Britons

## History and Current Events

Greater Britain, also known as Britain, Britoni & Ivernia, and the misty isles, is a set of two large islands inhabited by the Celtic Britons, Picts, and the Iverni. The Britons occupied the middle and southern portion of the largest eastern isle (England) while the Picts lived amongst the lochs of the north (Scotland). Across the channel to the west, the Iverni live a peaceful existence in Ireland. As with the other Celtic tribes, the isles of Britain have been occupied for thousands of years. Only 100 years ago did the Greek explorer Pytheas approach the fog covered cliffs of Dover and make first (Mediterranean) contact with the islanders. Until then, only the European mainland Celts had crossed the channel to trade with their Briton cousins. Conflicts in greater Briton typically stay between tribes. Occasionally, the cultures of the three major groups would clash, particularly between the Britons and the Picts.

## Religion, Culture, and non-humans

### Native Races

Britoni: Humans, Brownies, Elves, Gremlins, Faeries

Ivernia: Humans, Leprechaun, Faeries, Fomorians, Aos Si

### Religion and Culture

The British worshipped Celtic deities, led by the **druids**. These druids were powerful enchanters and shapeshifters, capable of bending nature to their will. Indeed, many offerings to the gods were required to take place in sacred settings surrounded by nature. These offerings may have included armor or weapons from a successful battle, livestock, and even humans, whom druids used to cast an advanced form of foresight.

Some deities appeared in a "triple form", or a single entity capable of transforming into three different forms as the situation requires (ie. the three mothers). The pantheons of each culture are listed here: Britons, Iverni/Irish, and Picts. Each small region across the isles had a preferred deity, with some influencing much larger such as Toutatis - God of the underworld and progenitor of the Celts, thought by the Greeks to be Hades.

### Non-Human status

Non-humans in Britain are widely regarded as representatives of the gods and nature, and are thus treated reverently. Brownies are known to live with Briton villagers, assisting in maintaining their homes and performing farming tasks. Water nymphs flirt with passing Picts from their Loch homes. Hill dwarfs, pixies, and faun may be found regularly in human cities. In Ireland, monsters and spirits roam the marshes in vast numbers, terrifying the local human settlements.

## Government

There are nearly two dozen tribes of Britons, each ruling from hilltop forts and lording over the surrounding farmlands in a proto-feudal system. The Picts held a similar system with far fewer rulers, and as of today only have two primary kings. Meanwhile in Ivernia, Kings rule their tribes from the coast, as central Ivernia is covered in uninhabitable bogs. The Iverni use these bogs as ritual burial sites, even deposing failed kings' decapitated bodies into the peaty waters to return to the land. Little else is known about British governmental structure.

## Diplomatic Relations

### Gaul (Friendly)

The Gaulish Celts are long time allies and trade partners of the islanders, although no formal alliance has been declared between the tribes.

### Greece (Neutral)

The Greek explorer Pytheas interacted several times with the various Celtic tribes, leaving an overall good impression upon the Celtic Britons. However, they have had little exposure to Macedonia since.

### Rome (Neutral)

The Brits have a similar relationship with Rome as Greece, with overall limited interactions or exchange.