Deurlen

A Deurlen clansman, covered in traditional 'mearcannan'.

Within the island continent of Deurlyth located in the far north of the Aurosi Expanse reside the Deurlen people. Large, proud, and boisterous, The Deurlen are known for being heavy eaters and a typically happy people. The Deurlen people live in clans, groups of people, usually derived from bloodlines live together for support, protection and semblance of order.

Deurlen don't view land as being owned by any one person, and typically exist in relative harmony. Though, there are still are darker clans, who also trace their history throughout the existence of Deurlyth and worship their chosen Divines with bloody rituals and cannibalism.

### Southerners / People of the Marches

Perhaps the most 'civilized' of the Deurlen people, they were the first to greet and mingle with would-be settlers who arrived upon Deurlyth's shores. Because of their earlier exposure and adaptation to the outside world, the Southernmost Deurlen's development was accelerated and their stonework and crafting skills refined quicker than the Highlanders or Northerners.

Physically, they are slighter of build than any of the Deurlen north of them, but remain similar to Common Deurlen otherwise.

Historically, much of the talk of Deurlen people in Kingdoms and Empires elsewhere were the Southerners of Deurlyth. Granthelian, Alenthylian and Elten settlers, traders and travelers have all encountered the Southerners at one point in time, and very few Southerners have even left to the other corners of Aevonhold.

### Northerners / Svells

The peoples of the far-north island of Svelleth, and occupying a bit of the northern parts of Deurlyth are a bit different than the common Deurlen. The more rugged and wild of the Deurlen, accustomed to a much more hardened sense of life than those in the South, their culture remains the most untouched since the Antonellan settlement of Deurlyth by the Republic of Novania in 1162.

They are raiders and warriors by nature, oftentimes sending longships and other watercraft along the coast of the continent to strike at coastal settlements in the past. Since Novania's establishment, raiding activity has generally ceased, and the Northern folk have kept to themselves. Physically, they are generally more fair-skinned and fair-haired than the Deurlen in the south, and a bit bulkier of the body.

## Appearance

The Deurlen are a stocky, laborious people whose lives more often than not round out their bodies with weight and strength. To the Deurlen, a being large and strong is a sign of health and beauty, while being frail and thin is highly unattractive, and considered to be weak, as those of little constitution are believed to be unable to contribute to their society meaningfully. Most Deurlen are tall and broad. Red and brown hair are prevalent among many Deurlen clans, with less having black or even dark blond hair.

The Deurlen are a stocky, laborious people whose lives more often than not round out their bodies with weight and strength. To the Deurlen, a being large and strong is a sign of health and beauty, while being frail and thin is highly unattractive, and considered to be weak, as those of little constitution are believed to be unable to contribute to their society meaningfully. Most Deurlen are tall and broad. Red and brown hair are prevalent among many Deurlen clans, with less having black or even dark blond hair.

#### **Mearcannan**

The Deurlen are greatly noted by their individual markings, or Mearcannan: Tattoos worn by of-age Deurlens to represent their clan with unique designs and colors specific to their people. These markings are typically made of woad, indigenous to the Deurlen mainland. In lieu of the plants to make their dyes, Svells tend to use darker dyes made of wood ash.

    Some clans who harbor more zealous cultures may even take to scarification to mark themselves, imprinting designs by raising the skin with the cuts of a sharp blade.

#### **Clothing**

Due to the naturally cool climate of the island continent, many Deurlen outfits consist of furs, leathers and various crafted materials for insulation and protection from all kinds of weather changes. A common wardrobe would consist of different types of clothing, ranging from protective gear for heavy rain, ice and snow, freezing mountain streams, and bone chilling sea water, to heavily padded undergarments and comfortable footwear.

Fanciful and elegant clothing includes simple textiles and patterns, or ornamental pelts and hides from prized hunts, or heirlooms.

## Clans and Government

Within the lush hills, highlands, and frosted barrens of Deurlyth exist the sprawling Deurlen Clans, communities of Deurlen natives who strive to protect and do good by one other. As a result, Deurlens have no overarching structure or hierarchy. The way each clan is governed varies greatly from clan to clan, with some having a democratic system of leading elders, and others having a patriarch or matriarch.

To most Deurlen clans, no one person is noble, no one person stands high above the rest. Focused on community and individuality, the Deurlen would have it that every one person is a pillar that plays their own part in keeping the lives and culture of their people moving and thriving.

The Deurlen live lives of simplicity, relying heavily on group living to maintain lives of safety among the harsh landscapes of Deurlyth.

### **Naming Conventions**

Names go by the following name scheme: [Irish Names], [Scottish Names]

A Deurlen may typically carry a name which denotes familial ties and relationship to the members of their clan. This differs by clan, and is unused by some:

**[Eachern Clan - Named after Father]**

Son of - Mac/Mc/M' (Example - Seamus Mac/Mc/M'Eachern - Son of Eachern)

*Daughter of - Nic (Example - Gwen NicEachern - Daughter of the Son of Eachern*)

*Wife of - Mhic (Example - Grace MhicEachern - Wife of the Son/of Eachern)*

**[Leary Clan - Named after Grandfather]**

Grandson of - Ua/O' (Example - Thomas Ua/O'Leary - Grandson of Leary)

*Daughter of - Ni (Example - Susanne NiLeary - Daughter of the Grandson of Leary)*

*Wife of - Ui (Example - Patsy UiLeary - Wife of the Grandson of Leary)*

## **Practices**

Many Deurlen are religious, with heavy belief in one or two of their respective Divines, this tends to manifest in ritual sacrifice of life-giving animals, and the surrounding of imagery depicting life and death, in balance and harmony with home life, such as various skulls of animals and the practical and ornamental usage of pelts and furs.

### **Food**

Many dishes within the Deurlen culture consist of hardy vegetables, and salted meats. Potatoes and beef are staples within Deurlen life, as well as many smaller animals, hunted and raised for sustenance such as rabbit and chicken play an integral role in the food-culture of Deurlyth, many Deurlen pride themselves on cooking skills, and ability to prepare filling and nutritious meals.

### **Marriage**

While marriage is a part of Deurlen culture, it is quite different than what would be expected. There is no husband and wife, but instead a man and woman. The man is usually quite protective of the woman, due partially to pre-maritial culture. Prior to marriage, women are claimed and contested by combat. between conflicting claims. Marriage is still consensual, however, the woman may tend to accept a claim if she is impressed by the claimant.

If the claim is accepted, both partners would then continue onto complete a sacred ceremony in which they apply tattoos to each other that are chosen to represent their bond. When the marriage is between Clans, it is traditional to use the tattoo color that represents your Clan. This ceremony can create beautifully intricate tattoos with many designs, and is a point of pride for any Deurlen.

Homosexual marriage, while taboo in many other cultures, is widely accepted by the Deurlen. So long as the partners contribute to the clan, there is never conflict.

### **Folklore**

Many Deurlen people believe in a wide assortment of cautionary tales. Some Deurlen folk treat these as bedtime stories or tales to spread around the campfire, where some people believe these tales tales as stark truth. Whatever the case, these anecdotes and comments on Deurlen life are as impactful as they ever were. Superstitious and pious, many Deurlen tend to spiritual duties among their daily schedules, weaving religious practice and faith among everyday tasks.

While some Deurlen communities living closer to the south have lost touch with some of their older practices, faith and piety have always been pillars of clan living. Some clans take their faith in zeal, practicing darker and more occult rituals of faith in order to appease the Divines and the Fae, be it in fear or worship.

*Birds*

*Birds have been long shrouded in superstition in Deurlen folklore. Many species of bird are treated as either ill omen or signs of luck on the horizon. It is said that Scríobhaí and Maisitheoir (Thieves Prophets) have all authority over the winged creatures within The Mortal Realm, though its a story often told that both Scríobhaí and Maisitheoir often take the forms of Red Breasted Robins to offer favors to the most devout of their followers.*

*Stars*

*The stars have always shined down upon the people of Deurlyth in the night hours, serving as dazzling beacons of light in the night sky. Stories tell of the stars aligning and showing the way forward to many a Deurlen clansmen in need.*

*Justice*

*While many Deurlen people believe in the ideals of Honor and Order, there is a silent understanding among the Deurlen people that the scale in which the Mortal Plane is judged is a constant battle for the strict justice that only the most honorable and battle-hardened Deurlen attempt to keep in check.*

### **Education**

As Deurlyth is a harsh landscape, and much of the Clan structure relies on the abilities of agriculture and animal husbandry, not much can be said in the way of a formal education. Deurlen hold practical teachings in higher regard than formal education as a whole.

### **Magic**

The Deurlen people refer to the Arcane Gift as The Wellspring. While in recent years, The Gift has become more common than in the past, the Deurlen are not accustomed to larger forms of Magic. Many understand that there is an unseen force hidden within everyday life, a practice held dearly by Deurlen fablekeepers and would-be priests of the Mortal Vow. Deurlen people understand this to be providence and nothing more than the intervention of the celestial hands of the Divine.

## History

**-** **Warring Clans,** 3E 1031 - 1135

Much of the Deurlen clans during this period are at a constant state of war. While many of the Deurlen people would recall this as the glory days of Deurlen history, many Clans died out, being eradicated completely. Nearing the end of this period, it was seen that the primarily agrarian Eachern Clan stayed mostly untouched, leaving them the most land and more importantly the most wealthy Clan in all of Deurlyth.

**-** **Valley of Mines,** 37*DC, 3E 1150*

Soon after the destruction of Alenthyl at the hand of Del'Thok's Dragon, small numbers of traders and noblemen set sail for Deurlyth, eventually creating small settlements in the northern ranges. Mines are created, Deurlen peoples are enslaved for work in the mines. After a short period of time, a rebellion occurs, sending remaining Alenthylians running.

**-** **Northern Expedition,** *44DC, 3E 1178/1179*

After King Relmus Sarethi I is captured, it is quickly learned that a werewolf mercenary, Roughian had taken him to the cold north of Deurlyth to the island of Svelleth. With the help of The Lights Whisper and the Wardens of Novania, many clans of werewolves are sought and destroyed. After King Relmus is safely rescued, he returns to Hearth to eventually abdicate.