Jeghosi

Jeghosi (singular: Jeghos; sometimes incorrectly called also Jeghosians, Jeghosis) is an ethnic group consisting of tribes sharing mainly particular cultural traits, traditionally having their own language and relating to Varthalos (a.k.a. "Great Savanna", see also Varthalovir Eglisar) on Aldoviri Peninsula. The territory they operate(d) in is used to be called Jeghosia, but the historical research points out, that this territory was not strictly delimited and has varied over time. The clues point to the possibility, that we should percieve it so that Jeghosia is everywhere where Jeghosi are.
== Etymology ==
Name of this ethnic group is derived from "jeg hos", with the meaning translated from their language: "I am here" (but also in a figurative sense: "I am present", "I am awaken", "I am aware", "I am vigilant"), which expresses the core aspect of their nature, influencing their culture, mindsets, and philosophical background, and often also their lifestyle.
== Genetical ancestry ==
Due to specific current status of this group that underwent a mass exodus in the past, which presumably led mainly to their dispersion around the world, it is hard to do systematic genetic research, but sample probing (on currently living, or excavated ancient remains) is showing considerably high level of their genetic diversity, and many of those who are returning to their "Jeghosi roots" nowadays, show no genetic link to the preserved remains of the ancients.
=== Horse Breeding Genealogy ===
Paradoxically enough, superior Jeghosi horses were, and still are much more genetically homogeneous and pure, than Jeghosi people, because their masters were always very careful about not to mix their horses of superior genes with lower quality specimens, and also weaker offsprings were forbidden for further breeding under Jeghosi ®egistered trademark - since established, there were/are following genera of Jeghosi horses:
* genus Rodheros ➡️( - 2023)
* ➡️ genus Vastaros (2024 -)
True Jeghosi® horses must be labelled with this trademark, to distinguish them from fake ones:
== Ethnic markers ==
It turns out that their ethnic markers like physical appearance, clothing, accent, etc. is strongly dependent on the background of each individual or a place where he/she operates, although there are also sub-groups sharing commonalities like style of clothing, architecture, or lifestyle nuances (which also changed over time). One of such more homogeneous sub-groups is the one which was once inhabiting the ancient capital of Jeghosia: Rodheros (you can recognize them by white eagle feather in their hair), but in general, ethnic markers of current days Jeghosi are very diverse, they are using various native languages, and a very small subset of them even knows their original Jeghosi language.
=== Traditional clothing ===
It's well known fact, that since ancient times up to the present, traditional clothing of Jeghosi consists mainly of the robe covering the most of the body, sometimes excluding hands and/or feet, with removable hood covering the head, sometimes including coverage of whole face. Some examples:
File:Hobble Wobble Ukilen.png|Ukilen, Sky Seer of all Jeghosi in his robe with magical properties
File:Neu.png|Neu in his robe of Jeghosi horse leather, inherited from his Jeghosi ancestors
File:Untitled16 20240805035742.png|Adevir in typical robe, fighting for freedom of enslaved Jeghosi
File:Rodherodotos LoR 2023-10-14-crop.png|Rodherodotos in his original Jeghosi robe in Library of Rodheros (LoR)
File:Rodherodotos HeroForge-roll.png|Rodherodotos in his original Jeghosi robe
== Cultural attributes ==
Preliminary conclusions show, that the commonalities in this ethnic group are first of all cultural, but the more research is needed to extend, confirm and publish these findings. But for now, it seems to be safe to say, that etymology (as explained above) of their name is based on their identity deeply rooted in the present moment and their current place, which have many important implications for their mindsets and overall philosophy, e.g.:
# They are nomadic, not bound to any particular place, because any place they are is their current place "where they are".
# They don't make great plans for the future or for any places, because they often don't know, where exactly they'll be the very next day, but they still know, that that will be their "new here", so planning won't change anything essential (this does not mean they do not plan at all, they have many intentions, but they don't stick to them, their plans are not strict, but flexible, adaptable, improvisable, changeable when needed operatively).
# They are living in the present moment, they do not worry about the past or the future, also because they have the faith that there are only two options: either they still will be here in that present moment, which means that nothing significant changes, or they won't be here already, and nothing could trouble them anymore then.
# That all leads to their usual contentment with their current situation, they usually don't crave for more, they are not used to being subject to anger, so they are very peaceful, not aggressive, not greedy, they usually do not participate in wars, and they do not hesitate to leave any place they are currently in, when there is the aggression by others. (This does not mean they never fight, they are able to, but it is in most cases the last resort, because they love life and are not suicidal. Historically they were masterful bow makers and archers, as mentioned also by historian Hurugdai the Wanderer.)
# The fact they are content by default makes them not expecting, that the others should make them satisfied. They know, their contentment comes from their inside, not from the outside. Therefore they don't participate on hierarchical systems of power, where some rule and order, and the others obey, which causes very lot of displeasure in other societies.
# They are much more process-oriented than goal-oriented, because the process is about current experience and its enjoying, but the goal is about the future, which often means sacrificing the joy of presence.
# They do not hurry and usually do or speak slowly and prudently, because they know, there is no rush, and independently from how fast, they'll still be where they will be: in the present moment. (They are able to act quickly under immediate threat to their survival, but in most cases they know: when it's not about life, it's about nothing. Chill.)
# Their deep rootedness in the present moment is expressed by their symbol: a tree: also when windswept, it remains rooted and alive, connecting deepest depths with the sky and moving in the wind, which means, that they preserve their relaxedness and other qualities described above also in the middle of turbulent situations.
This does not mean, every one Jeghosi shares all the traits described above, but one is encountering that pattern(s) commonly while researching and studying them.
More about their traditions and religion in the history section below.
== Brief History ==
A brief history of Jeghosia follows - individual sections could be more expanded in the future:
=== Original Homeland ===
Jeghosi tribes migrated to Aldoviri Peninsula in ancient times. It is currently not known, where was their original homeland, or if they even had one, before their migration to Varthalos,
=== Migration to Varthalos ===
Time of the arrival of the first Jeghosi families to Varthalos is not known precisely, but it was long before Sagaviri Empire expanded to Varthalos. Jeghosi migrated to Varthalos in multiple waves over longer periods of time, and clues hint that that waves were quite diverse inside and also in comparison with other waves.
=== Kingdom of Pontus vs. Sagaviri Empire ===
Pontus was ruling over Varthalos, where Jeghosi were living peacefully, when a Myrmark-Sagavir war broke out: Pontus joined Myrmark, but was defeated by Sagavir, and Varthalos became the part of the Sagaviri Empire. Some Jeghosi were fighting against Sagavir in that war, as mentioned also by the historian Hurugdai the Wanderer. After their victory, Sagavir had built a Sakrelist Sanctum on the hill above Varthalos, southern of Kalasirol (the area later known as Rodheros).
=== Founding Rodheros ===
After the fall of Sagaviri Empire, its Sakrelist Sanctum on a hilltop of Varthalos started to decay and overgrow by vegetation. During that times, Rodheros was founded, as described by historian Hurugdai. See also the history of Rodheros.
=== Sironian Expansion ===
In later times, Sironia expanded also to Varthalos, but not in an unfriendly manner, and Archon of Sironia granted Jeghosi the autonomy in Varthalos, where they had formed their state named Jeghosia, having Rodheros as their Capital. Writing by Hurugdai, preserved from that period, documents the traditions and the religion of the Jeghosi. Jeghosi lifestyle was very attractive also for many foreigners, which were joining these nomads, and becoming ones of them. Jeghosi Sakrelism arose in this era too.
=== Fall and Exodus ===
After that "golden era" of Jeghosi in Varthalos, and due to the long-term recurring agressions from the south, a massive exodus of Jeghosi started (including acceleration of their assimilation with other nations, mainly Sironviri), and took several generations to complete. Jeghosi were departing Varthalos in larger groups. The leader of the last large group was Anthea - after she led them away, just scattered remnants of families and villages remained in Varthalos, and perished over time. Some of them became pirates, like the ancestors of Neu. "Tail end" (final phase) of that exodus is covered also in Nigxl's biography (early years).
=== Jeghosi Renaissance ===
Jeghosi Renaissance in Varthalos was started by Nigxl's return to Rodheros and was driven mainly by the restoration+renovation activities in Rodheros. But then, War of the Comet came, and everything changed: various Jeghosi groups and individuals were in their survival endeavors scattered around the new world: Abexilas.
=== New beginnings in Abexilas ===
Various survivor groups containing Jeghosi are known to be settled in:
* Iristoya continent
** Vastaros, a town in Valdic Union was founded by Jeghosi descendants Chief Eric Ven Ishtara and Aeneas Constantine
** Shurgothia (not confirmed yet), later became a part of Valdic Union as well
* Halinn continent
** groups of Jeghosi families landed on this continent as well, and started nomading there as usual
=== Slavery and abolitionism crisis ===
Eric Ven Ishtara on one of his voyages to Halinn found out, that his Jeghosi (and Sakraviri) relatives were developing their settlements there, and revealed disgusting conspiracy of slavers from Tarrus, hunting and enslaving Jeghosi people - while they were nomadic by nature, the official "truth" was, they just moved elsewhere, was not suspicious, but they were being kidnapped and enslaved in Tarrus instead. Some of them were held for forced labor there, some of them were sold to other corners of the world.
Eric reunited with other survivors from their original motherland - Sironia - Fechera Bacuera (future archon) and Adevir Erle'Ythri (son of Adeon, grandson of Uldeon), who were working hard on reinstalling their new state there: Sakravir, and developed a plan for Jeghosi liberation from the the rotten business, and the eradication of slavery from Tarrus and preventively from the whole, newly constituing, Sakravir.
Their mission was successful (details in some other book), and enslaved Jeghosi which survived and were not sold abroad, were liberated. Adevir invited them to co-use his land in Ythan (Fort) Adevir (fortification near Tarrus) for their nomadic settlements under his protection, and built them a village of cabins around. And although liberated Jeghosi continued living nomadically (despite the risks), they used Adevir's hospitality every time they revisited Tarrus with joy, and they honored Adevir with noble title of "lord protector".
Fechera Bacuera who showed not only bravery, but also strategic skills while eradicating slavery from northern Halinn, became the archon of Sakravir, and Eric, who found his new purpose with his friends in Sakravir and new Jeghosia inside it, left Vastaros for good, and stayed in Sakravir as senator, to fully serve the good of his new homeland.
=== Jeghosi Intercontinental Railways ===
Liberated Jeghosi from Tarrus, and Jeghosi of Vastaros, when they discovered the survival of each other group, immediatelly started longing for not only one-time re-union, but also for strenghtening of their regular relations and communications. And in this very right moment, Intercontinental Railways project came to Halinn with the intention of connecting it to Iristoya with broad-gauge railway backbone, interconnecting nations Valdic Union (containing Jeghosi of Vastaros), Sakravir (containing Jeghosi of Tarrus), and Scaliga (containing Jeghosi of Ilnius). All three, geographically divided Jeghosi tribes, joined Intercontinental Railways, and added themselves to construction of their local and regional sections, to interconnect them in the future.
Category:Traveler's Era