Faelkaen (‘fɛlkɛn)
Faelkaen is the only province in Kima to officially keep its original Xihthil name. The name Faelkaen is derived from the Xihthil words faelk and kaenbh, meaning "temper" and "mountain." The Thaebaean name, Daeghen, is derived from daeh and aeghan, also with the same definitions. Both names stem from the dead volcano in the heart of the province, atop which the capital city of Śiael is built.
Table of Contents
Attire and Weaponry
The nearly year-round cold climate of Faelkaen means that the populace are bundled up in furs and cloaks nearly all the time. Most Faelkish typically wear heavy robes made of thick fur when they're outside. People who partake in more strenuous activities, like hunters and scouts, wear slightly lighter clothing fashioned from hides and often enchanted with insulating properties. When inside where it's warm, the outer layers are removed in favor of the hide inner layer so as not to overheat. Armor is made from leather with ocasional metal accents, though the metal is rarely necessary. The Faelkish have been known to carry all kinds of weaponry, though polearms and bows are most favored.
All varieties of hair can be found in Faelkaen, though long hair is often tied up when out in the field. Jewelry, especially enchanted jewelry, is common, as are tattoos––usually of the magical variety. Bone- and stone-pressing is also a common practice in Faelkaen, like in Øghe, though it has fallen out of popularity in other parts of Kima.
Architecture
For most of the year, Faelkaen is frigid and icy, and even during warmer times of the year, the nights can still be brutal. Faelkish buildings are built from stone and wood and heavily insulated with sod to protect from the cold. Some homes are also built partially underground, with ventilation holes, raised floors, and hides to line the inner walls and ceilings for warmth. Magic is also used to help keep temperatures bearable.Economy
Faelkaen is entirely self-sustainable, an attribute that sets it apart from all the other provinces. There is metal and minerals in the mountains to be mined, animals to hunt, plants to forage, and trees to chop down. For this reason, Faelkaen barely interacts with the rest of the continent, except when necessary. They are only officially a part of the Kiman nation for the protection the alliance provides against outside forces, though they could probably defend themselves well enough. Similarly to Oru, Faelkaen's economy is a mix of bartering and the use of currency. The Faelkish people, especially the youth, enjoy travel, and currency is a necessity for that pastime.Populace
Faelkaen produces the most mages of any province in Kima. Many of them leave the province to become successful elsewhere, but even more stay behind to become mavens. It's almost uncommon for a Faelkish baby to be born without any magical abilities, even if they're minimal.Attire and Weaponry
The nearly year-round cold climate of Faelkaen means that the populace are bundled up in furs and cloaks nearly all the time. Most Faelkish typically wear heavy robes made of thick fur when they're outside. People who partake in more strenuous activities, like hunters and scouts, wear slightly lighter clothing fashioned from hides and often enchanted with insulating properties. When inside where it's warm, the outer layers are removed in favor of the hide inner layer so as not to overheat. Armor is made from leather with ocasional metal accents, though the metal is rarely necessary. The Faelkish have been known to carry all kinds of weaponry, though polearms and bows are most favored.
All varieties of hair can be found in Faelkaen, though long hair is often tied up when out in the field. Jewelry, especially enchanted jewelry, is common, as are tattoos––usually of the magical variety. Bone- and stone-pressing is also a common practice in Faelkaen, like in Øghe, though it has fallen out of popularity in other parts of Kima.
Culture
Faelkaen is primarily Xihthilan, as the province was settled by those fleeing from Thaebaean takeover in Aelfsa. There is a Thaebaean presence in Faelkaen, though it is small and is really only Thaebaean in name, practicing Faelkish––Xihthilan––traditions.
Rite of Youth
The Rite of Youth is a Faelkish tradition performed in Śiael on the first day of the year. It is formed of two parts, one for children who have turned thirteen in the last year, and another for those who turned twenty. Faelkish children begin their education young, but it's meant to be general. At age thirteen, they begin specialized training in a subject or subjects of their choice. These are completely up to the student to choose; their only responsibility is to find a suitable and willing mentor. At age twenty, they are considered educated enough to end their training and enter society as a full-fledged adult.
On the day of the ceremony, the participants are given special gifts. These are often things such as sentimental jewelry, heirloom tools or weapons, and other trinkets. They also all receive beads––items that are commonly worn by Xihthilans in the hair or on cords to signify aspects of their lives. Then, the younger group is brought to their mentors-to-be for the next seven years. The older group joins and they all share a meal, sometimes with the mentors' past and other current students and their own mentors as well, if applicable.
The younger participants are then brought to mavens who will give them their very first cihpaeśi––magical tattoos used by Xihthilans and those of the Yaeani faith, as well as mages, to signify things such as beliefs, age, occupation, social standing, and just to decorate one's body with beautiful artwork. This cihpaeśi can be virtually anything the participant wants, and they usually spend weeks or even months beforehand making a design with their parents. Following that, they are brought to the Archmaven, who blesses each child individually for good health and learning.
The older participants are all tasked with giving some kind of presentation or performance to show what they have learned over the seven-year apprenticeship. There is no grade on this, no one can pass or fail, it is merely a showcase. After finishing, they receive their own cihpaeśi from the mavens. They are then also brought to the Archmaven for their blessing and declarations. A Faelkish declaration is like an oath, a vow of certain ideals and goals. It needn't be a statement of occupation, and is usually wiser than that. The mentor often helps their apprentice come up with a suitable one. Each participant is given a flat, circular stone inscribed with their declaration. The stone has a marble of dragonglass within it, infused with the participant's own life force through the use of zibholg––blood magic––at birth. The marble represents the life of its owner, and the new stone encasement symbolizes their full acceptance into Faelkish society, as well as encapsulates the Faelkish motto. The marbles are relinquished earlier in the day to be fashioned to the stones. The stone is expected to stay with its owner at all times, commonly worn as a necklace, attached to clothing, or formed to the body through the Xihthil practice of stone-pressing.
The ceremony is finished with a celebration of the participants and a tribute to Yae, the moon deity, and Elhae, the deity of time. This part of the rite is filled with music, dancing, displays of magic, sweets, alcohol, and recreational drugs, and ends when people eventually fall asleep. It's essentially a giant party.
Festival of Wreaths
The largest festival in Faelkaen, held on the final day of the year, is the Festival of Wreaths. People travel for weeks to arrive in time, and those unable to make the journey celebrate at home. Inherited from translations of Avarcian rituals, it serves as the ushering in of the new year. Faelkaen is so far north that is rarely sees any daylight in the waning winter months of the year. The festival is a symbol of new beginnings, and is the act of calling on the sun to once again graze the land with its light and warmth.
The day begins with solemn silence. It’s a time of remembrance for those who aren’t alive for the new year. Next, speeches are made by mavens and elders from several of the villages. These can be stories from the past year, promises for the next, recognition of individuals, or calls to action. Everyone then participates in games. Children play tag and hide-and-seek. Adolescents and able-bodied adults play team games: tug-of-war, relays, and bones –– a game that includes stealing all the pieces––bones––from one team to hide and guard them. Those unable to participate in the physical activities play board games, talk, or work on crafting beads for their loved ones. As the day wanes, though it's nearly dark the entire time, the "Last Meal" begins: a great feast that carries into the night.
Finally, the main event of the festival begins right before midnight. During their first festival that they’re old enough to participate in, every Faelkish makes (or is made) a special wreath. They all look different, and are often decorated throughout the years. The wreaths are then enchanted by mavens. Every able-bodied Faelkish gets in a line and prepares to walk in a circle around the main plaza of Śiael. Those who cannot do so make their way to the center of the plaza. Depending on how many people are present, they will make multiple circles heading in different directions. As they begin their walk, the mavens make the wreaths glow. It’s said that the glow from the Festival of Wreaths lights up the sky beyond the mountains like dawn. With the help of the mavens and the magic permeating the city, the festival often continues on until the real "dawn" of the first day of the new year.
Gazetteer
Cities (6,000–25,000)
Śiael*
Towns (1,000–6,000)
Faenś
Kanfu
Villages (<1,000)
Čihlbh
Onč
Śilč
Thuolś
Landmarks
Fae Lake
Faelkaen Conservatory of Magic
Ohm Grove
Uone Pass
Zičilx Sierra
The Rite of Youth is a Faelkish tradition performed in Śiael on the first day of the year. It is formed of two parts, one for children who have turned thirteen in the last year, and another for those who turned twenty. Faelkish children begin their education young, but it's meant to be general. At age thirteen, they begin specialized training in a subject or subjects of their choice. These are completely up to the student to choose; their only responsibility is to find a suitable and willing mentor. At age twenty, they are considered educated enough to end their training and enter society as a full-fledged adult.
On the day of the ceremony, the participants are given special gifts. These are often things such as sentimental jewelry, heirloom tools or weapons, and other trinkets. They also all receive beads––items that are commonly worn by Xihthilans in the hair or on cords to signify aspects of their lives. Then, the younger group is brought to their mentors-to-be for the next seven years. The older group joins and they all share a meal, sometimes with the mentors' past and other current students and their own mentors as well, if applicable.
The younger participants are then brought to mavens who will give them their very first cihpaeśi––magical tattoos used by Xihthilans and those of the Yaeani faith, as well as mages, to signify things such as beliefs, age, occupation, social standing, and just to decorate one's body with beautiful artwork. This cihpaeśi can be virtually anything the participant wants, and they usually spend weeks or even months beforehand making a design with their parents. Following that, they are brought to the Archmaven, who blesses each child individually for good health and learning.
The older participants are all tasked with giving some kind of presentation or performance to show what they have learned over the seven-year apprenticeship. There is no grade on this, no one can pass or fail, it is merely a showcase. After finishing, they receive their own cihpaeśi from the mavens. They are then also brought to the Archmaven for their blessing and declarations. A Faelkish declaration is like an oath, a vow of certain ideals and goals. It needn't be a statement of occupation, and is usually wiser than that. The mentor often helps their apprentice come up with a suitable one. Each participant is given a flat, circular stone inscribed with their declaration. The stone has a marble of dragonglass within it, infused with the participant's own life force through the use of zibholg––blood magic––at birth. The marble represents the life of its owner, and the new stone encasement symbolizes their full acceptance into Faelkish society, as well as encapsulates the Faelkish motto. The marbles are relinquished earlier in the day to be fashioned to the stones. The stone is expected to stay with its owner at all times, commonly worn as a necklace, attached to clothing, or formed to the body through the Xihthil practice of stone-pressing.
The ceremony is finished with a celebration of the participants and a tribute to Yae, the moon deity, and Elhae, the deity of time. This part of the rite is filled with music, dancing, displays of magic, sweets, alcohol, and recreational drugs, and ends when people eventually fall asleep. It's essentially a giant party.
The largest festival in Faelkaen, held on the final day of the year, is the Festival of Wreaths. People travel for weeks to arrive in time, and those unable to make the journey celebrate at home. Inherited from translations of Avarcian rituals, it serves as the ushering in of the new year. Faelkaen is so far north that is rarely sees any daylight in the waning winter months of the year. The festival is a symbol of new beginnings, and is the act of calling on the sun to once again graze the land with its light and warmth.
The day begins with solemn silence. It’s a time of remembrance for those who aren’t alive for the new year. Next, speeches are made by mavens and elders from several of the villages. These can be stories from the past year, promises for the next, recognition of individuals, or calls to action. Everyone then participates in games. Children play tag and hide-and-seek. Adolescents and able-bodied adults play team games: tug-of-war, relays, and bones –– a game that includes stealing all the pieces––bones––from one team to hide and guard them. Those unable to participate in the physical activities play board games, talk, or work on crafting beads for their loved ones. As the day wanes, though it's nearly dark the entire time, the "Last Meal" begins: a great feast that carries into the night.
Finally, the main event of the festival begins right before midnight. During their first festival that they’re old enough to participate in, every Faelkish makes (or is made) a special wreath. They all look different, and are often decorated throughout the years. The wreaths are then enchanted by mavens. Every able-bodied Faelkish gets in a line and prepares to walk in a circle around the main plaza of Śiael. Those who cannot do so make their way to the center of the plaza. Depending on how many people are present, they will make multiple circles heading in different directions. As they begin their walk, the mavens make the wreaths glow. It’s said that the glow from the Festival of Wreaths lights up the sky beyond the mountains like dawn. With the help of the mavens and the magic permeating the city, the festival often continues on until the real "dawn" of the first day of the new year.
Gazetteer
Cities (6,000–25,000)Śiael*
Faenś
Kanfu
Kanfu
Čihlbh
Onč
Śilč
Thuolś
Onč
Śilč
Thuolś
Fae Lake
Faelkaen Conservatory of Magic
Ohm Grove
Uone Pass
Zičilx Sierra
Faelkaen Conservatory of Magic
Ohm Grove
Uone Pass
Zičilx Sierra
