Khaeros

Physiology & Appearance | Notable Characters | Additional Information

General Facts

Amongst themselves, Alyrians are a rather easy-going people, curious and eager to learn everything they can. They value foremost the ability to speak well and to know and remember as much as possible, since they believe that true understanding of the world can only be achieved through knowledge which can be readily accessed and linked within and by the human mind. Misfortune, to Alyrians, is explained by the lack of comprehension of one’s path in life.

Another important thing to Alyrians is the sense of what is proper, i.e., knowing when to laugh, when to cry, when to be serious and when not to. They lack a strict protocol, because they believe men should have freedom in life to act as they will. Foreigners are usually impressed, if not confused, for example, by the diversity of greetings Alyrians use in their daily lives, since it is considered improper to answer a greeting by repeating it.

When it comes to dealing with foreigners, however, Alyrians are known to be very suspicious and even cold. It takes a lot of effort to gain their trust, but once that is done, one can be sure that a friend is made forever. In a similar fashion, an Alyrian is unlikely to forget an offence made to them, which makes them an admirable and restless foe.

Alyrians are fond of presenting their guests, especially foreign ones, with valuable gifts. That has, basically, two main functions: the first one being asserting their own value through the worth of the gift, and the second one being the creation of a mutual pact of guest-friendship among families. That way, should a member of an Alyrian family who has given a gift to a foreigner ever face the need for shelter, food, or help, that foreigner’s family is expected to offer such things, along with gifts to aid them in whatever enterprise they might be attempting to perform.

Government

Alyria’s governmental structure is utterly dependent on the Circle of Voices, the high order of Druids that is entrusted with every important decision that concerns their land and people. That order is comprised of three ranks.

The first rank’s members, whose group is also referred to as the Outter Circle, are known as High Druids. These men and women are chosen amongst their people for being the wisest and most devoted among their kind. As such, they are given the chance to play a significant legislative role in their society by acting as mediators in civil disputes. Furthermore, they are also expected to perform the duty of judges in cases of theft and other petty crimes, even though those are not, by any means, common in Alyria.

Theirs is also the task of teaching every child from the age of eight to sixteen. During that time, children are taught about their nation’s past and heroes. They also learn to respect the order of things in Nature, since they are shown how every living being in the world has its place and function in the circle of life. Basic notions of Poetry, Philosophy and Mathematics are also taught to them, as well as Geography, Herbalistics and Theology, wich, in fact, holds no separation from Philosophy to Alyrians.

The second and smaller group in the order is the Inner Circle, whose members bear the title of Elder Druids, or, simply put, Elders. After a long period of years, a High Druid who has shown great improvement and zeal for their tasks may ascend to the position of Elder. When that happens, they become responsible for the education of young Druids, whom they are to teach further aspects of life and Nature.

Apart from their educational work, the Elders are also entrusted with a great social and political responsibility. They are the ones who are sent, in times of need, as diplomats to other nations in order to solve problems or create alliances with other peoples. Judging vicious crimes, such as assassinations and conspiracy, also lies under their jurisdiction. To top it all, they are also needed as part of the trusted Great Council that advises their leader.

The leading position in Alyria is filled by an individual often referred to as the Scion of the Moon. This is an ancient and everlasting tradition, explained by the Elders and kept alive in the heart of every Alyrian:

From time to time, a child is born upon a period of darkness, when the sun fades away in the middle of the day and the moon is the only light that shines brightly in the starless sky. That child is destined to lead the Alyrians and is given complete attention by the Elder Druids, who are encharged with educating and preparing the young Scion for their future role.

Every crucial decision, such as declaring or ending wars and sending away armies or diplomats is made solely by the Scion, whose tasks also include presiding over important rituals and offerings. Other than that, the Scion spends most of the time in reclusion, studying and meditating about the best way to guide the Alyrians.

Army

Every year a Blaenor (who is also known as Chieftain) is appointed by the Scion. It is not unusual for a Blaenor to be reappointed year after year when their work is irreproachable.

The Blaenor is responsible for the whole of the army, being the one that promotes and demotes its members, as well as leading them to war and to training missions.

Basically, the bulk of the army is comprised of foot soldiers, divided into melee and ranged fighters, but treated in the same way as far as rank and importance is concerned. Their training is focused on being able to use their enviroment in their defence, which has proven in the last centuries to be the safest way to defend their homes. For that reason, they are taught to use the forest around them to their advantage, either by making traps, or simply by fighting from higher ground.

Mounted combat is not unknown in Alyria, even though that certainly is not their speciality. Most mounted units fight upon Forest Striders, due to their ability to move quickly in the woods. Again, they are divided into close and ranged combat and treated equally.

Army Ranks in order of importance:

Blaenor: there is always one and one only.

Arwyr: there can only be a maximum of four Arwyrs at a time, whom the Blaenor entrusts with the command over one of the army’s divisions.

Noddwyr: each Arwyr can appoint a maximum of two Noddwyrs, his most trusted men.

Caredan: when a Milwyr shows great effort and capacity he or she may be promoted to Caredan, or Veteran, which gives him a greater status, but also more responsibility for his brothers-in-arms.

Milwyr: Milwyrs, or soldiers, are fully trained and competent Newyddians and the most common rank along the army.

Newyddian: a recruit, the lowest rank, which is attributed to someone who has just enlisted.

Every enlisted man or woman is given a suit of armour and a pair of weapons equivalent to their rank.

Commerce

Alyria’s commercial activities are probably not the most prolific ones on the land. That is most likely due to their attitude of great suspicion towards most of the other races. Therefore, Alyrians are known only to trade with those they completely trust or when in dire need of a natural resource or manufactured good.

They are especially reluctant to give away any item crafted with Greenheart, their most precious and admired wood. In fact, it is more common for an Alyrian to offer such items as a gift to an allied sovereign or lord than to trade it. That is how much they value their Greenheart.

Crafters in Alyria are also known to embellish their creations with very intricate embroidery or runes. Other than that, Alyrian weapons and armour are usually lighter and built to have perfect balance and improved speed.

Alyrians are very fond of all sorts of manifestations of art, but music and poetry moreso than any other. For that reason, some of the best and most renowned bards come from their land, even though a good amount of their production is deemed way too long for most of the other races.

Children who show interest in learning the crafting arts begin their education in this area at the age of twelve. They are taught the basics of the chosen craft by a Master Crafter, who tutors them individually. In exchange, the pupil helps the crafter as best as possible with all the daily work in the shop.

Once they have learnt all that is necessary for them to work on their own, they are given the title of Adept Crafters, which allows them to have their own establishment and sell the goods they produce to any other Alyrian. They are, however, expected to contribute with ten percent of their profits to the national treasure, as well as donate a seasonal amount of goods to the army.

Those who fulfil such expectations will find themselves, after a while, being promoted to Master Crafters. At this time, they will gain the right to sell and buy goods from and to citizens of other nations. In addition to the duties they already had as Adept Crafters, they will also be entrusted with the education of youngsters who have decided to become crafters.

All six different commercial fields have only a single Grandmaster, who is annually appointed by the Scion and responsible for promoting and demoting crafters, as well as collecting taxes and donations.

Other Social Positions

In Alyria, there is no such thing as nobility. However, they do have a system that allows certain individuals to obtain a position of great prestige, even though such prestige is individual and not passed down to or shared with their family in any occasion. This usually happens when a Blaenor, or any other person that served the city for a long time, retires due to old age and is still considered to be wise. The Scion, then, may bestow upon them the title of Saets, which will grant them a position in the city’s Great Council, where their advice will always be heard by the Scion. From that moment on, they are always referred to by their title if their name is ever to be spoken (Saets Fearghus, for example).

It is a rare thing for an Alyrian to become Saets before reaching old age, but it has happened before to individuals of great wisdom and knowledge.

Another title that an Alyrian may be given by the Scion is the one of Dewin. To be named Dewin is a great honour, for it implicates that one’s council is so accurate, people would think they are diviners. However, this title is usually reserved to those who have not played any significant role in their society during their lives. Usually, those men and women are wise hermits who live in reclusion in order to reach a better understanding of their very selves, as well as become one with Nature while still living. It is not, by any means, a common thing to meet a Dewin, let alone to become one.

Saets and Dewins, as well as any other person in Alyria, are never referred to as lords or ladies, for it denotes an idea of noble superiority. This, to an Alyrian, is something completely alien and untrue, since they believe that no man can be nobler than the next one, due to the fact that they are all children to the gods and brethren in that sense. The only things in which a man differs from the next one is his knowledge and his way of living, for which he may or not be respected.

Alyrians, when referring to their Scion by some other title, use the word Arweinydd, or simply Guide, although this last one is never used to greet the Scion in person. Thus, a common way to greet the Scion is by saying Greetings, my Arweinydd, and a possible way of referring to the Scion when they are not present is by saying our Guide.

Great Council

In order to advise the Scion and to decide the fate of the nation, the Great Council meets every month during a full moon. It is comprised of the Inner Circle’s High Druids, the Blaenor, the Grandmaster Crafter, leader of the Saoidh and any existing Saets. The Scion often joins them when needed, but only when matters of great importance are being discussed.

Marriage

To the Alyrian mind, marriage is a very serious and personal matter. However, unlike most cultures, Alyrians hold no public ceremonies in order to get married. In fact, although there is no real tradition or law on this matter, young couples usually visit the waterfall near the city by the moonlight, seeking the blessings of both Cariadawr and Arianthynt. They, then, communicate their union to their friends and, from that moment on, they are considered to be married.

Separations are not unheard of, but they are not overly common. When that happens, they are usually conducted amicably and without great distress. There is no real disregard towards separation, as to an Alyrian two people should only be together if they truly love each other. If, for some reason, that changes or they find out that they were mistaken, a separation is but the right thing to do.

However, attempting to remarry too often is certainly frowned upon and might even result in exile due to improper behavior. Marriages are, after all, considered to be blessed by the Gods. For that reason, they should not be taken light-heartedly. While sporadic mistakes are certainly forgiven within the Alyrian society, recurrent offences are met with serious repercussions.

General attitude towards other races

vs. Tyreans

Alyrians and Tyreans have much in common, both phisically and psychologically. They both share a great interest and curiosity for what is new, even though Alyrians take a way more intellectual approach to such curiosity.

Commerce between the two races is very substantial, since it is kept alive by the tradition they both share of offering and exchanging gifts. For this reason, Alyrians find Tyreans one of the most pleasant races to deal with.

The only thing that really separates these two races is their different points of view when it comes to slavery, which is something abhorent to Alyrians, but rather normal to Tyreans. As long as that is kept away from the conversation, though, they should do fine together.

vs. Vhalurians

The Vhalurian way of living, with its methodical and unmeasurable care for human organizations is often seen by Alyrians as unnatural. They cannot understand such need, since they believe that the individual freedom of every man and woman is one of the most valuable things in life.

However, Alyrians admire the passion Vhalurians have for their nation and how fiercily they defend it, even though they see that sometimes as somewhat of a mindless behavior.

vs. Azhurans

Alyrians share with Azhurans a similar way of living, but, all in all, most of their traditions are seen as offensive by Alyrians, especially their human sacrifices and slavery. Azhurans are seen by Alyrians as a barbaric and fallen people and they find no pleasure in talking or doing business with them.

vs. Khemetar

The desert people fascinates Alyrians. If only they would store their knowledge in their own minds instead of in books, what incredible conversations would be achieved with them! However, they also enslave war prisioners, which is unnacceptable to Alyrians, even though they seem to try to forget that, since they see Khemetar as an exotic and interesting people whom they can learn a thing or two from.

vs. Mhordul

To Alyrians, they can barely be called humans. Mhordul have the most barbaric and reproachable manners a people can ever have. They are feared creatures who will kill for no reason other than sheer love for bloodshed. For that reason, they are killed on sight if ever caught close to Alyria without presenting a peace flag. Notwithstanding, on the rare occasion of a Mhordul wishing to be civil, they are heard for the sole reason of their brutal honesty.

Names

Common male names for Alyrians are: Bran, Brennus, Brian, Caley, Calhoun, Casey, Cass, Cathal, Ceallach, Conall, Conn, Craig, Culley, Daigh, Devine, Dolan, Donn, Doran, Dow, Dumnorix, Eachan, Fearghus, Finnegan, Fionn, Gaeth, Gair, Gallagher, Galloway, Gwent, Haley, Imar, Innis, Irv, Keelan, Keenan, Keller, Kelvin, Kenneth, Labhraidh, Labras, Leannan, Lonn, Mardbod, Murdock, Ossian, Quinn, Raegan, Ryan, Riddock, Sean, Trevor.

Common female names for Alyrians are: Aideen, Aine, Anna, Arianwen, Blair, Brenda, Briana, Caireann, Ceinwyn, Colleen, Dealla, Dervil, Devany, Eachna, Eavan, Ethna, Eithne, Elatha, Eleanor, Fionna, Grania, Gwynne, Isleen, Kaitlin, Keena, Liadan, Lynn, Maeve, Mell, Myrna, Naomh, Neala, Nessa, Nevina, Nia, Nila, Nola, Ryann, Sinead, Taillte, Tara, Tullia, Una, Vanora.

Alyrians use a patronymic for their last names, formed with the word ap, or verch for women, plus the name of their father. For example: Fearghus ap Lonn and Ceinwyn verch Irv.