role in the community. The boy is to answer truthfully and presents the product of his hunt as proof that he is ready. The boy's head is anointed with oil yet again, and the priest goes about saying important words. Once this has been concluded, the boy should thank the gods, give up his anointed weapon as an offering, and a feast is held. If the boy killed something on his hunt, then that animal is used for the feast.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Wendlas practice cremation. When a person dies, their body is burned and placed in an urn. That urn is then buried with any objects the family believes will help them in the afterlife.
Historical figures
- Berion the Griffin King
- Owain the Great
- King Rhodri I
- King Luthais III the Mad
- Queen Rhoslyn
- Lord Feargus Beros
- Lord Manas Thogan
- Queen Teleri
- Lord Aidan Hartbrand
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Historically, Wendlas men tend to have more rights in their culture than women. Men are allowed to inherit property, manage finances, become soldiers, ascend to the priesthood, and work to provide for their families. In the case of women, even though many work outside the home, they're still expected to fulfill their duties as wife and mother. If a woman is unmarried, then she tends to be the caretaker of another family. Women can own property, but it has to be in the name of a male relative and if said woman gets married then the property passes to her husband.
When Princess (and eventual Queen) Rhoslyn fought against her uncle in the Elenarr Civil War, she also brought about significant social change and more rights for women. This has led Skara Brae to be a bit more progressive in the role of women's rights as compared to their other Wendlas counterparts -- such as Calanais and Rowland. Lerwick also tends to be a bit more progressive on the role of women, since they were a bit secluded in the Highlands. Individuality is important there, which has led to many women breaking the molds of the more "traditional" roles.
Courtship Ideals
The courting process for the Wendlas is often lengthy and important. Many of their courting customs developed in the more rural areas. In the process of courtship, Wendlas men will often carve a simple wooden object for their intended. It is unclear where and when this tradition began, but most scholars believe that it probably originated when the two families would spend time together, and to pass the time, the man would carve objects to pass the time and gift it to his beloved.
For the more superstitious, there is a process where the couple tries to determine their future with one another. They do this by placing two pieces of grain on a shovel and hold it over a fire. As the shovel grew hotter, the grains would scoot closer to each other, swell up, and pop off. If the pieces of grain popped off together, then the couple would proceed with the courtship and eventual marriage. If the pieces of grain popped off the shovel separately, then the couple would often times end their courtship and go their own ways.
Major organizations
- Elenarr
- Calanais
- Skara Brae
- Lerwick
- Rowland
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