Bir Culture (Bir)
The Bir People are perhaps one of the most fascinating Culture groups on the Continent, having gone through several major changes in its history, it has gone from a fiercely independent culture to one divided between the New and the Old, ancient tradition clashing with modern ideals and outsider influence upon the people. It is like two worlds are clashing in one land, and the very soul of the people are up in chance.
The Bir would make their home on the islands and costal lands of what is now known as Birland, hugging the coastline and high hills of the mainland and exerting total control over their islands. The Birrs birthed a strong Naval tradition, with the boat and sea seen as the central point of the life for all Birs. This central focus is directly linked to Bir Tradition and Religion, having defined the Bir people for all their existence.
The Ancient Kingdom was isolationist in nature, with the Bir viewing those of the mainland with fear and suspicion, since they once served the Sea God before their banishment, what beings did these strangers serve and what would they demand of the Bir should they be subjugated in war. This fierce isolationist viewpoint led to a sense of paranoia among the Bir, always afraid of and preparing for an invasion.
The Ancient Bir kingdom would fend off a myriad of threats of from all directions, they fended off a Valstov Invasion to subjugate and enslave Birland in 1143 BIC, defeated a massive Privateer fleet in service of the Tekederian Empire in 983BIC, and while they lost their mainland holdings to the Great Western expedition in 905, the Tekederains never managed to defeat the Bir at Sea and eventually ended the war with a negotiated peace in which the High Sea King Vojtech III gave tribute to the Tekederian Emperors, in return for autonomy and continued rule over Birland.
This opening to the outside world by the Mainland Bir was not popular with the Island Bir, leading to a period of violence and severe mistrust between the two groups. Island Bir ships began to raid Costal Mainland Bir villages, Mainland Bir began to work with Mercenary fleets to counter the might of Island Bir fleets. This growing conflict among the Bir people was even furthered by Tekederian influence over the Mainland Bir, many taking to worship the Tekederian Sea God as Pan More, the Birized name for the Tekederian God. the Mainland Bir viewed Pan More as the name of the Sea God from Bir legend, while Island Bir viewed this as great heresy and lead to further disgust for the Mainlanders.
The Tekederian Vassalage would eventually come to an end in the year 265BIC, when Princep Callitus III passed away and the Empire was torn apart in civil war, none of the contenders or Military forces of the Empire could be bothered to prevent the Bir Kingdom from slipping away and declaring Independence. However, Independence from Tekederia would not Result in unity for the Bir, but the Kingdom fracturing along the Island-Mainland Divide.
The Two Kingdoms would over the Centuries enter periods of conflict with each other, Island Bir forces would fail reconquer the Mainland and the Mainland Bir would fail to properly defeat the Island Bir in the open Seas. This division would remain the norm for centuries, a constant back and forth between the Island Bir and Mainland Bir, everything would change however in the year 342 IE
Emperor Augustus II began instituting the Reforms to transform the Skelton Navy of the Empire into a proper naval force capable of challenging the Island Bir and besting them at sea. While Augustus II began his reforms, his Son Flavius began to engage in diplomacy with the Mainland Bir King Damik II. Flavius and Damik opened several major trade routes between the two states, established diplomatic ties and in a stroke of political genius, arranged a marriage between Damik's Only Child and Heir, Darina to Flavius himself.
The Negotiations between the two men would guarantee the support of the Mainland Bir in the coming naval war against the Island Bir, while the Empire had the vast resources needed to assemble a navy far larger than anything the Island Bir could assemble, the Mainland Bir brought their ancient warrior tradition and experience at waging war upon the seas. This combination of resources and experience, along with the naval reforms of Augustus II, would birth a new Imperial Navy for the coming campaign.
The Campaign against the Island Bir began in the year 350IE, when King Damik II suddenly passed away and his throne passed to this Daughter Darina I. The death of King Damik and ascension of his daughter coincided with the Island Bir becoming aware of the marriage between Darina and Flavius, which greatly infuriated the High Sea King Vojtech VI. The Island Bir immediately mobilized their forces and launch an invasion of the mainland, quickly capturing several key ports and placing the Mainland Bir capital of Vysoký Kopec under siege, trapping Queen Darina and Prince Flavius within its walls.
Despite this quick reversal of fortunes, the Island Bir's naval forces still outclassed the Imperial Navy, quickly it began to launch attacks across the Empire's western Coast, culminating the sack of the city of Fraum and with it the destruction of the single largest Mint in the whole Empire, along with the destruction of the fledgling naval forces being built.
From there the Bir sailed directly north towards the Imperial City, seeking to sack the great city and crush the Empire by severing its main line of communication and hoping to capture the Emperor. All that stood in the way of the Island Bir's Armada and the Imperial City, was a task force of hastily built Warships and converted Merchant Ships, commanded by the Emperor himself.
As the Bir Armada neared the capital, they were met by Emperor Augustus II's naval forces just 10 miles south at the city. Augustus had chosen this position due to the rough unpredictable currents, and large number of harsh rocks peeking out of the water, however his force held a distinct advantage due to the currents. Many saw the currents as unpredictable and dangerous, yet many local sailors serving in the navy knew the currents followed a very specific pattern, one that was easily exploited.
Using the currents and winds, Augustus hid his forces among the rocks until the Bir navy was forced into the rocks by the sudden change of the currents and climbing winds. With the Bir navy suddenly forced upon the rocks, he sprung his trap and descended his fleet upon the Bir Armada. What followed was a massacre, the Bir Armada was crushed against the rocks, crippling their navy like never before and sending massive shockwaves across Bir society to its very core.
These Meals are often considered simple and hardy, lacking the extravagance and complexity of other meals across the continent, with the meal seen as what one must eat for the energy needed to continue the day. Such simple ideals on food also effect when they eat, with 3 meals scattered around the day and snacking frowned upon as a waste. Despite this simplicity placed on food, drink is an entirely different matter, inherited from Forzoria.
While food is simple and seen as a need for continued existence, Alcohol is seen as a proper part of one's life, with Beer, Whiskey, Wine, Scotch, Bourbon and all forms of drink from home and abroad sought after and enjoyed by all Adults. Such a love for Alcohol has earned the Empire the dubious honor of being the center of Alcoholic production across the continent, with a common saying being 'The Empire is a gilded hill from which flows a river of Booze.
For those women who failed or never attempted the right of passage, they are the keeper of the Home, protector of the family and master of the house, outranking even their husband in the family hierarchy. This steams from how the Ancestors of the Bir would spend months on the sea, leaving their mothers and wives to run the affairs of the household while they were away.
Bir History
Origins
According to Bir legends, their people came into being from the very sea. They once lived in the watery halls of the Sea God's Palace, enjoying eternal splendor and paradise in his service as warriors, servants, entertainers and worshippers. This great splendor ended however, with an ancient Bir offending the Sea King and leading to their exile to the surface world, never to return to the depths from which they came.The Bir would make their home on the islands and costal lands of what is now known as Birland, hugging the coastline and high hills of the mainland and exerting total control over their islands. The Birrs birthed a strong Naval tradition, with the boat and sea seen as the central point of the life for all Birs. This central focus is directly linked to Bir Tradition and Religion, having defined the Bir people for all their existence.
The Ancient Bir Kingdom
The Bir people would be organized under a loose monarchy, with a High Sea King ruling over the Bir people from the Island of Poslední Dar Boha Moře, which translates to The Last Gift of the God of the Sea. It was from this Island that the other Kings of the Bir prayed homage to their lord, and from the great Bir fleet operated and raided the coasts of those who threatened the Bir.The Ancient Kingdom was isolationist in nature, with the Bir viewing those of the mainland with fear and suspicion, since they once served the Sea God before their banishment, what beings did these strangers serve and what would they demand of the Bir should they be subjugated in war. This fierce isolationist viewpoint led to a sense of paranoia among the Bir, always afraid of and preparing for an invasion.
The Ancient Bir kingdom would fend off a myriad of threats of from all directions, they fended off a Valstov Invasion to subjugate and enslave Birland in 1143 BIC, defeated a massive Privateer fleet in service of the Tekederian Empire in 983BIC, and while they lost their mainland holdings to the Great Western expedition in 905, the Tekederains never managed to defeat the Bir at Sea and eventually ended the war with a negotiated peace in which the High Sea King Vojtech III gave tribute to the Tekederian Emperors, in return for autonomy and continued rule over Birland.
The Tekederian Vassalage
The Bir would, even while legally a tributary of the Tekederian Empire, continue to train and utilize its naval force to face any threat to its territory by Pirates and Mercenary Navies, while the Island Bir remained fiercely independent and isolated from the rest of the Continent, the Mainland Bir along the Coast and in the Hills began to open themselves to the outside world, trading and establishing diplomatic connections with those across the Tekederian Empire.This opening to the outside world by the Mainland Bir was not popular with the Island Bir, leading to a period of violence and severe mistrust between the two groups. Island Bir ships began to raid Costal Mainland Bir villages, Mainland Bir began to work with Mercenary fleets to counter the might of Island Bir fleets. This growing conflict among the Bir people was even furthered by Tekederian influence over the Mainland Bir, many taking to worship the Tekederian Sea God as Pan More, the Birized name for the Tekederian God. the Mainland Bir viewed Pan More as the name of the Sea God from Bir legend, while Island Bir viewed this as great heresy and lead to further disgust for the Mainlanders.
The Tekederian Vassalage would eventually come to an end in the year 265BIC, when Princep Callitus III passed away and the Empire was torn apart in civil war, none of the contenders or Military forces of the Empire could be bothered to prevent the Bir Kingdom from slipping away and declaring Independence. However, Independence from Tekederia would not Result in unity for the Bir, but the Kingdom fracturing along the Island-Mainland Divide.
The Two Kingdoms
When the Bir separated from the Tekederian Empire, it led to the Kingdom fracturing into two smaller kingdoms along the Island-Mainland Divide. The Traditional Birland Kingdom would remain under the Rule of the High Sea King upon the Island of Poslední Dar Boha Moře, from here the naval tradition and extreme suspicion of the Ancient Bir remained unchanged by the Affairs of the Continent. Meanwhile, the Mainland Bir rallied behind the King of Vysoký Kopec, the strongest of the Mainland Bir Kings, naming him High King. The Mainland became a trade focused society, building relations with the outside world and focusing their old Martial tradition on the sea to counter the strength of the Island Bir.The Two Kingdoms would over the Centuries enter periods of conflict with each other, Island Bir forces would fail reconquer the Mainland and the Mainland Bir would fail to properly defeat the Island Bir in the open Seas. This division would remain the norm for centuries, a constant back and forth between the Island Bir and Mainland Bir, everything would change however in the year 342 IE
Forzoria Approaches
To the North of Birland, the Forzorian Empire had grown over nearly 3 and a half centuries into a Continental Power, and the Empire had set its sights upon the Bir as the next nation to Conquer. While none could doubt the Mainland Bir would be overrun by the Imperial Army, the fact of the matter was that the Imperial Navy was nothing more than a few fancy looking ships that sat in port and never did anything. The Mainland Bir were needed to face the Island Bir upon the Sea.Emperor Augustus II began instituting the Reforms to transform the Skelton Navy of the Empire into a proper naval force capable of challenging the Island Bir and besting them at sea. While Augustus II began his reforms, his Son Flavius began to engage in diplomacy with the Mainland Bir King Damik II. Flavius and Damik opened several major trade routes between the two states, established diplomatic ties and in a stroke of political genius, arranged a marriage between Damik's Only Child and Heir, Darina to Flavius himself.
The Negotiations between the two men would guarantee the support of the Mainland Bir in the coming naval war against the Island Bir, while the Empire had the vast resources needed to assemble a navy far larger than anything the Island Bir could assemble, the Mainland Bir brought their ancient warrior tradition and experience at waging war upon the seas. This combination of resources and experience, along with the naval reforms of Augustus II, would birth a new Imperial Navy for the coming campaign.
The Campaign against the Island Bir began in the year 350IE, when King Damik II suddenly passed away and his throne passed to this Daughter Darina I. The death of King Damik and ascension of his daughter coincided with the Island Bir becoming aware of the marriage between Darina and Flavius, which greatly infuriated the High Sea King Vojtech VI. The Island Bir immediately mobilized their forces and launch an invasion of the mainland, quickly capturing several key ports and placing the Mainland Bir capital of Vysoký Kopec under siege, trapping Queen Darina and Prince Flavius within its walls.
The Bir War
The Lightning Assault by the Island Bir caught Mainland forces off guard, quickly their defenses were overwhelmed, and much of the kingdom overrun. However, these new gains would be quickly reversed, with the Empire learning of the offensive and dispatching the Imperial Army to destroy the Island Bir's forces, driving them back into the sea.Despite this quick reversal of fortunes, the Island Bir's naval forces still outclassed the Imperial Navy, quickly it began to launch attacks across the Empire's western Coast, culminating the sack of the city of Fraum and with it the destruction of the single largest Mint in the whole Empire, along with the destruction of the fledgling naval forces being built.
From there the Bir sailed directly north towards the Imperial City, seeking to sack the great city and crush the Empire by severing its main line of communication and hoping to capture the Emperor. All that stood in the way of the Island Bir's Armada and the Imperial City, was a task force of hastily built Warships and converted Merchant Ships, commanded by the Emperor himself.
As the Bir Armada neared the capital, they were met by Emperor Augustus II's naval forces just 10 miles south at the city. Augustus had chosen this position due to the rough unpredictable currents, and large number of harsh rocks peeking out of the water, however his force held a distinct advantage due to the currents. Many saw the currents as unpredictable and dangerous, yet many local sailors serving in the navy knew the currents followed a very specific pattern, one that was easily exploited.
Using the currents and winds, Augustus hid his forces among the rocks until the Bir navy was forced into the rocks by the sudden change of the currents and climbing winds. With the Bir navy suddenly forced upon the rocks, he sprung his trap and descended his fleet upon the Bir Armada. What followed was a massacre, the Bir Armada was crushed against the rocks, crippling their navy like never before and sending massive shockwaves across Bir society to its very core.
Modern Bir Culture
Modern Bir culture is not uniformed, with heavy division remaining between the Island Bir and Mainland Bir, now commonly called the Old Bir and New Bir, and from here describing culture is next to impossible without adding on "But the other Bir" to every statement, with few exceptions. Thus, each following section will be broken up into Old Bir and New Bir sections.Bir Cuisine and Eating Habits
Old Bir
One might call the Forzorian Diet simple, but it is complex when faced with what the Bir eat. Fish, Fish and even more bloody Fish, along with the occasional animal hunted, but it's fish and more fish constituting the core of their meals. Salmon, Cod, Tuna, and every other fucking fish under the god damn sea, they eat 2 meals a day at dawn and dusk and all it is, is fucking fish.New Bir
The New Bir, having been heavily assimilated by the Forzorians, share a identical eating habit and cuisine to greater Forzorian Cultur, a Diet of heavy Meat consumption, with most meals possessing elements of butchered animals, from the classical Pig roast to what has become known as the Hamburger. They eat all kinds of meat, Cow, Pig, Sheep, Goat, Fish, Turkey, Chicken and in some Mountain communities, Bear. Despite the heavy emphasis on Meat, there are still plenty of non-meat and non-animal-based foods. The most common food besides meat is a salad of Fruits and Vegetables, often accompanied with special sauces and spices.These Meals are often considered simple and hardy, lacking the extravagance and complexity of other meals across the continent, with the meal seen as what one must eat for the energy needed to continue the day. Such simple ideals on food also effect when they eat, with 3 meals scattered around the day and snacking frowned upon as a waste. Despite this simplicity placed on food, drink is an entirely different matter, inherited from Forzoria.
While food is simple and seen as a need for continued existence, Alcohol is seen as a proper part of one's life, with Beer, Whiskey, Wine, Scotch, Bourbon and all forms of drink from home and abroad sought after and enjoyed by all Adults. Such a love for Alcohol has earned the Empire the dubious honor of being the center of Alcoholic production across the continent, with a common saying being 'The Empire is a gilded hill from which flows a river of Booze.
Naming Tradition
Old Bir
The Old Bir Naming Tradition is split into two separate parts, a Given Last name and a Family First Name. Such examples of these kind of naming are Adamik Patrik, Horak Honza and Kratochvil Radek. The Only exception to this naming convention is that of the Bir King's, who upon ascension abandon their old names and take a new name, along with referring to them with their family name being forbidden.New Bir
The New Bir, following several centuries of Forzorian cultural assimilation adopted the Forzorian naming convention, which is split into 2 separate parts: A given first name and a paternal last name, such examples of these names are Gerolf Horak or Adolf Kopecky, the first names are often of Forzorian origin while keeping their Bir last names. Unlike with their Old Bir cousins, there exist no such rules on the names of the Bir king, or in their case Imperial Emperor.Gender Ideals
Perhaps the only thing that can be said to unite the Bir people in modern day is their ideas on Gender, or more specifically the extremely egalitarian view they hold on to gender. Women, or more specifically those who can pass the male rite of passage, are seen as equal in all things to men. This is due to the view that all those who finish the right of passage, have become the greatest example of Bir adults, capable of all forms of freedom and choice.For those women who failed or never attempted the right of passage, they are the keeper of the Home, protector of the family and master of the house, outranking even their husband in the family hierarchy. This steams from how the Ancestors of the Bir would spend months on the sea, leaving their mothers and wives to run the affairs of the household while they were away.
The Rite of Passage
When any member of Bir society reaches adulthood, they must undergo a Rite of passage to be seen as an adult and independent of their caretakers. The Rite of Passage is to take a one-man boat, and in the middle of a storm sail out into the dangerous rocks that enclose the coast of Birland, and must successfully navigate through them from their Port of Rite to the next port of Rite. Upon sucess, they are seen as the perfect Bir adult, and granted all the rights and privileges of an adult Bir. If you fail, your name is forgotten, and all mention of you is forbidden.
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