Trebai

The Trebai were a human people that historically occupied most of the eastern portion of the Western Commons as well as parts of the Northern Commons.

The Trebai thought themselves to have originated on Beurum itself, unlike many other groups which migrated there. Before the First Era, the Trebai were organized into a number of tribes, with the word "Trebai" an ancestor to the word "Tribe". Tribes varied in structure and administration, but the majority of them included fewer than ten thousand members, and rarely lasted more than two hundred years. At the beginning of the First Era, a growing number of groups had moved to Beurum, such as the neighboring Ren Berig, and were beginning to encroach upon Trebai land. This prompted more unity among the Trebai, and they soon organized themselves into a number of larger, independent territories. Around the year 2000, they established the first two human cities in Beurum, Peak and Crastar. The rulers of the cities at the time allied themselves with each other, leading to a major increase in overall Trebai power on the continent. In addition, this unification standardized Trebai religion to a large degree, creating the Central Trebai Pantheon and further unifying the people. Consolidating their power, the High Kingdom of Beurum was created at the beginning of the Second Era. The kingdom would go on to rule other ethnic groups with varying degrees of authority at different times; for example, the Ren Berig, while often technically under the kingdom's control, were rarely ever forced to do anything and generally kept to themselves. The Trebai survived the Akathon Crisis at the end of the Second Era, and following this event, the Trebai moved quickly to further centralize in fear of losing power in the following chaos. The Trebai Golden Age occurred after Queen Berika Baruma began a dynasty that succeeded in putting down local resistance. During the latter part of the Third Era, this golden age came to an end when the Trebai fought against dwarven peoples in the First Dwarven War. The ensuing chaos allowed for the subsequent Kantaran Conquest of Beurum, a centuries-long period in which the Trebai were subjected under foreign rule and the high kingdom was destroyed. Despite this weakening, the Trebai participated in the Sacking of the Nine and returning conquerors re-established the old government. The Trebai once again found themselves at war with dwarven peoples in The Twenty-Year War. During the war, the High Kingdom of Beurum was reorganized into the Trebai Ascendancy, a government much more authoritarian than its predecessor. Following the chaos of war, the Ascendancy was able to consolidate its power over the Alois, Rowen, and Eripe people. The Trebai was, by the First Era, the largest human ethnic group, over twice the size of the Alois and three times the size of the Ren Berig.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Feminine Trebai names, like all Trebai names, varied widely, but common ones included Adolpha, Alda, Beatrice, Bianca, Briga, Charlotte, Edith, Elise, Fenna, Freda, Gertrude, Hilda, Helga, Ivona, Johanka, Jezheka, Mathilda, Maraliese, Miroslava, Raema, Rose, Stephanie, Thitrud, Zara, and Zina.

Masculine names

Masculine Trebai names, like all Trebai names, varied widely, but common ones included Adolphus, Aristeo, Bernhart, Beynhard, Deitrich, Erich, Ferald, Gaius, Gendrich, Isador, Jezhek, Jan, Johannes, Kineslav, Lance, Lucius, Mallan, Matthias, Maverich, Miloslav, Orsonus, Otto, Pallan, Quibus, Redoran, Rhobert, Serdo, Travich, and Zeredeus.

Family names

Trebai family names, especially among elites, often doubled as the name of a region, town, or dominion. Though Trebai family names varied widely, some notable ones included Bernard, Braekerk, Branderbeuren, Federmann, Frederson, Leipa, Rovna, and Wolfram.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Originally the Trebai spoke a single language, but over time this language evolved into a series of dialects that eventually became distinct from one another. These distinctions faded somewhat after the alliance of Peak and Crastar, but the Trebai language remained varied. The most standard version of the Trebai Tongue was Ancient Trebai, which, by the Fifth Era, continued to be used for administrative, religious, and scholarly purposes. However, common use of the language had all but died out.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Trebai were culturally influenced by the neighboring Ren Berig. Many Trebai, especially less educated ones, regarded these people as "mysterious westerners" and often told each other their legends and stories. Trebai individuals often mixed elements of Ren Berig dress, including bright colors, facial hair, and jewelry into their lifestyle.

Shared customary codes and values

Trebai individuals occupied a wide array of roles, from farmers to crime bosses, craftsmen to war lords. However, Trebai generally valued hard work, community, and perseverance. Typical well-to-do Trebai practiced agriculture in small settlements, ranging from fifty to two thousand people. In addition, a certain respect towards the land was maintained, though this was not as drastic as that of groups like the Ren Berig or Sverden.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

In general, Trebai religion was made up of the worship of the Central Trebai Pantheon, with the possible combination of one's local deities. The primary deities that the Trebai worshipped Etermel, God of the Storm and the Shield, Famela, Goddess of the Tree and the Home, Rydaea, Goddess of the Land and Harvest, Rydos, Goddess of the Hill and Craftsmanship, Amu, Goddess of the Sea and Fish, Yartos, God of the Harbor and Trade, and Jetorik, God of Magic, Knowledge, and the Library. All other gods were said to descend from this pantheon. Like many other aspects of their culture, the Ren Berig influenced Trebai religion. The nature-based deities of that group often found their way into Trebai custom, especially in rural areas. Certain boulders, trees, or springs, for example, were often thought to be religiously significant.

Encompassed species