Valnar

The realm of Valnar is divided into five major regions: Nothrund in the north; Westermark in the west; Northmarch in between these two regions; Fenland in the east; and Simmersea in the south. Beyond Fenland lies the Mire and beyond that, Hareg- marshy regions which are largely uninhabited.

**The High Houses of Valnar**

*House Valiant House Fairmont House Callister House Oswin*

*H ouse Crawan*

**The Low Houses of Valnar**

Descended from House Valiant:

*Gallant, Tribulant*

Descended from House Fairmont:

*Vyrian, Fairchild, Florent*

Descended from House Callister:

*Gryffian, Gaspard*

Descended from House Oswin:

*Hightower, Russet*

Descended from House Crawan:

*Ravenshield, Ulwin*

**Westermark towns**

Valheight (Seat of Castle Valiant of King Olfricof Westermark)

Wolsdale

King's Crossing

Vale Of Tears

Redwood

Blackwood

Fallowfield

Shepherd's Rest

Horsford

Ashledge

Giphall

Oakhurst

Elmwood

**Simmersea** **towns**

*The Dukedom of Simmersea is ruled by House Oswin*

Sunharbor *population: 4,420* (major port and high seat of Lord Janos and Lady Clara Oswin)

Cresthaven (major market town)

Highkeep

Stormkeep

Silverpool

Fardall

Gossa’s Rest

Nothrund culture: cold climate, mainly tundra; maritime culture of whaling, fishing; warlike, history of clan warfare. Last region to be subdued.

Northmarch heirarchical, warrior aristocracy, hunting

Westermark forest, learning, religion

Simmersea trade, exploration, history

Fenland agriculture, traditions, archery

**The Brehir Clans**

The Brehir are a nomadic group of people who are descended from the ancient tribes that once spread out across most of Valnar. There are two types of Brehir clans- nomads and settlers. Nomadic Brehir can be seen travelling across Valnar in caravans, often doing trade but keeping largely to themselves. Settled Brehir live in small settlements, usually of 3-4 families.

Fiercely individualistic, the Brehir clans reject the church of the Allfather, adhering instead to an ancestor cult which includes elements of shamanic practices and animism.

The ancestral homeland of the Brehir encompassed the northern regions of Westermark, the southern portion of Fenland, the south western regions of Nothrund and the northern regions of Simmersea. Brehir settlements usually centre around a *crannoch*, a large circular stone fort. The Brehir call Valnar Ethnea, meaning "land of the aurochs", from the Brehir word for Auroch "Etha". In ancient times, the north and northwest of Valnar was home to vast herds of aurochs, which the Brehir hunted.

According to Brehir legend, the original inhabitants of Valnar were the *Sithársil*, blue skinned, elven entities with whom the Brehir ancestors fought, made treaties and even intermarried with. It is believed that the Sithársil blood is what gives the Brehir their magical tendency, with those showing skill in magic being labelled as *Súlathair* (sith-touched). The Brehir and Sithársil waged a long series of wars, raids and Auroch theft, and the most famous of these stories were passed down orally. These Brehir stories can be found written down these days and are popular as children's tales.

The main Brehir clans that the tribes still in existence claim descent from are Cruithe, Broinn, Hannari, Castair, Dún, Rúathan, Cannae, Dornai, Bryth and Brehnara.

Brehir clans descended from clan Cruithe and Broinhe are native to Nothrund; Hannari to Westermark; Castair, Rúthain and Dún to Northreach; Cannaeh to Fenland; and Dornai, Bryth and Brehnara to Simmersea.

The Brehir speak a language known as *Brehiri*, though there are slight differences in dialect (the Brehir tongue of the southern tribes for instance softens certain consonants such as s and th, as well as pronouncing o as u. E.g. the word *Sathraon* (meaning a round hill) would be pronounced in the southern dialect as *Zavraún*.

The Plains Accord was signed by king ? and granted the Brehir the right of free travel and free trade across all Valnar in exchange for the cessation of attacks from Brehir brigands. Prior to this, Brehir and Valnarian alike considered each fair game. Now the Brehir may bring grievances to a king's court and conduct trade in any city or hold in Valnar.