Dachaigh nan Cnoc (Da-hagh nan Knoch)
For some, living in the mountains and hills is a test of surivval, for others it is mearly the only place they feel truly alive. Their origins are as mysterious as their home, that of the hills and mountians that make up the west border of Ashenfeld and Vebastonne. Their's is a home that has known conflict time and again, for being between two rival nations rarely leaves one unscathed, however the Dachaigh nan Cnoc have weathered many storms, and will continue to do so.
The understanding of their history is not entirely well known. However some similarities lie in past herritage with the Celta clans of Red Ravens Isles and the strange Alnac tribesman of northern most Vebastonne. Some further use this to speculate of a land bridge or other method the Celtan ancestry could have used to spread across Nilush and the Isles. Regardless, it is said the Dachaigh nan Cnoc hail from the giants of the isles, whoose hill griants remarkably were not as deformed or misshapen as the wider spread hill giants of Nilush. They would mate with other beings through various means, and so the half giants were born. While the Dachaigh nan Cnoc are made up of more than just half giants, the half giants are by far the most numerous within the ethnic group. What is known is it is said ogres and evil giants would enslave them, seeing them as runts and prey. However a hero emerged: Rob the Piper.
It is said the instrument, the bagpipe, the Dachaigh nan Cnoc made was taken away by a particruarly gluttonous ogre chieftan named Skraog Strongsplinter for it was seen as a sign of resistance, and that "he couldn't think straighty with all dat damned racket". It is said Rob the Piper was hidden away from the slavers when he was young by his mother, and that he would live in the highest peakes of the land in hiding. There he met the old gods, and they bade him to train with a strange dwarf known only as Frang. This dwarf is said to have taught him how to lift the mountains, and so gave him the only weapon befitting one of his statue and strength, a enlarged claymore sword.
It is said on the 5th month of the year, when Skraog was about to have the rest of the early Dachaigh nan Cnoc thrown into a boiling pot men women and children all, the sound of pipes carried across the wind down from the highlands. This sound of their past freedoms reminded the broken Dachaigh nan Cnoc who they were, and what they could do, and Rob the Piper helped them strike down all the monsters preying upon them in the highlands. Now free, Rob the Piper imparted all his knowledge upon his tribes people, and said goodbye to his mother one last time, before he turned to stone and became a statue upon the highest peak of their homeland. The statue remains to this day and is honored regurarly, seen as a symbol of freedom and resistance against tyranny.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Isbeil, Rut, Ailis, Ealasaid, Moireach, Sionag, Malamhin
Masculine names
Raghnall, Artair, Samuel, Filib, Tearlach, Grannd
Family names
Padarsan, MacCuidhein, Dubh, Lochland, Barrach, Ciar, Allanach
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The language of the Highlanders is known as Beinnhra, derived from the Celta tounge, though unique enough not to be the same language.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Dachaigh nan Cnoc are known as a gruff and tumble people, able to take a hit and keep going. However they are just as loud and hearty in celebration, and love dance and drink. Sharing warm food and drink to keep the spirts ablaze in the cold, wind-blasted highlands is important, and so these Dachaigh nan Cnoc (or simply "highlanders") are used to being close with one another. Many are like giants in a small world, and so they have learned to adapt to the outside world fairly well. Many leave their home in search of adventure, taking sword and pipe in the hopes to prove themselves like Rob the Piper once did. So many venture across the world, with them being common sights in Ashenfeld and Vebastonne, either accompanying a band of adventuers or forming their own band of sellswords and pipers.
The pantheon of the Dachaigh nan Cnoc are reffered to as the Old Gods, for they are the oldest of the world by far. The pantheon includes:
- Brigar: Goddess of Healing Smithing, and Protection of Hearth
- Morglas: Goddess of war, death, and fate
- Dabadga: Husband of Morglas, and father god of the Dachaigh nan Cnoc
- Cailochl: the pig kept by Dabadga as a pet, and the creator of landscape weather and storms
- Cerune: God of nature, animals, and mountains
Common Dress code
The Dachaigh nan Cnoc are known for their kilts and skirts, and the plaid like pattern of many of their clothing. They also tend to wear animal fur to help keep warm atop the mountain, with much of their clothing also being made of wool. Popular headpieces can be trophies of animals or the colorful shanter cap, a colorful flat bonnet worn mostly by men. Women also wear colorful colthing and flowing dresses that blow in the wind yet still provide warmth and comfort.
Foods & Cuisine
Most of their cuisine is based around meat, with lamb and goat being staples of their food. Stews are also a popular meal, as its easy to make and easy to keep warm. Due to one of their gods being a pig, pork and pigs are supposed to be served after the meat was prayed to to not anger the weather pig god.
Coming of Age Rites
It is said every highlander when coming of age, is to be aided and guided in forging their own blade. The blade used is of course the claymore, specifically the unique, large sized claymore that the Dachaigh nan Cnoc are known famously for. Making it is said to require the youngling to hunt for spots to gather material. Of course metal is mined with the help of other adults, but the youngling is expected to help in extracting the minerals as well.
Funerary and Memorial customs
When one passes, the family gathers and plays music and sings songs of deeds done and yet unfufilled atop a flat mountain or hill top. A small coffin of rock is constructed, and the claymore they had at birth is laid atop their coffin, for a highlander should never be caught unable to defend his family, even in death.
Common Myths and Legends
Some believe the Piper will break out of his stone prison one day, and play a song that will either doom the world, or save it forevermore.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Largely eggalitatian people
Courtship Ideals
A popular way of proposing romance and courtship amongst young couples is to try to lift the heaviest bolder in front of the one they wish to court and recite the "chant of love" while not dropping the rock. They then have to throw it as far as they can.
