Astanians Ethnicity in Laminarum | World Anvil

Astanians

Astanians, widely considered extinct, actually have descendants to this day; however, they are few and far between. The Astanians themselves were those who lived under the rule to Elrich Astani, first governor of Astania. Prior to their formal acquisition of the Westlends, they worked under the gaze of Hamish Troutlung as hired bandits, in order to dissuade individuals from emigrating from Shellbay in its early days. After the death of Troutlung, Elrich would meet his to-be wife in Shellbay, took her hand in marriage, and changed his family name to that of her deceased mother, Astani Skaldson.  

Downfall through Discrimination

Those that lived in Astania would eventually face discrimination from the ruling class. After a betrayal from the barony of Fjordstrond, any that had not descended from the founding clans would be discriminated against and ruled with an iron fist. Fed up, swathes of the population would flee to the southwest of the continent, founding Caripreet. After a J'barri diaspora that saw any individuals inclined to the maintain their use of fire magic after its ban throughout Renad, the lionfolk would settle in Caripreet as well, taking a helping hand from humanity.   Tensions would eventually begin to rise once more, as Anivol Brandson, who learned the secrets of fire magic, wished to take back their rightful home of Astania. More than that, he wished to punish the people that lived there. With a force of J'barri and humans, Anivol would The Razing of Astania, Birth of Eldurgrundraze Astania [/history] , burning its fields and murdering its citizens. Soon after, he would betray the J'barri that devoted themselves to his cause, ensuring that humanity alone would wield fire magic in the new nation of Eldurgrund.  
— Eldurgrund, a nation born of cruelty

Modern Influence

The many villages built by the Astanians still stand today. Their medical rituals are used across the Augury by those who tend to have stronger inclinations towards witchcraft than contemporary medical techniques. Orcs have taken to their rituals as well. The most well known influence of the Astanians is the conception of "Half-folk," who are typically known as minotaurs, satyrs, centaurs, and the like. Whether or not they created these creatures is unknown, but their worship of half gods and artistic interpretations are surely related to the appearance of these aberrations in the dark era of Ettermiddag.

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Astania and the "Blood of Warren"

Elrich Astani, son of Elrich Longwood, is one of the Snow-Rock Greats. Born into the family which holds the "Blood of Warren," Astani could have taken any path in life he desired. Though he lived in exile due to the actions of his grandfather, he likely could have returned to civilization with a new oath to Shellbay. Perhaps Elrich did not understand the value of his own blood, but he never used it to his advantage after founding Astania, but there are theories that Fjordstrond had planned to use this to its own advantage via marriage.   The "Blood of Warren" refers to any individual that has descended from Warren III, also called "The Steward." Considered to be the first man to unite the Snow Rock Isles, and all of humanity as a result, Warren III is considered the first heroic myth of humanity.

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