Aenari

The Aenari originate from the tribal communities and their descendants that civilized the regions of the Aenar prior to the arrival of even the Dark Elder. They are an emotional and excitable people that, in their own words "...live more, laugh more, cry harder and fight longer...". The Rhuani often struggled with their mercurial emotions in the early days of their cooperation. They prize craftsmanship, gaudy colors and tend to be more outspoken in groups. The Aenar take clan, family and revenge very seriously.

The Aenari, like many indigenous peoples here, were subjugated and terrorized by the reign of the Dark Elders and that period still leaves a particular psychic 'stain' on all of them. It is a shared experience of generational pain that can unite them when least expected.

The Clan

Aenari society is based around the clan. This is common to both civilized and tribal Aenari. Originally all Aenari were tribal and familiar, where the nobility simply drew its ranks from the heads of the more powerful clans and then by virtue of age. This system has largely been subsumed by the web of feudalism promoted by the Rhuani influences on their culture. Even so, today the Aenari are subject to blended form of clan and feudal society. A complex web of blood and foster relationships defines a Aenari’s loyalties to his clan, his lord, and his countrymen.

The dignity of the clan is supported by the reputations of its warriors, craftsmen, and artists. Skill, in all things, is prized among the Aenari just as it is among the Rhuani. The dignity of the clan also, at times, must be defended with violence. Many Aenari still succumb to the clan vendettas that have riddled their existence for hundreds of years.

Warfare Amongst The Aenari

While the tribal Aenari have a fearsome reputation as brawlers and ambushers, the modern Aenar are functionally feudal in military matters. The Aenar were one of first tribal groups to join Rhuanon against the Dark Elder and they are proud of this martial heritage. The use of violence is not uncommon to settle disputes amongst the Aenar. Therefore, they are competent warriors even when marginally skilled by modern standards although contemporaries may scoff at their tribal tactics of ambush, assault and retreat. These same tactics have served them well in the wooded regions of Aenar against opponents far mightier than them.

To such naysayers, the Aenari would ask them to point out the last time anyone had seen a Dark Elder?

Archery

The Longbow is something that remains an Aenari specialty. This weapon and its employment has long been a fixture in Aenari warfare. It was something that they had even when dominated by the Elder and, under Rhuanon, they employed it to great effect against their beasts and minions. The longbow has spread throughout the Known Lands and so has its use in warfare. But there is a known quality to a company of Aenari longbowmen that makes them a prized commodity and sought-after in feudal and mercenary service.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Aenarian language is still used commonly throughout the region although primarily within Aenari families or close groups.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Aenari honor husband and wife, mother and father equally. Amongst their ancestral deities, the women were often more fierce than the men and this is often rumored to be true on the material world as well. Under traditional Aenari clan law, wives have the same rights as their husbands; divorce is freely allowed by mutual consent of the married couple. This practice, however, has fallen off with the adoption of more staid and rigid Rhuani norms especially in the feudal kingdoms where inheritance is of significant importance.

Traditional Aenari are monogamous when committed but are far more ambiguous on relationships outside of marriage and the family. Even in courtship, practices are sometimes at odds with conventional wisdom. Even Aenari who conform to the Rhuani feudal standards of monogamy often see no problem with traditions like Abduction Betrothals and absolution for killings conducted during a clan vendetta.