A Broken Crown of the Aydan Sea

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The Aydan Sea is a sea connected to the Middle Ocean and enclosed by land on two sides: on the west, the continent called Yagmur and on the east by the continent called Ilknur. The north end was capped by the polar ice. The Aydan Sea provided routes for trades, colonization and war, and provided foods for numerous communities throughout the ages. The lands around the Aydan Sea are dominated by three realms: the Esenver Empire, the Cahyan Empire and the Sarangerel Hordes.

The Cahyan Empire is a realm located in Yagmur. It is the largest and most populous realm in the known lands covering the entire continent of Yagmur. Its capital city is Cahayami, located in the far flung land.

The Esenver Empire is the now predominantly Illker-speaking continuation of the eastern half of the Esenver Empire. Its capital city is Nuraylin on the eastern shore of the Aydan Sea. It survived the fall of the western half and the fall of the city of Esenver to the Cahyan Empire. The Sarangerel Hordes swept in and seized its southernmost lands beyond the Southern Ranges. After the death of the last Emperor at the hands of the Cahyans, many claimants and forces have risen to claim the Mandate of Esenver.

The Sarangerel Hordes are a large empire dominated by the Sarangerel horsemen. They carved out a huge empire in the east and the south after the Sarangerel tribes got unified under its Great Chief. Its capital is the Naranbatar, located in the heart of Illnur within the Sarangerel Grasslands.

The Aydan Sea is dotted with many islands. The largest island of them all is Ayberk. The Protectorate of Ayberk is the center of commerce and activity in the Aydan Sea due to its strategic location between the three great powers of the Aydan Sea. Its independence came as the Esenver Empire, stripped its island holdings of the troops to defend themselves from the Cahyan Empire in the west. When the Ayberkans made their pleas for assistance against the raiders, the Esenver Empire lacked any military capability to assist the island. So they looked to their own defense and its Governor managed to rally new force and defeat raiders' attempts to conquer the island. Grateful for the victory, they revolted against the Esenver's authority and declared its governor as their ruler. The island then fell under the influence of the Cahyan Empire later on.

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Timeline

Before FE: Salamdeuls fled from their distant unknown continent and colonised the harsh island of Ayberk when no one else can.

0 FE: Founding of the City of Esenver.

~200 FE: Settlements on Ayberk founded by the Esenvers and Illers on the south western and south eastern coastline respectively.

308 FE: Salamdeuls Wars begins with the expansions of its borders away from its cities on Ayberk by Governor-General Taylan.

317 FE: Salamdeuls Wars came to the end with the Great Clan of Ledeu's defeat. Great Clans of Bangagim, Beullaeg and Hwaiteu formed an alliance with one another, agreeing to aid one another against any attempts by the Esenver Empire to attack them. With extremely bleak lands of the Highlands, Governor-General Taylan built the wall that stretch from the eastern coastline to the western coastline, which became known as the Taylan's Wall.

649 FE: After the period of rising tension between the Cahyan Empire and the Esenver Empire. The Cahyan Empire finally launched the invasion of the Western Esenver.

655 FE: The departure of the Legions based across Ayberk apart from the ones based on the Taylan's Wall and the Golden Cities.

661 FE: The departure of the Legions based on the Taylan's Wall.

667 FE: The departure of the last three Legions based at the Golden Cities. Lord Aytakis, native deputy of the penultimate Governor was appointed the Governor of Ayberk.

669 FE: An immense Yaban army landed with the intention of conquering the island and starts raiding and attacking across Ayberk.

670 FE: Feeling no hope of relief and beset by the Yabans, Governor Aytakis broke his oath to the Esenver Emperor, creating his own army and formed an alliance with the Great Clan of Bangagim.

674 FE: Fall of the Esenver to the Cahyan Empire, ending the existence of the Western Esenver.

676 FE: After successfully defending the island of Ayberk, the people declared Lord Aytakis as the Lord Protector of Ayberk with his Sword as his symbol of the rule.

680 FE: After several attempts, the Emperor who relocated to the City of Nuraylin accepted that he had not the strength to save the Western Esenver decided to agree peace with the Cahyan Empire as he faced an increasing numbers of refugees fleeing the Sarangerel Hordes from the south.

700 FE: The Great Esenver War starts as the Esenver Empire focus its energies on retaking Ayberk and other rebellious provinces.

708 FE: Lord Protector Aytakis died. His son, Berkant became the second Lord Protector.

709 FE: Lord Protector Berkant assassinated due to his pro-Esenver views. His son, Cemil became the third Lord Protector.

715 FE: Founding of the University of Simjang.

720 FE: The invasion of Ayberk by the Esenver Legions which ended in total disaster for the Esenvers.

723 FE: The Great Esenver War came to the end as the combined forces of the rebellious provinces laid siege against the City of Nuraylin, focusing the Esenver Emperor to recognise their independences.

733 FE: Lord Protector Cemil died, his younger brother Direnc became the fourth Lord Protector.

738 FE: The Nobility Uprisings occurred, due to abhorrent misuse of powers of Lord Protector Direnc against them. The Nobility Uprising were crushed by the Great Clans.

760 FE: Fear at the ascendancy of Ayberk over the entire Aydan Sea and drawing the attention of Cahyans onto them, the island states formed an alliance against Ayberk, sparking the Short War.

763 FE: With the death of Lord Protector Direnc, his son Ekrem became the fifth Lord Protector and was able to negotiate the peace with the island states to restore freedom to the Ayberkan conquered territories overseas.

765 FE: The Outsiders invaded the world, taking on the Cahyan Empire.

769 FE: The Cahyan Empire was forced to strip its far eastern provinces of their companies and send them south against the Outsiders. Dreaming of restoring the western part of the Esenver Empire, the Esenver Emperor launched an attack and conquered the City of Esenver and re-storing the control over the western Aydan Sea coastline after less than a century of rule by the Cahyans. Despite this, the Esenver Emperor did not infringe the independences or territories of the Aydan islands.

775 FE: As the Esenver Emperor focused his attention on retaking the lost lands, the southern and eastern frontiers were neglected. The Sarangerel Hordes swept in and conquered the Esenver lands south of the Southern Range to the Aydan Sea.

789 FE: Assassination of Lord Protector Direnc, his son Ekrem became the sixth Lord Protector.

802 FE: Victorious over the Outsiders a year before, but at an immense cost, the Cahyan Empire was able to transfer a substantial number of its companies into the far eastern provinces and re-established its dominion over them, expelling the Esenver forces in less than a year. The death of Lord Protector Ekrem, the succession was disputed. High Captain Ilhan, the exiled eldest son of Lord Protecot Ekrem serving in the Cahyan Companies were able to take advantage of the succession crisis and became the Lord Protector after the Battle of the Taylan's Wall.

804 FE: The Cahyans arrived at the island of Ayberk and recognising the overwhelming advantage that the Cahyans from his experiences as a Cahyan captain, its ruler the Lord Protector Ilhan made a pact with the Cahyan commanders. In exchange of almost bloodless co-operation, he was inaugurated as a member of the Cahyan nobility, keeping his lands and powers. The Cahyans went on to invade the Eastern Esenver as a punitive measure.

810 FE: The Sarangerel Hordes crossed the Southern Ranges, coming into the Esenver Empire. The Cahyans rejected the offer of alliance by the Sarangerel Hordes and fought many battles against them plunging them into three-way war. The Cahyans achieved a decisive victory, expelling the Sarangerel survivors over the Southern Ranges two years later.

816 FE: The Cahyans engaged the last major force of the Esenver at the Battle of Nuraylin and was so successful that the Esenver army was effectively destroyed as a fighting force, killing its Emperor and laid siege against the City of Nuraylin. However, the Esenver Empire was given respite as the much larger host from the Sarangerel Hordes crossed the Southern Ranges. This is known as the First Miracle as the Cahyans abandoned the siege of the City of Nuraylin and went south to engage them. The Crystal Empress in the distant city of Cahayami died with her granddaughter inherited the Sovereign Crystal. It was known as the Second Miracle by the Esenver Empire as she then immediately concluded the peace, forcing the High Council of the Esenver Empire to recognize its control of the Western Esenver. The Cahayan armies and fleets then withdrew from Ilknur after defeating the Sarangerel Hordes for the second time.

819 FE: The start of the game.

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The Protectorate of Ayberk, commonly known as Ayberk or simply the Island, is an island country located in the Northern Aydan Sea.

It is governed by a Lord Protector. The Protectorate began in 676 FE when following the victory over the Yabans, Lord Aytakis, the last Governor of Ayberk was declared by the three peoples of the Island as their sovereign. Turning down the role of Kingship, Lord Aytakis opted for the title of the Lord Protector instead. Its capital city is Simjang. The current Lord Protector is Lord Ilhan. The Island consists of three regions: the Golden Cities, the Lowlands and the Highlands. The three regions have varying powers of administration.

History

Before 649 FE : Colonisation and Conquest

Prehistorically, the population of the Island is thought to be the Salamdeul who arrived from the unknown lands from the south. The Island was first colonised by the Ilkers who established the cities along the eastern coast. Later, the Esenvers later arrived who established the cities along the western coast. As the Ilker and Esenver trading communities grew more populous and more powerful, the Salamdeul were pushed further inland. The Esenvers came into conflict with the Ilkers and the dividing line on the southern coastline between the Esenver west and the Ilker east moved backwards and forwards frequently in the ensuing centuries. Appealing to their motherlands, the City of Esenver and the Ilkin Hegemony went to war, struggling for the domination over the Aydan Sea. Eventually, the City of Esenver was victorious and annexed the entire Ilkin Hegemony, establishing its presence on the continent of Ilknur.

During the reign of the Emperor Metin, his Legions under the command of the first Governor-General Zeki, was despatched to the Island to conquer the rest of the island under Salamdeul control. However, the Salamdeul was locked in strife between nine Great Clans. Taylan waged a series of military campaigns against six Great Clans in a war that lasted from 308 FE to 317 FE, in which a complete Esenver victory resulted in the expansion of the Esenver control over the whole of the Lowlands. The last three Great Clans noting the fall of their kins in the Lowlands formed an alliance with one another, agreeing to aid one another against any attempts by the Esenver Empire to attack them. Taylan opted for the containment of the Highlands instead. The Esenver Empire made few attempts to conquer the Highlands. However, the Governors were unable or unwilling to maintain large expense in subduing the Highlands.

Over the next three centuries, the Great Clans and Clans system in the Lowlands were destroyed and the Clan tattoos were outlawed at the pain of death. The local clan chiefs became the local nobility with the support of the Governor while the people became subjects. The nine cities settled by the Esenvers and the Ilkers became very dominant in the economy of the Island and generally known as the Golden Cities. While there has been few minor uprisings against the Esenver rule, the control over the majority of the island was never threatened. All this changed with the large invasion by the powerful Cahyan Empire in 649 FE.

649 to 676 FE : Decline and Disavowal

In this century, the Esenver Empire could not longer defend itself against either internal rebellion or the external threat posed by the Cahyan Empire in the West. While the Esenver Empire was convulsed by the invasions and rebellions, the Island avoided these troubles. But there were increasing attacks by the Yaban raiders from the south.

In 655 FE, the Esenver Empire withdrew its Legions across the Island to the Western Esenver to send them against the Cahyans, but continually maintains its Legions in the Golden Cities and along Taylan's Wall. However, the Legions based on Taylan's Wall left the Island on 661 FE and finally the Legions based on the Golden Cities left the Island in 667 FE. The loss of the military might of the Esenver was a serious blow to the Island's new governor, Lord Aytakis.

In the winter of 669 FE, capitalising on a depleted military force on the island, an immense Yaban force landed, with the intention to conquer the Island. With most of the Island in turmoil and under attack, Governor Aytakis made a serious and urgent request for the Legions, but there was no reply from the Esenver Emperor. The Governor disavowed his Oath and used the Emperor's Estate to raise his own military and used his friendship with the Great Clan of Bangagim for military aid.

Strengthened by his new army and the alliance with Bangagim, Lord Aytakis fought the Yabans for six years until they had been driven back to their homelands and the order returned to the Island. The peoples of the Golden Cities and the Lowlands were grateful to Lord Aytakis. However, they were scandalised by his marriage to Aleumdaun of Bangagim. Still, Lord Aytakis, the last Governor of Ayberk was declared by the people as its sovereign. Turning down the role of Kingship, Lord Aytakis opted for the title of the Lord Protector instead.

676 FE to 708 FE : Lord Protector Aytakis' Rule

After his victory over the Yabans, Lord Protector Aytakis set about building a system of fortified towns and forts across the Lowlands, known as Kales in response to the threats. In the event of attacks, the Kale was a place of refuge for the rural population who lived within a day's journey of the Kale. He also built a network of well maintained roads that interconnected the Kales, allowing the population quick access to shelter. This enabled the Protector's soldiers to move swiftly to engage the enemy. This eventually became known as the Protector's Roads which are equal to the mighty Imperial roads on the Continents. He created the Island's only professional standing army called the Protector's Guards. Simjang was established as the new capital as it is more centrally and strategically located then the old capital, Kelebek.

The Esenver Empire now located at the City of Nuraylin after agreeing peace with the Cahyan Empire decided to focus its energies on retaking rebellious provinces, sparking a series of major conflicts fought between the Esenver Empire and the recently established states, lasting for twenty three years from 700 FE to 723 FE. It is known as the Great Esenver War. Protector Aytakis played large role in agreeing the alliance with other rebellious provinces against the Esenver Empire.

Aytakis had a single child with Aleumdaun named Berkant. Aytakis was only 71 when he died, but after forty years of energetic rule he was physically exhausted. It is known that the premature death of his wife, Aleumdaun in 687 FE affected him deeply. He never remarried and he dressed in mourning colour for the rest of his life. His rule was considered as the Golden Age by the later generations

708 FE to 709 FE : Lord Protector Berkant's Rule

Only heir of the Lord Protector Aytakis, and remained overshadowed by his father for much of his life. His rule only lasted for only a year since he was assassinated by conspirators after the treaty which temporarily ended hostilities between the Esenver Empire and the Island signed by him.

709 FE to 733 FE : Lord Protector Cemil's Rule

Succeeded to the Sword after his father was murdered at the age of twenty four. Known for establishing the Protector's Council, which became the supreme state advisory body to the Lord Protector. He supported the education so aid was lent to the sciences and arts, creating the University of Simjang.

In foreign policy, his greatest triumph came in 720 FE when the Emperor's invasion proved a total disaster for the Esenvers and with the allies, they were able to besiege the City of Nuraylin and peace returned to Aydan Sea as the Esenver Empire recognized the independence of the states that revolted from it.

733 FE to 763 FE : Lord Protector Direnc's Rule

The younger brother of Lord Protector Cemil, Direnc's rule is best known for his frequent wars, repression of dissent, economic stagnation, poor policies and a corrupt government. Taking advantage of the Fleets, which became one of the largest in the Aydan Sea during the Great Esenver War, he waged the wars to acquire more islands around the Aydan Sea. Experiencing the trauma of the rebellions by the Nobility, he ran a network of spies and informers. He abolished the local powers of the Golden Cities and the Highlands, although the Great Clans were able to keep its power due to their participation in crushing the Nobility Uprising in 738 FE.

The Protector's Guards were very large due to his frequent wars as he lavished his attention on his army, glorifying in its victory in the Great Esenver War. He put the officers in charge in government, regardless of their competence and the corruption among its ranks came to light in the Short War in which the Island lost to the alliance between the Island's former allies. The Short War highlighted that it is militarily weak and administratively incompetent. He died during the Short War.

763 FE to 789 FE : Lord Protector Ekrem's Rule

After the death of his father, Lord Protector Ekrem took the Island out of the Short War on very unfavorable terms, including the losses of all territories beyond the Island. He is responsible for numerous reforms such as ending some of the privileges of the Nobility and promoting the University as well promoting the local governments and abolishing death sentences. On the other hand, due to his father's acts, he became the target of numerous assassination attempts. He then set up a brutal Secret police, which sent many thousands of dissidents into exile aboard.

He focused on developing the natural and economic resources of the Island, attempting to make it self-sufficient as possible. The Protector Guard, which performed so poorly in the Short War was downsized heavily, focusing on improving the standard. His foreign policy is pacifistic, rebuilding ties that were shaken by his father's acts, boosting trade between the Island and other realms. Ultimately, he was assassinated by a group of ex-soldiers who never forgave him for losing all the territories aboard.

789 FE to 802 FE : Lord Protector Ferit's Rule

Like his father, Lord Protector Ferit fought no wars. He restored the privileges of the Nobility. He believe that the Island should follow a single language, religion and a form of administration. He banned the use of the language and religion of the Salamdeuls in his presence, focusing his attention on promoting the Esenver language and Arazi-Deniz faith. This causes tension with his son as his heir Lord Ilhan objected to this. The relation between between these two worsen to the point when it was rumoured that the Lord Protector was about to execute him for treason. Instead, he was exiled from the Island upon his majority in 792 FE. Ultimately, as Ferit favoured his second son, declared Kagan as his heir over the objections of his relatives.

800 FE to 802 FE : Succession Crisis

Due to more extreme view of Kagan as Arazi-Deniz as only gods in existence, refusing to believe in other gods, it was becoming clear to the general population that he is increasingly unacceptable as the potential Lord Protector. His younger brother, Murat was backed as far more reasonable candidate. However, Murat was killed by Lord Protector Ferit in outburst of rage. The tension became increasingly violate after the death of Lord Protector Ferit in 802 FE with the minority of the subjects and the Great Clans refusing to recognise Kagan as new Lord Protector. However, the decision on who will become the next Lord Protector is marred by the competing claims of Lord Protector's family.

Fortunately, High Captain Ilhan, commanding a Cahyan Horse Company was in the Cahyan Empire's process of restoring the Far Eastern Provinces to its control after the Outsider Wars. He was given the leave of absence and after gaining the support of the Great Clans, High Captain Ilhan defeated Kagan in the Battle of the Taylan's Wall. There were few skirmishes afterwards but ultimately on the Seongsugi Day in 802 FE, the Golden Cities, the Nobility and the Great Clans recognise him as the Lord Protector.

Geography

Simjang is the capital of the Island. It is most populous city with a population of forty two thousand inhabitants. Standing on the River Nehir, it grew to become a vital trade hub between the Golden Cities, the Lowlands and the Highlands. Founded by Aytakis, it became the leading city and home to Aytakis' Kale and the Summer Hall, the primary residences of the Lord Protector. It is located close to the Highlands as it is believed that it will help to maintain a strong presence.

The Golden Cities

The Golden Cities are the settlements established during the colonization of the Island by the Esenvers and the Illkers. The lands they possessed are most fertile on the island, meaning while they control only one-tenth of the lands, a quarter of the Island's population lives within this abundant land. Each city is governed by a local Council, led by its Mayor and treat each other as rivals although they have known to take a united position should their interests get threatened by others in the Island.

Kelebek is the most populous of the Golden Cities. It is on the island within large harbour. Founded by the Esenvers, its location helped the city grow in significance as a trading port and became the capital of the Island during the period of Esenver rule. The population of Kelebek is over twelve thousand. While there are many cities inland with a greater population, it is still considered as the second city of the Island due to its economical importance. It is the location of the ruling Temple of Arazi, the God of the Land, the ruling god of the Faith. Its symbol is a golden butterfly on the green field.

Ahtapot is the second most populous of the Golden Cities with the population of over eleven thousand. It is the first settlement on the Island to be founded by the Ilkers. Sitting at the mouth of the River Nehir, it flourished as a center of commerce between the Island and Ilknur. It is the location of the ruling Temple of Deniz, the Goddess of the Sea, the ruling goddess of the Faith. The Symbol of Ahtapot is a golden octopus on the blue field.

All other Golden Cities has the population of over nine thousand and are ordered in years of its founding. The rest are named below;

Turna was founded by the Esenvers. Its symbol is the crane on the green field.

Yunus was founded by the Ilkers. Its symbol is the dolphin on the blue field.

Karga was founded by the Esenvers. Its symbol is the crow on the green field.

Yengec was founded by the Ilkers. Its symbol is the crab on the blue field.

Kartal was founded by the Esenvers. Its symbol is the eagle on the green field.

Kaplumbaga was founded by the Illkers. Its symbol is the turtle on the blue field.

Baykus was founded by the Esenvers. Its symbol is the owl on the green field.


The Lowlands

The Lowlands are dominated by the Nobility whose cities, towns and estates inhabits half of the Island. Its lands ranged from hills, swamps, forests to farmlands. The combined population form a majority on the Island with three-fifth of the population. Once of the ancient six Great Clans whose ruling Great Clan families were exterminated by the Esenver Empire, the local clan chiefs who collaborated with Esenvers became rich and eventually became the ruling class of the Lowlands. As a means of organisation by Lord Protector Aytakis, five Circles were set up primarily for the purpose of organising a common defensive structure and of collecting the revenues. The Lowlands are divided into the Sword Lands, five Duchies, forty six Counties and countless Baronies.

Olenji Circle is the cool, dry lands. Its capital city is named Tateusham which contains over eighteen thousands residents. The Duke of Tateusham is premier Noble of Olenji Circle.

Nolansaeg Circle is the temperate and hilly lands. Its capital city is named Baegyeol which contains over seventeen thousands residents. The Duke of Baegyeol is premier Noble of Nolansaeg Circle.

Nogsaeg Circle is the rocky and chilly lands. Its capital city is named Samlimji which contains over fifteen thousands residents. The Duke of Samlimji is premier Noble of Nogsaeg Circle.

Beullu Circle is cool, dry lands. Its capital city is named Heuleum which contains over twelve thousands residents. The Duke of Heuleum is premier Noble of Beullu Circle.

Peopeul Circle is the temperate and hilly lands. Its capital city is named Jasujeong which contains over twelve thousands residents. The Duke of Jasujeong is premier Noble of Peopeul Circle.

Over a tenth of the Lowlands which are the most abundant remains unencircled as it is the personal lands of the Lord Protector and became known as the Sword Lands. Its capital capital is Simjang and contains over forty two thousand residents.

The Highlands

The Highlands are dominated by three Great Clans who inhabits two-fifth of the Island. However, the lands are bleak and so the population is small compared to other regions. A fifth of the Island's population live in this region. Three capital cities dotted around the Highlands, where each Great Clan Chief resides at.

Gangbyeon is a city which sits by the River Nehir and dominated by great Waterfall Fort, the residence of the Great Clan Chief of Bangagim. Over thirteen thousand people live in this city. Surrounded by rich natural resources, the gold and silver mines dotted in its local ranges and rich fertile soils provided by the volcanoes. It is also at risk from the dangerous earthquakes and volcanoes. It has been under siege by the Esenver Imperial Legions several times, none were successful.

Politics

The island is ruled by the Lord Protector. The Lord Protector leads the Protector's Council and is the commander-in-chief of the Island's military forces.

The Lord Protector appoints High Constables who are his representative in the Golden Cities, in the Circles and to the Great Clans. The eighteen High Constables are responsible for the law and order in their Region. The Constables are also appointed to one hundred and twenty towns in all eighteen regions as the High Constable's representative in the town and its surroundings. Unlike the position of High Constable, which is an appointment by the Lord Protector, the position of Constable is an appointment of the High Constable instead.

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The Peoples

Esenvers

The Esenver civilization is located along the western shore of the Aydan Sea and centered on the city of Esenver. Through conquest and assimilation, it came to dominate all shores of the Aydan Sea on two continents, Yagmur and Ilknur. Compared to the other peoples beyond the shores of the Aydan Sea, they are much paler. The most common form of clothing is a tunic, short sleeves and reach to the knee for the men and long sleeves and reach further than the knee for the women. The children tend to wear simple, belted tunics, wearing an amulet of Arazi.

Ilkers

The people from the ancient civilization comprised of independent city-states which lay along the coast of Ilknur which spread across the Aydan Sea with its colonies. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Ilker Sea for six hundred years. They were framed for their spread of the writing alphabet from which all current Aydan written languages are derived from. However, their dominance came to an end with the conquest of Ilker cities at the hands of Esenver. Just like the Esenvers, they are pale-skinned. Better educated and advanced, this resulted in high literacy rates so success came easily to the Eastern Esenvers and Ilker merchants. The most common form of clothing is a tunic, short sleeves and reach to the knee for the men and long sleeves and reach further than the knee for the women. The children tend to wear simple, belted tunics with a flowing bracelet of Deniz. Belts, collars and caps are more common.

Salamdeuls

The people of the Island. Its legends suggest they came from the south fleeing..., explaining their darker skin and their strange customs compared to the surrounding cultures of the Aydan Sea. Once composed of nine Great Clans, six Great Clans were suppressed socially, following the Esenver customs and religion while in the Highlands, the three Great Clans keeping to their own ancient ways. Their clothings are in different style. They tend to wear jackets with the men wearing longer jacket with baggy trousers and the women wearing shorter jacket with skirts tied at chest level.. They tend to be tattooed with their Clan symbols. The amount of tattoo depends on the status of the person. In the case of the Nobility however, their clan symbols are presented on the sword hilts and scabbard after their tattoos were outlawed. The Highlanders are highly martial compared to the Lowlanders.

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Religion

Arazi-Deniz

Faith of the Esenvers and Illkers alike, it consists the Pantheon of twelve gods and goddesses. Arazi and Deniz is considered two opposing parts of the Pantheon, Arazi as the God of the Sun and considered to hold over the Lands and Deniz as the Goddess of the Moon and considered to hold over the Sea. The holy symbol is below:



As the Esenvers consider Arazi as their patron, they tend to bury their dead in the ground to return their souls while the Illkers considers Deniz tend to submerge their dead into the sea to return their souls. It is believed that they will guided by two Angels of Light and Dark to take them before the ancient gods, the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer who governs the realms beyond.

Salamdeuls Shamanism

Faith of the Salamdeuls is a mixture of ancestor worship and elemental spirits. Every follower's household had a small shrine with their departed family members are offered foods and offering. Once a year, on the offerer's birthday, they offered offerings in thanks for their well being and wishes. They also left offerings outside their home and at their local shrine for any ghosts or spirits.

The Shamans are considered to have access to and influence in the spirit realm. They tend to use chants, music and songs to summon the spirits. The most powerful shamans are considered to be able to communicate with them like a person and interact with them.

Thankful for the nature bounty, in every town, there is a shrine, which worship all five elemental forces of the world, Time, Fire, Air, Earth and Water. They tend to be maintained by the shamans.

In the past, the Salamdeuls Shamans were heavily persecuted by the Esenvers and the Illkers due to the belief that communicating with spirits and refusal to follow the Arazi-Deniz are terrible sins. However, since the Protector Aytakis lifted the ban on the Salamdeuls Shamans, Salamdeuls now practise their faith openingly.