Geography

The Arian mountains are the name given to a range of highlands and mountains to the north of the Northwood. The land begins at the northern edge of the great forest and rises from a series of hills to wet and windy highlands then finally to the mountains of the Great Glacier. They are cold, wet and pine covered lands that has very little to recommend it. The chief resource is wool harvested from the many herds of hill sheep.

History

The history of the Arian people is only known from the point of view of those who have encountered them, there are no known written histories of these people. As far back as records go the north has been occupied by tribes of hostile silver haired people who will only trade for one month of the year. At any other time to venture into the hills was to court death.

There have been numerous attempts to conquer the north. The Empire sent three Legions north and only two hundred men survived to tell the tale of wode covered maniacs ambushing the Legions as they marched or slept. The Suevians have had many wars with the Arians but nothing ever came of them other than a horrendous body count.

Both powers eventually came to the same conclusion and built a series of forts and watchtowers to prevent the constant raids of Arian youths to the south.

People

Arian means Silver in the Arian language, therefore Silver Mountains or Silver people. The name comes from their pale skin and white blond or silver hair. They are a small people physically but are quick and wiry with lilting voices and a happy go lucky outlook on life. It is an attitude of; things could be worse so you might as well enjoy life while you can.

Arians live in independent hill forts each ruled over by a chief with no known form of central government. They hold an annual gathering at Trademoot to trade with each other and with the southerners.

Arians are considered backwards by the Suevians and many jokes are made that they sleep with sheep because their women are so ugly. In fact, Arian women are rarely seen and some reports have them as very beautiful, a rumour which keeps slave raiders busy in the north.

Culture

The Arians have a closed culture and are hostile to outsiders. They do not like trespassers on their land, southerner or Arian, and will attack first and ask questions later.

They have a culture of raiding and theft and will often raid into the Dominion to prove their manhood. Those Arians that are encountered in Suevia are often slaves captured during these raids.

There is no known centralised government of the Arians. Each tribal group is governed by a chief and it is believed that groups confederate when required. Some scholars theorise that there is a class of religious leaders who move between the tribes, arbitrating disputes and extolling the, for war.

Religion

No Arian will discuss their religion with an outsider. It has been surmised by scholars studying the numerous accounts of battles and raids that the Arians follow a druidic religion and worship an earth mother goddess. This theory is supported by shrines found in the deep woods and reports of hooded men driving and extolling warriors in battles. However, this is all supposition.

Military

Arian warriors are excellent archers and typically ambush their enemies from the dense forests and hedge rows and are superb woodsmen and trackers. They have a specialist type of warrior, the War Dancer, who fights with no armour and rely on their speed and skill to defend themselves. Most Arian warriors use light leather armour and often paint their bodies with wode which serves both a ceremonial role and as a practical camouflage.

Their blades are often made from bronze, as copper and tin are plentiful in the Arian mountains. These blades are leaf shaped and very sharp, if not strong against southern steel. Because of this the Arians rely on speed over strength when facing warriors from the south. They have several steel and iron prestige weapons that are often captured during raids.

Notable Cities

Trademoot is a small-town set in the southernmost range of hills that make up the Arian Mountains. It is an undefended settlement that is uninhabited for most of the year. For two months in the spring the Arian tribes descend on the town to trade with the waiting merchants from all parts of Suevia. Strict rules must be followed, including no weapons within the town limits, no fighting and only one set of scales are to be used to prevent cheating. Once the trade is over the tribes disappear back into the hills for another year.

Factions

None known.