Refonians

Refonians are descendants of Katargysian dwarves from eastern Gysikan who settled on the island of Refon, which they variously call Ahvó Móal or Ahvó Tir. They are closely related to the Dvarrans on the coast of Gysikan, and Dalindreans and Fazeronians of the Zóken Mountains in northern Faron.
Refonians are renowned for their healers, who make medicines from different parts of a plant endemic to the island in tandem with healing magic.

Culture

Apparel

Refonic clothing is mostly made of wool, safe for imported linen clothes used by the royalty. Men in Marifon wear little more than short woolen trousers and sheepskin shoes, women usually wear similar clothing with the addition of a woolen tunic. Sailors and shepherds simply wrap sheepskin with wool attached around their waist.
Metal belts, sometimes adorned with precious stones, are popular by Refonian men and women.

Art

Architecture

The underground harbour in Marifon is probably the best example of Refonic architecture, where ships pass through a cave opening can be anchored without worrying about the elements. From the harbour is a complex network of tunnels leading to different levels and eventually up to the surface. Carvings showing various animals such as dolphins, octopi, pelicans, sheep, bears and ravens adorn the walls of many tunnels, with bas-reliefs on the lower levels and high reliefs on the upper ones.
Buildings on the surface are made almost entirely out of local stone, save for the palace which sports painted wooden columns in Faronic style.

Cuisine

Fish, sheep cheese, mutton and other parts of the sheep form much of refonian diet, in addition to imported dried fruit, vegetables and millet beer. Most grain is imported and bread is mostly eaten by the aristocracy, so commoners only eat small dumplings during festivals.
Notable dishes include:

Small dumplings stuffed with sheep brains.

Salted mutton (nútnennax).

Seabird eggs (vrarplúvúzmei).

Dried fish (tarkbeiz), often eaten with sheep butter (nenú íþraz).

Smoked whale (molskalazax).

Fermented sheep milk (múkról).

Sheep milk mixed with water (þrannról).

Religion

Like all dwarves, refonians worship a pantheon of deities depicted as various animals, chief of which is the she-bear, a mother goddess and patron deity of all dwarves. The island Brik Irþúl, a short distance from Refon to the west, is sacred to the goddess due to its vague resemblance to a bear.
Major ceremonies are handled by the king and other members of the aristocracy, with commoners' worship mostly restricted to prayer or by leaving small offerings by a bronze statue of Irþúl at the harbour. The statue is the symbol of Refon, showing the divine she-bear with two cubs by her side. It's made of bronze, with golden eyes, teeth and claws to give a striking contrast to the verdigris that otherwise covers the statue.

Major deities

Annen

The lamb, patron deity of healers and mages.

Beiz

The fish, patron deity of sailors and fishermen.

Irþúl

The she-bear, a mother-goddess and creator deity.

Nenner

The ram, associated with the moon and warfare.

Nennú

The ewe, associated with weaving, crafts of all sorts, and cheese-making.

Funerary practices

Cremation is practiced among nobles, using imported, scented wood due to lack suitable timber on the island, the remains are stored in an urn and then buried in a cemetery a short distance from the palace. The cemetery forms a large circle around a statue of Irþúl, remains of kings and queens are place closest to the statue, while those of other nobles are placed around the edges.
Commoners have no such luxury; after a short ceremony, the dead are simply placed on a boat and thrown into the sea.

Major organizations

The Móalbrek dynasty is in charge of Refon.

Refonian shepherd by Lappalingur

Parent ethnicities

• Katargysians

Encompassed species

• Dwarves

Related Organizations

• Kingdom of Refon

Languages spoken

• Refonian