Garenbrig Culture Guide - The Ways of the Aduno-Highlander

[Pepto 440]

PENNED ON THE 1ST OF SUN’S SMILE, S.A 188


History

The Aduno-Highlander, as it is today, stems from old cultures of Atheran Highlander clans, their Drengrs, whom co-mingled with cultures of Adunians that held similar ways of life. Namely, mountainous living arrangements, survival methods and habits. Not only this, but these two bloodlines both shared in their usage of certain apparatus, in terms of arms, armament, and every-day clothing. The most evident and glaring example of this can be seen in the Kilt. Whereas nowadays, the Aduno-Highlanders no longer wear this dress other than the rare ceremonial occasion, they do hold dear some old traditions and values. Humble beginnings, and fiery conclusions. Men and women born of simple origin and stock, raising themselves up, and often leaving this mortal coil in heroic manner.

Indeed, after multiple Highlander families died out one by one, at least four old warrior-clans lingered, refusing to follow their fellow clans into the grave, and found themselves adapting to other cultures and surroundings. Leaving behind most of their tribal natures in favor of the perceived stability of Heartlander Kingdoms of the time, they found themselves taken under the wings of Santegia as Retainers, Kings-Guards, and Royal Executioners. In their hall of Brynmor, the Briar keep, these clans did yet live. The Briars, Glennmaers, Flynts and Thornes. Whilst they prospered here together, their time too ran out, as did that of Santegia and Axios, resulting in the death of the Thornes, and the diminishing of the remaining three bloodlines.

 

Eventually, the Flynts found themselves a small pocket of Petra to live in, under the guidance of Queen Renilde, once again comfortable in their humble circumstances. The Briars, albeit the last surviving member of that clan, and the Glennmaers, of which there were three, became sellswords. From Axios to Almaris these three clans persisted separately, severed from each other by time and cataclysm, yet all connected through their purpose. Warriors true, each and all, did they survive on the bread of those who could afford their blades. Sellswords with no renown, yet simply happy to live on.

It was then that the Flynts happened upon Petra, and but a stone’s throw away, did the Briars and Glennmaers, what little remained, find Ser Uther Pendraic. Though loyal service did they provide, yet again blood did falter. The remaining Briar took to the poisoned utterings of the tyrant drake, and soon after fell, Ser Mordred the Mad eventually living up to his name. Ser Alwyn Glennmaer alone, first of the Adunic Glennmaers, held patriarchal sway over the blood of the old clans now, with his young son Garen Glennmaer under him. 

 

As years passed, the legend of Barrowton grew, eventually erupting into the pale grandeur of the Exilic Kingdom of Numendil. House Glennmaer prospered under the rule of Tar-Numenetar, once their Knight-Commander and Warband leader, now great King of the Adunians. Martial skill and loyalty alone did ever Uther ask, and that is what he received. In turn did he give the house of Glennmaer grace beyond compare. Wealth, Land, security, and a seat of their own. From one old warrior and his son, did stem the sprawling blood of house Glennmaer, and on that Hill in Numendil did Formindon sprout, the Crucible of which the fiefdom of Garenbrig would emerge.

 

So now, another Bastion of Aduno-Highlanders sits in the lands of Numendil. A place of humble men and women, where the line between GOD’s green earth and man’s innovation are blurred, the resolute stone of those old Highlander clans melds seamlessly with the graceful green Adunic glades, and hearts burn with everlasting fire for what they hold dear.  With this newfound home, under house Glennmaer, came a final seal, a coat of arms in Numenedain style:

 

 

 

Depicting a blazing Tower, rooted to the ground upon a black & green field, symbolizing their newfound hold, enduring nature, and the purging flame of Owyn.
 

Language

Though the Glennmaer house and the population of Garenbrig can often trace their heritage back to those old Highlander clans, the language faded, at least for the Glennmaers, and gave way to the Low-Adunic tongue, also known as Thaudian. Whereas the Flynts retained their language, often referred to as Daelish now, the houses that took root in Numendil traded their gutteral, yet strong speech for a language of flowing words, lofty cadence and symphonically uttered phrases. A language and accent that gives way to the telling of stories, conveying meaning, but also to deliver words with great power. Indeed do the Glennmaers take after their Adunic heritage in their speech and often bardic nature, though the Highlandic roots remain, resulting in rougher tongues and a lower foundation from which their words rise. Whereas sometimes, an Adunian such as old Ser Mordred might speak like gentle rain, the natives of Garenbrig provide a semblance of thunder.
 

 

Architecture, Climate and Dress

With the rise of House Glennmaer came a certain fondness for practicality, yet humble ornamentation. Indeed do the people of Garenbrig often enjoy embellishment, decoration, and adornment, it rarely is done in excess. Streets laden with shrubbery and flowers, cobbles strewn with vines, and climbing fields of moss cement the lands of Garenbrig as one that holds dear the modest beauty of God’s creation. Though, that is not to say that Garenbrig’s people let nature run wild. Nor is it to say that they do not bother with decor of their own making. Carved stone, colorful banners, bunting and harvest-tide adornments remain year-round, for the governing bodies simply cannot bring themselves to remove the simplistic novelty, nor the nostalgia that it brings of old Barrowton, where house Glennmaer began their true ascension. 

 

 

Indeed it is, that Garenbrig has returned to some of that old, simpler grandeur that Barrowton held as a shining beacon of hope in the meek barrow hills. Such is seen most obviously in their arms and armor. Nostalgic, just as their architecture, the Knights and Soldiery of Garenbrig dress themselves in simple, practical plate-maille, taking into account their more rugged terrain. Knights bedeck their plates in fantastical ornamentation, depicting sigils, house-colors, and aspects of their heraldry. Wings, horns, antlers and rooks. Plumes, manes, wreathes, entire animals cast in bronze. As long as their helms can support the design, the Knights often produce it. Where soldiery, Men-at-Arms and huntsmen lack this privilege, adornment is not entirely impossible, and even they can ascend to Knighthood themselves.

 

 

The common folk wear various types of dress. Some harking back to days of old tradition, and some sporting more modern Adunic designs. Both meld together almost seamlessly, as in the somewhat bleak hillside of Garenbrig, every flower can be admired for its color, be it a shade of old Highlander tartans, or the sleek velvets of Numenost’s elegance.
 

Values

Like most of Numendil, Garenbrig values honor and virtue above all else. To live by Horen’s scroll, and for many, to adhere to the code of chivalry. Even the peasantry sometimes practice this way of life, believing it not just to be the realm of Knights, but descendants as a whole, to be the best possible self.

Along with their humble beginnings, some consider the denizens of Garenbrig to bear a fondness for humble things. A love for things that grow, good food, warm hearths, and the flowing of one’s favorite brown-colored drink. Yet it is this humble fondness of simplicity and community, that a sense of duty sprouts from. The world can be dangerous, thus the need for loyal soldiers and chivalrous knights is paramount, further cementing Garenbrig as a culture of both martial and agricultural foundation, held tightly together by the ideals of virtue and chivalry alike. 

 

 

Due to their connection, both physically and historically, to the Kingswood of Numendil, superstition is commonplace. After frequent assistance from Fae creatures, especially in the time of Delgorthad’s assault on the Kingdom of Numendil, it is often for the people of Garenbrig to be wary, yet respectful, to the denizens of the woods. Whilst some might seem benevolent, such as the beloved Jenny, the Holy Scrolls and history alike tell of the dangers of the Fae. Fairytales and horror-stories alike stem from the mere existence of the Kingswood, and flights of fancy run amok by tipsy men watching the shadows of the woodland shift. Never-the-less, the horrors and mystery of all things wild make frequent visits to the town of Garenbrig, be they friend or foe.
 

 

 

[Laeonathan 5046]

An old Glennmaer by the name of Eredain nods approvingly of his own culture and makes sure to visit Garenbrig with his wife soon!