Arkaiun (ARK-ay-uhn)
Short in stature with tan skin and dark hair, the Arkaiuns dwell primarily in Dambrath as well as Halruaa and the Shar. Many Arkaiuns lived under the yoke of drow slavery centuries ago after a failed military campaign against the dark elves, which led to the eventual destruction of the Arkaiun kingdom in Dambrath.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Glouris, Maeve, Sevaera, Xaemarra, Zraela
Masculine names
Houn, Rhivaun, Umbril, Xaemar, Zeltaebar
Family names
Lharaendo, Mristar, Wyndael
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The original language of the Arkaiuns seems to have been Akalan, one of the Akalaic languages, and most of the Arkaiuns in Dambrath still speak that tongue. Arkaiuns living in Dambrath also speak Common and Dambrathan, which is Creole. Only a small percentage are literate. Second languages sometimes spoken included Illuskan, Halruaan, Shaaran, and Undercommon.
Shared customary codes and values
Arkaiuns living in Dambrath are considered second-class citizens and often work in manual labour. Outside Dambrath some traditional Arkaiuns continue to live a nomadic lifestyle.
Horses are very important to Arkaiun culture, and nearly every child learns to ride one before their fifth birthday.
Average technological level
Arkaiuns favour ranged weapons, because of the open grasslands in their homelands, such as crossbows, javelins, and slings. For melee weapons, they tend to use daggers, short swords, and rapiers. Because of the temperature of the south, the Arkaiuns rarely wear heavy armour or heavy shields.
