Pictes
To the North of the Antonine wall live a people who call themselves the Albani, and their land Alban. The Irish call them Cruithnii but the Romans dubbed them Picti, the Painted Men, and it is as Picts that they have become known. Theirs is the land that Rome could never conquer. They are the daughters and sons of Cruidne, who led them here from afar. These people are feared by their neighbors as fierce warriors. Indeed it was only through Saxon aid that Vortigern could prevent the Picts, lead by Drust son of the Queen of the Maeatae, from invading Logres five generations ago. Since then encroaching Cymri and Irish have driven them north. De-spite their fierceness, anyone who trades with them soon learns to respect them as artists and craftsmen.
Many times in the early years of Arthur's reign, Pictish warriors gathered against him in battle. Only recently have Logres and the Picts established a less hostile relationship. Even now only Benoic has sworn allegiance to the Pendragon and the other kingdoms and clans are proud of their independence.
The people tend to be less civilized than the Cymri of Logres. They live in an inhospitable land. Only in the halls of the High Queens and Kings can adventurous knights expect to find living standards comparable to those in Logres. Chivalry is practiced by an elite and enlightened few; the majority of the population are wild Heathens living in tune with nature.
The Picts are well versed in their own history. They can trace their ancestors right back to the first Picts who traveled to the land with Cruidne. These ancestors can be contacted by the tribal Fiosaiche. They often give advice and insight in times of need. Many Pictish families have another spiritual guardian, the gruagach, a faerie being which cares for their herds or even the young children. In return the people leave him or her small gifts of food and drink.
The clans of Pictland are similar in many ways to the tribes of the Cymri. They were formed by the leaders of the first Picts, each being given a portion of the land by Cruidne. To this day they are named after the Pict that founded them and are ruled by her direct ancestors, known as the Cruith, which means "The Chosen of Cruidne." Cruidne taught these rulers the lore of arbitration, politics, leadership, nobility and warfare, which are still passed from generation to generation today. The cruith are not all of equal standing. The most important rules over the whole clan, while her direct relations oversee the hillforts and their attendant populations. The more distant relations of the chieftain fulfill minor roles, most often ruling over a town or village. Some of them are masters of crafts such as stone masonry, carving, jewelry making, building, smithing or horse breeding. The cruith command the commoners through a mixture of tradition and diplomacy. However, the common folk often disagree with the rulings. They crowd the hall of the cruith, arguing and bickering over the wrongs of their neighbors, calling upon the cruith for judgment and making alliances and bargains to better their lot. It is with the cruith that visiting knights will meet and interact. They are proud of their position, but are not haughty, showing respect where it is due.
During the Dance of the Nine Days the clan Fiosaiches literally dance non-stop the whole time. Each of the days represents one of the branches of the Sacred Tree of Life. As each day passes the Fiosaiches transcend to a higher spiritual state where great wisdom can be gained. The other Picts join in the dance at times that they feel are appropriate, perhaps to gain some insight into the spirit, or just for pleasure. For them though the Dance of Nine Days is not only a religious festival but also a great social event. As the festival comes to an end, the people slowly disperse and return to their lands. At this time the Fiosaiches, with the help of Otherworldly advice, may select some of the newly Awakened adults to follow the path of the Fiosaiche. These individuals must decide whether to leave the safety and comfort of their families to travel the physical and spiritual land with the Fiosaich, or to stay at home. Those that do go with the Fiosaich must train for many years and face great dangers, but ultimately will be privy to many secrets.
To conclude, the symbols, whatever their medium, are an important part of the Pictish culture. They help the Picts to maintain their intimate relationship with nature, and their own legends and history. Many of the new generation of Pictish knights who embrace Chivalry are moving away from such Heathen practices. Tattoos are of far less importance to them than to older generations. Many refuse to be tattooed on exposed parts of the body, and choose not to paint themselves before battle. This is frowned upon by their elders, but makes them more comfortable in the courts of Logres. The heraldic arms of these Pictish knights are derived from the shields which they bore before knighthood, as all the Picts paint or dye their shields with personal and clan totemistic motifs.
Many Picts live in hillforts which are constructed by encircling the top of a hill or a rocky peninsular with wide stone walls and ditches. These hill top forts are primarily well defended villages. They are crowded with huts, cattle pens, sheds and all the other paraphernalia of village life. They are ruled by the most important cruith, who live in large round halls set apart from the rest of the village. Craftspeople and traders, as well as farmers, live in a hill fort. There is always a semi-permanent market place. In some places the village spills outside the existing walls, and is protected by hastily constructed earth ramparts, which eventually become permanent and may even be replaced by stone. There are also settlements with no fortifications. Many small villages are located on the major rivers, as well as small coastal towns. Craftspeople work here to provide the finished goods the farmers cannot make themselves. Markets are held in the towns at regular intervals. On these days the Picts gather from the surrounding villages and homesteads to barter and socialize. The towns are ruled by one of the lesser cruith.
In the Highlands the people live in wheelhouses — circular houses of wood shored up with peat. In the low-lands the houses are in small clearings. They are made of stone scavenged from older buildings, or from wood, and roofed with thatch. Arranged around the inside of either sort are many storage rooms and chambers. At the center is a hearth around which the entire family gathers to eat and talk. Around the hearth the people sleep, sharing the warmth of the dying fire. In such a place any knight lost within the dense forest, or wandering the bleak High-lands, will have to seek shelter if a hill fort cannot be found.
Travel within Pictland is always slow. There are few roads and trade trails. Mostly the Picts travel by river and sea. They are expert sailors and can navigate their wood and skin curraghs deep inland along the rivers. These vessels are often too small for knightly travel, although along the coast and broader rivers travel is possible on larger curraghs.
Contrary to the popular notion in Logres, the Picts wear clothes other than loin cloths. Their garb is made of flax, hides and wool, and although rough, it is warm and sturdy. As with all things Pictish, their clothes are painted, dyed and embroidered with symbols and drawings.
Worthy of mention here is Pictish heather beer (some-times called Pictish ale). This ale is brewed throughout Pictland, and although the flavor varies from clan to clan, it could never be confused with the ale brewed in other parts of Britain. The means of making the ale is such a closely guarded secret that the Picts are willing to die rather than reveal it. All that is known is that heather flowers are one of the ingredients.
Meanwhile, the girl has gone to her mother, and the women of her clan are also talking of it. This is a nervous time for the young couple, as either clan may decide that the match is inappropriate. The next time the clans meet, the mothers of the two young people get together for "a little chat". Assuming that both clans have agreed to the match, the two women begin negotiations for where the new family will live and who will pro-vide them with the various necessities of life. The two women may have to meet several times be-fore they make their final decision. The couple has little say in their future at this point, and they must do as their mothers decide.
Men, even the chief of the clan, have little say in the matter. The women are the keepers of the genealogy of the clan, including secrets of parent-age that they never tell the men. The women listen to the concerns of the men, but in the end the women must make the final decision. Even the chief of the clan cannot make a woman change her negotiations, and he is bound to the settlement she reaches. Very rarely, a marriage between clans is political, and may be made without the couple's knowledge or approval. Usually this is an attempt to seal the breaches caused by a feud.
Unfortunately, it rarely works, and often it has tragic results.
Once the decision is approved and the negotiations are completed, the date of the ceremony is set. The Fiosaiche of the clan that will be the couple's home makes divinations as to the most propitious moment for the two young people to consummate the marriage. The day is usually one of the eight festivals of the Heathen calendars. About a third of the time, some other day is more auspicious.
The wedding itself is held at new couple's home, which the men of the hosting clan have built. The Fiosaiche paints the couple with de-signs to increase their fertility, and calls upon the clan's Samhladh to bless their marriage. The couple retires to their new house while the guests throw a shower of grain and nuts to ensure fertility. While the newlyweds are otherwise engaged, the men of the two clans play camanachd, hunt, or just sit together to tell stories and sing. Women of both clans prepare the wedding feast, often calling the men away from their pursuits to help with the preparations.
The couple stays in the hut for one day and a night, and when they come out of the hut for the first time they are usually showered with more grain, and salacious comments. The two clans sit down to the feast, which the women have pre-pared. After the feast the visiting clan take their leave, giving parting gifts to the new family and their hosts.
Heathens place no value on the woman's virginity on her wedding night, as it is assumed that she has had several partners before choosing her husband. She may even be pregnant for the ceremony. Children born out of wedlock are the care of the young mother's clan, and when she weds, the husband usually adopts the child as his own, though he is under no obligation to do so. A child with no father may be raised by his mother even as she raises the children of her husband. There is no stigma attached to not having a father; there are no "bastards" in Pictish culture.
Many times in the early years of Arthur's reign, Pictish warriors gathered against him in battle. Only recently have Logres and the Picts established a less hostile relationship. Even now only Benoic has sworn allegiance to the Pendragon and the other kingdoms and clans are proud of their independence.
The people tend to be less civilized than the Cymri of Logres. They live in an inhospitable land. Only in the halls of the High Queens and Kings can adventurous knights expect to find living standards comparable to those in Logres. Chivalry is practiced by an elite and enlightened few; the majority of the population are wild Heathens living in tune with nature.
Pict Society
The society of the Picts is similar to other tribal nations in many respects. Their day to day life differs little from that of the Cymri of the Cambrian Mountains and other uncivilized people. However, their culture is unique in Britain because in Pictland women are held in higher esteem than men. Inheritance passes from mother to daughter, with a son being considered only if there are no female kin. More importantly, women rule the Picts at all levels. Pictish men are as proud and able as men in other cultures, but along-side them the women enjoy equal or higher status. Hence women hunt and fight as well as men, and the men can cook, sew and forage as well as women. This is not to say that there is no specialization. Any individual will only fill one of the roles traditional to tribal life. This matriarchal arrangement is often confusing to visitors from other lands. Great care must be taken to ensure that the proper respect is shown to the women of this land!The Picts are well versed in their own history. They can trace their ancestors right back to the first Picts who traveled to the land with Cruidne. These ancestors can be contacted by the tribal Fiosaiche. They often give advice and insight in times of need. Many Pictish families have another spiritual guardian, the gruagach, a faerie being which cares for their herds or even the young children. In return the people leave him or her small gifts of food and drink.
The clans of Pictland are similar in many ways to the tribes of the Cymri. They were formed by the leaders of the first Picts, each being given a portion of the land by Cruidne. To this day they are named after the Pict that founded them and are ruled by her direct ancestors, known as the Cruith, which means "The Chosen of Cruidne." Cruidne taught these rulers the lore of arbitration, politics, leadership, nobility and warfare, which are still passed from generation to generation today. The cruith are not all of equal standing. The most important rules over the whole clan, while her direct relations oversee the hillforts and their attendant populations. The more distant relations of the chieftain fulfill minor roles, most often ruling over a town or village. Some of them are masters of crafts such as stone masonry, carving, jewelry making, building, smithing or horse breeding. The cruith command the commoners through a mixture of tradition and diplomacy. However, the common folk often disagree with the rulings. They crowd the hall of the cruith, arguing and bickering over the wrongs of their neighbors, calling upon the cruith for judgment and making alliances and bargains to better their lot. It is with the cruith that visiting knights will meet and interact. They are proud of their position, but are not haughty, showing respect where it is due.
Childhood Initiation
Each year when the totem's power is approaching its peak, all the children of the clan who have come of age (around fourteen) gather at the clan's holy center. Under the guidance of the clan Fiosaiches they spend three days in meditation and spiritual exploration. During this time they cross to the Otherworld for the first time. There they meet, and are tested by, the Samhladh. It teaches them the Slugh-Ghairn ("Slogan"). During this Other-world initiation, the young Pict may also have strange encounters and visions that will affect him or her in later life. At the end of the three days the whole clan gathers at the sacred place to dance the Dance of Nine Days. During this great festival the newly initiated adults receive the first of many tattoos and are welcomed into the clan as fully fledged Picts.During the Dance of the Nine Days the clan Fiosaiches literally dance non-stop the whole time. Each of the days represents one of the branches of the Sacred Tree of Life. As each day passes the Fiosaiches transcend to a higher spiritual state where great wisdom can be gained. The other Picts join in the dance at times that they feel are appropriate, perhaps to gain some insight into the spirit, or just for pleasure. For them though the Dance of Nine Days is not only a religious festival but also a great social event. As the festival comes to an end, the people slowly disperse and return to their lands. At this time the Fiosaiches, with the help of Otherworldly advice, may select some of the newly Awakened adults to follow the path of the Fiosaiche. These individuals must decide whether to leave the safety and comfort of their families to travel the physical and spiritual land with the Fiosaich, or to stay at home. Those that do go with the Fiosaich must train for many years and face great dangers, but ultimately will be privy to many secrets.
Clan Meetings
At the festival, and other clan gatherings, the Picts have a unique way of calling for silence. There are three sacred chains, made of white bronze, silver and gold. When the bronze chain is shaken, silence will fall to allow any adult to speak. However, much chatter usually accompanies the individual's speech. When the silver chain is shaken a deeper hush falls, for it means that one of the cruith, or a fiosaiche is to speak on some matter of importance. Few would dare to speak when the silver chain has been shaken for if disturbed, the cruith speaking will surely bare a grudge, and no one would willingly cross a fiosaiche. Finally, when the gold chain is shaken, absolute silence falls. Not a soul stirs, for now the King or Queen of the clan speaks, to tell of a new proclamation, a declaration of war or other important news.Raiding
In the Highlands there is little unity between clans. Pacts are made and broken, and feuds can run for years. How-ever, survival in the bleak Highlands often forges an alliance between several clans, who will band together to raid Dalriada, Strangorre, Lothian or the more civilized Pictish lands of Benoic, Caithness and Escoce. These raiders travel by both land and sea. Wherever they go these large warrior bands are greatly feared. The warriors remember earlier raids and recall how they were once the rulers of all Alban, before the invaders drove them to the Highlands. The old legends are spoken, and great figures from the past invoked. Their passions are raised until at last they burst forth from the Highlands, screaming, naked, tattooed savages!The Four Realms
In other regions the clans have formed into four Realms: Escoce, Caithness, Benoic and Orkney. Caithness and Escoce are ruled by a High Queen and her husband the King. Orkney has only Queen Margawse, who has not taken a new husband since the death of King Lot. Benoic is a vassal of the Pendragon and the rulers are Duke Ansirius and Duchess Yst. Each realm, except the Orkneys, is made up of several clans. The clan to which the ruler of the realm belongs is of higher standing than the others. In Escoce, the King and Queen are members of the Decantae clan. In Benoic the Duke and Duchess are members of the Circinn clan, King Drust and Queen Alst of Caithness are members of the Cait clan. The realms were forged in the distant past and the clans are bound to the realm by tradition and legend. This does not mean that they are always unfailingly loyal to the sovereign. A great deal of scheming goes on and in some cases the clans even raid one another. At the Courts of the rulers of Benoic and Escoce Chivalry and Feudalism are beginning to take hold. In these centers knights from Logres may meet Pictish knights. In Escoce, King Carados has sworn an oath of loyalty to his vassals. He has only fifty knights, and they are mainly his kin and most loyal followers. In Benoic, knighthood is more widespread. Duchess Yst is a vassal of the Pendragon and her husband is famed for his Christianity. Although many of the knights of Benoic are the kin or loyal retainers of the Duke and Duchess, the order of knighthood is gradually spreading to the previously less civilized clans. With the growing numbers of knights the seeds of Feudalism are being sown. Although Queen Margawse and her vassals, the King and Queen of Caithness, have knights, they are not upholders of Chivalry, and Feudalism is not practiced.Language and Symbolism
The Picts speak a unique language that is a mixture of Gaelic and Cymric. Like the Celtic peoples they have a strong oral tradition. The storytellers pass the legends and knowledge of the people from generation to generation. This language has no written form. However, the Picts also communicate through symbols and drawings. These range from abstract shapes, such as the z-rod and triple disc, to images of boars, stags and mystical creatures. Each symbol has many meanings and ideas associated with it, which are enhanced and changed by the presence of other symbols beside it. The ability to understand the meaning of the symbols is learned by all Picts as part of their upbringing — not by formal tuition, but by observing the significance of each symbol in their physical and spiritual universe. This means that they are largely indecipherable to foreigners. The symbols are in-scribed in many mediums. Large cloths and wooden poles are inscribed to celebrate festivals and important family events, such as a marriage or birth. The symbols carved on the great standing stones dotting the landscape of Pictland mark boundaries, burial sites and religious places.Tattoos
The Picts also use the symbols to decorate themselves. Picts are covered in tattoos which identify them and place them in society. The first tattoos are given to the individual upon initiation into adulthood; as he or she grows older the number of tattoos increases. These markings show the legends of the individual's ancestors and depict the Samhladh of the clan, along with any other Spirits to which the individual is tied. Events that the individual has taken part in may be portrayed. Battles, raids, hunts and festivals are common themes, as are spiritual journeys to the Otherworld. On some occasions a Pict will have need to call upon spiritual powers with which he or she is not deeply associated. At such times the appropriate symbols are painted onto his or her body with a blue paint, called woad. This practice may be needed for a battle or raid, if the individual does not have any warrior totems, or perhaps for a special hunt. Other situations might arise if an unexpected dilemma strikes the family or individual. On a brighter note, a spirit might be called upon to bless a marriage, or perhaps to help in the composition of a ballad.Read (Glyphs)
Heathens can use the Read (Glyphs) skill to read the tattoos on a person's body. a Successful roll will determine the person's Samhladh, and thus will give clues as to the possible behavior of the person. A person with the aggressive Badger Sam Samhladh will most likely attack, and will never surrender, while one with the peaceful Salmon Samhladh will be more inclined to negotiate. Tattoos can be read when the person is about 5 feet away. A Critical Read (Glyphs) roll will allow a character to determine Ysbryd or other special tattoos, at least as long as they are not covered by clothing.To conclude, the symbols, whatever their medium, are an important part of the Pictish culture. They help the Picts to maintain their intimate relationship with nature, and their own legends and history. Many of the new generation of Pictish knights who embrace Chivalry are moving away from such Heathen practices. Tattoos are of far less importance to them than to older generations. Many refuse to be tattooed on exposed parts of the body, and choose not to paint themselves before battle. This is frowned upon by their elders, but makes them more comfortable in the courts of Logres. The heraldic arms of these Pictish knights are derived from the shields which they bore before knighthood, as all the Picts paint or dye their shields with personal and clan totemistic motifs.
Religion
Except for Benoic, the people of all the Pictish kingdoms have until recently practiced Heathenism. The people of Benoic were converted to Christianity by St. Ninian, who traveled the country and preached the Gospels tirelessly. Gradually the people accepted the Christians' God, but maintained many of their old beliefs as well. Now in Benoic, the two religions exist side by side; the old rituals are still practiced and Picts still travel to the Otherworld. But nearly all are baptized and believe in the One God. Of late Christian missionaries have started work to convert the other Picts of Caledonia as well. They are never attacked even though they regularly travel to Escoce or deep into the Highlands. The Picts are most respectful to them (a fact which surprises many). The missionaries are having a good deal of success and are baptizing increasing numbers of people.The Lifestyle of the Picts
The Picts live at one with the land. Their day to day survival is more intimately linked to nature than that of any other people in Britain. In the craggy Highlands this makes them a semi-nomadic people. They travel with their herds of sheep and cattle into the higher regions for the summer pastures, but shelter in the deep wooded valleys in the harsh winter months. The fertile coastal plains of Escoce and Benoic are dotted with communities of farmers and fisher people in among the thick, virgin forest. Further north, Caithness has some good farmland. In these more hospitable areas it is easier to eke out an existence. With less time dedicated to surviving, it is possible for the crafts to thrive. In both Benoic and Escoce, Pictish craftsmen create exquisitely inscribed ornaments and jewelry of wood, stone and silver. In Benoic, fine and sturdy horses are bred.Many Picts live in hillforts which are constructed by encircling the top of a hill or a rocky peninsular with wide stone walls and ditches. These hill top forts are primarily well defended villages. They are crowded with huts, cattle pens, sheds and all the other paraphernalia of village life. They are ruled by the most important cruith, who live in large round halls set apart from the rest of the village. Craftspeople and traders, as well as farmers, live in a hill fort. There is always a semi-permanent market place. In some places the village spills outside the existing walls, and is protected by hastily constructed earth ramparts, which eventually become permanent and may even be replaced by stone. There are also settlements with no fortifications. Many small villages are located on the major rivers, as well as small coastal towns. Craftspeople work here to provide the finished goods the farmers cannot make themselves. Markets are held in the towns at regular intervals. On these days the Picts gather from the surrounding villages and homesteads to barter and socialize. The towns are ruled by one of the lesser cruith.
In the Highlands the people live in wheelhouses — circular houses of wood shored up with peat. In the low-lands the houses are in small clearings. They are made of stone scavenged from older buildings, or from wood, and roofed with thatch. Arranged around the inside of either sort are many storage rooms and chambers. At the center is a hearth around which the entire family gathers to eat and talk. Around the hearth the people sleep, sharing the warmth of the dying fire. In such a place any knight lost within the dense forest, or wandering the bleak High-lands, will have to seek shelter if a hill fort cannot be found.
Travel within Pictland is always slow. There are few roads and trade trails. Mostly the Picts travel by river and sea. They are expert sailors and can navigate their wood and skin curraghs deep inland along the rivers. These vessels are often too small for knightly travel, although along the coast and broader rivers travel is possible on larger curraghs.
Contrary to the popular notion in Logres, the Picts wear clothes other than loin cloths. Their garb is made of flax, hides and wool, and although rough, it is warm and sturdy. As with all things Pictish, their clothes are painted, dyed and embroidered with symbols and drawings.
Worthy of mention here is Pictish heather beer (some-times called Pictish ale). This ale is brewed throughout Pictland, and although the flavor varies from clan to clan, it could never be confused with the ale brewed in other parts of Britain. The means of making the ale is such a closely guarded secret that the Picts are willing to die rather than reveal it. All that is known is that heather flowers are one of the ingredients.
Pictish marriage customs
Pictish society does not allow marriage between members of the same sept or clan. Young men and women must marry outside their clan, and many opportunities exist to meet other young people. Every time two clans meet for any reason, the young men and women are left alone by their elders, so that they may get to know each other. Sex occurs, but has no permanent meaning. Most Pictish marriages are made on the basis of these gatherings. Usually, a boy or girl will spend a year or two just getting to know potential partners before making a decision about marriage. Once a couple has made the decision, they still attend the get-togethers, but no longer seek other partners. The boy goes to his mother, or closest female relative, and tells her of his feelings for the girl. The mother then discusses the match with the other women of the clan.Meanwhile, the girl has gone to her mother, and the women of her clan are also talking of it. This is a nervous time for the young couple, as either clan may decide that the match is inappropriate. The next time the clans meet, the mothers of the two young people get together for "a little chat". Assuming that both clans have agreed to the match, the two women begin negotiations for where the new family will live and who will pro-vide them with the various necessities of life. The two women may have to meet several times be-fore they make their final decision. The couple has little say in their future at this point, and they must do as their mothers decide.
Men, even the chief of the clan, have little say in the matter. The women are the keepers of the genealogy of the clan, including secrets of parent-age that they never tell the men. The women listen to the concerns of the men, but in the end the women must make the final decision. Even the chief of the clan cannot make a woman change her negotiations, and he is bound to the settlement she reaches. Very rarely, a marriage between clans is political, and may be made without the couple's knowledge or approval. Usually this is an attempt to seal the breaches caused by a feud.
Unfortunately, it rarely works, and often it has tragic results.
Once the decision is approved and the negotiations are completed, the date of the ceremony is set. The Fiosaiche of the clan that will be the couple's home makes divinations as to the most propitious moment for the two young people to consummate the marriage. The day is usually one of the eight festivals of the Heathen calendars. About a third of the time, some other day is more auspicious.
The wedding itself is held at new couple's home, which the men of the hosting clan have built. The Fiosaiche paints the couple with de-signs to increase their fertility, and calls upon the clan's Samhladh to bless their marriage. The couple retires to their new house while the guests throw a shower of grain and nuts to ensure fertility. While the newlyweds are otherwise engaged, the men of the two clans play camanachd, hunt, or just sit together to tell stories and sing. Women of both clans prepare the wedding feast, often calling the men away from their pursuits to help with the preparations.
The couple stays in the hut for one day and a night, and when they come out of the hut for the first time they are usually showered with more grain, and salacious comments. The two clans sit down to the feast, which the women have pre-pared. After the feast the visiting clan take their leave, giving parting gifts to the new family and their hosts.
Heathens place no value on the woman's virginity on her wedding night, as it is assumed that she has had several partners before choosing her husband. She may even be pregnant for the ceremony. Children born out of wedlock are the care of the young mother's clan, and when she weds, the husband usually adopts the child as his own, though he is under no obligation to do so. A child with no father may be raised by his mother even as she raises the children of her husband. There is no stigma attached to not having a father; there are no "bastards" in Pictish culture.
Diverged ethnicities