Tanach

Influences: Anglo-Saxon Culture.
Origin: Tanach developed from the old tribes/kingdoms of Tan and Anok. 
Cultural themes: Tanachian themes: Hills, mines, forts, minerals, earthquakes, ore, iron, steel, secular.
The Tanachians were an ethnic group of people that settled along the southern edge of the Adonian Empire in an area known as the hill lands. P
They are traditionally stereotyped as a stern, almost bitter people. “These people are of Iron.” They were tasked with providing much of the security near the southern border against the Lokoruk, who were strong and savage fighters, but lacked the sophisticated metallurgy and weapons of Tanach.
The Tanach began as a kingdom on the Southern-Western border of the Adonic Empire. Statehood was organized beneath a strong king and queen and territories meted out to lords and barons. They were skilled architects and were capable of building strong, fortified structures. Initially, they held a relationship of mutual benefit with the Lucerian Empire, but over time the Lucerians demanded more and more from the Tanach, with very little respect and benefit in return outside of not being invaded. This led the Tanach to begrudingly assent to the Lucerian Empire while looking for a way out.
The Tanachians were an important part of the Adonian Empire and were tasked with providing much of the steel and weaponry for their kingdoms. Over time, especially toward the end of its rule, this led to a bitterness on the Tanachians as they strove for independence. Toward the end of the Adonian rule, they made the decision to abandon Adon and declare independence, allowing the Empire to succumb to Lucerians and ignoring the call of the Emperor's son.
In truth, the Tanachian King held on as much as he could, but years of bitterness under the Adonic heel coupled with a war they were fast losing as well as a massive loss of life led him to declare free. Under Lucerian rule, Tanach was granted a great deal of independence and wealth for their assistance and felt Lucerian rule was far more beneficial to them.
Following the Fall of Adon, Tanach did what they could to shed all semblance of old world influence, strictly enforcing the Lucerian ban on sorcery. The Tanach was no longer forced to hold its people to the Old Way and followed the Lucerian tradition of casting off the old gods. This led to Tanach becoming a largely secular society focusing on the ingenuinty of its people without the “nonsense of the petulant gods”.
Justice in Tanach was hard. Theft, rape, and violence was not tolerated, with the offending appendage being removed. Despite its seeming brutality on the surface, the Tanachian legal system became the most sophisticated in the world. Scholars were no longer forced or even allowed to try their hand in sorcery, instead turning to more secular pursuits such as law. The King was considered the hilt of the law, but the blade itself was carried out by his judges. Knights in Tanach were held to the highest of standards. Tanachs are most well known for their weaponry, made from Tanachian Steel, which is considered the most powerful metallurgy in the world. Tanachian sword and swordsmanship is often contrasted with its Aetherean counterpart. The debate between the superiority of Tanachian vs Aetherean steel has been debated for many centuries. Aetherean Steel is a beautiful silver, lighter, more flexible. Tanachian Steel is hard, near unbreakable. Aetherean swordplay emphasizes skill, with some combatants performing it as an art. Tanachian swordplay is swordsmanship cut down to its barest essentials. Swords are brutal, empty instruments meant for killing and nothing more. It consists of hard cuts and basic, though effective, offensive and defensive maneuvers. They consider the Aetherean technique “flowery”. Tanachian Knights do not believe the sword should be revered, but instead reviled and accepted as a necessity of life to be used when needed. Tanachians are stereotyped as dour and lifeless. Tanachian tradition is without what would be considered traditional “beauty”, with those focusing on art and culture ostracized. They are considered a hard, brutish people. Quiet, stern, even sour. However, beneath the veneer of iron, they are duty bound, loyal, doing what is necessary to protect their families. They are disciplined and honorable, known for keeping their word and telling the hard truths of life. The Tanachians frequently fought the Lokuruks, who menaced their borders. The Lokuruk could not match the fortifications and technology but met the Tanach with sheer brutality and martial prowess. A great hero of the Tanach was able to push back against a full scale invasion. Tanach’s first king began as a dynasty of a strong and wealthy lord from the outskirts of Adon, who had grown tired of the old world influence.