Ameders
The Ameders1 are Útel descendants who inhabit 28 city-states along the coast of Ahix Sea in northernmost Dragonia. They call their land Naarþ Vóel'k, the Evergreen Road, since the boreal Kanix Forest covers most of it, and because their city-states form a long trade route between the Útels to the west and Mörkels in the east.
Ameders are the only Dragonían people who use iron, specifically bog iron. Since it's rare and of rather low quality, its use is mostly limited to ornaments.
Whatever the reason, the people settled down along the coast of Ahix Sea and gradually spread eastwards. Their new home forced the Ameders to adapt and in some cases forgo some of their age old traditions, such as the taboo for fishing and sailing in the ocean. Some of the old castes were phased out or given new roles, most significantly the mages' caste -whose members were relied on to predict the weather- became an aristocracy.
In 465 a.Dr, the Ameders came into contact with the Mörkels on the Plain of Kings, and some years later established contact with their útel brethren to the west. After the monster stopped attacking around 500 a.Dr, the Ameder city-states became a vital connection between the civilizations of eastern and western Dragonía, trading with goods coming from as far as the Minotaurs around Ymn Lake and the Kroks of Vorran Peninsula.
Recently, the the westernmost city-states have founded several colonies along the coast of Klalaþan Sea, both to ease trading with the Útels and to grow crops that's impossible to do up north. Some of the colonies are build near or on top of ancient Móerkel ruins, and in time could lead to new states being established on the plains like those of the Móerkels of old.
Married Ameders wear necklaces and often tattoo their faces, while elders often wear nose-rings made of bone or metal, and earrings are restricted to the aristocracy.
Notable dishes include:Júran, a kind of gruel made with fresh fish and fat, variously sweetened with berries, birch sap or imported honey or raisins.
Nezúl, made with pig- or deer meat and offal stuffed in the animals' stomach along with berries and spices, then fermented in a cold place.
Roe with birch sap.
Birch sap mead.
Júran, nezúl, roe with birch sap, boiled tóvenkara (a marine reptile), scrambled níak bird eggs with ambergris, birch sap and tea
Written Amederic also has mostly the same symbols as those used by the Útels, though the symbols themselves are oval-shaped rather than rectangular. Common writing implements include wooden- or wax tablets, birch bark and -more rarely- deer-skin parchment.
Aside from bronze, armour and helmets are often made from leather, quilted or padded cloth, or hardwood. Wooden helmets are often carved into elaborate shapes and painted in bright colours.
Ameders are the only Dragonían people who use iron, specifically bog iron. Since it's rare and of rather low quality, its use is mostly limited to ornaments.
History
During the 3rd century b.Dr, hundreds of Útels migrated north along the coast of Klalaþan Sea to escape the mysterious monster that had terrorized the Útels for years. It's unclear why they chose to head north, some say the people were lead by a member of member of yþrú-naa, the shamans' caste, who had seen visions from the spirits; others because ancient Móerkel explorers had reported seeing woodlands up north.Whatever the reason, the people settled down along the coast of Ahix Sea and gradually spread eastwards. Their new home forced the Ameders to adapt and in some cases forgo some of their age old traditions, such as the taboo for fishing and sailing in the ocean. Some of the old castes were phased out or given new roles, most significantly the mages' caste -whose members were relied on to predict the weather- became an aristocracy.
In 465 a.Dr, the Ameders came into contact with the Mörkels on the Plain of Kings, and some years later established contact with their útel brethren to the west. After the monster stopped attacking around 500 a.Dr, the Ameder city-states became a vital connection between the civilizations of eastern and western Dragonía, trading with goods coming from as far as the Minotaurs around Ymn Lake and the Kroks of Vorran Peninsula.
Recently, the the westernmost city-states have founded several colonies along the coast of Klalaþan Sea, both to ease trading with the Útels and to grow crops that's impossible to do up north. Some of the colonies are build near or on top of ancient Móerkel ruins, and in time could lead to new states being established on the plains like those of the Móerkels of old.
Society
Ameder society could be described as midway between that of the Útels and Mörkels, with a caste system similar to the former and a ruling aristocracy not unlike the latter. Each of the 28 city-states is ruled by a family of mages, whose eldest serves as a de facto chief. His or her symbol of authority is an elaborately carved speaking staff, reminding everyone that they have always the last word when making decisions. The chief serves a similar role the útels' Yt-Þarizen (elder council), where problems within the other castes and those of the city-state in general are presented to the chief to be (hopefully) solved as quickly as possible. In turn, they're given annual tributes by each caste.Caste system
Aside from the aristocracy, the Ameder caste system works similarly to that of the Útels, though the castes are fewer (18 instead of 26) and have different roles than the latter. Main article: Ameder caste systemCulture
Apparel
Ameder clothing is well adapted to the climate along the northern shores of Dragonía, keeping people warm to the northwest and dry to the northeast. Tunics of varying length are popular among men and women, as are tall, thick socks worn under leather shoes or sandals. The arms are covered by detached sleeves or wrappings, and a variety of hats and scarves are used. To the east, where rain and fog are more common than snow, the people usually wear broad hats and mantles made of woven bark fibers as well.Married Ameders wear necklaces and often tattoo their faces, while elders often wear nose-rings made of bone or metal, and earrings are restricted to the aristocracy.
Cuisine
Since growing crops is all but impossible for the Ameders, much of their cuisine is characterized by seafood, meat and eggs, as well as imported cereals from the Mörkels. Smoked, dried and salted meat and fish are common. Ameders are fond of pouring birch sap and syrup on their food, and infamous for also using fish oil as well, even with berries.Notable dishes include:
by Lappalingur
Music
Aside from the traditional Útel instruments, the Ameders also use large, S-shaped trumpet-like instruments made of bronze with a flared bell for certain rituals. Similar trumpets, with bells shaped like animal heads, are used by the Yrels.Language
Main article: Amederic Ameders speak a language derived Útelic known as Amederic, which forms a dialects continuum along the coast of Ahix Sea. Though similar to Útel tongue, the accent and different meaning for many words means that only the western dialects are easily understood by the Útels.Written Amederic also has mostly the same symbols as those used by the Útels, though the symbols themselves are oval-shaped rather than rectangular. Common writing implements include wooden- or wax tablets, birch bark and -more rarely- deer-skin parchment.
Religion
Ameder religion is a mixture of polytheism and ancestor veneration, with the latter being mostly practiced by the aristocracy. Most deities are associated with the sun, sea, woodlands or fertility, while specific roles and ceremonies vary between city-states. Funeral rites vary as well, from graves marked with carved standing stones to being placed into caverns as frozen mummies. Main article: Ameder polytheismWarfare
Though Ameders are far more interested in trading rather than warfare, their warriors often accompany ships and merchants to protect them from wild animals, robbers and pirates. Spears and axes are common, while swords are generally imported from the east or west.Aside from bronze, armour and helmets are often made from leather, quilted or padded cloth, or hardwood. Wooden helmets are often carved into elaborate shapes and painted in bright colours.
The Ameders are partially inspired by various Native American tribes in the NW-Pacific, natives of Siberia, the Inca and Nordic Bronze Age culture
1Original icelandic: Amederar, singular: Amederi
by Lappalingur
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