Niedene

[Note, for the most accurate information see the book Ellkirost Corerii Niedene here ]

The Niedene (or Ignii in Soleannen when referring to full-blooded or ancient Niedene) are a native people group found on the continent of Nieden. They claim to be the natives of all of most of Rathnir, before the Human Migrations pushed them back.

They are most prominent on the continent of Nieden and are known for their empires in the east. The Niedene are known for their magical affinity of 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. Niedene mothers cannot have children with non Niedene, the chance is 1 in 100. The Children born to this are also Infertile. Niedene Fathers can produce regular children but the fertility rate is about halved for their children, because of this they are not considered to be human but closely related 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)
ASC -60000 Archaelogical sites suggest the first Niedene emerged in the region of Vale'dunor in the northern reaches of Nieden.

ASC -5500: According to Niedene texts, Solaris and his wife Sylene created the first Ignii on the shores of the northern Sea of Pearls.ASC -3960: The Ignii have spread out across the lower Nieden continent, Sparwood, Alteniksus, and parts of Syltor. They go on to form separate tribes based off the elements.

ASC -2530: The Ignii begin to linguistically and culturally become distinct. The worship of Solaris becomes rare in most tribes except along the Sea of Pearls.

ASC 0: Fluvoria is founded on the river Flumes, a small river on the continent of Nieden.

ASC 27: Fluvoria grows and becomes a smaller town in the region.

ASC 54: Fluvoria becomes a prominent city state and absorbs its neighboring towns, becoming the city of Soleanna.

ASC 72: Soleanna consolidates most of the area around it from Litocea to Arrun. It is declared the Kingdom of Soleanna by King Aremi I an Aesperii.

ASC 114: Soleanna subjugates the neighboring Escharean tribes and renames the region to Esarea. This is due to the efforts of Cesare Svaerus who led a campaign into the region, defeating the Escharean tribes at Zatrewal (Schwarzwald).

ASC 143: Soleanna Subjugates many of the tribes in the region of Suderen and Argentor, founding important towns such as Maropoles, Arejune, Kaheren, and Veromea.

ASC 143: The Soleannan Empire reaches its greatest territorial extent with the conquest of northern Speerwal, Northern and Eastern Alteniksus, and much of Nieden. The Emperor Sevoreus declares a state named Pax Soleanna.

ASC 180 : The language of Soletsch is created by combining Selt-Escharean, Selt-Soleannan, and other old Niedene languages.

ASC 268: Niedene arts, technology, and culture peak at this point in history.

ASC 928: The Empire begins to dissolve due to infighting, foreign tribes, weak rulers, and corruption.

ASC 971: The city of Soleanna is hit by a fierce storm and is swallowed beneath the Marses Aracerea

ASC 996: The Empire ceases to exist as an entity and the old faith begins to lose worshippers in the hinterlands and outside of Nieden.

ASC 1012: The Thadians migrate to Northwestern Nieden.

ASC 1050: Pagan religions take hold among many of the Niedene, bar the Soleanna and Escharean regions.

ASC 1137: Soletsch evolves into Arretsch.

ASC 1298: Alfrikr I is born in Altiste, a town in Escharean.

ASC 1300: Escharean undergoes a spelling change to Etscharien, later into Escharia.

ASC 1321: Wulfdietrik is born as the heir to Alfrikr.

ASC 1327: Alfrikr converts to Soleannen and adopts the name Auberon I, his son Wulfdietrik follows and becomes Dietrich I.

ASC 1328: Auberon I defeated his rivals and united the region of Escharia and founded the city of Lileanen.

ASC 1325: Auberon I conquers the Riede to the south and seizes what remains of Soleanna, now named Firezzo.

ASC 1349: Auberon I abdicates and lets his son take the throne. Dietrich begins to centralize the realm into a proper kingdom and encourages the arts and cultures once more.

ASC 1402: Following Dietrichs death, the great blight strikes southern Nieden, a coalition of Niedene countries is defeated by the demon Vriszchack. The new Emperor was slain. The demons advance into Nieden from Speerwal before their defeat at Gentumar by Saint Miria and the crown prince Alphonse I (who survived the first battle among the dead). The two would be married and the Auroran Order established.

ASC 1525: Ioannis ascends to the throne and begins sending colonial endeavours everywhere, from here he allows the Wirker family to colonize Fernheim.

ASC 1550: Albrecht II ascends to the throne, his father Ioannis abdicates

ASC 1552: Siegfried I is born, his Soleannan name is Arminius I. He was born under a comet while the rivers and sea turned the Imperial Crown Blue.

ASC: 1568: Albrecht II is assassinated while Siegfried was in Speerwal on an expedition, Siegfried returned home and took the throne. Despite the civil war, Siegfried reencouraged the arts and culture and started projects in Lileanen (then Kaiserslicht) with his friend Ortwin.

ASC 1569: The Empire finds a lost Escharian colony named Zwatreia (Schweizia). It is reincorporated into the Empire before its citizens migrate to the empire and it is abandoned in 1571.

ASC 1570: The Turtlonian wars begin while the civil war is still ongoing. The Turtlonians are invaded and defeated on Tessel. Following this Lileanen is besieged 4 times by Yimmu-Audal, Rebels, and the Turtlonian remnants. Siegfried claims the title of Imperator of the East following this and defeats the rebels with the aid of Solaris. The battle for Kaiserslicht occurs, where the Escharians decisively defeat the Turtlonians and colonize their island. The pit is closed at this point.

ASC 1571: Pax Escharia is declared and many projects commence such as the Misurian way to Castrillo and Litocea being restored. Kaiserslicht is formally renamed to Solaria, then Lileanen. The Imperial forces begin to look outwards.

ASC 1573: The Imperials reannex Whassalia, Mladupol, Locet, and Welhafn.

ASC 1574: The Niedene are repulsed from southern sparwood entirely. The Auroran Order is sent to Tessel to keep the pit closed and deal with werewolves. The Naverechniyans migrate back to Mladupol following the collapse of the Nieden League. Mondmare converts to Soleannen and the religion spreads. The Imperials begin to ally their neighbors, reestablishing formal contact with the Kingdom of Varmerian (Egalia)

ASC 1575: The Imperials begin to expand rapidly and convert others to Soleannen. Arkhai nomads are given citizenship in the Empire.

ASC 1576: Imperial cities are repeatedly sacked by Audalidae raiders, but they were evacuated beforehand which led to no casualties. This led to the Imperial armies marching throughout Speerwal and defeating the bandits. The Imperator then supports an uprising in Yimmu-Audal, which gets nowhere due to their surrender.

ASC 1577: A foreign spy kills an Imperial citizen, leading to the Imperator demanding the Audalidae Empress submit. They do so and Siegfried I marches upon an enemy capital and claims the throne, this is rejected by some of them for their cultural and religious differences. Theionikos joins the Imperial cause in secret and is elevated to duchy by Siegfried. The Audalidae Empress gathers a gigantic coalition which is defeated by the Imperials and their Allies. The enemy country is annexed by Escharia.

ASC 1578: Varmerian joins the Empire. Escharia declared the Soleannan Empire was reborn. New expeditions began and the temple of Flammastahl-Hitaschei is reestablished in Suderen. Siegfried begins mystic teachings here.

ASC 1579: The Empire reaches Pax Soleanna, a period of great peace and culture. Summits are held in Lileanen while great festivals occur once more.

ASC 1580: The Empire begins experiments in using Magma power for their city, this succeeds in the Felkerr Project. The Expeditions discover Jedasalem, warranting the Solkka to be brought back to the Empire. This leads to the Imperial Palace Ikkabuli being constructed in the deserts of Theionikos. It becomes the Imperial stronghold in the region. The Solkka becomes a pilgrimage site and Arkhai nomads begin to occupy the fort as guards.

ASC 1582:  The Imperial Navy colonized much of the Osterium sea and began expanding into Plagos once more after old Niedene tribes there submitted to the Empire there once more.

ASC 1584: Many Kingdoms became protectorates of the Empire, leading to the Imperial State becoming the largest in history.

ASC 1585: Raykara joins the Empire. However the Empire’s old allies turn on her and prepare to invade. To prevent the loss of life, Siegfried begins the Ascension ritual which created a new dimension with the Empire still intact. Many Niedene went here, but some chose to stay.

Subgroups

 * Mimari (Misc):
 * Ostiarii: The Group of Niedene native to Plagos and the Osterium
 * Arkhai: The group of natives known to travel all across Niedene lands due to their loss of their homeland.
 * Mimari: A word for any other Hybrid Niedene Group, or part Niedene.


 * 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 Vorpedorf.
 * 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.
 * Sutherii:
 * 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.
 * 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, Vorpedorf, 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.
 * Whassalians: The fanatic group found near the ruins of Flammastahl temple.
 * Kazeans:
 * Welhafne: A group found to the west of Locetia, known for their forts and odd styles.T hey 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:
 * Kjastii: 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.
 * Farene: Currently the second largest group of the Lausarii, they inhabit a small spruce forest settlement in the middle of the mountains inhabited by the Shelaqii to the south and the Costarii to the North. They are know for their woodworking and are excellent hunters.
 * Selaqii: Currently the Largest group of the Lausrii, they are the tribal inhabitants of mountainous regions of the Lausrii homeland. The Selaqii are known for their hardy lifestyle and versatile farming techniques.
 * Costarii: Inhabitants of the northern coast, the Costarii are of course known for their sailing ability and seafood based cuisine.
 * Amearii:The easternmost Lausrii tribe, the Amearii are known as the greatest hunters and horse archers of the Lausrii and are usually a nomadic people in contrast to their sister tribes.


 * Varmerii
 * 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, they are a related tribe to the Wyngalans.
 * The Raykarii tribes (grouped here for convenience) are northerners who are known for their skills in merchantry, theyre often found in Raykara.
 * The Rulagi are a group native to the region of Varmerien.
 * Coltmarii: The Coltmarii are a group native to the islands of Coltmare, founded after Thadians sailed westwards.


 * Wyserii:
 * The Sylerii are native to Sneedistan. They are notable for being the most alien when compared to other Niedene groups when it comes to culture and appearence.
 * The Anospharii are a group native to the Eastern sands of Yimmu Audal and the Western reaches of the Sea of Pearls.
 * Camrii (Disputed, Claimed by Niedene Scholars):
 * The Valdrii are the natives to Valdreach and the surrounding territories, who migrated in after the fall of Soleanna.
 * The Hikarii are natives of the region north of Valdreach, known to have a Niedene city in the region active after the fall of Soleanna.
 * Rejerii: The Reylleans are known for their architecture and nations in the south.



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, Plagos, 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's was Aqere. Aqere is still used in many parts of the world and has its own alphabet.