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THE
SERPHELORIAN
HUMANS
("WARDENS") |
The women of the Serphelorian
tribe are legendary throughout the lands of Santharia: taller than the tallest
man, these women are said to be beautiful but fierce and warlike, and regularly
kidnap men to “have their way with them”. While it is true that the
Serphelorians are the tallest tribe in
Santharia and their features rather striking, the alehouse stories tend to
exaggerate rather on the rest.
The Serphelorians (also referred to coloquially as "Wardens") live mostly in central
Santharia. They are matriarchal and their army, mostly composed of women,
is among the best trained in Santharia.
Blue tattooing is common among these women, which only adds to their exotic
reputation. Far from being viciously warlike, however, the Serphelorians are
not a greedy or acquisitive tribe. They have an ingrained code of honour known
as "katmoh", which calls them to use their strength to defend the weak in any
situation. This has allowed them to build friendships with many races who would
usually tend to distrust humans. They are
also a very outgoing, optimistic and carefree people, with a brazenly cheeky
sense of humour.
The Serphelorians are a modern incarnation of a very ancient people. They arose
from their precursors the Sophronians in the year
8066 b.S., under the leadership of the Jakat (a title more or less equivalent
to "Queen") Quesvath. The Sophronians had a
strong oral history, and the more formal scholarship which is now prized among
their descendents the Serphelorians means that this tribe's history can be
traced all the way back to the
Mynians and beyond.
Appearance.
The Serphelorian women are tall, strong and solidly built, often reaching two
and a quarter peds in
height, making them the tallest tribe in
Santharia. Their men are nearly as tall, but do tend to be shorter than
their female counterparts.
The Serphelorian face is best described as strong. Strong jaws and noses are
typical, as are high foreheads, heavy brows and large eyes. This combination of
features has turned out some exceptionally handsome women over the millennia,
but there are many who other tribes think too heavy of feature to be called
beautiful. Even the most pleasing-looking distinctively Serphelorian woman
could never be called ‘pretty’. The men are counted among some of the best
looking of all the races, although they are seldom as well muscled as the
women.
Hair colours run the gamut from purest blonde to darkest black, although the
many varieties of reds, along with blonde and light brown, are the most common.
Straight locks, flowing waves or unruly curls are all equally common. Blue,
green, grey, hazel and brown eye colours are all seen. Those with lighter hair
colours often have lighter eye colourings, and those with darker hair, darker
eyes. Skin tone varies less widely, tending to a light brown shade that tans
easily rather than burning.
The Serphelorians usually wear their hair long, and it is traditionally plaited
or knotted in one of a variety of variously decorative ways to keep it from
obscuring a warrior’s vision. The hair of males is customarily cropped short,
although those who have gained an elevated position in the community will often
wear it long. Men who have become counsellors or scholars generally wear theirs
unbound, but those who have made their name in the army tend to wear theirs in
a simple single plait, or for shorter hair, in a pony-tail. Some males,
particularly in the areas nearer to Enthronia, have adopted the
Caltharian manner of wearing a bandanna.
Blue tattooing was common in the nomadic years, and many warriors and
matriarchal traditionalists today carry on this custom to mark themselves apart
from some of the more apathetic elements of their tribe. The face, neck and
arms are the preferred places to tattoo as these are the most visible at all
times, thereby showing the world the woman’s identification with her warlike,
matriarchal roots. Men are never tattooed: it is a social taboo.
The blue colour of the tattoo is created with the plant called
Nehtor’s tears. The bright
Uderza blue of the
plant’s dye becomes lighter and brighter over the years a warrior has her
tattoos, eventually becoming a very light, silvery blue-white colour called
"kaiarxur". It is said that the colour brightens faster and to a lighter shade
in the stronger, braver and more fierce warriors. Serphelorian women with
bright white tattoos are therefore to be treated with great respect, no matter
what their age!
The word "kaiarxur" means "proven blue", and it is used to describe not only
the colour itself, but can also describe the quality of being “proven” in the
woman who wears the colour. Thus, a woman whose tattoos have become bright can
herself be called "Kaiarxur", and is respected as a proven leader of the
community.
Some women who were never tattooed, or were tattooed late in life, can also be
called Kaiarxur in some situations. Men (who cannot be tattooed) can also be
called Kaiarxur in some cases, although this is rare and one of the highest
honours the Serphelorians pay to their men. It should be noted that the title
"Kaiarxura" is never bestowed by authority – it is always something that is
acclaimed by the people who know the person: her village or social group. Not
all those who have kaiarxur coloured tattoos are necessarily themselves called
Kaiarxur.
The title Kaiarxura is generally bestowed upon people who have, over the course
of their life, ‘proven’ themselves to be great in a way that the Serphelorians
venerate. This can be by becoming a great warrior or a leader of the people, by
being a particularly wise advisor to the community, or by becoming a scholar of
great wisdom. Mages, clerics, even Jakats are no more likely than others to be
acclaimed to the title, except insofar as they have a greater chance to show
their bravery, wisdom, or to be seen protecting those who are vulnerable.
It should be noted that kaiarxur is not a specific colour, but actually a range
of colours. This is why it is not present on the list of
Santharian colours in this
Compendium. A person can be
said to have kaiarxur tattoos (independent of their own personal status as a
kaiarxur woman) when they are of a colour somewhat darker than an elderly
woman’s. A tattoo needs only be a light shade of the tattoo colour for the term
kaiarxur to be appropriate to describe the colour.
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Coat of Arms/Sign.
The Serphelorian Coat of Arms has remained the same since the earliest days of
the ancient ruined city of Serpheloria millennia ago. It is an ithild coloured
shield with four quarters, coloured
Cyhalloi snow,
karikrimson,
nor’sidian and saffire
blue respectively. Each quarter holds two
Cyhalloi snow concentric
circles with a gnastheen coloured diamond shape inside them. Each quarter
represents a division of the ancient Sophronian
army; the meaning of the geometric shapes however, have been lost in time.
When the arms are represented in the most formal manner, they are depicted as
being held up by two animals. On the left side is a rearing horse with hooves
sharpened, representing the Serphelorians’ long wandering as nomads across
Sarvonia, and also their skill in
mounted fighting and horsemanship. On the right side is a hawk with flared
wings, both claws sharpened with one claw seemingly holding up the shield. The
hawk is popularly understood to represent the Serphelorians’ swift attacks on
those who would hurt people weaker than themselves; most scholars, however,
agree that it was actually meant to be a representation of the rulers who led
the relatively brief patriarchal years, the Hawke brothers.
Along with the arms, the Serphelorian crest is often used to decorate official
documents or buildings. It consists of the head, bust and arms of a woman (or
in some instances, for example on the rear wall of what was once the Jakat’s
audience chamber in the Chrondra library, the whole woman is represented)
coloured ithild – usually moulded out of precious metals, be it silver, or in
several rather poetic cases, the armour of vanquished foes. In her right hand,
she holds four arrows; her left hand is open but only has three fingers. She is
usually dressed in the long skirt and chest bindings of a wise woman.
Territory.
The Serphelorian kingdom varied in its size over the course of its history,
being at times as small as just the Elverground, to at other times sprawling
across the landscape of central southern
Sarvonia. At its largest, it extended to include Elsreth in the north,
Brinsley, Vezash, the whole of the Rimmerins’ Ring and the Xythrian Ridge in
the west, and Chrondra in the southeast. Serpheloria was bounded on the west by
the Adanian coast.
After Santhros’ unification of
Santharia, Serphelorians are one of
the most common tribes inhabiting the province of Sanguia. Many Serphelorians
also live in Chrondra, and in small towns and villages in northern
Manthria and the southern half of
Enthronia.
People.
The Serphelorians are quite different from most other tribes in
Santharia in a number of obvious ways.
The first and most noticeable of these is that they are matriarchal. In the
Serphelorians’ case, this means that the women are the active partners in
relationships, and that women are preferred for positions of power.
The Serphelorians are generally an approachable, open and carefree people with
a simple but bountiful sense of humour. The women often seem forceful and
arrogant to people of other tribes on first meeting, but those who live with
them for any length of time will find them to be honest, jovial, loyal people
who are proud of their strength and traditions. Men of the Serphelorian tribe
are well known for their warm openness and generosity.
Women of this tribe are usually taller than the men, and they consider the way
women in other tribes find taller men attractive very strange. Strength in men
is valued, but this is more for the fact that it gives them an ability to do
heavy work around the house than for any ability to protect or to join the
army. While some men do join the army or take some kind of work, most are happy
to take roles as the carer in the family.
Ignorance of Serphelorian ways in members of other tribes has caused some
problems since the unification of
Santharia. There have been many bar fights or duels from Serphelorian women
defending the honour of their men, and not a few men attacked for being
‘un-manly’ by their counterparts from other tribes. Similar problems have
occurred when Serphelorian women have experienced discrimination from, or have
themselves discriminated against, women from other tribes. This is somewhat
controlled now by an awareness of difference and an intolerance of this type of
rudeness in much of Sanguia.
Another characteristic which travellers from other tribes are often surprised
by is the Serphelorian forwardness. Both genders can be quite obscene by, for
example, Erpheronian or
Avennorian standards, when in the pursuit of a
member of the opposite sex. The Serphelorian sense of humour is similarly
inopportune, being by turns slapstick, salacious and scatological enough to
make even the most worldly Avennorian courtesan
blush. Once over the initial shock, however, most people eventually find
Serphelorian humour riotously funny, perhaps because it is so inappropriate.
The Serphelorians officially originate in the year 8.066 b.S., when
Quesvath-Jakat, the first Jakat of the complete tribe since Gaia around 11.000
b.S., was given her ceremonial sword.
The change, however, was much more gradual than that. People began calling
themselves Serphelorians as early as 10.150b.S., when the capital city
Sophronia was founded: ‘serphelor’ means ‘from the city’.
Aside from official dates, the Serphelorians we know today can be distinguished
from the Sophronians in two main ways. First,
they are settled, living in permanent houses and stable communities. There are
no nomads left wandering the hills and plains of Sanguia, although it is true
that more Serphelorians enjoy leading itinerant, adventuresome lives than do
people from many other tribes. Second, they are matriarchal but have a great
degree of equality between the sexes, unlike in the Sophronian tribe.
Political Views.
As a people, the Serphelorian tribe has historically been rather politically
ineffective, both at the time of their formation and since. Serphelorians in
general are not highly skilled in diplomacy, and so not very good at coming up
with solutions to disputes. Most Serphelorians agree that rather than sitting
down and rehashing details to come to a solution, they would rather have “a
good honest fight”, or just leave.
There are few natural leaders in this tribe, although they are much celebrated
when they do emerge. The majority of Serphelorians are quite content to be led
in any given situation, which, while this may account for some of the worst
decisions in their history, also accounts for some of their best military
successes. Leaders throughout the history of the Serphelorian tribe have
managed some of the most famous military victories in history because of this
quality of obedience, which makes their armies such highly disciplined,
well-trained, fearsome fighting forces.
As part of the process by which their ancestors, the
Sophronians, became matriarchal, the Serphelorians developed a moral code,
known as 'katmoh', which has been passed down through the ages. This unique
sense of justice demands that one must always protect those weaker than
oneself, whether inside or outside of the tribe. Hence, contrary to some
groups’ opinions, Serphelorian men are not mistreated despite their unusual
position in their tribe’s society.
The Serphelorian principle of protecting those less able to protect themselves
means that the hobbits of Elenveran and
the Gnorian gnomes, both of whom live in
the same areas as Serphelorians, can flourish. They are left alone enough to be
independent, but are guarded from stronger forces when necessary. The same
respect is extended to the tribes of elves living within the borders of
Serphelorian lands, despite their obvious strength;
elven territory has always been respected,
unless the elves become hostile. This has
led to the Serphelorians’ long, if no longer as close, association with the
Quaelhoirhim elves of the
Zeiphyrian forest.
The Serphelorians also have good relations with the
Boltgrumm,
Mitharim and
Tenthrumm dwarves, and the other
human tribes. This ability to get along
with such a large number of different tribes and races is thought to be one of
the reasons that the Kings’ Hollow was chosen to be the capital of
Santharia.
Regional
Variations.
Unlike in many tribes, there is a noticeable difference between Serphelorians
from the cities and the southern areas of what was once Serpheloria, and those
from more isolated villages and small towns in the north.
People from older settlements in what was once the south of Serpheloria tend to
be quite content with their role in life as followers or farmers; they usually
leave politics and formant to members of the other
Santharian tribes who now live in
Sanguia with them. They are less apt to distinguish themselves from the other
tribes around them than northerners, and more likely to accept their men having
independence equal to that of their women.
In the north, the people remember the nomadic times more clearly, and have
preserved in many ways the warlike and matriarchal traditions of the past -
although they are very much toned down from what they once were. The blue
tattoos of the warrior are still quite common there, rather than being mainly
confined to women who join the army. Festivals focus more on martial aptitude
and strength than in the south, and Serphelorian leaders, when they do arise,
come much more often from the small villages and the towns in the north. In
addition, boys are rarely given any encouragement to join the army or seek
independence as they sometimes are in the south.
Importance. It is
well known among historians that it were the Serphelorians who were the main
influence in changing the mainly patriarchal ancient tribes into the more open,
less gender-biased Santharians of
today. Notable examples include the way in which their attitudes influenced the
patriarchal Darian (who went on to become today's Shendar),
and the Avennorians. These are by no means the
only groups they influenced, however: their influence has reached over the
whole continent. Katya Dragonseeker might
never have existed if it were not for the brave women of the Serphelorian
tribe.
Housing.
Serphelorian buildings are round structures with peaked roofs, and are
constructed from different materials depending on the intended use of the
building. The shape is derived from the skin huts that were used in the nomadic
times.
Over the centuries, as the Serphelorians settled, the hide was replaced by
wooden walls with a mud coating – a method derived from the
Eyelians. Mud bricks began to be used around the
time of the founding of Hawke’s Perch. This development was, over time,
followed by the introduction of more and more sophisticated hard bricks.
Today, city houses are usually a wooden frame and floors, clad with red bricks
joined with mortar, and roofed with tile. Houses are then usually plastered and
then painted. Poorer people use hide or thatching for their roofs, and the
brick is of inferior quality and often not plastered. Some shacks are still
constructed of mud-clad wood, and hide tents are not uncommon in slums outside
some of the larger cities. City houses can be many stories high, with the most
impressive manors and palaces being many of these circular towers joined with
walkways or bridges, both at ground level and in the
air.
In Brinsley, these towers were designed so that each floor would become a
single circular room. This made each tower quite skinny, so that even most
modest houses required several of these towers to create enough space. The
whole of the city looked much like a forest, and not like a city at all. The
fashion for this has passed somewhat, however, as some of the older houses are
now having to be propped up with joists between towers to stay standing. Newer
buildings in Brinsley are reverting to wider, more stable structures.
Stone is not commonly used in Serphelorian construction, but city walls and
important buildings can often use this method, especially where the
Avennorians had a hand in the construction. These
buildings are usually either built in the Avennorian
style (although usually with tiles added in place of the
Avennorian hulk-roof), or in a strange
concatenation of the two styles, with a square or rectangular shape but with
curved corners and circular projections, often in odd places. A good example of
this is in Chrondra, where the scholars’ hall, originally the Councillors’
hall, was built in this way.
Inside their homes, the rooms are usually a part of a circle, thus having at
least one curved wall. Stairways usually run around the inside circumference of
the building, and there may be as many as three staircases up to the next level
built in this way, depending on the diameter of the level. Fireplaces too, are
usually built on the outside edges, for ease of ventilation.
For decoration, the Serphelorians are quite obviously fond of textiles. Wall
hangings decorate most rooms, thick carpets cover the floors, more fabric
covers chairs and even tables in houses where nice carving is unavailable. Much
of this decorative fabric is produced locally, as some Serphelorians do have a
talent for weaving, but those who can afford it buy their woven goods from
Caltharia where the art is much more refined.
In the north and in noble houses, it is common to have a
weapon, some armour or other
militaristic keepsake belonging to a famous or particularly brave ancestor hung
in a prominent position in the house. This is intended to commemorate their
bravery and to give the young women (and more recently also the young men) of
the household something to aspire to. Richer houses sometimes have portraits of
these people as well as, or instead of displaying their
weapons.
Herb patches, vegetable gardens and various other plants are common outside
Serphelorian houses, like any other. The outhouse is also a fixture, usually
discreetly concealed in a small grove of trees, or attached to the back of the
house. Many larger houses have a small stable for their
horses set between the main towers of
the complex.
Clothing.
Many women from the Serphelorian tribe, especially those who live near the
King’s Hollow, follow the latest fashions of the Santhran’s court which move
much too quickly to record here. Others, especially those in the northern towns
and the smaller villages, follow a more traditional mode of dress.
Serphelorians typically wear short skirts made of heavy woven fabrics with
sandals in the summer. Breast bindings of one style or another is usually all
that is worn on top, but tunics are now worn by some women, following the
fashion of the cities. In the depths of winter, and for older women at any
time, skirts that brush the ground are worn in some areas. In other places
women wear trews like men of other tribes in winter, or have adopted the
traditional laced leather legging or the more modern woollen equivalent under
their summer skirts. Cloaks are favoured over sleeved garments for warmth (this
preference is thought to have developed from the need in the nomadic days to
never be hindered by clothes if there was a sudden attack), and high leather
boots, often lined with fur, are popular.
When riding out, hunting or engaging in other combative activities
Serphelorians wear a more traditional skirt similar to that worn in the army,
made of heavy leather pieces that allows easy movement, teamed with high boots
and breast bindings. Other leather clothing to prevent injury is often worn,
but much more is thought to impede the freedom of movement required to practice
the Serphelorian way of fighting, jakatya, effectively. Those who are the most
skilled in this art rarely wear more than the traditional war dress when
engaging in physical activities.
Men are usually dressed in a
garment which is unique to the Serphelorian tribe, called the jaeb (now
pronounced “jaibe”), the meaning of which is perhaps best lost in history. It
is a long, rectangular piece of fabric that can be wrapped around the lower
body in a variety of ways, with the hem usually falling at around the mid-calf.
The easiest method of wearing the jaeb is the simple wrap. The cloth is wrapped
around the body as many times as is needed to use all the fabric. The top of
the end is then tucked in to the wrapping, and then the whole top is folded
over once. The wrap can be secured with a piece of cord or a belt before it is
folded, or is sometimes fastened with a decorative pin for special occasions.
The simple wrap is not used as commonly as the many variations. This is because
the simple style can be somewhat restricting to wear. The Serphelorian women
find the style attractive however, so it is often worn as formal attire, using
fabrics that are more luxurious. Wraps that are more functional involve
pleating the fabric in various places to give room to move. A common example of
this is the trew-wrap. The fabric is wrapped around the body as before, but
with small folds made in the fabric at the front on each layer of wrapping to
allow easier movement. This can then be folded like the simple wrap, or the end
of the jaeb can be passed between the legs from behind to create what looks
like a loose trouser.
Traditionally the jaeb was the only thing worn by Serphelorian men, but it is
now common, particularly for older men, to wear tunics or button-front shirts
like those worn by Avennorian men tucked in to
the jaeb. The shirts and tunics are generally plain coloured, with the jaeb
often being quite brilliant colours and patterns. In winter, cloaks or robes
can be worn but usually men are able just to stay inside where it is warm.
Sandals or soft shoes complete the outfit.
Some of the newer occupations men involve themselves in these days, for example
soldiery, require clothing that is more protective. These men usually wear
leather trousers modelled on those worn by many of the other tribes of
Santharia. When off duty, and
especially for formal occasions, these men usually return to wearing the jaeb
instead.
Diet.
The Serphelorians are a tribe of meat lovers. They farm
sheep,
banegs,
goats, pigs,
taenish, and other less common animals
for their meat and other produce. Meat is cooked or preserved in myriad
different ways, and flavoured simply with herbs, berries or roots, if at all.
Vegetables are farmed in some areas, but most households grow enough of what
they need themselves, and it is a point of honour among many men that they
should never need to go to the market to buy vegetables.
Traditionally the Serphelorians would hunt for their dinner, supplementing it
with whatever could be found by the men in the way of fruit, berries, fungi or
vegetables. Living so close to
New-Santhala has brought many new tastes to the Serphelorian palate,
however, and has led to the addition of fish and shellfish, cheeses, fruit and
sweetmeats to the shopping list of those men who can afford it.
Cha’ah is drunk as often as
possible, and freshly brewed is a must! The herb grows abundantly in the areas
where Serphelorians live, so it is often associated with these people, although
it is drunk all across Santharia. Less
well apppreciated by other tribes is the Serphelorian drink called "amzyz". It
is a type of fermented mare’s milk, and is drunk ritually – in small,
ceremonial quantities – at festival times. It is said that amzyz used to be
consumed in great quantities during festivals, but now that Serphelorians drink
more regularly, it has become less popular than the milder beverages like ale
and cider.
Weapons.
Still to be added.
Occupations.
The army is very well thought of as a career choice for young women who want to
see the world outside their home village, or who have a strong interest in
traditional ways. Girls are often sent to the army by their elders if they are
thought to have potential, despite the fact that they might want to do
something entirely different. It is seen as a good way to make girls into
women, and as a proving ground which can be a good education in Serphelorian
ways even if the girl chooses to follow another path after she has served her
time in the army. Young men are now allowed to join the army, too.
In civillian occupations, men are often employed to work, especially in jobs
where something is produced. Women, on the other hand, are usually the ones who
supervise, make decisions, and own or run the business. Even where a man is in
charge, he is usually working for a woman. One example that travellers to
central Santharia notice is that
barkeeps here are usually women, while servers and cooks are more likely to be
men.
Meat and its production is perhaps the widest spread industry in old
Serpheloria. Smoking, pickling, salting, drying and curing are all used to
preserve meats and flavour them, as well as butchering and wrapping fresh meat
in wet cloths to sell at local markets. These jobs aside, there is also work in
farming the animals, and in the many other industries which use the other parts
of the beast, be it milk, eggs, bones, skin, feathers or wool.
Farming the cha’ah herb is an
operation of nearly the same size as the meat industry. Based in the north of
what used to be Serpheloria, tea plantations cover every spare
ped on the Heath of Cjur
between Hog, Yorick and the Paelelon
and Almatrar forests. People are employed by the owners of the plantations to
pick, dry, pack, label, sort and blend the teas before they are sent out to the
towns to be sold at the market, or in some of the larger towns, at specialist
merchants.
Scholarship is one occupation which is not particularly biased according to
gender. It is accepted as something which males can do as well as women,
although many people think that the two sexes go about it differently: men are
considered to have more patience! Being a scholar, or lore-keeper, is a highly
respected occupation among the Serphelorians, and one of the few ways for men
to become eminent in society which is not dependent on the success of a woman.
As such, many men choose it, so they easily outnumber the women in the field.
A particulary Serphelorian occupation is in turning mares’ milk into amzyz.
Specialist brewers of varying quality are found in most cities, towns and large
villages. Men are thought to be well suited to this occupation, although, like
most things, the men see to the detail while women are in charge of the
operation.
Serphelorians relatively often, compared to other tribes, find their calling as
priestesses of Seyella,
Armeros or clerics of
Arven.
Government.
Before Santhros, the Serphelorian
kingdom was ruled by a Jakat (loosely translated as ‘protector’), which was the
equivalent of a king or queen. Due to the number of upheavals in Serphelorian
history, there have been a wide variety of ways in which Jakats have organised
their government. At times there were councils that ruled with the Jakat as
merely a figurehead, councils who advised the ruling Jakat, Jakats who have
ruled more or less on their own merits but with the aid of a few wise women,
and despots who ignored their people in the pursuit of glory.
Many of these Jakats ruled over areas which were vastly different to previous
or later Jakats, so different areas became quite good at self-governance. In
most towns, villages, and groups of nomads (when these still existed), all
women over a certain age were expected to be part of a group of 'vaxytha' (wise
women) who would meet to decide anything which needed deciding. Depending on
the community’s needs they might meet at a regular time, as needed, or spend
most of their days together discussing things. The age at which women were
asked to join this group varied too, relevant to the needs of the group. A
similar, if less formal vaxytha system still exists today, especially in the
smaller villages where no designated official ruler is present.
Army.
The Serphelorian Army is known more commonly around the
Santharian kingdom as the Santhran’s
Order of Seyella, and is one of the
Orders through which the Santhran governs his or her kingdom. They are
sometimes called ‘the Seyelites’ or ‘the Seyelite Army’ (to distinguish them
from Seyellans, who are clerics of
Seyella) or ‘the Serphelorians’ in reference to their tribal affiliation.
The Serphelorian way of thinking requires and venerates protection of the weak
(a concept called ‘katmoh’), and as such, the Order of Seyella is well known
for personal protection services. Defending is a concept which is deeply
anchored in the soul of Serphelorian warriors, and it is well known that their
faith in the Goddess of Destiny makes
them unafraid to give their life, should the Goddess demand such a sacrifice.
The Order of Seyella is a large Order – it can have over a thousand members at
one time. This is because the Army is such an integral part of the Serphelorian
tribe’s culture; it is perhaps the final bastion of the traditional,
matriarchal and martial ways, and is a proving ground for young Serphelorian
people. The Order is also a great source of pride for Serphelorians, as they
are able to use their strength to be a part of protecting the whole kingdom.
Belief.
The Serphelorians believe in the Twelve Aviaria, as do all
Santharians. However, like all
Santharian tribes, the way in which
they conceptualise the Twelve is quite unique to them. Seyella is the most
beloved god of the Serphelorians, and they believe that she is very active in
guiding the tribe and creating good fortune for them. Seyella is assisted in
her work of looking after the Serphelorians by
Armeros and
Arven (Arvins),
who support the tribe to protect those who are weaker than themselves. Since
the tribe has settled, Jeyriall has become more popular too, looking after
those who are less warlike. Their strong faith in
Seyella’s guidance allows the
Serphelorians to have a cheerful, nonchalant manner and an optimistic outlook
in even the worst situations.
Production/Trade.
The main trade goods produced by the Serphelorian people are their preserved
meats and the cha’ah herb.
Serphelorian meats are known and praised across
Santharia, one particular type even
giving rise to the well known saying “as sweet as Chrondra bacon”. All types of
preserved meat produced by this tribe are prized, and the most wealthy tables
of New-Santhala will not settle for
meats from anywhere else. Cha’ah
is produced on the Heath of Cijur, and sold to merchants all over
Santharia. No other place can grow the
herb as well as here, so nearly all
cha drunk in
Santharia, from
Nyermersys to
Strata, comes from here.
Natural Resources.
Still to be added.
Holidays,
Festivals and Observances.
Serphelorians celebrate primarily the following festivals:
The Festival of the
Foresighted One
The Festival of the Foresighted One celebrates the first leader of the tribe,
Sophronia, who led the Sophronians south, beginning their generations-long
journey to where they finally settled on the Elverground, becoming the
Serphelorians. It was also Sophronia who put in place the matriarchal system,
encouraging the women to protect those who could not protect themselves. This
festival is the Yearturn celebration for Serphelorians.
The festival is celebrated for a full week, on the first week of Turning Star.
Turning Star is, of course, the month dedicated to
Seyella. This is significant because
Sophronia was also called the Foresighted One, and is associated with
Seyella..
During the festival amzyz is drunk, huge bonfires are lit, the best foods are
eaten, and plays depicting the Sophronians’ journey to the Elverground are
enacted. Gifts of special foods and necessities are given to those who need it,
in the spirit of katmoh and in remembrance of Sophronia’s injunction to always
protect those who cannot protect themselves.
The Festival of
Armeros
This festival takes place on the night of the 15th day of
Awakening Earth, and
celebrates the might of the Just One.
The form of this varies from place to place, but it is generally a wild night
of celebration, as if the people were trying to pack a whole week’s excitement
in to one night.
People usually stay at home on the day of the 15th, then come the evening they
go out into a common area or the streets, dressed in their most heavily scarred
battle clothes and give small token gifts to others, particularly to strangers.
Those who play instruments will usually do so as their gift to others, piping,
drumming or singing prayers to Armeros,
or stirring martial songs.
The Festival of
Jeyriall
The festival dedicated to Jeyriall
is the only one which is traditionally celebrated quietly, in the home. Of
course, being the Serphelorians, this doesn’t mean it is actually quiet – it
merely means that each family or small group of friends and families celebrate
it inside a home, and not out on the street with maximum noise like the other
festivals!
The first day of Sleeping
Dreamress is a time for the Serphelorians to prepare mentally for the
harvest, decorating their homes with flowers and gathering together as an
extended family to gently thank the goddess for her benifience over the year.
After the families’ prayers and offerings are made, a special family meal is
taken, amzyz is (of course!) imbibed, and happy songs and dances are performed
together, reminding them of their bounty in each other.
The Festival of Warriors
The Festival of Warriors celebrates the glory of past and future warriors. It
lasts for a week, like most traditional Sophronian festivals, and is usually
held at the end of the month of Fallen Leaf. This has quite a bit of regional
variation, however: the harvest must always be collected before this festival,
so in areas where the crops are taken in late, the Festival of Warriors occurs
much later. This festival seems to be losing popularity in many of the bigger
cities, or is celebrated only privately, but it still very much celebrated in
the villages.
During the week of this festival, kokdar (a Serphelorian game) is played during
the day, and in the evenings plays are enacted. Unlike in the Festival of the
Foresighted one, there are many different plays put on, not just one. These
plays depict many of the most famous military moments in the history of the
Serphelorians, and their predecessors the Sophronians.
The ever-present amzyz is drunk on the first night of the seven, in a ceremony
where young women who have reached adulthood that year come before the women,
and it is decided what they will do with their future. The decision made on
this night is usually made in advance between the wise women of the village,
the girl and her family, but often the young women are kept in suspense until
the night. Apprenticeships are handed out, and preparations are made for those
who must leave their homes to pursue their goals. The rest of the week
celebrates the new women’s bright new futures, and farewells their childhoods.
Minor festivals, such as those of the other Avaria, the Festival of the Birth
of a Child, and the Festival of the Jewelled Bridle are also celebrated at
different times during the year.
Tribal Language.
Serphelorians speak a version of Tharian which is accented by their region. It
has the more delicate, cultured sounding
New-Santhalan acccent within the
Rimmerins Ring and in some larger towns, and is more heavy-sounding outside it.
It is also interspersed with a few Serphelorian words, especially in the army.
Only a few scholars know that language now, but words dealing with concepts
like weak and strong, and male and female are known by nearly all
Serphelorians, and used in place of the Tharian so frequently that it is part
of their dialect.
While their accent can vary, Serphelorians are easily told apart from the other
tribes who mingle in Sanguia by their emphatic gesturing. Nods, hand-waving,
eye-rolling, head-waggling, arm-waving, table-banging, stamping, and any number
of more specific, and often less polite gestures are used to emphasise their
stories and speech. This marked gestural element to their speech is often
linked to the important part many different acted performances of past events
play in Serphelorian festivals.
Nomenclature.
Serphelorian first names are quite different from those of their neighbouring
tribes, and as such are quite easy to spot. Feminine names are typically long,
and somewhat sharp sounding, beginning with letters such as K, Q, X and Ch.
Names for men are much shorter and much rounder sounding, starting with letters
like B, G, M and A.
Traditional last names of this tribe indicated who the head of the person’s
family was by incorporating part of their name. This could refer to their
mother, their grandmother, or in the case of some older families (and in
current times, most families), a famous ancestor. For centuries now, many
Serphelorians have had Avennorian blood, so it is
also common for Serphelorian families from
Manthria to have a last name which comes from that tribe, or is a mixture
of the two naming systems.
The Serphelorians have their own versions of the Tharian Mister, Missus, Miss
and Master, and a respectful ‘Sir’ equivalent, as well as titles which are
given to esteemed members of the community. These are all commonly used in
areas where Serphelorians predominate. While these are not the only titles used
there, you can even hear women being addressed as 'Va-kai' in
New-Santhala.
More information on Serphelorian first and last names, and titles and their
usages, can be found here.
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