Wyldvarn

Situated deep within Azurian lands lies the Chiefdom of Wyldvarn. Wyldvarn was founded on 03/10/21 and officially recognized by Azuria two days later. It is currently a part of The Magisterium.

History
The dwarves of Wyldvarn have lived in isolation among the pine forests of southeastern Alteniqua for many years. Their true origins are unknown, the oldest writings found date back only 500 years. Oral tradition places the dwarves in the area for far longer, and it is believed that many of their legends date totheir arrival in the region and conflict with the ancient Niedene and Geshemi. The strength of those tribes kept the Waldhen to petty chiefdoms dotting the coast of the Atsyllean Sea, where they developed a strong nautical culture alongside the intrinsic mettalurgy and mining that all dwarves share.

With the decline of their neighbors, Waldhen bands moved inland and settled up to the south coast of the Abyssal Gulf. It was in this period that Wyldvarn was founded in a sheltered valley by the hero Wyndr the Grey. The ravine below the city quickly became a holy site, and with Wyldvarn's defensibility and proximity to the most viable portage between the Atsyllean Sea and Sea of Pearls it became the dominant town among the dwarves.

When the ancient tribes of the region returned in force, the chieftain Welgam brought the leaders of every clan who would come to Wyldvarn. Rather than face certain destruction caught between greater powers, the dwarves would go underground. Five clans made the journey down into the ravine and sealed themselves away from the arena of empires above.

When they re-emerged some years later they found that the lich, Dex Og had claimed rulership of the entire region. The dwarves approached Dex and the lich offered amicable terms. All Wyldvarn would have to do was swear fealty and tax the Soleannen faith. Chieftain Dafyn readily accepted the terms, despite reservations of his advisors. Over the next few years Wyldvarn would be rebuilt and the dwarves would expand out into the immediate area surrounding the city. The completion of a canal between the lake Caladh Moir and the Atsyllean Sea gave the dwarves maritime access again.

On 7/30/2021, while attempting to survery flooding within Wyldvarn, Chieftain Dafyn fell to his death. Skale Sievern succeeded him as the leader of Wyldvarn.

Wyldvarn
Meaning "Black Forest" in Waldhe, Wyldvarn is the chief city of the Waldhen dwarves. It is built in a sheltered, mountain cove in the strip of land between the Atsyllean Sea and Caladh Moir and houses the chiefdom's government. A ravine sits in the southeastern corner of the ravine and at the bottom of this ravine is the river Abam Far. Considered the closest place a terrestrial creature can get to Siasiannr's realm, the river is a cherished holy site and the bottom layer of the ravine is dotted with shrines. The upper layers are a busy residential district, criss-crossed by wooden walkways and overhangs. A mechanical elevator brings citizens to and from the different levels.

Caladh Moir
"Green Lake", the outer city takes its name from the water it's built on. Encompassing essentially all the dwarves' lands outside of Wyldvarn proper, Caladh Moir is the home of most of Wyldvarn's non-dwarf population as well as most of its industry. It's home to the Cave, a bar and treehouse built by a mysterious benefactor during the dwarves' stay underground.

Demographics
Most of Wyldvarn's populations are Waldhen dwarves. They stand between four and five feet tall with stocky builds.

Around 20% of Wyldvarn's population are Waldhen humans. Hybrids between the Niedene and Geshemi native to the region, they have culturally integrated and founded clans of their own. Due to their ancestry, Waldhen humans are typically between Five and a half and six and a half feet tall.

Culture
Every Waldhen has two families: their blood relations and their clan. Blood family will live in the same household or on the same land and consists of a household head, their spouse, children, parents, and any servants or slaves they keep. Sometimes siblings of the head will also live in the household if they are too young to start their own households.

Above their blood is the clan. Led by a chieftain ("Caliar" /caljaɾ/ in Waldhe), a clan will encompass many families and serves as most Waldhen's immediate form of government. The chieftain of a clan by law has ultimate ownership of lands and resources utilized by members of the clan. Clan membership is voluntary for all involved parties, but it is considered deeply insulting to leave a clan without offering compensation to the chieftain. Every clan has their own colors, stories, and songs. These are considered the property of the clan and cannot be reproduced by other clans without permission.

The Waldhen have a strong connection to the sea as fishermen, shipbuilders, and on occasion as seaborne raiders. Command of a ship is a position of high honor and sea captains almost always have a place at the ear of their respective chieftain or lead clans of their own.

Platonic love is seen as a sacred thing, equal to or beyond the bond of a married couple.

Religion
Most Waldhen follow the Salt Faith, a monotheistic, tribal religion centered around the worship and appeasement of a deity called Old Salt (Siasiannr /ʃaʃanɾ/ in Waldhe). The Salt Priests (Sievsian /ʃevʃan/ "Son of salt") occupy a strong place within the culture and government of Wyldvarn.

Due to the influence of the Azurian Syndicate, the Red Cult maintains a presence. Public worship of the Red God is intensely frowned upon and often grounds for expulsion from one's clan.

The Soleannen Faith is not banned outright, but the cultural integration of local Niedene and years of heavy taxation for practitioners of the faith have all but eradicated it within Wyldvarn.

Government
Wyldvarn is led by a high chieftain, called the Tisiuch (/tiʃux/ "leader"). They are either appointed by the previous Tisiuch or voted in by other clan chieftains at a moot. The Tisiuch has absolute authority on the direction of the chiefdom as a whole, only able to checked by the unanimous concensus of the lower chieftains. The Tisiuch cannot interfere in the internal affairs of other clans except in cases of emergency, but holds exclusive authority to mediate disputes between clans.

Though not truly a clan, the Salt Priests are represented as one in the government, giving the Salt Faith a strong presence in the chiefdom's governance.

Laws
1. The killing of another of one's own clan is forbidden. Punishable by being sent to the pit.

2. The theft of material or intellectual wealth from another of one's own clan is forbidden. Punishable by being sent to the pit.

3. Attempts to overthrow the Tisiuch are punishable by being sent to the pit.