Ferdia

Ferdia (PRONOUNCED: /'fɜːrdiə/*FUR-dee-uh*) was a kingdom in Irul formed in AA1527 from the various clans that inhabited the region.

## Society

### Races

Ferdians 95%, Dhirnsgaard 3%, Tallinac 2%

### Common Deities

Athilla, Gwyrh, Jorun, Lodhric, Othed, Reshira, Vyhlkos

## Society

In the eyes of the law, there was very little difference between the nobility and common folk in Ferdia. However, a distinction was often made by the nobles themselves. Among the nobility, it was a great honour to come from one of the "titled clans" created by the crown.

### Culture

Horses played a very important role in Ferdian culture, so much time was spent breeding, raising, and training horses for war and labour. It was tradition for every male child to be given his own horse by the time he turned ten. This tradition largely died out during the Second War of the Gods due to the need of horses by the military, but it was revived centuries later by the Kel-Athîn.

Hair was worn long by both men and women, with men often wearing facial hair as well. Traditional clothing consisted of greatkilts and tunics for both sexes, but clothing was modernised to some degree due to Maridi influence.

### Music

Even before their unification, the Ferdian clans had a rich tradition of music and oral history. Bards were trained by the Druids of Morra to play instruments, harness magic, and chronicle historical events. Many bardic instruments were magical and had abilities of their own. Telyntri, Cw 'Ngharyn, and Cannythlon were among the most famous and powerful bardic instruments.

Ferdian epics could last for hours with breaks set aside for meals. Folk songs were much shorter, though, and were sung by trained and untrained musicians alike. Horses, war, camraderie, and love were common topics in Ferdian folk music.

The harp, viol, bagpipes, and flute were the most common instruments for bardic performances and folk music.

#### Warpiping

Bagpipes were used to signal troops during battles due to how easily they were heard over the din of combat. Warpipers were often just common soldiers trained for the duty, but it was not unheard of for bards to serve as warpipers to kings. The best-known instance of this was Tamisín serving as Athîn's warpiper. Historically, other instruments such as the carnyx and drums were used, but the bagpipes became the standard over time.

### Relations

The Ferdians and the Dhirnsgaard were on good terms overall for many centuries due to being threatened by the Marid Empire and having many cultural similarities. However, over time, Ferdians began to view the Dhirnsgaard as more primitive and culturally inferior. The nobles in particular felt this way. The Tallinac did not pose a threat to the Ferdians, so those that made it to their borders were welcomed, though intermarriage was very uncommon between the two people groups.

## Religion

The patron goddess of Ferdia was Athilla, but several other deities were commonly worshipped, including Gwyrh, Jorun, Lodhric, Othed, Reshira (post-AA1040), and Vyhlkos

## Government

After the clans were united by members of Clan Ganydd, Ferdia was united in a federal monarchy. Each of the clans had their own ruling system, usually being led by a patriarch or chief; but, for greater political matters like war, they were ruled by a king from the Ó Ferrix clan, an offshoot of Clan Ganydd.

The king's primary job during peacetime was to ensure the border was defended and all internal disputes settled without upsetting the whole nation. It was not uncommon for clan warlords to resort to violence against one another, but the king would take action if the dispute affected non-participants. Usually, the king commanded the warlords to take care of conflicts on their land; but sometimes, usually during periods of great chaos, the king would use certain warlords as enforcers on other clans' territory.

Certain clans were elevated to the status of nobility. Their leaders would serve as commanders under the king during times of war and received certain benefits from the crown, such as reduced tax rates.

## History

### Origins

By AA1500, the Ferdian clans were constantly at war with the Marid Empire. In AA1527, Kaedyr ua Ganydd and his brother Ulric united the clans into the Kingdom of Ferdia through a combination of wars and negotiations. This came as the Empire began their full invasion of Ferdian land. The united clans successfully repelled the Maridi invaders from their borders, causing the Empire to assault the Isle of Morra in AA1530. After the isle was singlehandedly defended by Ulric, the Marid Empire refrained from attacking Ferdia for a couple of decades. Kaedyr convinced the clans to stay united as one nation to maintain their strength, despite the threat passing for the time being.