Khaeros

Physiology & Appearance | Notable Characters | Additional Information

Lifestyle

The Tyreans are a race of fishermen and hunters. As such, they do not rely on agriculture for sustenance and therefore do not place a high importance on land. The value of territory is based on good hunting grounds, efficient fishing spots, accessible living space and defensibility rather than the fertility of arable land.

Because the cold climate and rocky soil of their homeland lends itself very little to agriculture, the Tyreans choose to live off what they do best: hunt, fish, and conquer. Although they erect dwellings and fortified towns, their lifestyle stems from their centuries-old hunters’ traditions. Although it is not unknown for a Tyrean clan to keep a small family garden, it is often used for the luxury of fresh fruit. Some families manage to successfully grow vegetables, such as carrots and cabbage. In Tyris, there is a large, common garden used for small seasonal crop and beekeeping.

The Tyreans are a warm, welcoming and often playful people. Their clannish spirit creates an ever-present atmosphere of family-based altruism. Their closely-knit community creates a good starting point for festivals and games, where fierce but friendly clan competition can take place.

Crafts

The Tyrean are expert steelworkers. Their success in wars abroad and domestic is easily explained by the refinement of their steel weapons and the highly protective half-plate armour that they create. In their own lands, the Tyreans make and maintain a wealth of tools and utensils, pots and pans, drinking goblets, decorations (mirrors, shelves, wall hooks, candleholders and the like) and a plethora of objects either useful or ornamental. The wealth of a man’s household can be measured in the amount of iron and steel he and his immediate family (wife and children) possess.

Abroad, the Tyreans trade their readily-produced wares, such as excellent steel, salt-preserved fish, fur and hides, tanned leather, charcoal and tar for other resources they cannot easily produce at home. The Tyreans look to foreign cultures for cotton, cereal, exotic woods, spices, oils, perfumes and alcohols.

Domestic Warfare

In the defence of their own territory, Tyreans put into practice great discipline and strategy, rather than the brash, courageous and outgoing style of the Baelin. Their reserved and calculating approach to defence is the natural response to a bold invasion, which is often destined to fail against their well-planned setup. Because Tyris is surrounded by high, rocky and impregnable mountains, the land becomes the first barrier to an enemy, and an effective one it is.

The only way into Tyris is by the river. The walls that cut off the city from the outside have offer but a narrow passage. A naval assault, of course, may be mounted. However, Tyreans are masters of the sea, and the river entrance to their city is by no means wide. A seaborne adversary would be hard pressed to land ships unscathed on the other side of the city’s north wall. With the added press of Tyrean ships closing in the rear, the invasion force can be quickly caught inbetween a city filled with defenders and a pursuing fleet to cut off any retreat.

In the lands surrounding their city, Tyreans strive to avoid a pitched battle, and employ the waterways to escape to the safety of the city.

The Baelin

In coastal battles and beach raids, Tyreans descend upon their foes with the trained swiftness of the Baelin, their favoured method of warfare.

A typical longship’s crew is between eight and eighteen. A captain (the Bjorn or his delegate), his two lieutenants (brothers sworn men) and up to fifteen other members, men and women confounded, who man the ship. In battle, the captain is the first to disembark. The raid is done in two waves. First the men disembark and engage the enemy at close range with long-shafted battle axes (often made of iron) and spears. They use round shields to protect themselves against enemy’s melee attacks and arrows. Bjornt may own steel bastard or broadswords instead of axes. Archers shoot their longbows from the ship to support an assault or cover a retreat.

Because of all the sailing, jumping and running involved in the Baelin, armour is kept light, and leg armour is practically never used. Scale, ring (and sometimes chain) hauberks and banded bracers are favoured. Helmets are almost always worn. In the press of a toe-to-toe battle, most blows to come to the head, torso and arms.

The Baelin makes for rapid and exciting warfare, starting with the hasty preparations, hard sailing and culminating in the moment of the attack. Series of violent raids have proven to be an effective deterrent to anyone who would anger the Tyreans. However, a well-planned defence can ruin an attempt at a proper raid. Their longships are vulnerable to siege weapons and sabotage, and their style of rapid fighting is ill-suited to long maneuvers in an open field. When met with too much resistance, Tyreans are not above pulling back to their ships, but retreat, with its confusion and fear, is a serious blow to the morale of the crew. Although their years are spent in peace, it remains that Tyreans are in essence warlike, and easily excited to the prospect of a Baelin. Although they rarely seek to conquer, a well-timed war means booty and personal glory. In times of escalating conflict between Tyris and another nation, it is not uncommon to see effervescent industrious movement to stockpile supplies and craft weapons and armour. Tyreans ready themselves for war as a nation with a typical gusto in the preparations bordering the level of excitement of a festival. The sense of racial pride lends a second, more aggressive character to this otherwise peaceful and tolerant people.

Clan life

The Tyrean family unit is a large one, for it includes all direct members of the Bjorn’s family (wife, concubines, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters), his retainers (sworn men and their families, cousins, foster sons and daughters), mercenaries, foreign visitors (treated as part of the clan for the duration of their stay, and eligible to all the same rights and privileges) and foreign slaves.

The head of the clan is the Bjorn, usually the elder son of the able-bodied generation. His authority over the clan is absolute, but his decisions are always freely influenced by the opinion of all clan members. His brothers are his immediate lieutenants. When the Bjorn is away, it is his wife who administrates the household in his stead. All clan members respect her authority. In the case of his death, it is she who inherits the estate and takes his place. If she remarries, she remains the clan head until the eldest son of her first husband comes of age. To Tyreans, the balance of power between husband and wife in a household is an important thing. For that reason, a strong-willed woman is admired and respected.

There is no such thing in the Tyrean life as an illegitimate child. Adultery is not a crime, and since the Tyrean think in terms of clan membership and manpower, the begetting of more children is a welcome thing anyways. Prostitution is not unheard of in Tyris, although most of them are of foreign origin. Concubines have the same status as sisters and aunts of the Bjorn. A man’s inheritance, however, goes to his wife and then to his children.

Foreigners have a place in the household of a Tyrean Bjorn. Since they may come from a variety of backgrounds, both humble and important, they permeate Tyreans’ social order in a relatively widespread manner. Although Tyreans are clannish and reserved, they are still curious of other cultures. It is not unknown for a Tyrean Bjorn to have in his household several foreigners as long-staying guests, permanent soldiers, retainers and sometimes slaves captured in the context of war. The Koen himself is wise to keep foreign consorts as part of his household.

Government

The Koen

Upon his brow, he must rest the heavy crown of leadership, made of all metals mined in Tyris. The role of Koen, like that of Bjorn, is hereditary. His duties include, but are not limited to: administration of internal economy, preserving the justice at the court, defending the city against all invasions, preventing internal power-struggles, blessing the marriages of Bjornt, choosing the master smith of the city and being a patron of the arts. Because the source of his income is the taxes exacted from the Bjornt and other vassals, his investments of time and personal wealth are always towards the good of the city. The Koen must choose a Jarl to assist him.

The Jarl

The Jarl is the personal right hand of the Koen. He is generally a kinsman or a loyal friend. He is the representative in foreign lands and speaks with the Koen’s authority. The Jarl wears a circlet of steel, to represent the steadfast devotion to his liege and realm. He is often called Koensbroja (king’s brother), even if he needs hold no direct blood tie to his lord. His duties include, but are not limited to: commerce, foreign diplomacy, warfare abroad and the administration, tax collection of foreign vassals, if any.

General attitude towards the other races

The general attitude of the Tyrean vis-à-vis other races is that of a great curiosity. They regale in the lore and legends of other peoples, and show great interest in foreign manners and protocol. While they like to learn the ways of others, the Tyrean seldom export their way of life. No matter how curious and adaptable, in the end, the Tyrean way is for the Tyrean only. There are, however, differences in how the Tyrean view each people.

vs. Khemetar

These fine sons of the desert understand the value of survival. Like us, they chose a harsh land to test their valour. With every generation, it makes them stronger. In them we see great opportunity for trade, travel and sometimes the challenge of a well-timed Baelin.

vs. Mhordul

Those savages are crude and unrefined, but they are to be watched for. They represent the greatest danger in these lands, and must be dealt accordingly. There is no reasoning with the savage Mordhul.

vs. Vhalurians

Our western neighbours have a rich culture with strange beliefs. They have strict morals that we question, but they make worthy adversaries. When war comes calling, and it has very often in the past, we rush to meet them in glorious combat!

vs. Alyrians

These people are very similar to us. It is even believed we came from the same stock. We do not understand why they are so closed to the rest of the world, but we respect their isolation.

vs. Azhurans

We do not know much about these lovers of the sun. They protect their nation wih as much devotion as we do, that much is clear. Do not approach their shores, for they defend them viciously.

Names

Common female names for Tyreans are: Asta, Astrid, Auda, Asvora, Brenda, Brynja, Eir, Elle, Ema, Erica, Fjorgyn, Frieda, Gerda, Gunnhilde, Haldana, Hallam, Helga, Hilde, Hulda, Idona, Inga, Inge, Ingrid, Kelda, Kirsten, Linnea, Liv, Mildri, Nanna, Norma, Olga, Ragnilde, Rana, Rona, Runa, Sigourney, Sigrid, Snora, Solveiq, Svanhilde, Ragna, Thora, Thordis, Tyra, Unne, Valda, Yngvild and Yule.

Common male names for Tyreans are: Bodvar, Brian Eric, Erland, Finn, Frey, Garrett, Garth, Geir, Gunnar, Gunther, Gus, Gustav, Hakan, Haldor, Harold, Hjordis, Holger, Howe, Ingemar, Ivar, Jorund, Kell, Kerr, Kirk, Latham, Logmar, Njord, Oddvar, Odell, Olaf, Ormar, Ranulf, Regin, Roscoe, Rothwell, Runolf, Somerled, Sorley, Stig, Sven, Swain, Tait, Tarn, Tate, Terje, Todd, Torvald and Yngvar.

Tyreans use a patronymic for their last names, formed by adding the suffix -son to the their father’s name if they are male, or -dottir if they are female. For example: Latham Stigson and Ingrid Kirkdottir.