Castanite

The **Castanites** were a tribe of humans initially consisting of ex-slaves from Kheterata known for being the progenitors of Castan's Empire. For much of their existence the Castanites fled northwards fleeing the gnollish Great Xhaz before settling in modern-day Castonath.

## History

### Origins

The first recordings of the Castanite people date back to 690 BA, thought to be the beginning of the Castanite Exodus. The Castanites were then part of a much larger group of ex-Kheteratan slaves who were almost-instantly attacked and enslaved by the Pre-Xhazobine Gnolls.

### Settling in the Burning Hills

Those that escaped the gnolls eventually made it to the Burning Hills where they settled beyond the gnolls' reach. It was during this time that the first mention of Castan's father Humac is mentioned as an elder who brokered peace between the Castanites and the local Escanni Tribes whom by then fought with the Castanites on multiple occasion.

### Flight from the Xhazobine

In 651 BA the Xhazobine, an gnollish matron whom had usurped the old clans with claims of demonic help, had invaded Escann. The Castanites and their Escanni neighbours were repelled and once again the Castanites fled ever-northwards, this time with those of Escanni-descent joining them. By this time Castan the Progenitor had come into leadership of the tribe and led his people into the Deepwoods forest in an attempt to lose the Xhazobine's Host.

### 10 Years of Wander

No records remain of the tribe's time spent lost in The Great Forest, but in 641 BA, 10 years after they first entered, Castan finds The Wayguide within the mountain of Southmount and convinces him to show them the way out. The Wayguide, seeing Castan's future, becomes his trusted advisor and ushers them to settle "under the eye of the north twin".

### Founding of Old Castanor

In 639 BA the tribe, now consisting of ex-Kheteratan slaves and Escanni refugees, settles south of the north twin, now known as Trialmount. Castan travels up Trialmount with the Wayguide but returns alone, relaying a new message of hope and stability to his people, founding what today is known as the city of Castonath.

## Pureblood Castanites

Within the Castanite people group exist a small fraction of Pureblood Castanites, those that show the Kheteratan, Bulwari, Sarhaly and Milcorissian descent of the original people.

* The Kheteratans and the Bulwari looked largely similar, noted for their brown skin and dark hair
* The Sarhaly branch traced their lineage to Castan the Progenitor's original people, who were black-skinned with black afro-textured hair
* The Milcorissians were a later addition, and either descended from those who joined the Castanites after the Battle of Burning Hill or as prized slaves and concubines by later Emperors. They were distinct from the others, with pale white skin and raven black hair

Since the fall of Castanor, the Pureblood Castanites can only be found comprising the patrician class of Castonath. To preserve their lineage, these families exclusively seek those who share the same origin, often looking beyond Escann for their marriages, the most popular being matches with the Busilari, who have a larger Sarhaly-descended population as well as a smaller Bulwari one.