Dyrish

Definition:

Noun: Dyrish (Plural: the Dyrish)
1. The people of Dyre; Dyrish people collectively.
Example: Celebrations reverberated through the city as the Dyrish commemorated the Astral Concord.
2. A term of kinship and shared heritage among the diverse inhabitants of Dyre.
Example: In the annals of Imperial history, one thing remains true; don't fuck with the Dyrish.
Okay, so that's what 'Dyrish' means. But what does it mean to be Dyrish?

Introduction

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The Dyrish are a study in contrasts. Descendants of Centic half-giants, Finians and Firbolgs stand at an imposing 9 feet tall on average. The Finians, with a robust physique, engage in heavy industry and labor, while the shape-shifting Firbolgs curate their shapes as necessary. Dvalinn, rarely taller than four feet, embody the essence of pastoral farmers and gardeners. Nemeians, marked by their diverse origins, exhibit a range of physical traits, blending the characteristics of the lands from which they fled. A closer look at each of these folk may be found below.

Dyrish Ethnicities

Finian

Resilient and rebellious, the Finians embody the spirit of a Free Dyre. In cities and towns, they navigate the complexities of modern life, some serving in the Imperial military, while others take on laborious tasks across the Holy Cathrican Empire.

Firbolg

Stewards of the land and guardians of nature, the Firbolg draw on ancient druidic traditions. They resist Imperial domination with a deep connection to Dyre's formidable magics, but equally oppose the spread of Finian settlements across Dyre's pristine landscape. Their inborn propensity for shapeshifting makes observations about their physicality difficult; although they are naturally tall like their Centic cousins, they tend to be leaner and more economically built. Even the shortest Firbolg, however, towers over the Dvalinn.

Tuatha De Dvalinn

Peaceful agrarians with a love for hearth and home, the Tuatha De Dvalinn find inspiration in pastoral life. Rooted in their lands, they embody the homely warmth of hobbit and halfling cultures, though their hearts are stout in defense of Dyre.

Nemeian

Fleeing persecution in the far-off continent of A'Tuan, the Nemeians arrived as the last wave of invasions in the Tome of Invasions. They bring with them a history of resilience, adapting to diverse environments and standing strong against adversity. The Nemeians, marked by their tenacity and resourcefulness, contribute a unique thread to the tapestry of Dyre.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

Given that shapeshifting is a prevalent practice in Dyrish culture, names tend to favour either gender, or be easily switched in form.

Family names

Dyrish use patronyms, matronyms and characteristic names, with suffixes and prefixes differing regionally and by culture.
Patronyms and matronyms are based on the personal name of an ancestor, with a prefix or suffix (one or the other -- never both), to indicate their relationship. For prefix, the gender-specific Mc ('son of'/masculine), Mac ('daughter of'/feminine), and neutral O' ('blood of',⁽¹⁾) are used, most commonly in lowland and midland Firbolg families. These names are usually passed from generation to generation, and change as notable individuals eclipse the deeds of the ancestor whose name they bear. When Jotnar families use this convention, the suffixes -son, dottir, and kind are commonly used.
Characteristic names vary wildly between the tangible ("Longfellow", "Burley"), the demonstrable ("Courage") and the poetic (John Pine, tall as a tree). These are less common, and usually indicate uncertain parentage.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Given their cultural propensity for shapeshifting, the Dyrish appreciate beauty with a craftsmanlike detachment.

Major organizations

• The Dyrish Legion is an elite heavy infantry and engineering battalion, whose soldiers have never known defeat in battle.
• As noted in their individual entries, the Djindoist and Dushkan faiths have the highest proportion of Dyrish clergy, although they are not unheard of in the other sects.

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1. Initially used to refer to shapeshifters and common among druidic clans, the O' prefix is also used in the Riverlands as a place-name.

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Part of a series on the

Isles of Dyre

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Contents

Diverged ethnicities

• Finian

Related Locations

• Cathrican Cradle
• Navia
• Tellurica