Aodhian Herd Relations

Aodhians tend to view other cultures as their lessers, but are still more than willing to engage in trade with them. As lovers of luxury and exotics, Aodh is fairly easy to form trade relationships with, even if they are unlikely to see the other nation as a true equal. Their interest in commerce makes them an active participant on the world stage.

Aodhians are xenophobic with an inbuilt sense of superiority, but are generally not cautious or fearful of other cultures. Their xenophobia shows more as elitism and downplaying achievements of others, rather than a fear of engaging with them. When Aodhians study or otherwise show interest in other cultures, it is usually a stereotypical, simplified view of that culture - and they aren’t above appropriating attractive elements into their own lives.

## Aodh Herd Relations - Main Factions

Aodhians generally have a pretty good (although awfully stereotyped and condescending) grasp about what these groups and factions represent. The average Aodhian can point to each on a map and knows a few basics about their culture, but is unlikely to know anything very detailed, or indeed, even care to know.

### War Forged - Trade Partners, Allies

Although historically Onean clans have sometimes raided Aodh (until King Brenton decisively put an end to it with their war in 1441-42), there has always also been some trade between the two, with Onean pelts, minerals and other northern products being popular imports alongside slaves, while Aodhians in turn sell excess foodstuffs to the northern lands. These trade relations became more firm during the reign of Ursula and Kai (1473-1510). Before the unification of Onea, these trade deals were with individual clans, often near the southern borders of the continent. After 1667, with Onea unified, these trade deals became nationwide.

Relationship with Onea became especially warm during the reigns of Hira and Solaris, who were close personal friends - some rumored them to even be lovers. This relationship saw War Forged enjoy significantly reduced prices when importing Eithne goods, while Aodh benefitted from a steady stream of culled slaves. Although relations have since become slightly less warm, the two remain allies, with an agreement to support each other during times of disaster or war. Onean citizens are never the target of slavers, and do not need to fear Aodhians. Only officially culled individuals are enslaved.

Despite this close relationship, most Aodhians have only ever dealt with Oneans who have been culled - a fact that undoubtedly colors their views of the country. Aodhians generally think of Oneans as sturdy barbarians - good warriors and hardy workers for sure, but not especially intelligent. Aodhians will usually be shocked if a War Forged horse can read, and even more so if they seem genuinely educated.

### Umare Breim - Trade Partners, Tense

Aodh and Umare have never been especially close, although political relations between the two were opened comparatively early (by Umare’s standards) with the exchange of dignitaries. This relationship was purely for the purposes of trade, however, and did not facilitate any additional contact. Tea and precious gems were in especially high demand, while Breim benefitted from Aodhian textiles, foodstuffs and lumber. Before opening of the trade relation during the reign of Ursula and Kai (1473-1510), Umare were practically unknown to Aodhians, and due to their reclusive nature, even the trade didn’t make them exactly well-understood.

During the reign of Solaris, relationship with Umare grew steadily warmer with her outreach. Trade became more active, and student exchange programs were made possible so the two advanced herds could benefit from each other’s different approaches to science. There was even hope of a proper, formal alliance - but any hopes of such were dashed in spring 1700, when an ill advised attempt at a political gift by King Amadeus caused significant destruction in the city of Nariah. Afterwards, the relationship was ruined, and although Umare and Aodh have never been at war, the situation remains tense. This is not helped by the fact that Breimians who leave the safety of their settlements have occasionally been nabbed by rogue slave traders.

Aodhians know comparatively little of Breim. While academics might know about the advanced magitech science of the herd, or some of their “exotic” customs and near reverence of pegasi, to most Aodhians Breimians are simply small, ugly, unhealthy cave dwellers who shun the healthy rays of the sun. Most Aodhians have never seen an actual Umare Breim horse, so the mental image of mole horses is strong in the minds of the public.

### Serora - Trade Partners, Tense

Serora and Aodh have historically been mutually hostile towards one another - Aodhian tradition says that it was Alya and her pegasi who destroyed the kirins. Furthermore, one of the earliest events in Aodh’s history is a bloody war with Serora in 845-852. After the war, virtually all contact was cut. Slaves of Seroran origin would occasionally wind up in Aodh after the law reforms of King Elek (1015-1035) allowed for the capture of  “Vagabonds”, although Aodhians never encroached into Sedo itself. Kings Ursula and Kai (1473-1510) opened Aodhian trade on a global scale, including trade with Serora. Seroran peyote, glass and agave sugar were imported, while foodstuff, lumber, seeds and medicine were exported. Dignitaries were exchanged, although relations remained cold.

King Solaris would, in her usual fashion, facilitate a closer relationship, with more active trade relations. These changes were short-lived, as a trade exchange formed in the first days of 1700 was soon broken by Serora, leading to Aodh declaring war upon the southern nation. The war, officially lasting from summer 1700 to summer 1701, but only being actively fought from spring 1701 to August 1701, was brief, and while not terribly bloody, still enough to drive a deep rift between the two nations. Many Serorans were captured as slaves and shipped to Aodh during the war. The release of these Serorans has been negotiated as a part of the peace agreement between the two countries, but this has done little to improve relations.

Compared to all other nations, Aodhians have the most negative image of Serorans. They are seen as untrustworthy, warlike, primitive and uneducated. Especially hated for their worship of Alya, and rejection of Ignacio. The average Aodhian sees Serorans as an enemy.

### Talori - At War

Talori was essentially an unknown factor to Aodh until trade contact was initiated in the late 15th century. This trade, facilitated through Rogues, saw many tropical goods streaming into Aodh: cocoa, coffee, tobacco, cannabis, exotic herbs and spikes - but most desirably, legally exported slaves. Aodh exported textiles, familiars, foodstuffs and various seeds, but also weapons and armor. The bond between the countries was made stronger by an exchange of spouses - every other generation an Aodhian royal would be sent to wed into the Talori royalty, and vice versa. The intention was to create a strong bond by familial ties, although neither nation truly saw rulers of mixed blood.

In their dealings with Aodh, Talori projected an image of themselves as a nation equal if not greater than Aodh in both technology and military, leading to Aodh being careful in their political dealings with the faction - leading to borderline panic when Prince Lilith failed to live up to expectations, and the next designated spouse, Prince Marcellus, was murdered. After the death of Solaris, political relations unraveled quickly, until they were completely severed with a declaration of War from Aodh upon discovering Talori had not only lost members of Aodh’s royal family, but had also supported Serora in their war against Aodh. It was also discovered that Talori was not nearly as strong a nation as they had been led to believe.

The average Aodhian knows very little about Talori, as for the longest time, the “Talori” traders arriving at Aodhian ports were in fact Rogues, and gave a false impression of the distant tropical country. However, after the Talori lies were exposed, the knowledge of the Talori’s backwards views of sexuality and gender, and especially of their racism towards and sacrifices of pegasi, have quickly spread.

## Aodh Herd Relations - Smaller Factions

### Heralds of Ash **-** At War

Heralds made their intentions of destroying Aodh and all it stands for extremely clear immediately upon their founding, and the two factions have been at war since. Aodhians know little of the faction beyond their militant nature, hostility and membership of solely kirins. Heralds of Ash are feared and hated in equal measure, and their mere existence challenges the Aodhian view of history.

### Bloody Flanks - Enemies

Aodhians do not really know much about Bloody Flanks, and save for a singular attack on an Aodhian merchant vessel, they have not really made an impact on the country. Some historians may be able to remember this clan name as one of the clans who was never open to trading with Aodh, but other than that, they remain a hostile, but distant, force.

### Kawaru Breim - Neutral

Due to the reclusive nature of all Breimians, Aodh only became aware of the existence of this faction fairly recently - during the reign of Solaris, when increased contact with Umare allowed them to learn of the existence of another Breim faction. As such, there is virtually no contact between the two at this time, although with Kawaru being more active and open than Umare, who knows what the future might hold for the newly above-ground faction.

### Water Bandits - Enemies

Some Aodhians came across Water Bandits during the Aodh-Serora war, and were subsequently relieved of their possessions, and sometimes their lives. This new faction is believed to be nothing but a band of common thieves, but with their activities limited to Sedo and generally not threatening Aodh’s interests, they are considered strictly “someone else’s problem”.

### Rogue Alliance - Trade Partners, Allies

Rogues and Aodh have a relatively long history of mutual benefit, as it was through the Rogue Alliance that all trade between Aodh and Talori was conducted. As such, Rogue vessels are generally welcomed in any of Aodh’s ports, and the crew is welcome to come to land and enjoy Aodhian luxuries - as long as they can pay for it, of course. Rogues do not need to fear enslavement when dealing with Aodhians.

With the alliance to Talori broken, Aodh has instead allied itself with the Rogue Alliance directly, facilitating very similar trade as was previously had with the main faction. Rogues also receive weapons, armor and other military goods from Aodh to aid them in their effort to overthrow the Talori government. The partnership between the two factions is stable and strong.

The average Aodhian knows rogues to be charming but untrustworthy, although they are generally viewed more as exotic swashbucklers than anything you’d need to hate or fear. With the Talori crimes becoming public knowledge, some Aodhians even see Rogues as heroic for opposing such barbaric practises.

### Unaligned Vagabonds - Pests

Unaligned Vagabonds hardly form a faction in their own right. Throughout history, unlucky individuals roaming too close to Eithne’s borders have found themselves enslaved. Before 1700, Vagabonds could pass through Eithne, although they always did so at their own peril. However, after the Vindicator attack at New Year 1700, Aodh became extremely hostile towards all Vagabonds, and increased presence on its borders.

The only unaligned Vagabonds welcome in Eithne are Rangers.

### Vindicators - Enemies

Vindicators are some of Aodh’s most bitter and hated enemies. A faction known mostly for minor nuisances previously, they blasted into the public consciousness with their terrorist attack of the Crucible at turn of the year 1700. After this attack, Aodh has actively sought to destroy the faction, while the ragtag bunch of freedom fighters have only increased their efforts to break Aodh’s systems of slavery and oppression. Due to the extreme tactics of the faction, even Aodhians who sympathize with their cause (freeing the slaves) hate and fear them. Suspected Vindicators are executed immediately upon capture, as is anyone believed of associating with them.

### Cult of Digend - Unknown Factor

Most Aodhians believe this faction to be a Vagabond fairytale, made up to scare children. Very few Aodhians have ever even seen a cultist, and fewer still *know* what they saw was a cultist, rather than just some random Vagabond. As such, Aodhians do not associate the young god, Digend, with the crimes committed by her followers.

### Freedom’s Flight - Trade Partners, Allies

Aodh only became aware of this faction in autumn 1701, when they approached Aodh with an alliance proposal. Aodh still knows little of the faction besides their opposition to Talori, but that is plenty enough reason to ally with them. Together with Rogues, Flight insure that Aodhians continue to receive goods from Aquore, and receive weapons, food and other provisions in return. The factions are allied, but the average Aodhian has never seen a member of the Flight, or interacted with one.

### Asylon - Unknown Factor

Only a few in Aodh know of Asylon’s existence, and so far there has been no contact between the city of Asylon and Aodh.

## Heralds of Ash Relations

Heralds are hostile to *all* other factions of Hireath, and will attack anyone enroaching on “their” territory. Although only truly at war with Aodh, their raids in Onea and Sirith in spring 1702 showed a willingness to attack anyone they see as weak if it benefits their cause.

No one, even if sharing the Heralds enemy of Aodh, should expect to be granted free passage through their lands. They have shown no interest in forming alliances or trading with others.

Heralds attack non-kirins on sight. If they see kirins, they will approach peacefully, but will quickly turn hostile if the kirin is a transformed one - a false kirin in their eyes. Heralds will generally not attack other “true kirins” unprovoked, but may do so if said kirins stand in between them and their objective.