Niedene

The Niedene (or Ignii in Soleannen when referring to full-blooded or ancient Niedene) are a native people group found on the Nieden continent and are known for their empires in the east. The Niedene are known for their with magic affinity which the type of magic used is often determined by an upbringing in the tribe in question. The Solarii who lead the Soleannan Empire are the reason why fire magic is so beloved among Niedene in most places. The Niedene consider themselves the natives of Rathnir, which they named Hèmerei. The first Niedene lived all across Nieden and Sparwood in tribes. The greatest of these tribes were the Escharii, the Solarii, Gentarii and the Imaskii. The Gentarii and Imaskii lead a tribal confederation in the north of Nieden while the Soleannan Empire rose in the south of Nieden.

Timeline (History)

 * 4600 BSS: According to texts, Solaris and his wife Sylene created the first Ignii on the shores of the northern Sea of Pearls.
 * 3500 BSS: The Ignii spread out across the lower Nieden continent and form separate tribes based off the elements.
 * 3000 BSS: The Ignii begin to linguistically and culturally become distinct. The worship of Solaris becomes rare in most tribes except along the Sea of Pearls.
 * 2976 BSS(ASC-1): On the Sea of Pearls a hamlet called Soleanna is founded.
 * 2823 BSS(ASC-153): Soleanna has grown into a prominent City State.
 * 2707 BSS(ASC-269): Soleanna began to expand into the surrounding countryside, going on to eventually claim the entire Soleanna Region as the Soleannan Empire.
 * 2503 BSS(ASC-473): The Soleannan Empire reaches its largest territorial extent.
 * 2022 BSS(ASC-954): Soleannan arts and culture peak, the primary worship of Solaris has spread to almost every region except in some areas in the countryside. Pax Soleanna.
 * 1542 BSS(ASC-1434): The Empire begins to decline due to outside invaders, famine, and corruption.
 * 825 BSS(ASC-2151): The Empire as an entity is dissolved after years of decline. The Ignii begin to worship new gods, religions like Pavlovism are found here.
 * 679 BSS(ASC-2297): Soleanna is hit by a typhoon and destroyed near completely.
 * 502 BSS(ASC-2474): The son of a Pagan Chieftain in Etscharien was born, named Alfrikr Aspak.
 * 474 BSS(ASC-2502): Alfrikr adopts the Soleannen religion and the Soleannan name Auberon I after establishing the Escharian Empire.
 * 469 BSS(ASC-2507): Lileanen (Kaiserslicht) Is established on the Neichs (Nyx) river.
 * 400 BSS(ASC-2576): The Escharian Empire is almost fully reconverted to Soleannen.
 * 1 ASS(ASC-2976): Emperor Siegfried I ascends to the throne as Albrecht II dies from an assassin.
 * 7 ASS(ASC-2983): The Empire is restored to its former glory.



Subgroups

 * Mimari:
 * Soletsch: a Hybrid of Niede and Soleannan culture found in Lileanen, Gentumar, and other areas.
 * Mimari: A word for any other Hybrid of Nieden cultures, or unlisted culture below.


 * Gentarii:
 * Gentarii: The natives to the Nieden valley who fought off the Soleannan Empire's incursions into the area. They are known for their nomadic Lifestyle.
 * Imaskii: The peoples native to the mountains between Egalia and Escharia, known for migratory behaviors and llama hunting.


 * Etscharii:
 * Niede: An Escharian group found near the eastern coast and plains of the Escharian home region. Known for their scholarship and politics. They are from the town of Lileanen most notably.
 * Riede: An Escharian group found in the swamps, distinct from the regular Niede due to their isolation. They are often found near the town of Rieds, which gets its name from the Riede.
 * Hocii: An Escharian group found in the forests and hills of Escharia, known for their woodworking and music. They are known to inhabit the area of Lileanen, as well as the countryside near Felkerr,
 * Huwalen: An Escharian group found far in Norhem and by Pferdburg, known for their horses and farms.They are often found in the northern plains near Huwaldorf, as well as the town of Vorpesdorf.
 * Locetians: A group found north of the Escharians. Known for their love of water and their architecture. They are the founders of the town of Locet north of Lileanen.
 * Solarii:
 * Soleannan: A Solarii group known for their love of fire, founders of the Soleannan Empire. They are found near the ruins of the city of Soleanna (now Firezzo)
 * Castrionians: A Solarii group that founded the fort Castrio, eventually it was sacked and they dispersed to the countryside of Litoci where they took up winemaking.
 * Litocii: The inhabitants left after the sacking of Castrio, who are known for fishing and their love of the sea. They are found in the town of Litoci where they make up a bulk of the population.
 * Amenner: A Solarii group that comes from the northern areas of Soleanna, known for their cuisine, pride, and extravagance. They are found in pockets around the Sea of Pearls and the Nieden Valley.
 * Annuvii:
 * Annuvians: A group found to the south of Soleanna, known for their forest based culture and use of Blackstone. They are known fot the castle town of Anwnn, which stands high in the South.
 * Wyngalans: A group found to the west of Soleanna, known for their bowmaking and archers. They are most often found near the fort of Wyngale in western Escharia.


 * Vendare:
 * Navarii: A group found to the Southeast, known for their dog reverence and axe usage in battle. They are the people who founded the country of Naverechniya, as well as Mladupol in southern Escharia.


 * Delvarii:
 * Neurûnic: A mixed group that takes influences from both Escharian and Shirûnic culture, known for their love of horses and archery. They are often found near the town of Neurun.
 * Normager: A migratory group that came from Syltor and mixed with Niedene, known for their winemaking and Arbalests. They are often found in Lileanen, Vorpesdorf, and most prominently in Delgrenzvar.
 * Shirûnic: A migratory group that came from the south of Sparwood, came northwards in an event similar to the Normager's migration. They are related to the Neurunic peoples.
 * Serrense:
 * Juneans: A hardy group found in the southeast, known for their farms and ironworking. They are most notably found in the area of Junea, in the Escharian Empire's southern borders.
 * Brysselkens: A group found primarily to the east of Junea, but they have spread across the empire. Especially into Escharia proper where they immigrated to Rieds and Pferdburg.
 * Kollner: A group of mixed Junean-Hoci-Soleannan stock. They are known for being found in the south by Kolln, as well as the border with Tatonia.
 * Kazeans:
 * Welhafne: A group found to the west of Locetia, known for their forts and odd styles.They were found most often in the town of Wealthhaven which was the founding nation of the U.C.C.C, before its absorption into the Escharian Empire. Where they remained loyal subjects until the end.
 * Fantesii: A splinter group of the Welhafne, known for their small countryside hamlets and farms. They are known for the hamlet of Fantasia, east of Wealthhaven as well as a colony near Wyngale.


 * Lausarii:
 * Kjásthejmr: Once the largest group of the Lausarii before the central river town of Kjásthejm was sacked and destroyed, with their people scattered. They are known for their metalworking and masonry, previously hosting the most advanced architecture and government of all the Lausarii tribes. They are known as well for their many seafood based meals. Like all the Laus tribes the Kjásthejmr are often seen as extremely generous to guests and very welcoming to outsiders, as well as upholding a strict code of honour.
 * Fyrrskovii: Currently the second largest group of the Lausarii, they inhabit a small spruce forest settlement in the middle of the mountains inhabited by the Shælváktr to the south and the Shörgaldr to the North. They are know for their woodworking and are excellent hunters.
 * Shælváktr: Currently the Largest group of the Lausrii, they are the tribal inhabitants of mountainous regions of the Lausrii homeland. The Shælváktr are known for their hardy lifestyle and versatile farming techniques.
 * Shörgaldr: Inhabitants of the northern coast, the Shörgaldr are of course known for their sailing ability and seafood based cuisine.
 * Astmærksii:The easternmost Lausrii tribe, the Astmærksii are known as the greatest hunters and horse archers of the Lausrii and are usually a nomadic people in contrast to their sister tribes.


 * Snydii:
 * The Sneedii are native to Sneedistan.They are most notable for their branch of Soleannen which is considered foreign to most of the other Soleannen.


 * Raykarii:
 * The Raykarii tribes (grouped here for convenience) are northerners who are known for their skills in merchantry, theyre often found in Raykara.


 * Thadhians
 * The Thadian tribes are a mix of tribes that migrated from the old Soleannan empire following its collapse to found the city of Corthaidh and eventually the Kingdom of Egalia in western Nieden.



Practices & Traditions

 * Lying is seen as a crime beyond all measures which has led to a culture where lying over something minor can get you expelled.
 * The trading of swords is seen as something that the Niedene do to declare friendship.
 * When a Niedene dies the two accepted ways to dispose of the corpse are through a burial practice or cremation.
 * It is custom to take armor off in the presence of another Niedene, and not to draw a weapon.
 * Sharing of food is customary and is a sign of friendly relations between two people.
 * Niedene are monogamous, and hardly ever remarry.
 * Niedene are nearly all Soleannen.
 * Niedene train in archery often, and excel at horseback riding.
 * Niedene have reverence for nature and often will carve names into trees and stones as ways for their children to remember them.
 * The culture is heavily honor based and self sacrifice is something looked highly upon, suicide after failure is something that is not out of the question.

Arkhai Nomads
The Arkhai Nomads are a group of Niedene who decided to live off the land and travel throughout Nieden and Yimmu Audal. These tribes are very secretive and often deal in goods that can be gained from hunting or in the wild. Arkhai nomadship is not a permanent thing as often some nomads only work as nomads for part of the year and many young Niedene in households from poorer regions become Arkhai to find a new living and such.

The Soletsch Language
While there are many Niedene languages and words, the standard for the Escharian Imperial Military is Soletsch, which is a mix of Soleannan and Escharian respectively. Below are some examples of words found:

•Hèmerei: Rathnir

•Soleà(n): Soleannen

•Hypervòras: Borealis

•Solári: Solaris

•Sylû: Sylene

•Servès: Greetings

•Sòl: Hello

•Ave: Life/Long Live

•Syltör: Forest Gate

•Istù: All People Present

•Ent: And

•For/Fir: For

•Anima: Soul/Dream

•Amare: Love

•Förtere/Förtana: Destiny/Fortune

•Màl/Hechs: Cursed

•Selva: Save

•Vòlk: People (our People)

•Hèmn: Home(Land)

•Leyfe: Life