Everguard/Peoples of Everguard

Everguard has united many Dwili under one banner through their military prowess; but despite all efforts some tensions do arise...

South Islanders

South Islanders, also known as Islanders, are immigrant refugees not native to the continent of Dwilight - instead originating from a distant island known to the inhabitants as the South-East Island. They make up the vast majority of the ruling noble class of Everguard, as well as a small percentage of peasant servants who are mostly concentrated in the city of Valkyrja.

Torenites

Torenites make up a majority (albeit a small one) of the South Islanders in Everguard. They hail from what was once the mighty empire of Toren on the South-East Island, which was a mountainous and rough territory with inhospitable farmland, dreary weather and harsh conditions overall. This has led the Torenites to strongly identify with the Mountaineers who are native to Dwilight, forging close relationships with them, especially in the administration of the religion of Torenism.

Over the centuries, Torenites had developed an extreme warrior culture. They are typically quick to anger, aggressive, and absolutely brutal when challenged on the battlefield. Additionally, they have a long and storied independent streak - often times revolting or inciting unrest in their old kingdom, something they have quelled a bit since coming to Dwilight. These Islanders are cavalier, impulsive and shrewd.

They are also intensely religious, often times to a fault. Torenites have been long adherents to the god Tor, often citing "Tor's will" as the reason why they would go to war. Upon hearing the revelation that their home was to be destroyed, they immediately believed it and devoted themselves to evacuating.

In the old times, Torenites were enemies of the other South Islanders, Ikalakians and Taselakians. Since the shared experience of the destruction of their home, however, Torenites have made peace, forging great friendships among the others, especially the Ikalakians.

• His Royal Highness, High King Fisc Arylon is a Torenite.
• Royal High Commander Karibash ka Habb is a Torenite.
• Royal High Adjudicator Mosious Aljfoi Suaht is a Torenite.
• Royal High Treasurer and Duke of Gelene, Hackem de Struct is a Torenite

Ikalakians

Ikalakians are almost as strong in numbers as Torenites in Everguard, and equally influential. They hail from what was once the mighty realm of Ikalak on the South-East Island, which was a vast area of beautiful plains, rolling hills and rich farmland. Due to the wealth of their land, Ikalakians were more able than the other Islanders to educate their people - thus they are extremely cunning and intelligent people, and tend to be a bit more politically minded.

Their brilliance, however is not to betray a lack of strength or military prowess. Through the strength of their blades, Ikalak carved out the largest empire seen on the South-East Island, controlling more than half the continent for an extended period of time. The field marshals of Ikalak were renowned for being tactitions and strategists, allowing them to decisively defeat opponents when they were evenly matched in strength, or even outnumbered. Where Torenites are known for aggressively sending waves of soldiers consumed by blood lust to intimidate and ravage their opponent, Ikalakians are known as the disciplined professional soldiers who stay cool in the face of overwhelming force - something it used to dominate South-East.

Ikalakians were historically skeptical to the belief of Tor, but unlike the Taselakians, they did not hold open contempt for Tor, and spent little time attempting to disprove his existence. When it was revealed to the island that Tor was destroying their home, many Ikalakians took the warning seriously. As the flood waters inched upward, more converts were made and today most Ikalakians in Everguard have an active belief in Tor.

Ikalakians have identified themselves strongly with the steppemen, finding a great deal of common ground with them culturally. Since coming to Everguard, Ikalakians have also made peace with the Torenites, and the two groups today are staunch political allies.

• Duke of Valkyrja Lestat Corax is an Ikalakian
• Duke of Eidulb Jack Carnes is an Ikalakian
• Marquis of Gelene Outskirts Lawrence Expatriate is an Ikalakian
• Marchioness of Eidulb Outskirts Freda Windwalker is an Ikalakian

Taselakians

• Count of Ygg d'Razhuul Raziel Thor is a Taselakian

Mariners

Hailing from coastlines, they are typically seen as more cultured and have been less resistant to Everguardian rule. Centuries of warfare has led to an almost instinctual hostility towards the Steppemen.

Valkyrjans

The peoples known as Valkyrjans are a distinct culture of men and women who inhabit much of the coastal area in what is today Everguard. Concentrated in the regions of Valkyrja, Yggdramir and Ygg d'Razhuul, they are fair skinned, typically with sandy hair and light colored eyes. Valkyrjans are tall and large in build, with broad shoulders and strong arms - something that has allowed them to serve the realm as fierce infantrymen feared by the enemies of the realm. These people are very similar in build and look to Torenites, and when the Islander people first immigrated to Dwilight, the native Valkyrjans even mistook the Torenites for Valkyrjans that had left Dwilight and sailed west ages ago. They can also be found in areas not controlled by the kingdom, such as Hvergelmir, Ymer's Fall and Norrdir.

As Valkyrjans inhabit the coastal regions in the north, they are accomplished sailors and boatmen. The majority of marine trade done in Everguard is conducted by Valkyrjans. Centuries of innovation in shipbuilding has allowed them to create advanced vessels that can travel farther, faster and with larger cargo loads than any others in Dwilight. This has given Everguard a major economic advantage, especially when dealing with the sea faring realm of Madina.

The native language of Valkyrjans is called Kyrjan, and is an elegant sounding, smooth language that seems to roll off the tongue of speakers. Islander inhabitants of Everguard have been known to equate the sound of this language to that of music, and many of them have taken to learning Kyrjan. The ruling class of the realm has taken to using their language to name several bodies of water, areas of land, and even government buildings.

Historically, the Valkyrjans once commanded an expansive empire. This ancient kingdom reached its zenith roughly 400 years ago, when a man known as Imjra Rajkyrr XII (Imjra [pronounced eem-jeh-rah] meaning "king" in the Kyrjan language) commanded the territory stretching from Ygg d'Razhuul down to Nifelhold and then west to the coast. As time passed, Rajkyrr's empire whithered, and by the time the Islanders came to Dwilight it was little more than the city of Valkyrja itself.

When the Everguard Delegation arrived in the city, they laid claim on it with a force that could not be repelled by the remnants of the once mighty Valkyrjan Empire. Imjra Lavrlmeff III was then forced to swear fealty to the Emerald Crown of Everguard, formally relinquishing control of the city to the fledgling realm.

Since Lavrlmeff's abdication, the High King has traditionally honored the Valkyrjans by awarding the title of Imjra to the Duke of Valkyrja - thus making that person the Ruler of the Valkyrjans, and minor royalty owing allegiance only to the High King of Everguard.

Eidulbese

From Eidulb, Duil and Ammando they are a very refined people. They have a pompous attitude and frown upon relations between different peoples. Their archers are the most skilled in all of Everguard. They are pale, average in height, and typically thin. They have a very intricate and complex language which mirrors the culture. Their lands are rainy and cloudy for much of the year.

After Caerwyn took control of the city, Everguard convinced them to move away. As they moved, the former leader of the Eidulbese, Yl Diduti Piotari Michcirri, staged a revolt and freed the city from Caerwynian rule. A few weeks later, though, Everguard took rule of the city as Piotari Michcirri declared High King Arylon the Yl Diduti of the Dulbi.

Eddo

The most exotic of the peoples, their native language is fast and filled with clicks. They come from Libiddo, Dizeddo, and Libidizedd. They hate the Valkyrjans who raided them for centuries and despise the Eidulbese who kidnapped them to be put to work as slaves. They are fond of the ocean and most settlements are based by the shore.

Long feuds with what they call the "dead peoples" (X!k!k!o) have led to a fear and hatred of "white" people. They refuse to fly Everguardian banners; they will only settle for the duke taking the title of "Bipittyox!ts!ts! t'Eddo" and swearing fealty to the King. They are slightly below average height, have dark skin and their hair is coarse. They have been slightly reluctant to accept Torism. For centuries they have had great kings and the entire island was united. Their lands were prosperous and the people happy. They warred extensively with the Eidulbese and Valkyrjans, primarily through light skirmishers with javelins; it is claimed that an Eddo man can throw a javelin 200 yards. Unfortunately the king and his family all fell ill and died. The Eddo lived in anarchy for roughly 8 months before Everguard took control.

Strangely, everything is rounded off; they view edges as ugly and wasteful.

Steppemen

From the inland areas, they are all united by their love of horses and fierce raiding nature. They mock the Mariners, whom they raid regularly, and despise the mountaineers who have constantly fought off their raids.

Gelen

Situated in Gelene and Gelene Outskirts, the city was founded about 300 years ago as a base camp for raids and a market. The city has grown exponentially, though. The Gelen in the city find it difficult to maintain their traditional way of life. They are staunch allies of the Aquituers.

The leader of the Gelen, Fgar de Gelens, rises to power by challenging and killing the former Fgar. The last Fgar, Glikir Tyirir, peacefully relinquished control of the crown to High King Arylon.

Aquiteurs

Living in Aquitain, they range from Zabadell all the way to distant Gaston. They are close friends of the Gelen and very independent. They hate the mountaineers with a passion. The ruler of the Aquiteurs is called ze Roy deu lez Gelens. The last Roy, Yugo Kabet, died in a power struggle as Everguard marched on Aquitain.

Mountaineers

Living in the mountain range, they are some of the most religious, besides the Toren. They are also renowned for their metalworks. They dislike the Steppemen.

Seeklanders

The most cosmopolitan, their city is built into the mountains and filled with the great forgeries that supply much of the weapons for Everguard.

Mountainmen

Living in each of the different mountains, they all hate each other fiercely. They produce many of the priests for Torenism and are valued for their siege weaponry.