Emtian
Emtians (pronounced em-tee-in) are any humans born in the region of Emtia under the three moons of Duna. The term "emtian" only refers to the humans who inhabit this region. Until the unicorns vanished they only dwelled in Emtia and the settlements within.
Darad's invasion following the disappearance of the unicorns has opened Emtia up to people from other regions who want the clean water and rich food that Emtia has been rumored to provide. The problem is, without the presence of the unicorns, the food and water, while still safe, isn't as good as it was when the unicorns were around. This leads to the foreigners getting mad at the Emtians. Some people choose to leave and go back home, while others remain. Under Darad's rule, however, the people who remain make the Emtians into slaves. Slaves in their own land.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Sina, Abigail, Rana, Malinda
Masculine names
Truhan, Darad, Arin, Elren
Family names
Tereo, Payne, Chase
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Emtians as they are now speak a common language that's widely known among the neighboring regions. There is a language that's referred to as "Old Emtian". It was a language that the unicorns used with each other and with the first humans in Emtia. But once the common language spread and was easier to use, old Emtian started to fade. There are still a few words that people still use as either labels or insults.
Shared customary codes and values
Up until the Unicorns disappeared, Emtians were raised to live among the unicorns, many of them forming close bonds with the sentient beasts. Most Emtians share a mutual respect with the unicorns, especially since the unicorns were there first and the Emtians were created to help them. But the Emtians aren't slaves to the unicorns by any means. They simply co-exist, and have done so for centuries.
Average technological level
Medieval-like technological levels. More to come as I know more.
Funerary and Memorial customs
When an Emtian dies, a funeral is prepared when the First Moon of Duna rises alone above the Eastern Sea. The deceased is placed in a boat and sent north with a lantern attached to the front of the boat. The people believe this will help the deceased find their way back to Duna. If the person dies while the moon isn't alone, the body is preserved in ice and salt until the moon completes it's cycle.
Common Taboos
Emtians are very much against slavery and believe people should be free and work together. This is why Darad's betrayal as a slave trader and murderer come as such a shock to the people of Emtia.
Common Myths and Legends
This world is still really young so I don't yet know much about any myths and legends of the Emtian people.
I do know that Emtians haven't had much contact with any of the regions outside of Emtia aside from learning the common language, and the occasional bard or merchant that pass through. Due to the existence of the unicorns the other regions have stayed away from Emtia as they realize it is fiercely protected by Duna and the unicorns.
But now that Darad has taken over Emtia, the peaceful region isn't as secluded and protected as it once was.
Historical figures
The first Emtians created. No info on them yet.
By the year 878, unicorns have vanished without a trace. No one knows where they are or even if they're still alive. This leaves Emtia much more open to corruption, disease, and attack.
Related Organizations
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I'll be interested to see where you take this! I feel for these people, it sounds like things just keep getting progressively worse for them.
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Tell me about it. The more I brainstorm the more I'm like maaaaaaaaan. But it's also giving me material I can work with when I get back to writing the story, so, you know, turning the Emtians into slaves kinda has it's uses for me...