Narradu

Written by David_Ulph

It appears to me, through the consistency of the uniquely powerful swords encountered in almost all Durna tribes so far in association with the myths of the Elder Birch, that the Narradu could have been comparable to our very own Empire. While ours has obviously prospered under your wise rule, my lord, the theorised-to-be extensive Narradu Kingdom collapsed for reasons now unknown, forming the basis of their pagan religion. So far, though, in our expeditions we have not found any physical evidence of this Burgundar or the Winter Forests apart from these unique swords. But if their Kingdom was real and the Narradu did fall from their golden age, then the secrets of crafting these weapons will be lost forever.

Imperial archaeologist commenting on the Narradu Tribe to the Great Western Emperor.

From the harsh Winter Forests of Durna, the Narradu have ridden far from their greatness, but will once more go back to the blessed Elder Birch.

Barbarian turncoat on the Imperial front-lines.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Kriemhild

Masculine names

Alaric, Fastida, Gundahar, Gundioc, Gunther

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Narradu peoples speak Old Durnaic, which is a cousin language to Old Speech.

Average technological level

Narradu barbarians' protection is focussed on primitive but sturdy chain mail armour. Some Narradu Elk Knights will wear heavy plate armour, ornately designed with symbols such as antlers or the Elder Birch. Helmets are, for the most part, crafted from strong metal and cover the warrior's face, more advanced than the majority of other Durna barbarians. Narradu warriors also wield wooden kite shields.

The Narradu appear to have been the only civilisation to have mastered the craft of an almost supernaturally strong steel. Usually fashioned into swords with designs of flowing water, weapons made of this steel are tough beyond comparison to other weapons known to the Great Western Empire. Completely resistant to shattering and have honed edges sharp enough to break Imperial plated breastplates. However, after the fall of the Narradu Kingdom, the techniques known how to craft this steel has been lost to time and remaining weapons are few and far between. In post-downfall myths, it is said that each one of these swords is a branch taken from the Elder Birch before it was corrupted.

(These weapons are based off of Damascus Steel which are really amazing historic metals no one knows how to make any more. Most interesting part of them is that they are so strong they actually have carbon nanotubes (used in modern-day nanotechnolody and cyber optics) in them?!? Meta nerd-out mode off)

Common Dress code

Warriors, raiders and barbarians adorn their helmets with the antlers of fabled elks that inhabit the Winter Forests of Narradu. Knights of the Narradu will integrate larger elk antlers to their helmets.

All castes of Narradu society clothe themselves in black cloaks that may also have symbols of antlers or the Elder Birch embroidered through them.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Knights of the Narradu, as they wear the most culturally significant symbols, act as both defenders of their people and high priests.

Coming of Age Rites

The transfer from boyhood to early adulthood is measured when a son goes on their first hunt with the tribe. During this hunt, the child is expected to kill their first animal whether that is a small bird killed independently, or an elk tracked with the group. The child will be showered and reborn with the blood of the kill, where the child recites the chant of the Elder Birch. Often, the new young adult will keep some of the smaller bones of their first kill and keep them safe on their body in some way or another.

When a young adult comes of the age as a fully grown adult, it is customary for them to inherit the "Narradu Mark". The Narradu Mark is a tattoo inked across the back of the individual, depicting elk antlers.

Common Myths and Legends

Religion

Narradu religion is based around the decaying Elder Birch said to be deep within the Winter Forests they once called home. It is believed the Narradu once had their own extensive Kingdom, uniting the forest civilisations into one culture, and this powerful Kingdom was centred around Burgundar which surrounded the Elder Birch. During one cataclysmic event, the Narradu Kingdom fell into chaos, with Burgundar crumbling into ruins. The Narradu were forced to flee their homelands and desert the revered Elder Birch which had started rotting from an unknown disease.

Now, wherever these Narradu peoples have found themselves, every drop of blood must be spilled in the name of the Elder Birch and no strikes shall be done without reason. Doing this always, with the spirit of the Winter Forests in mind, will ensure an individuals protection.

Superstitions

Narradu believe that the eyes are the direct gateway into peoples minds. Therefore, if you stare into someone's eyes that aren't protected by the Elder Birch, you can read their entire thoughts.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

In Narradu cultures, height is seen as the most ideal features of an individual, with smaller barbarians already standing physically larger than Elgerlian humans on average. This also means Narradu have a harder time integrating into the Imperial societies than other Untamed Tribes because of peoples paranoia and superstition of "half-giants".

Courtship Ideals

Narradu respect female loyalty to their wedded partner. Hair is used to represent this loyalty. As a virgin, a female Narradu's hair will be shaven or extremely short. This will change on the day of her wedding where she shall be ceremonially bedded with the one man that should ever for the rest of her life. From then on, as long as she is loyal, she will not cut her hair. The hair then symbolises the length of her loyalty unless of course she is discovered to have been unfaithful. Then, their hair is shaved off as punishment and as warning to other individuals about her true unloyal nature.

Knight of the Narradu