A Comprehensive Study on Bardonian Culture

By Nasayu Eaglemore, former Lord of Annunor and Mayor of Yuzhen.

## About the Study of Bardonian Culture

Bardonia has always suffered from a lack of identity, be it for lack of authentic historical research or a lack of interest on the past ages. This has caused an internal division and the constant seeking of a national identity by artificial means. I, Nasayu, have always been an advocate for the traditional ways of life of the Bardonian people, and have always been against the adoption of foreign cultures. Because of this, I'm writing this book, that aims to help the Bardonian citizen understand the meaning of his nation's past, so he can better adopt its cultural expressions.

I'm not the first person who delves into the study of Bardonian culture. Nor will I be the last. Centuries before, the wise men of Trost have studied with care the origins of the bardonian man and of its early cultural expressions. Also, the priests at New Dorasterrock and Doraserrock have libraries explaining the traditions and rituals of the now decaying Dandelist Religion. Sadly, most of the holy books of Dandelism were lost during the destruction and sacking of Bardonia City during the war against Daelyria.

It is important to understand that all the bardonian cultures, from past to present, are equally important in the study of the nation's cultural identity. They have equally shaped Bardonia's landscape to convert a humble land of forests into a cultural center between two continents.

Bardonia, although a nation, also refers to the land located between Syltor and Niedea. This land is characterized for its template climate, its calm seas, and fertile lands. This has caused Bardonia to be a meltpot for culture and developement.

The study of Bardonian culture can be divided into six important periods of developement. It is important to say, that some of this culture existed way before Bardonia was a nation. The periods are: **Prehistoric Bardonia, The Astorian Age, Preclassical City-States, Early Bardonia, Classical Bardonia, and Feudal Bardonia.**

We can divide Bardonia into five important regions, each with its own unique culture. In each chapter, we'll explain the cultural feats of each region: ***The Eastreach, The Annunor River Region, Solanum and the Tuberswamplands, The Auron Mountain Range**, **Higher Arania*** and ***Lower Arania.*** These regions should not be confused with the political divisions made by each Bardonian government.

## Prehistoric Bardonia

\*\*Insert Prehistoric Bardonian culure and historic background\*\*

We don't know much about this dark era. The only cultural expressions we know are the ones found by archaelogists from Trost in the Bardonia Peninsula and the Higher Aranian Peninsula. This early cultural manifestations include stone weapons and paintings inside caves. Since the prehistoric people were hunters and gatherers, they lacked true cultural manifestations, but many historians believe they already had animistic beliefs, as shown by some of their carvings. These people worshipped the trees, stones, and rivers. Historians believe this animistic traditions later **evolved into the actual religions of Tuberism and Dandelism.**

These nomadic people are often referred as the **Oxeyan Tribes** by contemporary historians, but their original name remains unknown.

## The Astorian Age

\*\*insert ancient bardonian traditions. First folk religion and early dandelism.

This age is called Astorian due to the importance and predominance of the Astorian people, who developed an advanced civilization with complex cultural expressions far before the immigration of the Bardonian people. **Their culture has been a subject of study for ages, due to its impact on modern Bardonian thought, culture, and tradition**. The era begins with the Jagdas Migrations and ends with the Fall of the Kingdom of Dorasterrock. Even after the fall of the kingdom, the Astorian influence can be felt at Dorasterrock.

Contrary to common thought, the Oxeyan people, who at this time lived in small villages, were not exterminated by the Astorians. Instead, as archeological remains show, they were vassalized by the Astorians, in what seems to be the first ever organized state of the region.

Explain Jagdas migrations.

Kingdom of Dorasterrock

Explain Farnau, Druid, and Astorian cultures

## The Preclassical City-States

Annunor is a region of contrasts. From the steamy shores of the Annunor River in Yuzhen to the freezing cold peaks of Virothen, the whole region features Bardonia's most diverse place to live in.