The Únoff

### **Description:**

The Únoff (*Un-off*) are a race of bipedal humanoid-horse people, capable of tapping into the magic of Éordiarx as no other race can. Generally referred to throughout the story as "satyrs" there are notable difference between the Únoff and a normal satyr. Though both share the characteristics of an equine below the waist, the Únoff lack horns, typically do not have cloven hooves (having more of a rounded hoof), and are never shown to have an affinity towards music. Humorously, most Únoffs detests music, mostly due to it effects one's concentration and emotions, two things very important to magic use.

Beyond these differences, everything above the waist seems to mimic that of the human form, aside from the ears which have an animalistic look. Below the waist, again the book brings to light a more anthropomorphic-horse style, with a tail and furred legs ect. The typical skin color of this race seems to be that of a dark tan, though in the cases of some characters this typical skin color has ranged to very light to very dark, tending to be more of a Hispanic tone.

Typical height places most Únoffs at around five feet, making them taller than Dẃoff though normally shorter than a Flóff. This characteristic of being in the middle is also seen in their average life span, which tends to end near the late sixties. Of course, longevity is not out of the question for the Únoff as some have found extended life through the use of magic. Though, the effects of such spells have not always been desirable.

#### **Life Style:**

The Únoff life style and indeed society is very closely linked with their ability to control magic (*Márjx)(M-R-Jak*). While the Únoff are the most technology advanced tribe within the series, being that they have created a form of running water, none fire based lights, and understand basic health issues, their advancements are limited to their magical capabilities. Spells and indeed magic as a whole within the world of Éordiarx is influenced by a wielder's emotions and concentration, in its raw form, magic takes on an unpredictable and dangerous pattern (see the **History** page for more). Though magic is a central part of any Únoff's life, the skill at which said magic is used varies greatly on the amount of schooling undertaken. While formal education within the land of Artésque is still mainly for those within the upper and middle classes, Únoff culture still values either a tradesmen type of schooling or basic education within one of the schools of **Márjx**. Due to the encouragement of learning, it is uncommon for any Únoff to pursue a life of simple farming.

Status is everything within Únoff society, the only race within the series which has an official class system. The Unoff elites are known as Lords of Trade, and exist at the top of the classes, next comes those working in or associated with a school of Márjx, followed by various levels of tradesmen or craft workers. Entrepreneurship is the driving force within Únoff life, those few who choose to life simply are considered failures.

#### **Religion:**

While none of the Three have a defined religion, all share a commonly held belief about their history, though all three have interrupted their places within the world differently (see **History** tab). Due to the Únoff's connection with the world's magic, every Únoff is brought up to understand the laws of the Únoff. While the various names have been attributed to the ideas, all within the Únoff race believe in a few core ideas. Of these, the most popular is the belief that the world itself is nothing more than stone, one that is the responsibility of all Únoffs to shape and mold into their liking. Ideals similar to these as well as extensive emphasis of Únoff superiority, have led to many developing a very real sense of self motivation, albeit, at the expense of a culture wide feeling of egotism. It is this feeling of superiority over all others that have generally have led the Únoff to war.

As mentioned before, very few Únoff choose a life of simple farming, even fewer of these foster generations of like-minded thinkers to carry on said life style. Yet, while the mainstream society of the Únoff values titles, and coin, there are pockets of generosity. Namely, the schools of Márjx which live by very different rules. Those who choose a life of study tend to find themselves at odds with the normal Únoff population. While respected in their own right, it is very uncommon for a member of the Lords of Trade to also be anyone well versed in magic.

#### **Marriages:**

Marriages tend to center around family ties, with the family unit normally making the decision to marry off or into another family. Within the **Nervál** (*N-er-Vall*) language those waiting to be married are known as *Fiándyo* or *Fiándya*, despite the fact that marriages can be preordained during childhood both parties are expected to remain pure until marriage.

Family units tend to follow a traditionalist idea with couples mating for life. Yet, while this concept of monogamy is present within the series, there exists no word or idea of love. Mating is expected be more of a duty within Únoff society, with "mares" typically being married into families for gains or to strengthen bonds within a community.

Interestingly, while marriage seems to be an important union within the Únoff culture, during times of Estrus "*faunrability*" the conception of a child would not always break prearranged marriages within the lower classes. Of course, upper and middle class families would naturally break off the arrangement, with the mother and the family typically being shunned from upper societies.

### **Hierarchy/Government:**

#### **National:**

Please refer to the **History** page for the pre-Artésque type of government. During the events of Artésque, the Únoff follow a mixture of a monarchical oligarchy. While the title of "Princess" or "Prince" used in reference to the current ruler(s). As seen in the first book, the first ruler, **Princess Clarity**was the unequivocal ruler of the Únoff tribe after the fall of the Crystoreeñ. Though, there is a "Princess" Clarity herself was not the daughter of a "Queen" or "King". As explained, Nervál did not have a direct translation for the old word "*Monodevún"*which was used to refer to the current holder of the Únoff crown. Though a King and Queen were present at the time of Artésque's founding, there were no blood ties to the crown. Nor does blood even determine the next in line for the crown. The hierarchy of the Únoff government is as follows for when a ruler dies:

King/Queen/Ruler dies and next of kin or blood is picked as the heir. However, if a Prince or Princess has been named (only occurs when current ruler has no children or next of kin) the named Prince or Princess is crowned. If there is no named successor, the first guard of the *Célntals* (see **History**) is named. It seems implied that if the first guardian is unable to serve the second would be asked. After this, it is not known. Of course, as shown within book one, the *Célntals* can be changed by the current ruler, thus still ensuring a picked successor of sorts. Beyond this, even when a named Prince or Princess becomes ruler they do not take on the title of King or Queen. As the title of King or Queen are only reserved for a Prince or Princess that have achieved greatness in their lives. The title is also only bequeath by the people and the Lords of Trade.

While this covers the strange monarchy portion of the government there still exits the other part. Within the series it is plainly shown that the current crown holder is nothing more than a figurehead still bound by the ruling elite known as The Lords of Trade. While no exact number of lords/ladies are stated within the book, the ruling elite act as a senate of sorts, voting each with one vote and electing a speaker to represent their needs and desires to the crown (typically just themselves). While the Lords of Trade control the amount of funds the crown can have access to, the crown still legally has to permit the various trades around the land as well as intact treaties with the other tribes.

The crown does collect taxes for private guards, though all main projects within the Únoff holdings must be funded by and held by a Lord of Trade. The relationship between The Lords of Trade and the crowned ruler is depicted as a tug of war type of relationship, though neither is able to fully operate in the long run without the other. Typically, the main power of the crowned ruler lies in the people, as the face of the government (being the Princess or such ruler) is more widely known and accepted within each hold. Beyond this, the crown has the power to influence new holds, and has the power to give new holds to existing Lords. No one lord has a monopoly over an industry or commodity, both the crown and other Lords ensure no one Lord has supreme power. Of course, this cut throat policies of marrying, lying, and kissing up to the crown always causes friction between the two governmental factors, as shown throughout the series. Despite this, the Únoff have remained the wealthiest people within the series.

#### **Local:**

Much like the other main tribes, the Únoff provinces are self managing with a local overseer known as a Jartál (*jar-tall*). Just like the national level, the local style of government seems to be a convoluted struggle between the crown and The Lords of Trade. Typically, to be classified as a hold/province under the direct control of the Únoff crown a local Jartál must be in place. While each hold is self managing, all Jartál swear allegiance to the crown for protection. The holds, as depicted within the book tend to have devolved around one of or a mixture of the following:

First a local industry (typically held by a member of The Lords of Trade), second being a school of Márjx, third, to ensure trade throughout the land remains smooth, a type of outpost that normally grows fairly quickly. The latter of the two, while under the Únoff crown may not directly involve a member or group of The Lords of Trade. Taxes are collected from each hold, though the amount collected depends on the classification of each hold. Those producing a good or service such as wood, stone, centers of commerce, ect. are not taxes as high, centers of schooling fall within this category. All other holds not producing a substantial income which would warrant a local Lord(s) of Trade to protect such trade thus calls for the crown to collect enough taxes for full protection. Under this protection the hold will grow. Ultimately, each hold, once an industry develops or has grown enough to sustain itself naturally, creates a class of elites, which join into the Lords of Trade for protection (often marrying into each family). When a hold fully develops the crown's high taxes diminish and the responsibility of the hold's protection falls to the local elites.

The crown's influence then remains in the appointed Jartál, the role of which involves reporting to the crown and ensuring a system of checks on The Lord(s) of Trade within the hold. The Jartál is paid and supported through the crown, ensuring the Lords have minimal control over the area. This of course is not always foolproof as evident within the series. Of course, being that the crown develops new holds, protects and grows new holds the crown can erect or give new land to another Lord, thus allowing competition and with further influence allowing one to grow and the other's power to diminish. Beyond this, the Jartál of each hold deals with the citizens within their influence, typically without much input from the local Lords unless policies affect the local industry or trade.

### **Lords Of Trade:**

As stated throughout, the importance of mercantilism as well as wealth and title have an immensely important profound effect on the Únoff. Yet, while the Lords of Trade are constantly scheming for more power the general workings of the crown in conjunction with the other lords stop any one member from gaining total power. The closest any one Lord of Trade can get to such power is that of Lord of Lords, which is a stand alone position within the Lords that speaks directly to the current ruler of the Únoff. The position is temporary and all other titles must be relinquished to family or underlings to hold the position, Furthermore, the Lord of Lords can be voted out if enough votes are cast, with current ruler always having a total of one vote. Which again, is very frequent as the Lord of Lords has the ruler's ear, and thus helps sweet talk the ruler for a particular family.

Becoming a Lord, while not impossible, is fairly hard. Land and wealth are required, though without the support of an existing Lord(s) and the current ruler, no one can join. Most Únoff elite have one child, to which they pass down their title. However, if they have more it is common practice to marry them off early, to hopefully stop them from attempting to claim the family's title. Despite the Únoff's incredible intellect and societal based desire to learn, the Únoff are pledged with bestial desires after every Lor-Roth (spring). Within this time *faunrability* or a seasonal breeding time occurs. If a Lord of Trade sires a child they run the risk of loosing their title, not just from the dishonor but from claim issues as well, as often times an opposing Lord of Trade may seek to weaken a rival by electing their opponent's child to a Lordship title. Their failings would weaken the family's name and thus they would loose power. Hiding an offspring is actually fairly hard, as parents pass down a familiar magic to their children. One easy way to test this is with a Kélf stone; the stone would pull both of their magics, if the color of the stone did not change, than it would suggest some type of shared line. Of course, this process has been known to backfire, as families may join together in voting blocs or families that have been marrying into one another for several generations may loose ground to a less than capable member of the family, simply due to the voting of other Lords.

No present Lord of Trade may vote for their own child first, the ruling crown and another Lord must vote first, effectively making it the Crown's responsibility as to who has more voting power, a rather effective tool rarely used.

While both Lords and Ladies of trade exist, it is customary for a Lady of Trade to join her title with a husband. Meaning it is far more important for a son to be within the family than a daughter.