Milesians

Once a mighty and proud people, the Milesians were a dominant human culture that inhabited parts of the Eastern & Western Regions of the Continent from the time of the Elder Days through to the First Era. They were a people of song and sword, known for their bravery and battle prowess, as well as for their gifts in artisanry, music, and story telling. Their culture is a rich tapestry of intermingling competing tribes with complex social orders, and an exquisite language. Unfortunately, their cultural heritage was decimated during the conquests of the Thaloran Empire. They tried to hold off the elven invaders as best they could, but to no avail. Even though they were conquered, the Milesians were not defeated. Their culture still survives within the Kingdom of Pheria. Pheria considers itself an inheritor of Thalora's legacy. Their culture is a mix of the human Milesian and Elven Thaloran. Other tribes still survive in other parts of the Continent, such as the Turones in Alacher, and the Cerontes in Rewen.
Milesians tend to be of a medium build, even though there are some who were recorded to be of quite an impressive stature. Especially those of the Cerontes Tribe. They tended to be stockier, with hair ranging from light to dark brown, and even red. During battle, many ancient Milesian warriors would bleach their hair blonde, stiffening it into a more spikey hairstyle to intimated their enemies. Even after being conquered, many of them served as mercenaries within the Thaloran armies, a tradition that several tribes continue to this day.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aiefe, Aina, Ardena, Arienh, Beatha, Brgit, Caomh, Cara, Cinnia, Deheune, Divone, Donia, Doreena, Eisha, Enid, Ethne, Evelina, Fianna, Genevieve, Gilda, Gitta, Grania, Gwyndolin, Idelisa, Isolde, Keelin, Kennocha, Lavena, Linnette, Lyonesse, Mabina, Marvina, Morgan, Muriel, Nareena, Oriana, Regan, Ronat, Rowena, Selma, Ula, Venetia, Wynne, Yseult

Masculine names

Airell, Airic, Alan, Anghus, Aodh, Bardon, Bearacb, Bevyn, Boden, Bran, Brasil, Bredon, Brian, Bricriu, Cadman, Caradoc, Cedric, Conalt, Conchobar, Condon, Devin, Dillion, Donaghy, Donall, Duer, Eghan, Ewyn, Ferghus, Galvyn, Gildas, Harvey, Iden, Irven, Karney, Kayne, Kelvn, Kunsgnos, Leigh, Maccus, Moryn, Neale, Owyn, Pyrderi, Reaghan, Taliesin, Tiernay, Turi

Family names

Buchanan, Bruce, Carr, Davies, Drummond, Duncan, Egan, Foster, Gallagher, Grehan, Greig, Haugh, Hayes, Hood, Jennings, Lewis, MacAllister, MacBride, MacHale, MacGannon, MacGowan, MacRory, McEwan, Meighan, Minnagh, Moore, Morrin, Morris, Morton, Muir, O'Donnel, O'Hannon, O'Healy, O'Hegarty, O'Kirwan, O'Mangan, Orr, Paton, Reid, Robinson, Ward

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Scholars have identified three major language groups that split off of the mother tongue of Old Milesian. The three language groups that formed were Old Western Milesian, Eastern Milesian, and Old Northern Milesian. These were the three major language groups, with each major tribe forming their own dialect within their respective regions. The Pherian language is a blend of Eastern Milesian and the Elven language spoken by the Thaloran Empire. Milesian Languages:

• Old Milesian
• Old Western Milesian
• Old Northern Milesian
• Eastern Milesian

Modern Day Milesian Languages:

• Pherian
• Turones 
• Cerones

Culture and cultural heritage

Milesian culture was based around their rural agricultural society. The acquisition of land being important as a way to produce more food and wealth. Most of the tribes were led by kings, with some being led oligarchical councils of prominent members from powerful clans. They tended to be divided into three social classes: a warrior aristocracy; an intellectual class including religious priests and druid magic users, poets known as bards, and jurists. The third class was everyone else. Leaders of clans and the kings themselves being part of the warrior aristocracy. During the Elder Days, it is believed that the office of kingship was held through election, before conflicts between competing clans made it strictly by primogeniture--inheritance through the eldest child. 
Even though the Milesians were agriculturally based, their settlements varied from decentralized rural societies to sprawling urban centers. Most of the urban centers of Milesian society, were built around hill forts that the Milesians called "Dun's." With many of their city names being styled with "Dun" as the first part of the city's name. During Thaloran and later conquests by other peoples, many of this hillfort cities were renamed. Such as the Turones capital of Dun Tara being renamed to Sungate in Pheria. 
Chariots were often a symbol of status, being used by important members of clans, clan leaders, successful warriors, and kings. Even when the use of chariots fell out of practice, some conservative and traditional Milesian tribes still insisted on their outdated use, which would lead to them eventually being conquered by the Thaloran Empire. Every male was allowed to partake in the warrior trials to see if they were skilled enough to become a fighter. Combat was very personal with the Milesians, with battles tending to be fought by warriors seeking each other out on the battle field for single combat, rather than working as a cohesive unit. This would ultimately lead to the conquest of their tribes by outside powers, as it was too late for the Milesian tribes to change their tactics.
Druids are powerful magic users on the Continent. Their connection with nature is paramount, and the Milesians were known to have many druidic circles within their tribes. These druids not only served as magic users, but also as priests within Milesian society, being prominent voices of reason within a tribe. Their words carrying heavy weight. After the Orcus Crisis and the establishment of the Conclave, there has been a crackdown on many druidic circles--Milesian or not--causing them to go underground into secrecy. Not only being a people of the sword, the Milesians were also known for their skill as poets and songwriters. Bards were prominent story tellers, often wandering throughout clans and tribes to sing songs and bring tales of great heroic feats to any who would listen. Many bards would often follow great warriors, heroes, kings, and other individuals of great renown, to compose a tale fitting for the ages. 
If one was not within the warrior caste or that of the intellectuals, they had varying jobs dispersed throughout society. Artisanry and metal work was something the Milesians were known for. The records of their jewelry being highly sought after, and were often an item of expensive trade.

Common Dress code

Men in Milesian culture tend to wear long-sleeved shirts or tunic made of either wool or linen, with long trousers. Some of these tunics were even made of silk, but this was usually given to men of high society, such as clan leaders or kings. During the winter time cloaks are worn, secured by brooches. Brooches and armlets are a common form of jewelry worn by both genders. The most famous piece of Milesian jewelry is that of the torc, a neck collar of metal. Torcs tended to be worn by clan leaders, warriors, and kings. 
Like the men, women tend to wear long-sleeved shirts or tunics, but instead of trousers they wear dresses made of wool. Both the pants and dresses worn by men and women, tend to contain a plaid pattern in colors that coordinate to which familial clan they belong to.

Coming of Age Rites

Whenever a boy turns thirteen, he is permitted to partake in the warrior trials. The warrior trials are a way the Milesians would acquire fighters and soldiers for their armies. Boys trained daily to prepare themselves for such an event. The trials would test these boys in their skills with several weapons, such as the bow, spear, sword, and sling. Other than their weapon skills, boys would also be tested on their athletic ability, and be left in the wild for a night to survive. If the boy passed all three of these tests, he would be inducted into the warrior caste. Teenage girls and women sometimes scout the warrior training fields to maybe woo or be matched to one of the males they fancy.
In the event that the boy does not want to partake in the warrior trials, or fails his tests, he is usually trained in whatever field his father is in. If his father is a druid, then the boy trains to become a druid. If his father is a blacksmith, then he will become a blacksmith. If a boy's father is a warrior, he is already inducted into the warrior caste, and many of these boys pass their trials due to the help of their father's.
Some girls were known to participate in the warrior trials as well, when they turned thirteen. The most prominent of these women being Moire the Witch-Warrior. A woman who passed her warrior trials and then secluded herself in a dark forest at the base of the southern part of the Cragmaw Heights, where she would train and pass on her war-skills to any who sought her out.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Burial is often the common practice of most Milesian tribes. Kings tend to be buried within the hill that their Dun is based upon. Upon their passing, people are buried with their finest clothes and possessions. A burial stone marks the site of their rest, with an inscription of the person's name and what they did in life. Warriors and prominent clan leaders tend to be buried with a chariot or horse.

Common Myths and Legends

Milesians believe that their ancient gods inhabited the world before the Elder Days. According to their traditions, their gods left the mortal plane to make way for the races that now inhabit the world. Their pantheon consists of gods that are no longer worshipped, but few of them still have a place within the modern pantheon of gods. The goddess Morrigan is considered one of the Old Ones, and is still regarded as a goddess of war. Brigantia is another goddess of the Milesians, who found herself within the Canonical Pantheon, as a goddess of livestock, farming, and rivers. Ironically, even though both these goddesses are of the Milesian people, they find themselves in two different classifications of gods.
Among one of the Milesians greatest heroes, is that of Ultor Woebringer. Ultor was an aasimar born during the Thaloran conquests. He became a paladin of the storm god Talos, and waged war against the elven aggressors. Even though he is hailed as one of the Milesians greatest historical and legendary figures, he is scene as a scourge and boogeyman by elven culture and society. Ultor was known for leading armies into battle with Milesian warriors chanting his name, causing elves to flee in terror. Legends tell of how he would destroy towns and cities by himself, and would often fly into a great rage in battle, not being able to tell friend from foe. He is also famous for aiding the Sun Queen in defeating her former lover, Lord Fellheart, when he fell to the corruption of Bane. The Woebringer eventually met his end at the Battle of Dun Tara.

Historical figures

• Ultor Woebringer
• High King Gowan the Strong
• Gannon the Fell
• Tauria, Mother of Kings
• Empress Amelia
• Ruadhan Peacekeeper
• Lauchlan MacBride
• Thormot Dragon's Bane
• Gareth the Rover
• Dwysil the Fair
• Moire the Witch-Warrior

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Like many ancient human societies, men were considered to be the heads of households, were to be warriors and breadwinners for their families. The structure being quite patriarchal, with women usually being caretakers of the home and children. However, there are historical records which highlight how Milesian tribes used women as ambassadors during diplomatic situations, as well as inciting, participating, and leading armies into battle. Later, with the establishment of the Canonical Pantheon, women eventually obtained the right to divorce their husbands and gain their property if the husband had failed in his martial duties, became lazy and obese, or preferred other women rather than his wife.

Courtship Ideals

Milesian society is heavily based on the clan, or extended family. Marriage and courtship was considered extremely important, and was done with strategic implications, as marriage was the way wealth, land, and agriculture was acquired. Their society was quite rural, dependent on agriculture and the acquisition of food.

Major organizations

Countires with Milesian Populations:

• Kingdom of Pheria
• Empire of Alacher
• Kingdom of Rewen

Modern Milesian Tribes & Peoples:

• Pherians
• Cerontes
• Turones
• Anartori
• Breucii
• Tylisians

Celtic Warrior by Michal Sztuka

Related Organizations

• Principality of Bridain