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[Subculture] The People of Ayr & Valwyck


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THE AYRIAN SUBCULTURE

Ve Ayrikiv


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   I.    Introduction

   II.   History

   III.  Physical Characteristics

   IV.  Way of Life & Dress

   V.    Language & Dialect

   VI.  Religion

   VII. Notable Individuals

 


 

I - Introduction

 

The Ayrian people (also referred to as Valwyckan, Valwyckian, or Ayrikiv in their native Naumariav) are natives of the highest mountains and peaks of Hanseti-Ruska, usually situated near large bodies of water such as seas and lakes. Years of a stationary, self-sustaining agrarian lifestyle led to the distinct culture within Hanseti-Ruska, with true natives of these mountain’s culture ('ancient Ayrians') intertwining with that of the typical Hanso-Raev and Waldenian. 

 

The ‘beginning date’ of the modern Ayrian culture could be when King Petyr I granted Eirik ‘the Whaler’ the Barony of Voron, and the culture was personified with Eirik administering over subjects in the extreme highlands. Other historians might argue the ‘beginning date’ of the Ayrian culture was much later at an undefined time, around the reign of Count Otto or Count Aldrik of Ayr, when the Waldenian roots of reigning Baruchs and immigrants from other parts of Hanseti-Ruska truly became distinct, from mixing with the 'ancient Ayrians' and prolonged isolation.

 

Ancient Ayrians refers to the tribal people that dwelled the mountains before the arrival of the Waldenian Baruchs, and their culture largely influences the behavior of the modern-day Ayrian. 

 


 

II - History

 

The development of the modern Ayrian culture began primarily with the Baruch administration over the mountains and shore in northern Axios, the Waldenian Baruchs themselves sworn fealty to the Haeseni king. With the Baruchs, there was an influx of immigrants from the city and suburban areas to the new land. The Baruchs found detached natives of the land there already - the culture was filled with traditional garb, dance, food, etc. Notably, the natives wore plaid kilts and spoke with a thick highlander accent, and although were resistant to Waldenian Baruch rule and assimilation with the Haeseni, years and years of living together combined with new prosperity from the Baruchs led to the mixing of the two cultures (Ancient/Early Ayrian and Waldenian) by the reign of Count Otto or Count Aldrik. 

 

The development of the culture took leaps during the reign of Count Aldrik. The brief independence of the County of Ayr during the short disbandment of Haense in 1655 on Atlas led to a focus on agricultural, structural, and societal expansions - though the Ayrians would have difficulty retaining levels of economic prosperity without the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, and would quickly vassalize once again given the opportunity.

 

Many of the highlanders and city folk alike would flock to the capital castles and surrounding towns in the Baruch holdings; this bastion of this mix of Haenso-Raev culture and native highlanders, nestled in beautiful northern mountains. The castles themselves would still be typically quaint and stone compared to more magnificent castles of other vassals (that is, until the construction of Lichtestadt by Matyas of Valwyck, a large, grandiose castle situated on a lake in the highlands). Some rural highlanders would not go to them, remaining in their original hamlets. While still taking some influence from the developed castles in the heart of Ayr or Valwyck, the rural Ayrian common folk remain as one of the most detached and conservative peoples in Haense. 

 

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Castle of Valstadt, c. 1770

 

Militarily, the Ayrian people have found themselves a part of large international conflicts historically. The first collection of Ayrians in a military organization was the Baruch-led Greyguard in Ayr. The Greyguard was a small yet resilient group of light to heavy pike and axe infantry, with some slinger and archer units. The elites used two-handed broadswords or greataxes donning heavy armor. 

 

Major conflicts the Greyguard fought in included being a main proponent of the Greyspine Rebellion, fighting with Ruthern forces to reclaim the lands of the Kingdom of Haense from Courland. In the Aberrang war, the Greyguard levy fought with King Robert I and imperial regiments to take back Saint’s Rest from heathens that had captured it from House Baruch. The levy was also reinstated during the War of Two Emperors and under the leadership of Count Sigmar successfully raided and fought against Renatus and its allies, mainly Norland and Curon. 

 

The Greyguard not only emphasized the regimental, clan, and familial nature of Ayrians, which held the group together and kept them resilient, but also developed the culture to obtain more distinguished warriors and fighters. 


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Early medium infantry of the Greyguard aiding a clan member

 

The reign of Duke Matyas led to a bit of a cultural revolution within Valwyck, whereas more of the lifestyle of the Early Ayrian was emphasized. This included more standardization of dress and fashion, dance, music, mindset, and vernacular. Before this, there was less of a unified culture in Valwyck. The contemporary culture following this change is what is discussed in the following chapters. 

 


 

III - Physical Characteristics

 

There are three basic phenotypes of Ayrians due to varying levels of intertwining Haeseni, Waldenian, and native mountainous peoples, as well as people’s wealth and status over the years. 

 

HIGH MARIAN

The elder nobility of Valwyck, namely the Baruchs and Gants, who are taller than others and typically have black or brown hair with green or blue eyes. Might have a more slender and less rugged appearance than the lower classes. 

BURK MARIAN

The ‘mountain Marians’ describes the middle to upper class Ayrians who live in relatively urban settlements. Many were originally Haeseni immigrants who intertwined with the Burk Vezuchet. They have brown to blonde hair with green or blue eyes normally. 

BURK VEZUCHET

Translating literally to ‘mountain commoner’ these burly highlanders make up the largest proportion of Ayrians and exhibit plain features such as brown hair and grey to brown eyes, usually standing at around 5’11. Very traditional and strong from manual labor in the highlands, they are typically regarded as the original natives of the mountain / descended from Early Ayrians.

 

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An Ayrian ‘burk vezuchet’ weathering the harsh northern winter with his livestock

 


 

IV - Way of Life & Dress

 

The Ayrian way of life is distinct, rural, and takes inspiration from Biharism. The highlanders of Ayr/Valwyck are resilient to any other modernist reform from the Haeseni capital or heartlands that might impede on this way of life. 

 

The lifestyle heavily revolves around agrarian and fishing traditions. The Baruchs themselves were originally rural fishing barons, becoming very comfortable and profitable from this industry, so far as to eventually find themselves deep into the seas and whaling. Centuries after the traditions set by Eirik I, Baruchs continued to live off the age-old Ayrian practice of whaling and fishing, however picked up a much more agrarian lifestyle, including growing primarily potatoes and beetroot and shepherding. 

 

The industries the Baruchs and Ayrians center themselves with led to a very self-determined and sustaining lifestyle. 

 

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A rural Ayrian tending to his sheep & goats in the countryside

 

The dress of the common, rural Ayrian is traditional plaid drape and kilts. The purpose for this very niche and specific clothing is simple; for the rural man, it is much easier to create plaid kilts than tailored pants. It stuck on and remained as a common practice to wear them. 

 

Modern customs in Hanseti-Ruska, however, are quite different from what the rural Ayrian would consider normal. Many Baruchs still don plaid kilts and garb regularly, but especially so for formal events.  

 

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Matyas Baruch (left) upon ascension as Duke, Sigmar Baruch (right) upon abdication to Petyr I

 

Another interesting aspect of the way of life of Ayrians is music and funeral procession. The most common and festive instruments are drums and bagpipes, leading to distinct celebrations in Ayr compared to the rest of Hanseti-Ruska.

 

Funerals also utilize the bagpipes to honor the dead. Caskets are carried to a designated area whilst a respected tune from the bagpipes is played. The rest of the funeral is similar to any other, with caskets often burned or layed in crypts. 

 


 

V - Language & Dialect

 

As with all Haeseni, the Ayrians speak the national language of Hanseti-Ruska, Naumariav, as well as common. Due to their isolation and life far away, the Ayrians developed a distinct dialect, however.

 

Their dialect contains a thick, rhotic accent: for instance, one Ayrian might say “Ah think it’s goin’ to be quite a bonnie day tomorrow.” Naumariav words such as ‘da’, ‘niet’, ‘koeng’, ‘prevja’, ‘dravi’, and ‘spasibo’ are often mixed into the common, but also some native words were developed. To name a few:

 

  • Ken - know
  • Laird - lord
  • Bonnie - pretty/handsome
  • Toun - town/city
  • Bairn - baby/child
  • Laddie/Lad - boy
  • Lassie/Lass - girl

 

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The typical working Ayrian man

 


 

VI - Religion

 

Ayrians are devout Canonists, and closely follow the state religion of Hanseti-Ruska. [See other resources for more info regarding Canonism]. Important church figures of the Ayrian culture include Edvard III, High Pontiff. 

 

All the reigning Baruchs have the lineage traced back to Saint Otto of Vanderfell, and his image is therefore very prevalent throughout the territories of Valwyck/Ayr. St Otto’s own body is held by the Baruchs and his casket is displayed and carefully kept in pristine condition. 

 


 

VII - Notable Individuals

 

Eirik I of Ayr

Eirik var Joren Baruch

Eirik Baruch, known as ‘the Whaler’ was the first Baruch title holder and first settled the mountains for his Waldenian family. Many Baruch traditions extend from his original reign. Grandson of St. Otto.

 

Otto of Ayr

Otto Marius var Eirik Baruch

Otto Baruch, known as ‘the Just’ was the second Count of Ayr, and his reign saw great development to the Ayrian culture as well as his county. A veteran of many wars and conflict, he maneuvered his way to keep the house of Baruch’s standing well.

 

Aldrik of Ayr

Aldrik var Otto Baruch

Aldrik Baruch, known as ‘the Stalwart’ was the third Count of Ayr and a Haeseni knight. Known for several things, among them leading the independent County of Ayr shortly. This led to development in the Ayrian culture in many ways. 

 

Marus of Ayr

Marus Karl var Aldrik Baruch

Marus Baruch, known as ‘the Old’ was the sixth Count of Ayr and inherited the county due to a succession crisis, the majority of his reign spent maintaining Baruch’s standing after the incident. 

 

Sigmar of Valwyck

Sigmar Joren var Jan Baruch

Sigmar Baruch, known as ‘the Dutiful’ was the first Duke of Valwyck and a well known statesman of Hanseti-Ruska. Through his work, he earned the Baruchs the duchy from the Crown. 

 

Petyr I of Valwyck

Petyr Siegmund var Sigmar Baruch

Petyr Baruch, known by some as ‘the Mad’ or ‘the Beater’, was the second Duke of Valwyck and was a Lord Palatine of Haense. By the end of his reign, he became notorious for fits of rage and madness. 

 

Matyas of Valwyck

Matyas Aleksandr var Petyr Baruch

Matyas Baruch, known as ‘the Scyfling’ was the fourth Duke of Valwyck, and was the first Baruch Justiciar despite the family having many legal roots over many years. Constructed the grandiose ‘Lichtestadt’.

 

Terrence May

Terrensz Mau

Terrence May was a Haeseni statesman, known for working his way up from an Ayrian fisherman to a member of the Duma, Lord Palatine of Haense, and Imperial Senator.

 

Isabel of Valwyck

Isabel Franziska vas Petyr Baruch - Queen-Consort of Hanseti-Ruska

Isabel of Valwyck was the youngest daughter of Duke Petyr I and became the Queen-consort of Hanseti-Ruska following her marriage to King Josef I.

 

Bernard Baruch

Bernard var Marus Baruch - HP Everard III

Bernard Baruch was an Ayrian clergyman who later ascended to the mantle of High Pontiff, namely Everard III.

 

 


Edited by hippo
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