Vukhs

The Vukhs (Vukh: Jal Vuk') also known as Vukh Dwarves are a dwarven ethnic group, native to Abexilas, more clearly, on the continent of Rozakkora, around the Kayamek Mountain range, Ajerm Mountains and Hyotkjne Island. They are the dominant ethnic group in the Sentaran Province of Vukhmir
The Vukhs have existed for millenias, and are considered by some the only dwarven ethnic group, that is native to Abexilas. 
The Vukhs, very similar to other dwarven races, are short, and very robust/thick-bodied and big boned (calling a Vukh "a meatball" is considered a slur), compared to any other humanoid. They present a lot of facial hair, which allows for glorious and impressive beards to be grown. Vukh culture promotes the stylisation of facial hair, in order to symbolise something, usually mountains. Their eyes are narrow, due to a bigger and stronger head and cranial structure. The Vukhs have no affinity towards magic or any form of sorcery, as they believe it is only going to hinder their progress and way of life, instead, they are mostly focused on technological development, which they use in their forges, industry and infrastructure. 
== History ==
=== Origin ===
The origin of Vukhs is unknown, as there is no scientific justification of a humanoid form of life, to spawn under hard rock, but it is theorized that humans mined and hid underground during the Abexilas Ice Ages, mainly in the Kayemek Mountains and under what now is known as the Moylek Valley, in order to stay warm and live a good life. It is known that Ancient Vukhs managed to make agriculture, in variate scales, by grabbing dirt, using dripstone to keep it wet and lanterns/torches to provide light and warmth. 
=== Ancient Vukhs ===
As communities formed and isolated, they started erecting cities in large caves, using deepslate and hard rock to make housing and living complexes. It is known that each community interacted by trade, and that each one had a color to represent them, obtainable from what could be found underground, red from redstone or rhodonite, blue from lapis lazuli, black from coal, green from moss and white being unpainted sheep's wool. They also had an affinity towards magic, justified by what is now known as "Vukh Paganism", a thought in which The Great Forger, forged the world, and gave the Vukhs the underground and magic powers to take over the riches that wait to be discovered. They managed to make animated iron humanoids (a.k.a. Iron Golems), either through magic means, or through technological means, that were lost. They also belived that they could make a portal to reach "The Eternal Forge", a heaven like medium, these structures can still be found to this day.
=== The Ancient Retreat (around -3000 V.E.) ===
From what written record, sculpted in the ancient cities can be found, the Ancient Vukhs seemed have fled some sort of "plague". It is described as a "black, blue-glowing, moss-like organism, that corrupts and takes over live hosts and posseses them", it is commonly known as Skulk but, according to the records, "[...] It grew on our Iron Protectors - reference to Iron Golems - and started taking over them, deafening and blinding them, but then, all of a sudden, they started attacking, destroying and taking over the city". 
This retreat resulted in the Vukhs mining their way up towards the surface, after thousands of years of living in their cities. Some even went beyond the surface and started to live overground, on the plains known as the Vinetan and Korydian Plain, but it does not exclude the Dobjen Coast and Prjadym Peninsula. One clan even managed to reach the south of Hyotkjne Island, later forming the Hold of Rjmefyort, around -1000 V.E.
=== Life after the Retreat ===
The 9 tribes of ancient Vukhs broke off, 5 remained round the Kayemek Mountains, 1 moving to the Vinetan Plain, 2 to the Korydian Plain and the rest sailing off to the Leyranot Mountains, on Hyotkjne Island, later forming the Hold of Rjmefyort, around -1000 V.E.
Life was harsh, as everyone had to rebuild their society. The overgrounders had to fend off invasions, animal attacks and go through famines. They had to abandon some underground customs in order to adapt and survive. They formed small villages, with thick walls to hold any threat outside, and every resident had to be trained to fight, in case of an attack or a compromising force threatening their state.
The ones who remained underground dug out new systems and discovered new caves, closer to the surface. They interacted a lot more with the outside and, just like the overgrounders, had to fend off attackers and prepare for hazards. 
From this point on, the formation of Overground Vukhs and Underground Vukhs has started, and this period, known as The Great Struggle or The Great Suffering (approximated around -2856 to -698 V.E.), was characterised by plague, disunity, fighting, bloodshed and the Vukh Dwarves were close of being razed off the map. This period is when we also find recordings of Vukh litterature works and writing, mostly prayers and old journals.
=== Formation of Vukh States, the Golden Age of Vukhs ===
With the uniformisation of Vukh language, with the rise of literature, mostly religious works and administrative documents, Vukh people from different clans could now speak with eachother more and more coherently over time. Legend has it, when the Kayemek Mountains were invaded by the "beasts with iron teeth", the 5 tribes of what now forms Vukhmir, united under the command of a humble mead brewer, Virfye Rit'zak, and won this war. He proclaimed the Mountainship of Vukhmir, and crowned himself with a crown from the melted teeth of the beasts. While this legend is some what true, it is actually believed that Vukh tribes started to unite into nations, or clan unions, with the Baszku Invasions of Altera, which failed due to Vukh resistance and the lack of Baszku fighting experience in tall mountain ranges. Indeed, Vukhmir formed under this period, and so did the Fyzolek Clan Union, which dominated what is now known as The Korydian Plain, which didn't last for as long as Vukhmir, being believed that they collapsed by around -560 V.E.. The Prjadym Peninsula fell to Baszku conquests and Vineta was dominated by 1 clan, so it remained a more feudal, overground Vukh region, untill their integration into Vukhmir.
The Golden Age of Vukhs (Vukh: Dekyanvyeak, lit. "great century") was taking place in Vukhmir and Fyzolek, where the united clans started cooperating and further emulsifying. Languages formalized, litterature was written, and culture started to develop. The Overground Fyzolek and Underground Vukhmir started to each diverge their own path, creating dialects in the Vukh language, cultural differences and even alphabet changes (Overgrounders adopted the Sentari Script (OOC Latin script) while Undergrounders mentained the Vukh Script (OOC: Enchanting table script))
Cities started to grow and flourish, untill the Fyzolek Union fell to instability and civil war, and broke down back into clans, slowing down their progress. Meanwhile, Vukhmir grew further, enriched itself, adopted Arateanist religion (the Overgrounders did also later) and became a local powerhouse, even being compared by some to what was then, The Solari Kingdom of Ivoriya-Sentara.
=== The Dark War, Vukhs under the Sentaran Federation (-141 V.E. - 0 V.E.) ===
The Dark War was an odd event: The Kingdom of Ivoriya and Vukhmir almost went to war over trade and economic interest, stopped by a divine sign, which culminated down into an alliance, further colaboration and later, The First Sentaran Federation. Ivoriyans took over the throne and foreign status, while Vuks took over internal affairs, slowly breaking away from their centuries long isolation, and opening up. The Federation granted Vukhmir control over the Prjadym Peninsula, Vinetan Plain and for a short time of 3 years, the Korydian Plain, which they took over peacefully with Sentaran assistance (Later this area will be reorganised to form Korydos Province, after a huge influx of Sentari settlers)
=== The Vyertak Period and the integration of Immigrants ===
== Categories ==
=== Underground Vukhs ===
Underground Vukhs (Vukh: Kaymevuk') live mostly around the Kayamyek Mountains, in cities carved and dug inside a mountain or body of land. Underground Vukhs feature an average height of 1m 40cm, and for the most part, they lack the gender-dimorphism. Males do feature stronger jaws and sharper ends in their facial structure, while females have more rounded up edges, resulting in a more softer, yet strong look (imagine a 80s diner "big momma"). The Underground Vukhs are known to be very skilled craftsmen and miners, having a good chunk of their culture revolving around mining and processing it into diverse products. They are also very interested in development of industrial practices, to yield as much ore and product being made. Vukhs do follow a more pagan approach to Arateanism, combining the religion with elements of Old Vukh Paganism. Their Ariatru is generally considered the Black Ariatru of Prosperity, which flies above the mountains of Vukhmir.
=== Overground Vukhs (Hobbits) ===
Overground Vukhs (Vukh: Havuk'), are a result of Vukhs, that migrated above ground after The Ancient Retreat, and settled above ground, they live in the Southern Plains of Vukhmir and in Korydos Province, with a very small number in Valedra. They are a lot taller than their Underground counterparts, but still have beards and braided hair. Gender-dimorphism is a bit stronger here, as males tend to be thicker-bodied than females, but females tend to be taller than their male counterparts, but both are thinner than their underground counterparts. The Overground Vukhs are known to be merchants, farmers and herders. Overground Vukhs would grow animals and produce, which was sold to Korydian Sentari or Underground Vukhs for currency and processed ores. Hobbit Vukhs were known to be the trade connection between Korydian Sentaris and Underground Vukhs and were diligent in their domain. Unlike their pacifist mountain counterparts, the Hobbit Vukhs were a bit more hostile in nature, due to being exposed to foreign invasions, monster attacks and such, but neither did they develop a military culture, as the Vukhs were mobilised only when their settlement was under direct threat (citizen militia)
== Arateanism in Vukh Society and Interpretations ==
Arateanism in Vukh society was adopted under Akmyre II "The Blessed" and started translating Aratean works from Sentari to Vukh in order for the religion to go mainstream. Vukh Arateanists worship Sode Shira the most, justifying this by claiming: "Her wishes of materialising made the world we now dwell, we should worship her, who dared to demand this from Mora and Shiv and who created the world and the beings that dwell on it". They also antagonise Ahai, the primal demon associated with The Skulk Plague, the most. They belive that because of the war between Ahai and Morbar, Ahai came down and plagued the ancient Vukh cities to refuel himself to strike again, while corrupting Sode Shira with evil. 
== Culture ==
=== Clothing ===
Vukh clothing varies between the Underground and Overground Vukhs. 
Underground Vukhs have thicker clothing, with coats made from leather and fur, usualy goat or sheep, worn over a thick-woven wool shirt. In more modern days, Lausaner Coats can also be found, and are quite commonly worn, as they are longer (go below the waist) and just as warm. For leggings, they are made from cloth, obtained from making thin strains from goat hair, and have the interior filled with wool, in order to keep warm. The boots are usualy made from leather or soft wood, and once again, filled with wool for warmth, and reinforced with metalic plates, to enlongate the footwear's lifespan. People often joke of the The Undergrounders, saying that they "wear pillows instead of clothes".
Overground Vukhs, having to work under the harsh sun of the Korydian Plain, usualy wear thin shirts and garments, colored in common colors such as green, black or red. The styles of garment can differ from region to region, but usualy, the pattern is a thin, shirt and trouser combination in which Overgrounders can work, without overheating or being constrained by excessive material.
(Refer to the Infobox at the start of the Wiki for an idea)
=== Music ===
Having very developed skills in metal manufacturing and processing, and great woodcrafting skills, brass instruments and wooden instruments with metalic strings have been the main sounds of Vukh music. They have "Sarvă" music, which incorporates a very fast paced and seemingly disorganised tune to it, usualy dance music for parties and feasts, sung in various brass instruments (resembling modern trumpets) and metalic percussion instruments. As time went on, and development in metalic string instruments also developed, the Vukhs managed to develop their own versions of violins and pianos, giving birth to the new era of Vukh music, having brass, violins and pianos at its core, being acompanied by metalic percussion instruments for providing an "explosive" and grand element to the plays. This is now known as New Vukh or Vukh Orchestral.
Example of Sarvă: 
Example of New Vukh: (The Anthem of Vukhmir)
=== Cuisine ===
Vukh meals are usualy separated in two: The Feast and Aftermeals. 
Eating and dining in Vukh culture is a very social occasion, a feast usually is attended by the whole family, and extended relatives. It features whole animals, roasted, and a lot of smaller side dishes to go with it, usually cheeses, pickles, potatoes, fresh vegetables; and last but not least, legendary dwarven alcohols: meads, beers, and in some mixed houses (with Lo'Oi members), Lausan vodka. It is a social gathering, where Vukhs share their stories that happened since the last feast, crack jokes, and discuss plans. This tradition is enjoyed by all members of Vukh society, from mineworker to architects, to leadership. The Royal Family holds an anual feast, in the honour of the Legend, The Great Unifier, Virfye I, 
=== Festivities ===
Among Arateanist festivities, the Vukhs also celebrate some other moments in either their history, glorifying the nature, or to ensure good fortune for the people
# Virfyearedjz (Virfye's Day) - The Birthday of the first Myrestak' of Vukhmir, and the unifier of the 4 tribes, this festivity represents the national day of Vukhmir. It is celebrated by huge feasts and music festivals, with even the Royal Dynasty of Rit'zak holding feasts in the Kjne Castle. The Royal Decree of -41 V.E. made drinks made by the Royal Brewery free on this day, so anyone can drink in the honour of the Unifier.
# Aksoarefeko (Sun's Week) - First week of Spring, the Vukhs gather to their crop fields, get water buckets with petals of flowers in them, usualy Mountain Azaelea, and sprinkle them on the vegetation from all across Vukhmir, to bless them and to assure a high yield.
# Ajluj Kozok (First Iron) - A smaller ritual made by the Vukh people. The Vukhs take the first batch of iron ore, prepared to be placed in the forge for manufacturing, and pray to Zode Zjron (Sode Shira, Mother Abexilas) for the iron to be strong and for them to find more the next day.
== Language ==
Category:Sentara