Aodh Herd

The **Aodh Herd** makes up one of the six playable factions in Starborn Alignment. Located on the continent Eithne, they are best known for their hedonism, classism, advanced technology, and infamous slave trade.

Their patron god is Ignacio. Aodhians revere fire as their favored element.

For an overview and links to additional lore, check out the Herd Directory!

## **Culture**

### Overview

Aodhian culture is famously hedonistic and devoted to individualism. As a nation that subsists on capitalism they are inherently classist, and though recent years have seen the ladder to success grow more accessible, the line between nobility, commoners, and the subjugated remains distinct and nearly impossible to cross. Prideful to the tune of considering themselves the unequivocal ideal, they dismiss other herd horses as uncultured, barbaric entities, a belief that absolves the average Aodhian of any immediate guilt when participating in the slave trade. Materialism is a cultural virtue and being performative with both your appearance and actions is not uncommon nor unexpected, especially among the higher ranking classes.

### Etiquette and Language

* Aodhians hold a strong reverence for the sun, and as such their greetings, goodbyes, and well wishes tend to reference it. ‘The sun shines on you’ is a fairly common compliment that, depending on context, can mean the receiver is clever, blessed, lovely, etc.

* Pawing in someone’s direction is an obscene gesture, with varying degrees of severity depending on the context. Close friends may playfully paw at one another during banter, while pit fighters will paw at opponents in the arena, much to the crude delight of spectators. Pawing at someone with insulting intent, especially towards someone above your own rank, is much more serious.
* Spitting at another's hooves, or even their face, is a common insult among the lower classes. 'I wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire' is a related insult that doesn't reflect as crassly on the speaker as actually spitting.
* Failing to speak respectfully to a member of the Nobility is a punishable offense. Valore’s strict injured majesty laws can incarcerate sharp-tongued individuals for up to fifteen years at best, and earn a public execution at worst. It is thus recommended to take care with your words when in the company of a noble.
* Because Aodhians do not associate breeds with their respective gods, they do not practice breed racism, and are in fact strongly repulsed by this brand of intolerance. Every Aodhian, regardless of their horns, wings, fins or lack thereof, is a child of Ignacio by the very merit of their allegiance to his herd. Racial slurs and insults are not part of their vocabulary.
* Young children are called Kindlings, while older children are called Sparks, implying that as they grow, children fulfill their potential to become a (metaphorical) flame.

### Gender and Sexuality

* **Gender roles do not exist in Aodhian society** and an Aodhian's identity and/or genitals place no assumptions on their capabilities, limitations, preferences or role. Masculinity and femininity are not indicators of a binary gender, but a personal preference of individuals. Official and unofficial titles alike are strictly gender-neutral, and all gender identities are accepted and respected.
* Regardless of an individual's sexual activity or lack thereof, sex is an activity that is both integral and casual in Aodhian society. It is neither inherently significant nor romantic. Aodhians have no concept of virginal purity and consider it a repulsive, degenerate belief of lesser cultures. Homophobia is likewise nonexistent in Aodh, due to bisexuality being the dominant sexuality, and there are no religious or cultural reasons to hold such a backwards belief.
* Sex work is considered artisanal at best and 'just another' menial job at worst. It is **not stigmatized**. Courtesans do not receive dirty looks for stating their job and are not barred from doing anything because of it. Parents do not disapprove of their children taking this job vs being a merchant or farmer. The terms wh\*re and pr\*stitute are not used in Aodhian society.
* In regards to romance, polyamory and monogamy are equally common and regarded with the same amount of healthy respect. Sex may or may not have anything to do with a romantic relationship, even monogamous ones, and open relationships are common.
* The age of consent is 18. Minors are not employed for sex work nor are they legally allowed to patron sex workers. Protection laws are in place for minors who get frisky with other minors, but an adult taking advantage of a minor even in a seemingly 'consensual' context will be prosecuted as statutory rape.

### Class

* The gap between Aodh’s civilian classes is significant, with the nobility sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder. The Nobility are revered, or at the very least begrudgingly *respected*, by the lower classes. Their political significance is rivaled only by their implied wealth, which may or may not be as grand as an individual noble claims. Nobles are the only Aodhians who have surnames, portrayed by their House. While there is some wiggle room for wealthy commoners to rub shoulders with the elite, they are unlikely to be accepted as an equal.
* Artisans enjoy a distinct 'celebrity' status in Valore. Though they hold no political weight in the courts, their endorsement (or lack thereof) can make or break a small business or commoner's reputation. Although Architects enjoy similar fame, it isn't to the same extent, a fact that is often brought up during heated inter-rank debates when the topic of integrating into the Artisan rank arises.
* Chevaliers may hold authority, but they don't necessarily command respect. Though trained as elite soldiers, many will spend their entire careers playing the role of law enforcement, and will encounter all the drunken discourse that one would expect.
* Commoners are the herd's most varied demographic, encompassing everything from famous slave traders to humble farmers. As such, a commoner's economic status can range from exceptionally wealthy to terribly poor.
* Slaves are considered property, and their owner is responsible for any damages or difficulties the slave causes. They have no formal rights, including parental, and cannot own property or marry. During the summer of 1700, it was decreed that all slaves would be branded with Aodh's sigil.

### Hedonism

* Aodh is obsessed with extravagance and self-indulgence. This love affair with luxury bleeds into every aspect of their culture, including fashion, food, and entertainment.
* For the nobility, hosting is a given. From parties, to social functions, to ceremonies, *every* noble knows how to throw an event... and is keenly aware of how the perceived extravagance and expense will reflect on their reputation.
* Narcotics and other recreational drugs are legal. The most popular is **opium**, produced from Ethnian poppies. Cannabis imported from Onea and tobacco imported from Aquore have also proven popular. These substances are subject to heavy regulation, standards, and exorbitant taxes. Criminals across Eithne avoid these hefty costs by smuggling drugs from less reputable sources and dealing under the table, which is about as illegal as it sounds. One can never fully trust a substance from an unlicensed source.
* Eithne is the sole producer of wine, which they take very seriously. There is a variety of Aodhian liqueurs available, created from herbs, fruits, or nuts.
* Gambling is a popular pastime for many. Most gambling takes place in the Crucible, which is considered Valore's greatest source of internal economy. Casinos are said to make a lucrative profit as well.

### Food and Health

* Aodh's abundant resources have allowed them to foster a intense culinary culture that values flavor profiles and innovative techniques. Meals are primarily cooked, as eating raw or uncooked food is thought to be 'a peasant's way' to eat. Vegetables, fruits, beans, cheese, and nuts make up the bulk of the Aodhian diet, with a healthy dose of spices, sauces, decadent pastries. Valore’s farmland are known for but not limited to: tomatoes, maize, pumpkins, apples, potatoes, broccoli, berries, grapes, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, squash, plums, lettuce, wheat, soybeans, and turnips. What they can't cultivate at home, they import from distant lands.
* Eithne is speckled with vineyards, ranging from small plantations that produce only one type of wine to multi-million shard businesses that have built upon generations of experience and good fortune. Most Aodhians have a glass with dinner, and many count themselves as connoisseurs.
* Valore is home to an enormous hospital that employs only the finest medical graduates. The care they provide is innovative, renowned, and excessively pricey. Aodh does not practice free health care, and the best of the best are free to demand a high price. The private practices found in both the city and throughout Eithne range in affordability, with low-income and charity offices available in poorer areas. Flamines specifically try to cultivate healing talents in their attendants so that they may offer free healing to the unfortunate.
* Aodhians believe that one needs abundant sunshine to be healthy, and thus festivals, gatherings, and parties tend to be held outside. Their appreciation for performance and grandeur ensure that all public events are fantastical and well catered.

### Family

* Because Aodh is an individualistic society, the value placed on family varies. Generally, commoners consider their nuclear family to be important, but may not be terribly close to other relatives.
* It is believed that twins share a soul, and to some extent are the same person with different traits amplified and suppressed between them. Closeness is expected and considered an important aspect of their continued health. Separating a pair of twins is considered criminal even in the slave trade, where twins are most often sold as a pair. Because they are thought to be the same individual, they bypass rules that would otherwise demand a single equine. For example, twins fight as one unit in the Crucible, and Aodh was once ruled by the pair **Ursula and Kai**. Losing a twin sibling young is thought to be a fate worse than death.
* Legal inheritance falls to the firstborn child of a legally wed couple. Inheritance can be bypassed if the parents feel that it is in the best interest of all involved.
* Arranged marriages are typically only seen among the Nobility, who value their bloodlines. Children born after the 'heir and the spare' are often used as bargaining chips to strengthen political and family alliances. Gender is not taken into account when arranging political marriages, as there are several magical items that allow any pair under the sun to produce offspring.

### Education

* Aodhians prize education. Though it is not legally required due to exceptions outlined below, most children attend grade school from ages six to sixteen. Public school is available in nearly every town, while cities offer a selection of public and private schools. Because educators are well paid, teaching is a lucrative and highly competitive career path.
* Grade school is divided into four distinct sections, with classes ranging in size from large to small depending population and resources:
	+ Kindlehearth, or preschool, which focuses on development through the incorporation of songs, games, activities, and social interaction. Kindlehearth aims to be an easy transition from home to primary school. Notably, this program lays the foundations for telekinetic proficiency by utilizing games that require its use.
	+ Primary school is comprised of grades 1-4. The curriculum focuses on grammar, reading, mathematics, science, Aodhian and world history, geography, and social studies. Most schools have a single educator dedicated to 'non-essential' subjects, such as a music teacher, art teacher, and physical education coach, and these professionals will have scheduled times to meet with each class in their grade. Pegasi and Hippocampi students are usually divided into breed-specific physical education classes that will focus on developing their unique skills with flight, swimming, and form shifting. Special programs for speech development, learning disabilities, and blessing control are typically offered.
	+ Lower Secondary is comprised of grades 5-7. It continues the general education curriculum with the same subjects found in primary school, but unlike elementary, students now have several educators for various subjects and move between classrooms throughout the school day. Electives such as choir, orchestra, visual art, theatre, creative writing, business, and learning strategies are accessible.
	+ Upper Secondary, comprised of grades 8-10, is where students begin to deviate down different paths. Rather than a singular curriculum, there are four upper secondary schools for a student to choose:
		- Classics, which focuses on literature, history, creative writing, and philosophy
		- Sciences, which focuses on physics, chemistry, psychology, and biology
		- Fine arts, which focuses on drawing, painting, acting, printmaking, and sculpting
		- Technical, which prepares a student for a specific vocation such as agriculture, construction, or business management.
* Not every child chooses to attend upper secondary school. At thirteen, children can become **apprentices** to any adult willing to teach their trade in exchange for menial labor and errands. Often this is less expensive than purchasing a slave, as the child's parents usually remain responsible for rent and food. Children who become apprentices to Chevaliers are called s**quires**.
* Noble children will either attend a private school or receive their education from private tutors.
* For those privileged enough to afford it, Aodh offers University education. This is almost exclusively enjoyed by the upper classes. *Main Article: Higher Education in Aodh*

### Beauty

The following applies to *all* genders.

* Aodh values a slender figure as the epitome of beauty. Though horse breeds don't exist in Hireath, good references for the 'ideal' Aodhian conformation include: Akhal Tekes, Arabians, Saddlebreds, Marwaris, Morgans, Hackneys, Tennessee Walkers, and the National Show Horse.

* Flashy coats such as high coverage appaloosa, paint, sooty, silver, chimera, and somatic are ideal; it seems that in Aodh's opinion, the more words in your phenotype, the better you look. Base coats are considered boring, and usually compensated for with trinkets, jewels and cloth.

* The bald face is considered the most attractive facial marking, likely due to its boldness, and the same goes for stockings that reach the knee. Gulastra plumes and brindle are especially attractive due to their rarity, but the *most* attractive 'marking' is a bloody shoulder on a red coat. Metaphorically 'kissed by fire', this horses are said to have been blessed by Ignacio himself.

* When it comes to hair, long manes and tails are the current trend. While higher society tries to outmatch one another with elaborate up-dos, commoners tend to wear their hair loose.

* Aodhian materialism loves accessories. The more expensive and rare a trinket is, the more it will be valued. Name brand is huge on the wealthier side of the market; the work of a famous Artisan can go for thousands. **Bridles** are the hallmark of Aodhian society: even horses of low wealth will spend decades saving for a good bridle, while wealthier horses are prone to own several.

* Because appearance and fashion are largely performative, piercings and tattoos are common even among the noble class. Nothing makes a statement quite like a body modification.
* Being a multi-cultural herd with a reverence for an extinct breed, Aodhians are not inherently racist. That said, unicorns are often considered to be the most attractive breed, especially if they possess double horns and/or gemstone attributes.

* Beards and feathery fetlocks fall in and out of fashion across the years. Currently, they are consider unattractive.

* Servile slaves are generally well-groomed and beautifully adorned, as their looks reflect upon their owner’s wealth.

### Art

* Aodhians have always valued fine art, but it was King Azar's reign that pushed art into the spotlight and transformed the city of Valore into a modern representation of artistry. The capitol is an eternal work in progress, kept beautiful by the minds of architects and the public work contributions of artisans. Within the middle and upper class districts, it is unusual to come across a street corner lacking some fort of visual beauty.
* Blacksmith work is considered art, and many artisans claim it as their talent. Aodhians are the sole producers of Incandescent Steel, a diamond-hard metal that glitters with iridescence. The method of creation is a jealousy guarded secret.
* Artisan paintings are usually reminiscent of the Baroque, Rococo, or Mannerist periods. Impressionism works are gaining favor, but are ultimately not as popular. There is a small following for the novelty of abstract art, particularly among the noblility, who seem to enjoy the idea of 'getting' something the uneducated masses don't.
* Every now and then, a public building will be defaced by a graffiti work portraying vague political statements that are left largely to interpretation. There is a warrant out for the perpetrator's arrest, and artisans have lodged a public petition for the artist to stop using premade stencils.

### Slaves

* **The vast majority of Aodhians approve of slavery.** Any Aodhian can own a slave so long as they can afford both purchase price and continued care.
* All slaves must wear **bitted slave bridles** in public, and some owners choose to have them wear it at all times. These bridles block blessings and hippocampi form changes. They may or may not block telekinesis depending on the slave's role. Slaves who cannot be trusted to stay in their bridles will be outfitted with a collar that produces the same skill-dampening effects.
* With the exception of kirins, all breeds are utilized as slaves, with specific regulations are imposed. Pegasi of the labor and pit fighting subclass are to have their wings clipped or otherwise rendered useless, and their unicorn counterparts are to be dehorned.
* To reiterate, slaves are considered property, and their owner is responsible for any damages or difficulties the slave causes. They have no formal rights, including parental, and cannot own property or marry. There are no protection laws for slaves; their owner can abuse and even kill them with impunity, though 'decency' laws prohibit unnecessary violence in public. Needlessly injuring another Aodhian's slave is akin to defacing their property, and will garner severe consequences.
* During the summer of 1700, it was decreed that all slaves would be branded with Aodh's sigil.
* Slaves vary in education, literacy, skill, and health, depending on their marketed demographic. The most expensive slaves are Aodhian-born, bred from extensive breeding programs for beauty and health. These 'premium' serviles are privately tutored and taught several pratical and entertainment-based skills.
* Aodhian citizens **cannot** be sold into slavery. Selling an Aodhian citizen as a slave is a crime worthy of execution.

### Births, Weddings, Death

* Traditionally, children are born in the home with a midwife present, but some families elect to give birth in the controlled environment of a hospital room.
* Midwife is a gender-neutral term used for a licensed ob-gyn who crafts a one-on-one relationship with pregnant clients. A midwife offers medical care and advice throughout the pregnancy, is present for the birth, and ensures successful aftercare for both the new parent and infant.
* Aodhian wedding days are decadent, vivacious affairs that begin at dawn. The ceremony is held in a Sanctum, where the to-bes are adorned in flower crowns, pearls, and lace. The couple walks down the aisle side-by-side, and will stand before the Flamen as a prayer is spoken. The prayer asks Ignacio to watch over the couple and keep their passion burning strong. When the Flamen is done, each newlywed-to-be (poly couples have weddings too!) speaks personalized vows. At the Flamen's announcement, they are wed.
* A reception follows the sanctum ceremony. This is where Aodhian weddings gain their reputation, for the richer the newlyweds are, the more extravagant the after-party. Alcohol, exotic food, fireworks, live music, and dancing are all typical and can last well into the night. At the end of the reception, the couple is given a golden candle by either a parent or close friend. The candle is lit before they leave, and the couple must be careful not to let it go out on their way home – quite the task when reasonably drunk! The candle is set on the hearth, and will go out on its own within three to six hours. The longer it stays lit, the happier the marriage will be… so it’s said.
* When an Aodhian dies, they typically receive a candlelight wake before the body is burned upon a funeral pyre surrounded by flowers and small, burnable gifts. Poor equines unable to afford a proper funeral can have their loved ones burned in a mass funerary pyre, attended to by a Flamen or Sanctum Helper who will speak a few gentle words.

## Law

Aodh has a complex society governed by hundreds of laws, set forth to keep their society functional. Additionally, there are a great number of decrees and precedents set by previous Kings, usually concerning very specific (and sometimes even seemingly random) situations. The laws listed here are considered the most important, and are known by all Aodhians.

* Do not blaspheme our Lord Ignacio, the patron who keeps us content and prosperous.
	+ In practice, an individual may be fined for stating less than savory opinions publicly. Worshipping Ignacio is not mandatory.

* You will revere your Monarch, for their reign is blessed by Ignacio’s favor. Their decrees are absolute; their will is that of His.
* You shall not deceive others of your station.
	+ In short, it is illegal for one to pretend to have a rank that they do not truly possess. While between ranks of the same "prestige", this is rarely prosecuted, pretending to be a noble, Artisan, Paramount, Chevalier or Flamine can land you in quite a lot of trouble.
	+ Similarly, nobles should not pretend to hold a title they don't possess.
* You shall not exact personal justice on your fellow equine, nor take law into your own hooves. All suspects must be tried before the eyes of Lord Ignacio and his people.
* Do not steal from your fellow equines. To do so shames our Lord.
	+ Theft is considered a serious crime in Aodh. The thief must pay back twice the value of what was stolen in shards. If they can not, they face imprisonment or even execution.
	+ Material possessions, land and slaves are all considered lawful property, so freeing a slave that isn’t yours would be considered theft.

* Revere and respect the Flamine, for they have been anointed by our Lord.
* Respect and abide the authority of our Chevaliers. They are the eyes and hooves of the Crown.
* Do not break the rules of the Crucible. Those found cheating or otherwise dishonoring the arena will be severely punished, and their slaves shall be slain.
* Do not sell or purchase a slave of questionable origin.
	+ Purchasing and selling slaves born from other slaves is legal.
	+ Capture and sale of Vagabonds is legal
	+ Sale and purchase of culled equines (Onean and Aquorian) is legal
	+ The capture, purchase and sale of herd horses is strictly forbidden, except when at war with their nation. Slave Traders found to be participating in such actions will be executed.

* Physical assault, sexual assault and murder will all be met with appropriate, severe consequences.

### **Legal System**

*Main article: Aodhian legal system*

Aodh works under a three court system, where your social status determines where your case will be handled. The Common Court handles cases between lower and middle classes, the Peers is reserved for members of the Gentry and nobility, and the Royal Court acts as a supreme court, taking on only the most important cases. All three of these courts gather at Hearthstone Palace in New Valore. The fourth court, the Local Court, is a countryside extension of the Common Court, and handles simple cases that don’t need to be brought into New Valore.

### **Consequences**

*Main article: Aodhian legal system - Consequences*

In Aodh, criminal activity is taken seriously, and punished severely. For most minor crimes, heavy fines are given; for more severe crimes, whipping and public shaming are common. Higher class persons are likely to suffer from removal of their wealth and status. Imprisonment is rare. Aodh will execute criminals for most major crimes, and their method of choice is burning.

## Religion

Like the ancient kirins before them, Aodhians revere **Ignacio** as their primary (and often only) patron. Known to his people as compassionate, powerful, and jealous, Ignacio is likened to a parental figure, commanding loyalty in exchange for adoration. Aodhians honor fire above all other elements, and often incorporate flames into every aspect of visual culture. His sun is considered an essential part of good health, and as a result most Aodhians are avid sunbathers.

**Flamines** are the priests of Aodh. They manage Valore's Sanctums and teach Ignacio's sacred virtues: Passion, Creativity, Leadership, Courage, Ambition, and Pleasure.

Though the typical Aodhian worships Ignacio exclusively, the herd is a population of 4.5 million, and so deviance in belief or lack thereof is to be expected. Appreciation for Cascade, Kaia, and Argus is acceptable, and in some regions of Eithne they hold significant weight. Atheism is largely unheard of, but religious apathy thrives in certain circles, none so more than in the hearts of slaves. Alya is universally disliked; Aodhian history claims that she murdered the ancient kirins in cold blood.

## Holidays

### New Years

An annual holiday celebrated with fine food and good wine. The festivities begin at sundown on the last day of the year, and are expected to continue until dawn. A tourney is held in the Crucible that allows the use of armor, weapons, and blessings - a rare sight reserved for this special occasion. After a winner is declared, equines disperse to their respective celebrations. Hearthstone palace hosts a ball that is attended by nobility and other high profile guests, while the lower classes spend the night under the stars, watching fireworks and devouring seasonal goodies. Just before sunrise, everyone writes down their hopes for the new year and ties their wishes to floating lanterns, which are released into the predawn sky.

### Crowning Day

When a new King is crowned, the Crucible hosts a special tournament to honor the event. The Crowning Day Tourney marks the only instance in which the matches are expected to result in death. Forty pit fighters are volunteered by owners looking for a chance at honor and fame, but only one is expected to leave the arena alive. The winner is granted their freedom, and their owner is doused in riches.

### Fire Festival

A summer holiday that honors Lord Ignacio and his element. Firebreathers entertain crowds as citizens 'test their devotion' (and foolhardiness) by leaping through flaming rings and racing across hot coals. An archery contest is held wherein participants shoot flaming arrows at small wooden boats floating in the waterways. Traditional foods are *very* spicy, and there are contests held to see who can handle the most heat.

## Notable Figures

**King Solaris**, mother of Amadeus, ruled the herd from 1676 until her natural death in 1699. A beloved and popular monarch, she ushered the nation into a 'golden age' of prosperty and political success. Of her many achievements, the most notable are as follows: strengthening the Eithne-Onean alliance, bolstering the economy through expanded local tourism and foreign trade, lowering taxes imposed on the lower classes, and imposing equinity laws that ensured labor slaves could not be worked before sunrise or after sunset. Most agree that Amadeus failed to live up to the bar his mother set.

**Soleil the Ancient** was the last kirin ruler of the Aodh herd. She was known for her shrewd cunning, immeasurable courage, and fierce chauvinism. While other herds view her as a villain, Aodhians (who reject the conventional God's War history as a rule,) celebrate her as a hero who rallied her people against the onslaught of an unjust war. Like all kirins, she perished in the Smothering. History states that she mothered a single non-kirin child, and it is from this offspring that the royal line is descended.

**Commander Maude** leads the Chevaliers with a shrewd mind and an iron hoof. Determined to get her man, she is a relentless advocate for justice, personal responsibility, and common sense. Utterly immune to bribery and sob stories, she is the last person you want to meet on the other side of a jail cell. She is as capable at shredding a horse with her wit as her sword, and sometimes the latter is preferable.

**Captain Finley**is a high-ranking chevalier, competent warrior, excellent conversationalist, and local hero. Well - he's at least the first two. This guy will die for you on the battlefield, de-escalate your bar fight, and make silly faces at babies. Despite a serious case of dork-a-tude, he's a respected leader and brilliant tactician who loves his companions-in-arms almost as much as he loves his mom.

**Lionel**is a veteran Slave Trader, one of the oldest, if not *the.* His experience is deeply valued within the profession and his voice is respected by the community at large. Lionel consistently holds a seat in the Commons Court, and has a reputation for being unusually fair. Some say that he knows every dirty secret that Aodh has to offer, and that his personal slaves- affectionately called his 'books' - will trade knowledge for the right price.

**Edith** is Aodh's most esteemed physician. After a consistent streak of perfect scores in Valore University's medical program, Edith spent four years in Sterling to learn everything she could about their innovative healthcare. She returned to Valore with a wealth of knowledge under her belt, and has worked in the Sol District's esteemed hospital ever since. A philanthropist, she provides medical supplies and aid to the poor as often as she can.

**Francisca** owns the **The Jungle**, Valore's largest and most famous Familiar Emporium. She breeds, raises, catches, trains, imports, and exports just about every creature you can name, and several that you can't. Her knowledge of critters and animal husbandry is unmatched. When it comes to wrangling ornery animals, Francisca has famously never lost a fight, but she *has* lost body parts.

**Mama Ann**runs the Little Lights Orphanage, a non-profit establishment where homeless children can learn and thrive under her watchful eye. Mama Ann is a mother to every child that comes through her doors: stern but loving, protective where it is needed, and willing to let her 'little lights' make their own mistakes.

**Donovan** is a professor of Architectural Design and themselves a seasoned Architect, considered one of Valore's finest. Several buildings essential to Valorian culture were designed by them, including the revived Crucible. Eccentric, hard-working, and smart as a whip, Donovan occupies an honorary seat in the Peers Court.

**Sinead** is an ex-pit fighter, granted her freedom for winning the Crowning Day Tourney. Emotionally crippled by post-traumatic stress and disenchanted with life, she has spent the last two decades nursing a serious opium addiction. On any given day, she can be found in the Pearl's opium den, keeping to a corner that is understood to be her own. Filled with bitterness, she makes poor company.

## History

### Ancient Society

*Main article: Ancient Kirin Society*

Before God’s War, when the gods walked among their people, Eithne was inhabited solely by the proud kirins, guided by their beloved god, Ignacio. Their society was one of beauty and invention, one of the most advanced in Hireath.

Aodhians believe the kirins’ culture was similar to their own, and consider them their cultural ancestors, even though recent events have made some question this.

### Gods War

*Main article: God's War*

The bond between Ignacio and his kirins became corrupt, plunging Hireath into a 10 year war as the frenzied god and his followers ravaged the continent. Only with the united power of Argus, Kaia and Alya, a cataclysmic event known as the Smothering saved Hireath - by wiping out every last kirin, and leaving Ignacio broken and alone. Ignacio would retreat into the Starscape for years to come. The other gods formed a pact, swearing to become distant influences to avoid another tragedy such as this.

In the Aodhian retelling of the war, it was Alya who began the war, attacking the kirin unprovoked, and turning the other nations against them by her trickery. Aodhians see the Smothering as the greatest war crime in history, rather than an event that saved Hireath.

### Aftermath

*Main article: History of Aodh - official Aodhian retelling*

After the war, a handful of equines chose to remain in Eithne, and founded the villages that would one day become Aodh. The largest settlement was New Valore (then New Osulas), founded on the southern landmass known as The Strands. Those who had allied with the kirins knew only death awaited them at home, and so submitted themselves to the punishment of the budding herd: slavery, for them and their children.

Gradually New Valore’s influence expanded from a stranded polis to a nation - both by warfare, and by political alliances and marriages. Eventually, it broke off from Serora, and came to be known as its own independent nation - Aodh. All traces of their Seroran past were demolished, and an alternative view of history began to form - one where Serorans were, and had always been, the enemies of Aodh.

In 884, Ignacio returned to the world in a volcanic eruption, and accepted the new herd as his own. He gave them the secret of Incandescent Steel, blessed several of them, and then retreated to be a distant influence, honoring the pact the gods had made. Still, his influence was strongly felt, and he was eagerly claimed as the herd’s one true patron. As love for the fire god swelled, hatred of the sky goddess grew only deeper. No doubt remained in the minds of the herd that the kirins were their cultural ancestors - a narrative of victimhood was born.

Under Ignacio’s watchful eye, New Valore grew into an industrial metropolis, and one of the most advanced societies in Hireath. This greatness did not come for free - as magnificent as Aodh could be, it also nurtured an underbelly of crime, subjucated thousands, and saw countless toil in absolute poverty. Classist and decadent, Aodhian excess sets it apart from all other nations.

### Present Day

*Main article: Aodh In-Game Timeline*

After a golden age under King Solaris, her child Amadeus rose to the throne. Amadeus soon proved unable to live up to their mother’s grand legacy. The King’s reign was filled with strife and failure, from ruining relations with Breim to generally weak and unpopular leadership decisions. The young King met their end by an assassin’s blade in autumn 1700, ending the Soleil line that had reigned for a millenia.

Amadeus was followed by Isador, one of the former King’s Advisers, a proven politician and leader with deeply traditionalist views. Although initially popular for his capability for decisive action and admirably ruthless use of power, Isador’s inability to handle the kirin menace and growing instability in New Valore made him lose popularity. In June 1702, Isador faced a coup from his own Adviser, Aleksei, and was killed. Currently, Aleksei Aelius is the King of Aodh.

## Cities and Towns

### Valore

The capitol city, and home to over half of Aodh's population. A sea-side metropolis built upon five peninsulas known as 'the Strands', Valore is both a city and ever-evolving work of art. With thousands of slaves dedicated to keeping her pristine, she hides her seedy underbelly under a veneer of glittering aesthetic.

*For other locations, refer to the Directory!*

## Herd Relations

*Main article: Aodhian Herd Relations*

Aodhian culture lends itself to a superiority complex that not only accepts but actively encourages prejudice against other cultures. Their worship of Ignacio and practice of slavery makes them generally unpopular among other factions.

Despite these common prejudices on both sides, Aodh has historically been invested in political relations to their neighbors, especially when it comes to trade. As the largest exporter of grain and importer of luxury goods, most herds can benefit from a trade relationship with Aodh.

**Heralds of Ash:** Enemies, at open war.

**War Forged:** Allies and trade partners. Friendly relations.

**Bloody Flanks:** Largely an unknown factor in Aodh. Enemies.

**Umare Breim:** Tense and unfriendly, but allowing for trade.

**Kawaru Breim:** Largely an unknown factor in Aodh. Neutral.

**Serora:** Currently at peace, but tense. Open trade relationship.

**Water Bandits:** Common thieves. Enemies, but little contact.

**Talori:** Former ally, Aodh currently supports efforts to overthrow the Talori government. No trade.

**Rogues:** Allies, with active trade. Support their cause to overthrow the Talori government.

**Unaligned Vagabonds:** Pests to be destroyed. Unaligned Vagabonds are commonly enslaved and captured by Aodhians.

**Vindicators:** Bitter enemies. Suspected Vindicators are executed immediately upon capture.

**Cult of Digend:** Little is known of this faction; considered more of a fairy tale.

**Freedom’s Flight:** Allies and trade partners. Support their cause to overthrow the Talori government.

**Asylon:** Only a few in Aodh even know of the existence of this faction. Neutral.