The Highland States of Arduain and Hibhernea
Clans and Castles
Arduain and Hibhernea are separated into ten major locations in which the ruling High Kings govern. Each has an almost distinctly different set of customs and traditions from another, but there are still some similarities between them.Caer Brennan
Caer Brennan lies to the northwest, boasting some of the most fertile farmlands across all of Arduain. Among all the lands, it is the most peaceful, having taken the furthest land to avoid conflicts. The Caer is ruled by Clan Crowther.DelDragon Valley
The Valley is the largest controlled land in all of Arduain, and also its most populated with over 270 clans living in its territory. It is considered as an almost integral hub to the northlands and is ruled by Clan DelDragon.Caer Fayolin
The Caer has been known for the harsh region in which it resides and its indomitable defenses. Caer Fayolin is built to guard the mountain pass leading into the Mountains of the Maw, and regularly defends the highlands against attacks from giants. Caer Fayolin is ruled by Clan Díomasach.Caer Gwilym
The second largest settlement in Arduain, Caer Gwilym holds claim to the greatest spellweavers of the Highlands. Many of the High Kings come to the Caer to hire Feyspeakers as counsel in their courts. Caer Gwilym is ruled by Clan MacTaggart.Glen Morenfel
Glen Morenfel, among its many tradespeople, have made a fairly strong union with all the other regions of Arduain for their masterful harvesting of the Coillte Dubha, while also ensuring it remains as voluminous as ever of a forest in accordance with the deal made with the forest denizens. Glen Morenfel is ruled by Clan ó Mordha.Glen Athyll
Glen Athyll bears a similar responsibility to Caer Fayolin in their purpose of watching the southern mountain pass to Gaaldron and intercepting a majority of attacks that would come from there. Due to this, Glen Athyll trains some of the fiercest fighters in all of Arduain. Glen Athyll is ruled by Clan ul Neira.Glen Filianfel
Glen Filianfel is another guardian against the monsters of the mountains, but the lands of Hibhernea are more treacherous than Arduain. Rumor holds that a great secret about Loch Filian is held by the ard righ and passed down. Glen Filianfel is ruled by Clan an Daku.Ard Tulloch
Ard Tulloch is one of the more unusual regions of Hibhernea, in that it is not ruled by a clan, but by an order of paladins, Lann Camhanaich; the Order of the Dawn Blade. It was here the order was born, and thus they have made their home.Ard Arranstor
In uncharacteristic fashion, Ard Arranstor is without much note for any major features. The land is one of quaint farms and humble tradesfolk. It is so quiet, rarely is a hero ever even born there. Ard Arranstor is ruled by Clan FitzHenry.Caer Dracalyn
Caer Dracalyn remains one of the more secretive regions of Hibhernea, which bears a tree at the center of the land. It stands large and powerful, and carved into its bark is a family line which is claimed to trace all the way back to the dragon, Setharion. Caer Dracalyn is ruled by Clan Sennett.Culture
The people of the highlands are as diverse as any other, and to claim them as one unified nation would offer more insult than aid to a given situation. From any way one would look at them, the people of the highlands pride themselves on their names and homes, and would not deign to share them with those not found worthy of sharing. Because there is no formalized government across the whole of the highlands, the people have adopted their own codes of honor, which carry through the Caers and clans. Because of this, many treat with each other honorably as a form of social contract, and in turn, helps to maintain the individual societies. There are few things that all people of the highlands can agree upon. The first is that when the rift was formed, the western lands became known as Arduain, and the eastern lands became Hibhernea. Beyond that, only a handful of traditions remain constant across all the regions and clans, all the way down to the individual families. However, there is even still some variance on those traditions depending on where one ventures. It is possible that much of the more diverse nature of the highland ways is due to the core principle that much of their history and traditions are passed down orally. Storytelling is among the chiefest forms of historic collection, so much that there are those who train tirelessly to become a historian, one of the most prestigious professions in the highlands. The one unwavering agreement between all people of the highlands, however, is the worship of the Fey. Many believe it was in these lands that the fey first appeared, and so all revere them still with deific status.Holidays
The diversity of the highlands people leave many unshared holidays across the clans. However, there are a few occasions that are celebrated in some form no matter where one may travel. Each may still be celebrated differently, but overall they remain, in name and core, the same. A ’chiad Dùbhlan - The First ChallengeThe people of the highlands find pride in surviving and storytelling and believe that life is primarily about overcoming adversity. Across all the regions, that kind of act is proudly celebrated. It matters not if the challenge is in fierce battle, or overcoming illness. The people of the highlands find victory over adversity in all regards as a story to tell and deed to add to a name. Crùnadh an Àrd Rìgh - Coronation of the High King
The ruler of each land does not fully take their place until they have been coronated appropriately. For all taking the throne of their land, they must first pilgrimage to the Fey Cairn. This is a momentous occasion and one treated as a holiday where the people of the Caer or Glen will join the monarch on their pilgrimage to the Cairn. It is here they receive their crown - one unique in its design, and never recreated - along with a blessing from the fey through the Feyspeakers. Cluaineas Gaisgeil - Heroic Retirement
As people grow old, or die in battle, everyone must eventually come to a final rest, be they still living or buried. The people of the highlands, however, do not see this as a time to mourn, but to celebrate a fulfilling life of tales. They refer to this day in someone’s life as their heroic retirement, because those who are granted this time have earned their rest through the trials of their life, same as the heroes do. The only time this is not celebrated is when one has not first passed the A ’chiad Dùbhlan.
Religious Beliefs
While Eodran religion has more recently shown as a budding practice, the most common religious practice is that of Feadhainn Àrda - a name given to the Fey. Among the myths of the highlands, it is believed that the Fey Cairn is the place where the Fey had first stepped foot onto Arawyn, and thus became a sacred spot to the people. They erected monolithic stones and built a structure to pay homage to these deific figures. Those who can wield the arcane magics are treated as clergy, and often called Feyspeakers, aptly named for their duties to their homes and kings. From miracle workers, to prophets and soothsayers, the Feyspeakers are regarded with much respect, and often feared if brought to anger. As it is they who command the power that they Fey had gifted to the realm. To the Faedhig, as the practitioners are referred, the use of magic is a sacred art. They show respect to those who can wield it, for they are seen as also blessed. Those who squander their power for ill or foolish reasons, are seen as heretics to the faith. The fey are not worshipped in the sense of gods who hold purview over any specific topic, but rather just as a whole for their involvement in the world’s creation. Many fey are worshipped, but there are few who are treated with honors even above the rest for their specific deeds: Corsair, who Gifted MagicRydhia, who Tamed the Wilds
Kirinos, who Ignited the Forge
Timiron, who Speaks with Trees
Baelkas, who Guides the Crown
Political Relations
Aside from the commanded raids from the Gaaldron theocracy, and the giants who roam south from the mountains, there are few outward enemies of any of the lands in Arduain or Hibhernea. In fact, most of the Caers and Glens have strong relations with outlanders that they meet or trade with. Inwardly, however, the highlands act as almost a microcosm of Palmydia, where they’re constantly dealing and renegotiating treaties and territories. Few come to dramatic blows as land against land, but clans are more regularly seen fighting among each other over a wide range of disputes, both internal and external. Above all, any Ardanian or Hibhernean will find immediate issues with a person or organization who does not observe a code of honor, or at least respect theirs. If one cannot adhere to a sense of social conduct, then they tend to not trust in any further dealings.Notable Figures
Rodan Díomasach, Ri na Fola
Rodan, former High King of Caer Fayolin, was defeated in 1220. His legacy was that of Ri na Fola - the King of Blood. Known for his ruthlessness, he was fabled to be an inhumane and monstrous figure. The tales of the undead king were filled with brutality, but also a fair amount built on rumor. The king was one who carried himself with dignity and honor, all the way until his defeat and heroic retirement. High King Rodan did much to secure the safety of his people from outside threats, and make his own lands prosperous. Since his death, his wife, Queen Saoirse Quinn, has assumed control of the throne with support from the ruling chieftains of the Caer until such time that her grandson, Liam, is formally crowned as the new High King of Caer Fayolin.Declan O’Ceallaigh, Keeper of the Cairn
Declan’s life resides part in history and part in folktale. They tend the cairn and offer constant prayer to the Fey. It is Declan who crowns the High Kings who come for their coronations, and provides the blessing that each monarch is given. However, historians tell tales of Declan giving blessings for ages longer than any normal mortal should live. Some say that the keeper themself is a fey in disguise, playing a role for their own amusement. Others have claimed that Declan was blessed by the Fey to be their eternal herald between the far realms and the world of Arawyn.Ridirs Iyena and Haidrik mor Danfel, Leaders of Lann Camhanaich
The twin children of the previous leader, Hiydan, fell in battle and claimed his heroic retirement, Iyena and Haidrik shared their desire to lead the Dawn Blade. Rather than fight, they chose to work as equals in their goals, vastly improving the reach of the order and its notoriety. Since they rise, they have built the order and spread its influence across the continent. The order, under their guidance, serves primarily in advisory roles to keep the hand of rule steady, but will never turn away from being a guardian those in need. When one ventures out into the world, the other remains behind to keep Ard Tulloch in order. It has been said that these twins not only share the supernatural connection to the light, but also a supernatural bond with each other, which some use to explain how well they seem to command the order.Folk Lore
Aengus MacBurn and the Broken Anvil
In the times before Palmydia was torn asunder and the fey had left the world in the hands of mortal kind, there was a fire-hearted lad named Aengus MacBurn. Aengus was a boy who sought to find his lot in life, and set out on the Lion’s Road. Brave as he was, every swing of his sword was met with dust. The poor boy couldn’t hit a moving target to save his life! Try as he might, his temper rose and his aim grew further and further off. With a howl and a shout, he gave up the warrior’s way, and tried his hand at something new. Next he tried the Fox’s Road, hoping he was more cunning than brave. Yet cunning as he was, wherever he would sneak, he lumbered about and caused too much of a racket. The poor lad couldn’t keep quiet to save his life! Try as he did, the lighter step just wasn’t his way. So once again, he stomped off hoping to try something new. Third he aimed at the Drake’s Road, thinking himself wiser now for spells and tomes. Yet wise as he was, all that Feyspeaker writing didn’t make a lick of sense. The poor man couldn’t read to save his life! Try as he could, the mystic ways were locked away. Finally, he looked to the Hearth’s Road, knowing he was certainly strong enough for hammers and anvils. But this time was different, for he was certainly brave enough to approach the Fey, and cunning enough to ask the right questions, and wise enough to know Kirinos would not turn him away. And so he took to the forge at the fey’s direction. But his strength was too much. The poor fellow struck the metal upon the anvil and split them both in twain! His strength was so great, the split went down the anvil and into the ground and cracked the land beneath his feet into a great rift! It was that day, he thought, perhaps it was time he took to the simple life of farming.Names, Titles, and Symbols
The people of Arduain and Hibhernea take great stock in identity, both of clan and the individual. To them, names hold power and value, and carry with them the weight of their deeds and actions. Because of this, the highlands people hold very deep superstitions about names and care very deeply for their use. Some of the most common superstitions are as follows:- A highlander will rarely perform an action in the name of another. When doing work or fighting a cause on another’s behalf, they will make sure it is known they have chosen to do so of their own will, and often even attach the deed to their own name.
- To give a false name creates a false person, and thus is how a doppelganger is born.
- Using the same title as another is often seen as stealing their power.
- Symbols and heraldry may match when shared by clan or gifted by high nobility, as it is acceptable to share power with family, and accept such gifts from the liege lord.
- When a person’s name is stripped from them, it is seen and treated equal to death.
- A person who chooses to take a new name, has themself become a new person and is treated as such.
- To lose a title, name, or symbol is the loss of the power that came with it.
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