The Adunians of Almaris: An anthropoligical view of Adunians in the Modern Era

[Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth 473]

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The Adunians of Almaris

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An anthropological view of Adunians in the Modern Era

 

Foreword by Tarwin Elendil

 

The Seal of the Clahn of Elendil of Brolwic

 

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Foreword

In the year 1642 of the First Age, the descendant races once again took to the seas as the Axios isles of Tahn, Asul, and Ceru were devastated and made uninhabitable by a cataclysmic storm of thanhic frost. Historians and scholars have named this world ending event the ‘Mordskov Upheaval’, due to speculation that the cause of this deep freeze originated from mysterious ongoings within the aforementioned city nestled in the Greyspine Mountains. Regardless, like realms prior and realms to come, Axios ceased to be viable for life to continue. Those fortunate enough to secure passage with a nation's navy or a sponsor's private vessel ultimately sailed east to settle the continent of Atlas. Others went westward.

 

The colony of Halstaig, under Braehn Elendil an’Hiraeth ‘The Mongrel Knifefighter’, was established to resettle the war ravaged Westerlands as a home to the Adunian people and the remaining Westermen families after the Mordring’s retreat from Axios. When faced with another great migration, Lord Elendil believed that to follow the other races would lead to a continuation of the same devastating trends that lead them to Axios in the first place. Instead, he led his people across treacherous seas to the heavily-guarded coastlines of the continent of Aeldin. Knowing that the Aeldenic Empire refused all foreigners under pain of death, Braehn and his fleet sailed beyond Imperial waters and around the continent before finding sanctuary in the lands of Magna Banardia. It was here that the Free City of Brolwic was founded, a few miles inland on the northern side of the continent.

 

Since its foundation  in 1643, the Free City of Brolwic has experienced great successes and deep turmoil. Ancient Adunian institutions such as the Ildician Order of Knights and Pilgrims, and the Thane’s Council were remade, as well as new ones such as the deliberative body known as the Yen Drochsehrin, translating roughly to ‘the Worthy Men’. Art, culture, trade, and tradition prospered in this new Adunian home. Yet the Adunian people, by their nature and curse, cannot escape hardship for long. A fast-growing but also deeply long-lived populace with finite property, inheritance, and opportunity had left many Adunian children without many prospects beyond service. 

 

It was not long after the founding of Brolwic that relations resumed with the Holy Orenian Empire and the first ship of migrants sailed Atlas way. Many young Adunian men and women from all walks of life made the journey to the Empire in search of opportunity. The Adunians, by persevering in the face of ancient prejudices, became an influential minority in the Empire with a reputation as industrious and educated people, albeit somewhat duplicitous. A few notable figures in Adunian history rose to the highest levels of Imperial society as both civilians and newly created peers. Even political tensions within the Empire meant well for the Adunians, at least those who chose the winning sides: The liberal and populist-minded  Josephite Party was dominated by Adunian leaders and bosses for decades, their grip on Orenian institutions holding firm right until the very end. 

 

The fall of the Holy Orenian Empire in 1868 IC and the collapse of human society ended this prolonged period of opportunity for this class of Adunians. Some would return to Brolwic, while others would travel across Almaris and integrate into newfound nations. Eventually, all contact between Brolwic and Adunian enclaves ceased as the state of humanity became even more tumultuous. 

 

In 1882 IC, by princely appointment, Mercator Elendil, sovereign of Brolwic, the Brolwic Free Company under Captain Garth Stahl-Elendil was sent to Almaris with the duty of locating and protecting those Adunians who remained in exile. Furthermore, Elendil had demanded that extensive research be done on the state of Almaris, and proper information of Adunian culture, customs and faith be made available to Almarisians, should the concept of Adunianess be lost to the descendant realms.

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I. What are Adunians?

 

The Adunian people are the twice-cursed children of Harren and Sarai, and are a long-lived but sparsely-populated race of humans originating from the northern reaches of Aegis, with a unique culture woven deeply into the tapestry of history. 

Adunians, being distantly related to elves through their Mali’dunn predecessors, do fall to several of the same detriments as their related ancestors. Though falling under the curse of Horen and his children, stricken with a shortened lifespan, Adunians - though dilute - do take upon some of Malin’s curse. Not nearly as fertile as other humans, Adunians would struggle to produce offspring as much as their related kin. Though not afflicted to the extent of Malin with years between births and sterility a guarantee, Adunians still suffer from partial infertility as males and females. Though they are mixed blood, new Adunians would not be created by the breeding of elves and humans, given the Adunians have been existent nearly as long as the other descendant races and subraces. Any human-elven offspring, no matter how long the length of a family tree, would be free of Malin and Horen’s full curse. To state plainly, Adunians are humans, not half-elves and elven characteristics are a sign of more recent elven admixtures. 

 

An Adunian, unlike all other humans, may live around 200 years. However, there is a common range of the Adunian lifespan. As in, an Adunian will generally live between 150 to 180 years before dying. This is often attributed to lifestyle. A saying often attributed to King Lachlan Mor ‘the Macecatcher’ goes as follows:

 

“No Adunian dies in their sleep.”

 

Their longevity is primarily due to the Wildewynn ancestry of the Mali’dunn mixed with Harrenite blood - producing an increase in lifespan, and a slowing of their aging upon maturity. 

 

There are six eras of Adunian history: the Harrenite era, the Fai O’Thuaid era, the Al’Ildician era, the Ildon era, the Kingdom-in-diaspora era, and the Modern era. In the modern era, there are three main types of Adunians that can be found in Aeldin or Almaris: Brolwickers, Nivinese, and Cartrefans. 

 

 

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II. Brolwickers:

 

Garth Stahl-Elendil of Brolwic, Captain of the Brolwic Free Company

 

The city-dwelling craftsmen, statesmen, and warriors of Brolwic are the most common Adunian to be found. Largely descended from the families of Old Halstaig, with some even tracing their lineage back to the Kingdom of Adunia or even the city of Ildon under Artorus the Great, these Adunians are born much taller than their Cartrefan counterparts. Darker hair and pale complexions are the most common by far, with the occasional dirty blondes and dark auburns. Their eye color ranges from grey, green, and blue eyes, with green and blue being dominant among the Brolwickers. 

 

The more urban of the Adunian groups, the Brolwickers are known for their masterfully crafted goods and sharp tongues to sell them. While Brolwickers are free men by law and by right, social mobility is low back home. Only the most distinguished or the children of Clahn chieftains become Ildician knights or are able to be seated in the Yen Drochsehrin. The best opportunity for the average Brolwicker is found with the Adunian Ranger Corps, the Brolwic Free Company, or one of the seven Brolwicker merchant guilds. 

 

The Adunian Ranger Corps is the standing military of Brolwic. Designed for speed and precision, the Adunian rangers operate in small units designed to execute mission objectives. It is often the most action and adventure a home oriented Brolwicker could find, due to the aforementioned exclusivity of the Ildician knights. 

The Brolwic Free Company exists as a specialized investigative company, often utilized in the tracking and confrontation of special assignments too complicated or bizarre for the rangers or knights. The Free Company exists as a private enterprise as well, often utilized by chieftains, merchants, and sometimes the lord himself. Currently, the main contract of the Company is held by the merchant guilds charging them with the guarding of vessels carrying goods to Almaris.

 

A popular export that finds itself in the liquor cabinets of peers and burghers alike in Aeldin and Almaris is Valdemere scotch, a centuries-old single malt whiskey with a closely guarded recipe. Other exports are but not limited to: Caelliac tobacco products, Douglas arms and armor, Armas wool products and Cercial watches and timepieces.

 

‘Brolwic, 1867 IC’, by Drannan Viathas

 

Brolwickers are most likely to be practitioners of New Adunian Canonism, otherwise known as Adunian Orthodoxy. Old Adunian is spoken in religious and ceremonial settings, while Common is used most other times amongst the Brolwickers. The Brolwicker accent is described as somewhat flattened, or backed, with long enunciation of vowel sounds that changes the ends of words. Consonant sounds are often pronounced harshly and rather distinctly. (Manchester English)

 

Notable Brolwickers of the modern era are the following:

 

Jonah Stahl-Elendil - Archchancellor of Oren, Josephite philosopher

Anastasia O’Rourke - Countess of Halstaig, Magistrate of Providence and famed warrior

Kheagan Armas - Vice Chancellor of Oren 

Frederick Armas - Esteemed statesman, Imperial Founding Father

Calan Stahl-Elendil - Author, Poet

Quentin Brae - Lord of Du Loc, Venture capitalist

Eliza Brae - Diplomat, Stateswoman, Arcanist

Edward Napier - anthropologist, Imperial Founding Father

Padraig O’Rourke - Count of Halstaig, Politician, Mafioso

Oisin O’Rourke - Count of Halstaig, proprietor of the Imperial State Navy

 

Brolwickers can be found anywhere in Almaris and of course, in the Free City of Brolwic. The largest accumulation of Brolwickers in Almaris is Castle Stahl-Elendil in the Blackwald Valley beneath the Arentanian Alps. 

 

 

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III. Nivinese Bowies: 

 

Unknown Nivinese Man

 

The grey-eyed wagon riders of Nivinor, these Adunians are famous for their deeply poetic music, natural capabilities in field and forest, and their ridiculously large hunting knives. The Nivinese, also known as the Bowie’s, are an itinerant subgroup of Adunians that have held onto their unique cultural practices since their earliest days of Al’Ildic in the lands of Aegis. 

 

A quiet and solitary people, the Nivinese are most likely to travel alone or a small group of other families during the warmer months, and always in their painted horse drawn wagons. During the winter, these caravans will grow and make camp by ancestral shrines or specially chosen grounds near Brolwic or friendly villages. When in familiar company, the Nivinese speak almost exclusively in their own unique dialect of Adunian, with a notable musical quality to their accent. (Sutsilvan-Romansch) 

 

Nivinese children are expected to learn survival skills such Bow & knife mastery, long distance tracking, herbs, flora, & fauna. Like their Brolwicker counterparts, a Nivinese child matures at the age of seventeen. A week-long celebration begins leading up to this celebration of maturity, culminating in the gifting of the youths' very own Bowie knife. A large weapon, these knives are twelve-sixteen inches long, varying in blade style. Patterns, messages, and symbols are often carved into the handles by elders before the knife is gifted. 

 

“A Nivinese family” by Tirna Armas

 

While their solitary and restless nature might be misunderstood as an aloof reservedness and distrust of the outside world, the Nivinese are not without heart or an appreciation for beauty and humanity. Their garments, much like their wagons, are often colorful and mixed and matched with their more rugged and drab traveling clothes. When it comes to Adunian art, it is the Nivinese with most appreciated creations. The Adunian lyric poetry tradition and musical styling known as “Chur'' is believed to have originated with the Nivinese. Popular Adunian songs known to have come from the Nivinese include: Ildon Road, Lady Of Ye Wild Moor, & Pulling On The Sun.

 

“The Nivinese in Song” by Tirna Armas

 

The Nivinese are seldom found in cities but off the highways and side roads of Almaris. They are identifiable by their painted wagons, their distinctive dress of colorful cloaks and garments over practical wear, their grey colored eyes(as most Nivinese are born with grey eyes), and once again…their comically large Bowie knives. A popular story of a Nivinese honor duel fought with said knives, amongst other things, is the Fight at Last Pine. 

 

(https://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/124111-the-fight-at-last-pine-adunian-legend/)

 

A Bowie’s Wagon, by Drannan Viathas

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IV. Cartrefans:

 

John Marsyr, Shepherd of the Cartrefans

 

It was the great shepherd John Marsyr who welcomed a number of Imperial Adunian refugees into his care following the collapse of Oren. In his holdfast of Cartref Mor, from where the term Cartrefan is derived, did these refugees find true safety for the first time in a long while. Today Cartref Mor lies abandoned, and the Cartrefans divided on the lines of good and evil: between a Necromancer cult and an order of Templar warriors. This ongoing conflict is of great importance to the Brolwic Free Company. Yet who are the Cartrefans?

 

The Adunians of Cartref Mor are most peculiar and fewer of the three groups as they share a closer kindred to Elvenkind than to humanity. Because of this, they are identifiable by their more elf-like appearance: grey/white hair, shorter and sinewy builds, and grey or amber colored eyes. Depending on intensity of Elven lineage and some Cartrefans having little to no contact with the Brolwickers, these features vary from person to person.

 

The Cartrefans are an excitable group known for their close bonds of kinship, which predisposes them to intense feelings of nationalism. Cartrefans have been implicated in several instances of social unrest and political uprisings in the recent decades, such as the most recent Norland rebellion. It is likely this is due to many Cartrefrans believing they were the only Adunians left in Almaris, without a home for their own. Most had never even heard of Brolwic, though John Marsyr is believed to have traveled to the city on a few occassions. The worship of ancestors and patrons is much stronger with the Cartrefans as well, for many lack any connection to the Canonist faith.
 

Cartrefans are known for their oneness with nature, as well as a deep respect and connection to Adunian ancestors and the old ways of patron worship. Their dialect of Adunian is Elven influenced, with several loan words and alterations. Some believe that, due to their Elven connections, they possess a greater talent for the mystic and alchemical arts.

 

“The Grey Magi” by Drannan Viathas

 

Some notable Cartrefans of the modern era include:

 

John Marsyr - Founder and leader of Cartref Mor

Aurelion Marsyr - Necromancer

Ser Uther the Templar - Templar Knight of Malchaedial

 

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V. Adunian Orthodoxy:

 

New Adunian Canonism, or “Adunian Orthodoxy” as it is called colloquially, is the branch of Canonism as practiced by Brolwicker & Nivinese Adunians. Faithful Adunians believe that GOD, in his frustration and disappointment at the sins of humanity, removed his direct presence from the world he created for his children. It is only through willful perseverance, a calm and clear mind, and active pursuance of good works can mankind, especially Adunians, enter the Seven Skies. Somewhat ironically, followers of Adunian Orthodoxy have found common ground with followers of Owynism, likely due to the philosophical similarities. 

 

Patron worship and Saint worship are common practice in Adunian Orthodoxy, with patrons of Adunia’s ancient past such as Ryumel the Explorer or Braehn Eli’sehn being invoked often. Newer patrons hailing from a less ancient time are also revered, such as Artorus the Great or Gavin the Knight. It should be noted that Patrons are not Saints, for their great deeds and virtues are remembered for more matters of heart & mind and not a deeper spiritual health(though this is hotly debated), but are still deeply valued and respected. 

 

Currently there is a movement of faithful Adunians petitioning the High Pontiff to raise Braehn Elendil an’Hiraeth to sainthood due to his crossing of the broken bridge to lead the Adunians & Westermen in recolonizing the Westerlands of Tahn for the Holy Orenian Empire during the 1500’s. Should this movement prove successful, Braehn an’Hiraeth shall be canonized as the first Adunian Saint in Canonism. 

 

VI. Names & Families:

 

Nothing matters more to an Adunian than their name. Clahn’s great and lesser are unique from one another, each with its own traditions, histories, and artifacts that indicate a colorful legacy. Below is a list of known Adunian Clahns, though there are likely to be more. 

Great Clahns:

Elendil, Haryn, Varodyr

Delmar, Douglas, Caellach

Viathas, Valdemere, Culloch

Annion, Wynsehn, Wallas

Marsh, Nivin, Cercial

Marsyr, Armas, Carthaig

Lene, Loyola, Antiachys

 

Lesser Clahns:

Seregon, Mors, Ilyn

Ilych, Varmir, Darmov

Havath, Roke, Falcryn

Eithelreach, Kaegh, Ilesca

Brae, Napier, Radah

Nurra, an’Leod, Stahl, 

Schote, Rourke

 

VII.What Makes an Adunian?: 

 

The Adunian people are an ancient and storied race that has survived through centuries of diaspora & cultural catastrophe brought on by foreign genocidal fervor and, as some believe, their own hubris. Generations experienced great hardship, yet nothing could destroy the Children of Harren. The strength of Adunia comes from a place of hard learned humility and a faithful perseverance to do good works in the mortal world. An Adunian from any walk of life and background is made to understand their odd place in the world as a people often caught in the middle. From Aegis to Axios, from Aeldin to Almaris, the Adunian people have survived and endured, enjoying great triumphs along with great failures. They shall continue to do so until the final end.

 

Spoiler

Liner Notes((OOC)): 

 

Hey folks! Most of you know me as JakobiWitness. Some of you older folks know me as Axlrose4078 or the Mace Catcher (I'll do it again too). I founded the Adunians back in 2012 as a weird Lord of the Rings rip-off, and watched it evolve over the years into the dynamic race that it is today. I am always in awe at what Adunia has become and I have to say, thank you to everyone who has played one or contributed to the greater RP narrative in any way. Special thanks to my original lore partner, Owl_7. Owl_7 helped give shape to my original ideas back in 2012, and then really added amazing depth to the culture that only he could have come up with. Could not have done it without him and Adunia’s existence as we see it today is because of his help. Current Adunians such as Asutto, Radahan, SilverTheDM, & DrHope are just a few of the awesome Adunian players and contributors who have taken the concept and created awesome things, so special thanks to them as well. I can't name everyone, but there are so many others to thank as well.

 

Now here are some things I want to address:

 

1. The example skins provided for the most typical characteristics of each sub culture of Adunian. Variations are normal and encouraged, but it’s always good to know where the starting point is.

2. Certain nods to ancient or previous eras of history, be they narrative creations like the founding of Brolwic and or the wars on Al’Ildic, or actively played characters and experienced towns like Artorus the Great and Ildon, are mentioned for context. Stories and expansions on those areas of Adunian lore will be shared at a later date if they are not already readily available.

3. Adunians are not Half Elves, if you are getting that wrong this far into reading this, you aren’t reading. Now, there can be Half-Elves who are half Adunian and Half-Elven, but that doesn’t mean all Adunians are half Elves. The only subgroup where half Elvenness is not increasingly rare is the Cartrefan group, and their physical characteristics often indicate that. 

4. Certain lore content, like the Seven Merchant Guilds of Brolwic, Ildician Knights, name day celebrations details, and other aspects are left a little open-ended on purpose: feel free to improvise, folks. All of this is provided to help you fill in your background. More posts to flesh out these aspects will be written in the future, with vagueness in mind to help folks fill in their own gaps.

5. Some of these family names are already in use, such as Elendil, Douglas, Stahl, Armas, and O'Rourke. These families can not be played by just anybody at this time, and speaking to the family heads is necessary if you wish to use these names for your Adunian family. However, many others are not yet claimed! I keep a database of Clahns that are in active use, were once used, and have yet to be used. If you want help starting or joining a Clahn, reach out!

6. Certain Adunian adjacent groups and organizations, such as the Westermen families, Josephite Party, or non-mentioned groups such as the Helena Mafia, the Avner Dayan Commune, or the Rhodir or Kvenomen Tribes, shall be addressed in a future post. I feel I'm repeating myself but there is a lot to cover!

 

That covers it all for now. Thanks again, folks!

 

Happy New Year,

The Mace Catcher

 

 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth
One more added detail

[Neviah 977]

21 minutes ago, Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth said:

Aurelion Marsyr - Necromancer

Hah.

[flexMate 328]

This is a certified Adunian moment. Great stuff Adunibro. :)

[SimplySeo 5183]

5 hours ago, Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth said:

IV. Cartrefans:

"We're called the 'Harren'hil'." Ser Uther muttered irritably as he read...

 

5 hours ago, Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth said:

The worship of ancestors and patrons is much stronger with the Cartrefans as well, for many lack any connection to the Canonist faith.

Blinks, giving a puzzled look as a quick glance was cast over his shoulder towards the giant stone Lorraine being raised in the center of his campsite by several strong-armed knights with the aid of ropes. The self-styled Lord of the Barrowlands shook his head as he read on. "Twenty years ago maybe... Had the foreigners done they're research, they'd know I've presided over the conversion of most of those godless heathens..."

[TreeSmoothie 4862]

Viktoriya gave the paper a thoughtful read, only stopping as she reached the list of 'well known Halstaigs'. Her face scrunched up, muttering under her breath - "Anastasia was merely an adopted human, formerly a Norlander, I think. Lass literally tried assassinating me -- and then I found her doing shite vith my HUSBAND! Well-known Adunian my arse." 

[Damnit_Delmar 1029]

Spoiler

Very cool lore moment +1

 

[Eddywilson2 2116]

Caln McHarnish rolls happily in his grave.

[Asutto 1947]

Alysanne, still bedridden within her quarters at Castle Stahl-Elendil smiles as the publication makes its way around the keep. Perhaps at last, there was a place for their people upon the mainland. 

[Nectorist 7347]

Amos the Famous, the Adunian bandit, is grateful that finally someone has published a great account of his people! His many chins jiggle in approval.