Lardburgian

The Lardburgians are a culture of supposedly foreign settlers who founded the city of New Lardburg on the banks of the kingdom of Reyllea. Today, they might usually be referred to as Carnians. They were participants in the founding of the briefly active Kingdom of Rhodia, and they joined the Archduchy of Reyllea when it became a part of Theios-Essukdal. The Lardburgians then mostly stayed around the area of former Reyllea, first as the Archduchy of Coenia, then as the reformed Caeronate of Carn. The most significant family of the Lardburgians is the famous Elernel Dynasty.

Origins
The Lardburgian culture, unlike almost all of the cultures of Rathnir, does not hail from Rathnir itself. The Lardburgian peoples proclaim themselves to come from an ancient homeland foreign to Rathnir which they call Rhell, which may however be disputed by sources less questionable than "old legends". Lardburgian culture came to be after the Empire of Carn fell. Following the fall of Carn, the ancient warring clans of Carn and Lant were united under a great leader, Bivoy the Lard, the founder of the great city of Old Lardburg. Bivoy is said to have been a wise and righteous leader, whose reign lasted for long, so much so that he was later deified by the Lardburgians, but when he knew that he could not lead the people of Lardburg for any longer, he stepped down and sent an envoy of his most loyal subjects to colonise new lands in his stead. This is how the modern Lardburgians claim to have arrived in Rathnir.

Traditions and practices
''The people of Lardburg are an organised culture group, and they have retained their unique traditions and way of life even when they were assimilated into bigger and stronger nations. The Lardburgians follow their Caeron, to whom they are loyal and must answer at all times. The Caeron is however not all powerful, as they are only supposed to be a stand-in in place of the Eternal Caeron. If the Lardburgians were unhappy with their Caeron's decision making, they could simply vote to have them replaced with a suitable candidate.''

Language
The Lardburgians mostly speak a dialect of the Ancient Carnian language, though this dialect is so different from ancient Carnian that it is by some recognised as its own language. Here is a simple comparison of the same poem, taken from the Carnian epic known as the "Daeraennién", translated into modern Lardburgian by Bivoy the Lard. To make a full comparison of both the languages would be too complex, but in general, Middle Carnian is more compact, but also more complex. The Coenians in Lestria speak an even more compact version, Modern Carnian, though Middle Carnian is still used in official documents. During the early reign of Caeron Shæreleria, the Coenian language was completely restructured and unified into a compact lexicon, which can be seen here.

Ancient Coenian
Quére se cind thrélloth stielle cae de se Eller-nelloth,

ne davéren æreus ræias se nevelleth ræes threll-nelloth,

qui le énne sæére nær selleor,

se éte néverrai sær næve-nellor.

Qui le énne sæére se navénær stua-elle,

qui se éte nivéær le on immortua-elle

Qui le énne saeére navénær se æreus-cevæt,

est siés navnær væritæum ce se tílle dominæére.

Middle Carnian (a.k.a. Lardburgian)
Quer sind threll ce still d’Elernell,

dav’ærn ræias nev’ræ threll-ner,

quiellen sær nær sellor,

et nev’ræ saer nevellor.

Quiellen sær navnær stualle,

qui es niv’on immortualle,

quiellen saer navnær s’aer,

et sies navnær veritæum ce still dominet.

Funeral Cairns
When someone considered to have been important in life or just honourable and chivalrous dies, the Caeron may allow for a cairn to be raised up in their honour. This cairn will be unmarked, surrounded by a summoning circle, in a field of blue cornflowers. The only non-Lardburgian to ever have a cairn raised in their honour was StoryStudio.

Literature
The literature of Lardburg and other Carnian peoples may be split into several eras:


 * The Pre-Carnian or Lantine era is usually characterised to be before the founding of the first Carnian Empire. Named after its most prominent author, Lant, it is usually characterised by long, epic poems, complex philosophical debates of characters as well as inner monologues, and most stories ending with a moral. The most famous writing of this Era is the Daerennia, an epic poem describing the life and death of Everthorne Elernel.
 * The Classical or Carnian movement is dated from the founding of the Carnian Empire to the founding of Lardburg. It holds many similarities to the Lantine era, which it often copied, but also includes epic speeches and generally less poetry than during Lant's time. Most works from this time period were lost when the Library of Lardburg was destroyed, however the most famous writing from this time would be Kerplis's Thesis on Aegmer.
 * The Dark Ages or Lardburgian era are generally characterised by a great decrease in writing, as well as an emphasis on religious texts rather than strictly prose or poetry. Generally revolving around the works of Bivoj the Lard, who is also the most prominent author of this period, the books from this time are often descriptive, with very little flare, a great example being The History of the War of the Throne.
 * Neo-Carnian, generally more widely known as the Carnian Renaissance, began after the second siege of Lardburg, accompanied by important changes to Carnian architecture. It marks a return to poetry and more importantly drama and theatre, which was often performed in the Arena in Lardburg, as well as satirical works, the most famous being lord Flickyy's Idiotic tale of Shitty City, which satirises the war of Lardburgian succession.
 * Late Carnian, colloquially known as the Lestrian style is generally marked as beginning with the ascension of Caeron Shæreleria. Lestria became the only holdout of Carnian literature and art during this time, and a restructuring of the Coenian language took place, allowing modern Carnian literature to use it more widely. Most famous for Kerplis's speeches, this style continues to be the primary continuation of Carnian literature up to present day.

Veneration of Blue Flowers
The status of Blue flowers in Lardburgian culture is definitely significant, though the extent of how significant it truly is is disputed. Some Caerons proclaimed the blue cornflower to be an important symbol of Lardburgian culture and religion, while others have said that all of the flowers are just a personification of the great Lardburgian goddess of nature and life. However, while it is still an important symbol, there have been recent efforts by Caeron Kerplis to completely get rid of the veneration of the blue cornflower. This movement was entirely stopped when Bowph ascended to power and all the people of Yimmu-Audal were allowed religious freedom. In Aldovir, the blue flower, alongside the Old Gods, are both venerated and worshipped by the Carnians. Alongside this, in ancient times, the Carnian people worshipped the god Aegmer.

Bloodlines and dynasties
Anyone who either lead a life of merit, honour or valour, may found a bloodline. The name of this bloodline is usually either taken from the person's name or their home. Bloodlines are considered somewhat prestigious, but since anyone can proclaim themselves to be of a new bloodline, usually taken with a grain of salt. If the Caeron recognises a bloodline as legitimate, it becomes a dynasty. Names of dynasties are usually more significant, and they either come from the name of a family home or from a word or phrase in Old Lardburgian. Dynasties may choose a family home, which then becomes their seat of power. If a member of a dynasty were to lose this location, another member has a claim to retake it. The most prominent dynasty of Lardburg is the Elernel Dynasty, while other famous dynasties include Ravensrock (Elernel-Ravensrock), Carn and Lant (The latter two later combining into the Elernel Dynasty). Dynasties are equivalent to houses.

The choosing of Caerons
Caerons are chosen by the most prominent lords, knights, and citizens of Lardburg, in a ceremony known as the Grand Gathering, in an anonymous, democratic vote. The old Caeron may, before the ceremony begins, choose to allow up to five non-lardburgians to vote. Anyone who is part of a dynasty or bloodline may be elected as Caeron.

The Grand Gathering
The Grand Gathering is by far the most ancient of Lardburgian traditions. The first gathering was held after the end of the War of Lardburgian succession, in order to satisfy the League of Free Lords' want for self-determination. After a feast, an election was held, where all the lords of Lardburg were allowed to vote, unanimously (as was agreed upon beforehand) electing Bivoj as Caeron. It was decided that the Grand Gathering shall be a repeat-event, and later during this reign, Bivoj codified its legitimacy in a Caeroneal decree. Since then, three other legitimate Gatherings were held. At the first one, Caeron Bowph was elected and the royal decree for Lardburgian migration to Rathnir set in stone, at the second one Daria was elected as the first non-lardburgian Caeron, and the separation of Lardburg and Carn was confirmed, and finally, at the third one, Caeron Drach stepped down in favour of the newly elected Caeron Shaereleria, the first female Caeron. After her sudden death and the collapse of the Carnian Caeronate, no further gatherings were held.

Before migration to Rathnir:

 * Kerplis Everthorne Elernel (first term) - Caeron of Carn (15th of June 2020 - 31st of August 2020)
 * Self-proclaimed as Caeron after defeating Lant in the Carn-Lant skirmishes, stepped down to allow Bivoy the Lard to take power.
 * Steward: lord Petrolinek Elernel
 * Bivoj the Lard (first term) - Caeron of Lardburg (8th of September 2020 - 12th of September 2020)
 * Accepted as Caeron by both Lant and Kerplis, leaders of the two previously warring clans. Was proclaimed illegitimate by Derius and the League of Independent lords, starting the War of Lardburgian succession.
 * Steward: lord Kerplis Elernel
 * Everthorne Lant Elernel - Provisional Caeron of Lardburg (12th of September 2020 - 17th of November 2020)
 * Managed the city of Lardburg and fortress of Lantstein and their surrounding counties during the War of Lardburgian succession.
 * Steward: not appointed
 * lord Derius - Self-appointed Caeron of Lardburg (12th of September 2020 - 13th of November 2020)
 * Briefly took power and proclaimed himself as Caeron after successfully taking both Lantstein and the city of Carn. This victory was however short lived, as both Lantstein and Carn were quickly retaken, starting the second, more destructive phase of the War.
 * Steward: Lord Flickyy of Wołowicz
 * Bivoj the Lard (second term) - Eternal Caeron of Lardburg, Carn, Lant, Coenia, and all else (20th of November 2020 - 4th of April 2021)
 * Was reinstated as the rightful Caeron of Lardburg after his decisive victory during the Siege of Lardburg. Named Kerplis his successor and mysteriously disappeared.
 * Steward: lord Everthorne Lant

After migration to Rathnir:

 * Kerplis Everthorne Elernel (second term) - Caeron of Lardburg (6th of April 2021 - 5th of June 2021)
 * Was confirmed as Caeron during the first Grand Gathering of Lardburg, and stepped down after setting up a permanent powerbase for the Lardburgians in Rathnir.
 * Steward: lord Drakakus of Ravensrock
 * Uzair Elernel - Caeron of the Archduchy of Coenia (5th of June 2021 - 9th of August 2021)
 * Was elected the Caeron of both Lardburg and Reyllea by the lords of Lardburg during the II. Grand Gathering at Lardburg, creating the new Coenian culture. His title was usurped by Derius and Peter, starting the War of Lardburgian independence.
 * Steward: sir Null

After the Great Lardburgian Schism:

 * Peter "the Great" Elernel - Caeron of Lardburg (10th of August 2021 - 17th September 2022)
 * Took over the Caeronate of Lardburg and was proclaimed Caeron in the following peace deals, ruled Lardburg up until the Caeronate's dissolution.
 * Steward: lord Derius
 * Uzair Elernel - Caeron of New Carn (10th of August 2021 - 23 of Octuber 2021)
 * Kept the area of Coenia following the peace deals, which was renamed to Carn.
 * Steward: sir Null
 * Daria Elernel-Dariæ - Caeron of New Carn (23 of Octuber 2021 - 5th of March 2022)
 * Elected as the Caeron of Carn at the III. Grand Gathering in Lantstein.
 * Steward: sir Null
 * Shæreleria Elernel-Leviæ - Caeron of Carn (5th of March 2022 - 31st of May 2022)
 * Ruler of the Caeroneum Carnæ (Caeronate of Carn), elected at the IV. Grand Gathering in Lestria
 * Steward: Rémnés Elernel-Dariæ
 * Interregnum (31st of May 2022 - Present day)
 * With the fall of the Caeronate of Carn, no one person occupied the seat of Caeron.

Prominent cities and buildings
More on this in the larger article on Carnian architecture.

The Lardburgian people have established mant cities in Rathnir, the greatest being New Lardburg (Lestria), with other notable ones being New Carn (Caeserinne), New Lantstein (Lantendasse), Præstennia, Lothria, Bentonia (Licendasse), Hemmendasse, Hernendasse. The Elernel Estate (otherwise known as the Elernel Palace or Elernel Citadel), stands in the city of Urnu-Arrak to serve as a home for Lardburg's most prominent dynasty.