Ingharan
Ingharans
For the Country, see IngharaOverview
Ingharans were the primary ethnic group of the center of the continent of Nirann for many years, leaving descendant peoples in the the Ischurri, Soranni, and Kassei.Culture
Ingharan subcultures can loosely be divided into Mizhtrali or Mizheng, Ingharin, Kusung, Tsakhai, and Tshuli. The Mizheng hailed from lake Mizheng, the Ingharin came from the Ingharan valley, the Kusung hailed from north of the mountains, the Tsakhai came from Ischurra, and the Tshuli inhabited Soranna.Architecture
Stonework
Ingharans were renowned for their master stonework, with many of their cities having strong stone foundations that made them rise over the surrounding land. Their decorative stone pillars can be found in ancient runes, presumably holding a religious purpose.Towers
Ingharans were known to make stone pavillions with multiple layers of eaves on them. In the later years, they merged with sirii religious architecture into a pagoda-like structure towards the Soranni period.Pavillions were popular among Ingharans, as nature was highly revered and it was a way to stay dry. It was also believed that pavillions were one of the favorite spots of spirits to commune with and gain favor. [
Shrines and Temples
Ingharan shrines often were small stone circles in nature, with the more developed ones being pavillions. The construction of great temples was not something that the people considered. Temples were often a smaller central structure surrounded by walls like a fortified monastery, with the interior holding relics. The temple itself was a square shape typically, with pillars surrounding the inner part on all sides. Ingharan temples often had low tiered domes or a tower rising from the center supported by pillars.Cuisine
Ingharan cuisine was often considered primitive in comparison to their successors. Favored meals included things made of rice such as rice cakes, rice buns (similar to wotou), and rice noodles. In the drier Gendur regions, wheat was preferred where breads and cakes were made. Pastas and wheat noodles werent made until the Soranna period. As for spices, one could often find mint flowers, a spicy chili that is now called Azoncai, and the various seeds of flowers.Ingharan drinks varied, but were often served warm. Tea was one of the preferred drinks of the Ingharans, seeing as it was first used in their realms. Wines were exceedingly popular, especially those spiced by flowers. Milk was not yet popular, as it was associated with the nomadic tribes of Ischarra and the Gendur Valley.
Religion
The Ingharans were initially a deeply devout people until the blights struck, causing them to abandon the idea that gods were a truly wise and benevolent force for good. Ingharans came to worship their ancestors, and the idea of a benevolent force in the spirit world that is held back by the myriad of destructive gods. They believed that mortals and spirits were cut from the same cloth, and that none was superior to the other. They believed that mortals became spirits and gods in the afterlife.Magic and Technology
Ingharans were one of the most advanced magical civilizations in history, relying off of it in their everyday lives. It is said that their magic was sourced directly from their connection to the flow of the universe, rather to their faith in the gods. Ingharan writers claim that the magic was known since the first Niranni were placed on the planet, while old murals in the north show Niranni performing magic with Vanhar peoples.Ingharans had access to bronze in the early days, but eventually they would begin to use Iron, and then Dark-Iron. Their technology was rather advanced for the time as they constructed primitive pulley-based lifts and harnessed water, among other things. Some of their ruins are protected by puzzles, runes, and other strange means. An example of this are known as Ethusuun, convergence pools; convergence pools are parts of old Ingharan structures that pool energy together from the natural world. These areas can become unstable due to the high level of energy in them when they arent being used, and for that region many have been destroyed. Later ones are built in the open so that the energy can return to the environment, but it is still polluting the nature of the area with high levels of magic, leading to an increase of spirits where they are found.
Dances and Music
Old Ingharan music often preferred the use of various woodwind instruments and drums, with dances being a common ceremonial occurence. Dances were performed at various festivals and just when people felt like it. One common dance still found in Soranna is that of the Amesaci (Raincutter) dance, which is where warriors dance with swords and commoners with staves to attempt to summon the rain. A variant of this, the Akhasaci (Flamecutter) has found itself even to Ischarra. In the Akhasaci dance, the movement of the dancers is said to represent flames, and their mock duels attempt to create a swaying motion similar to the way flames sway in the wind. Ingharan culture is one which has been lost to time but is still known from ruins and descended cultures. It is said that the most similar culture to that of Ingharan is one which is known as Sel'ingharan, a few villages found in the mountains of the Ischurri border. Besides that, their cultural tradition is carried on through that of the Soranni and Kassae descendants, although they have diverged significantly.It is known that the Ingharans preferred to build their buildings using blackstone, a material found in the Gentari valley and the northern forests of Ischarra. It is said that they often constructed magical puzzles and constructs and recorded their word using a unique writing system that developed into the old Ischarri and Soranni alphabets.
It is said that Ingharans had special reverence for the moon, and that they often preferred to go outside at night. The daytime was seen as mundane and less prestigious due to the lack of stars, moons, or the great space. In addition to this, it is believed that clouds were a topic of great interest as well.
Religion
It is said that initially the Ingharans worshipped their own pantheon which held different animal gods in high esteem. An example was that of the current god Ishen, who was believed to be a great serpent that could ride storms in the sky.The celestial bodies were incredibly important for spiritual rites, as they could only be done at certain times of day. The most important times were those at night, as nighttime was just as viable for the Niranni to be outside in. The moons and stars are very important as show up on flags, in architecture, and in legend. The celestial motif is one that is undeniably Ingharan.
Usorring is said to have been the first to denounce the gods for unleashing the blight upon the world. After this, the Ingharan people as a whole began to deny the gods until much of the civilization had revoked their worship of the cohort. The people continued respecting the spirit world and their ancestors of course, but their worship began to shift into more mystic and esoteric beliefs. Eventually, the standard was not worshipping the cohort, but instead the idea of fate and the abyss. It was this belief that led to rebellions in some of the populations at the fringes of the empire. These rebels, who still revered the old Ingharan pantheon, eventually started to evolve their religion into the modern Anevia faith as the old animal Avatars were seen as secondary forms of the gods.
Besides the animistic faith, there existed numerous different philosophies and pseudofaiths that could be found in every region due to the legendary era known as the ten thousand philosophies. This would come to an end as the Soranni peoples of the far south would go on a zealous purge in their invasions north following the ascension of Aremi to the throne of Soranna. While most of these philosophies were destroyed, many survived in the plains of the northern Gendur valley. The most influential to survive is known as that of Nenao. Nenao is a series of beliefs that teach people to accept the world as it is, and to not fight it through their actions. Nenao priests became highly renowned magicians, although it proved tough in getting them to serve. In the modern day, Nenao survives in Soranna.
Old Ingharan Faith
The Owl: The owl was the most highly revered deity as it was representative of royalty, knowledge, and the spirit world. Owls were often associated with magic due to their looks.The Wolf: The wolf was seen as cunning, caring, and a symbol of family. Wolves were often the patron of clans or organizations due to the wolfpack motif.
The Dragon (Ishen): The Dragon was seen as bringer of storms and champion of the wrath of the gods. The people feared the dragon due to his power of disaster and so he was given many offerings.
The Tiger: The Tiger was seen as a symbol of war, death, and domination. This is likely due to the power of the tiger.
The Bear: The Bear was seen as a symbol of feasts and of gluttony, likely due to the behavior of bears choosing to fatten up before hibernation.
Among Others...
Diverged ethnicities
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