Dunnmen

**Nations**
 **Regions**
 **Tongue**

The Dunns are a culture of nomadic, horse-faring humans who have lived in the Biadye Plains(placeholder name) long before the arrival of Arakhas. They are hardy survivalists with a strong sense of loyalty. They are determined warriors who are renowned for their ability to overcome insurmountable odds.

## History

The Dunnmen are a proud people who carved various nomadic Clanndoms in the steppes of eastern Westcrowns. In the times before Autolycus, the early kingdoms of Westcrowns feared their fierce demeanor and unmatched horsemanship.

Autolycus would encounter his first difficulty in his attempts to subjugate the Dunnmen. The Horselord's keen instincts and mobility proved highly effective against the siegespells Autolycus' Sorcerer-Legions had traditionally relied on. Inevitably, however, the Dunns would succumb to Autolycus' conquests.

Instead of resentment for their losses, the Dunn's unparalleled sense of loyalty and honor and bound them to Autolycus. Their Thegns(placeholder name) bowed before his might and forever swore themselves to his legacy. Autolycus, too, saw the value of such fervent soldiers in his ranks and employed them frequently alongside his legions in his southern conquests.

The Dunns were among the most loyal subjects of the early Tyrmeidian Imperium. Their blood oath to Autolycus' lineage had become ingrained in their culture and persisted centuries after the Imperium's fall. The Dunns would thus later on venerate the emperors of Aldervas, who claimed to continue the regal authority of the Imperium.

Since the Loss, the Dunnmen have fought a guerrilla war against the endless undead forces. Despite their fierce spirit, the Dunns have found themselves fighting a losing battle against the innumerable wightherds that stomp across the plains. The Dunns maintain a split relationship with the Marshaldom. Some work with them in the goal to reinstate the Empire. Others only maintain a tenuous relationship out of convenience, believing they are not true extensions of the Imperium. More extreme fringe Clanndoms act with open hostility towards them.

## Culture

The Dunnmen are a gruff people who have survived in the harsh, dry, and cold plains of eastern Westcrowns. They are mostly nomadic, with few major settlements that are far between. These are locations of both spiritual and economic significance which warrant such convening. The Dunns most often find themselves traversing the plains upon their trusted horses and establishing temporary, collapsible villages. Like most of Westcrowns, the Dunns worship the Triune, albiet often in forms not seen canonical by the <<paladins/triune/whatever>>.

Horses are a primary part of Dunn culture. Their livelihoods are based around the steeds. Dunnar adolescent's right of passage tests their skill on the steed. Dunnar clothing and housing often consists of their hides. Dunnar cuisine subsists from them. No part of the steed is ever wasted in consuming them. Dunnar culture is very self-aware of the boon the horse gives to their people. They are among the most respected of creatures to the Dunnmen.

The horses of the Dunn are prized and often superior to those of other breeds. Their bonds and understanding of their riders indicates an intelligence far beyond mere beasts, and their physical skill and fortitude is astonishing. The Tower Society once researched and concluded strong natural magics reside in these animals, but what specifically was never ascertained.

Loyalty, honor, and pride are paramount to the Dunns, and most often in that order. Loyalty, like a steed to it's rider, is sacred to the Dunns and it can frequently supercede honor or pride. However, that is not to deny the fervor of the Dunnmen's pride nor their stringent code of honor, known as the Urram. Just as Dunnmen live and die by the horse, they too place the Urram as the paramount decisionmaker in their lives. The Urram itself places loyalty as among the greatest virtues, which is likely why the Dunns have such unwavering integrity. These values derive from the Triunic god Malvost, the Patron of Warriors, who the Dunns venerate almost as greatly as the horse.

## Appearance

The Dunns are gruff men with lighter skin tones than the Kyonians. To other peoples of Westcrowns they seem unkempt and, depending on an individual's prejudice, barbaric. A common accessory amongst the Dunns is the Ad (scottish gaelic word for hat) which is a signature style of fur hat (basically the ushankas you see in the art).

The Dunnmen have dark hair in varying shades. The most frequent color is black, however there are also shades of darker reds or dark green, and, the most rarest of all, dark blue.