Wyneil
The Wyneil is the collective name for the people of the Wyneil Empire, the land of rich earth and rivers that stretches across the center of Thamrysis. The dominant human culture of Thamrysis, the empire whose origins lay in the Heartland Alliance under King Neilen the First in 1400 AE.
Mercantile and industrious, they are widespread and the influence of their culture can be felt throughout Thamrysis in the form of the Sovereignty.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Arenna, Juline, Grayce, Melianna, Rheanne, Aimee, Sandra, Simone, Sabrina, Marion, Gabrielle, Marcelle, Rose, Sophie, Isabella, Cecile, Elisa
Masculine names
Elras, Callith, Darreth, Stephan, Jarden, Simon, Jacke, Bodrin, Cedrick, Benard, Jacob, Bastien, Arnould, Felix, Domin
Family names
Selle, Mullynn, Clarick, Skinner, Fyste, Taner, Warrin, Morshall, Parne, Ashwright, Kneigh, Stanner, Bowman, Waller
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Wyneil (known throughout the continent as "the common tongue) is the major language spoken throughout the Wyneil Empire, though there are several dialects unique to the regions that make up the empire.
Norgarn
In the regions of Redriver, Wildader, and Doglaufe, the Norgarn dialect remains strong. The differences are minor and mostly lexical, though Norgarn sounds rigid to many Wyneil speakers, and arrogant.Ouestcrest
Unique to the eastern coast of the Wyneil empire, Ouestcrest is a dialect that is almost its own entire language. The went into decline following the introduction of The Litany of the Eight, which was commonly used as a guide to the pronunciation of various words. A common problem with speakers of Ouestcrest Wyneil is that the pronunciation of "E" sounds is instead pronounced as a sort of "W" sounds, often represented by a "Ou" in spelling. A common joke among linguists about Ouestcresters is that while Ouestcrest is pronounced "Oo-est-crest" and thus implies "West Crest," the reality is that it means "East Crest."Culture and cultural heritage
Entertainment, Games
Flips: Flips is a gambling game played with two players, where each bids a small value (a copper, often), and a token coin is flipped by one of the players. If he comes up “heads” the flipper takes the purse. If it comes up tails, both players bid again and the flipper switches. Hadan’s Cross: Named after a Hero from the Latizan Wars, Hadan's Cross is played upon a cross shaped board consisting of a 3x3 point square in the middle with four 2 x 3 point areas adjacent to each face of the central square. This makes a total of 33 points. Pieces are allowed to move from one point to another only along lines which join points. Accompanying the board, there should be a single playing piece representing the Hero in black or red and 15 white playing pieces representing the Soldiers. The objective of the Hero is to jump soldiers, moving in any direction, and avoid being boxed in.Average technological level
Major crafts including Masonry, Carpentry, Painting, Cloth making, Tanning, Baking, Cobbling, Apothecary, and Candlemaking are controlled by powerful guilds. Trades are regulated within major towns and cities, and sale of goods outside guild structure is often met with violent repercussions from guildmembers. So powerful are the guilds in Weinwyr that streets are named after the collection of tradesmen that surround guild halls and the guildmembers have taken to wearing livery and symbols not unlike that of the noble houses.
Art & Architecture
Architecture
Many of the oldest buildings carry traces of the Haisan style, especially religious and military structures. Vertical shafts, clustered columns, compound piers, plate tracery and groups of narrow openings. Since Haisan architects were commissioned during the early era of the Wyneil Empire, many Wyneil structures are built on the foundations or early structures of this style, and have an asymmetrical style as add-ons and extensions of these sturdy buildings were later constructed. Quality Limestone is available in the regions, as well as dark green marble, often found in outcrops. The green marble of the area is often used in inscriptions, mouldings, and veneers. Many towns are built with extensive town walls.Art, Visual
Monumental sculpture is popular in the region and sculptors in the Wyneil are some of the most skilled. The rise of a bourgeois class has created a system of patronage for the arts and commissioned works have begun a proliferation of painters and high quality illuminated manuscripts. Secular themes are popular, and the growth of the trade guilds have lead to skilled art professionals. Textile art, frescos, stained glass and panel painting dominate the religious world of art, but the blurred lines of secular and religious art mean that many wealthy Houses and Manors fill their spaces with this work. Illustration in books increases their prices drastically, but some common works have been made with bookblocks for text that allow a much cheaper cost. However, books still remain well out of the price range of any lower class. The humanity of the subjects in these works is far more pronounced that in other work of the region. Natural human positions, behaviors, and poses dominate the work, and religious works have evolved from depicting deities as monolithic blocky entities to natural and human manifestations.Art, Performing
Jugglers, tumblers, and minstrels are the most commonly seen street performers, often banding into small troupes to display their talents. Jugglers in specific have become very popular in the region, and many also play instruments, sing, and tell stories. Amusing poetry and love songs are the most popular acts, and tumblers have begun to incorporate the exhibition of trained animals - often from farflung regions - as well as play with knives, slings, surface juggling and other feats of skill. Dancing is a popular entertainment for the wealthy and poor alike, though the styles vary greatly. Common dance is often simple and organized, where as the wealthy have taken to dance that incorporates jumping or sharp movements that often require the help of a dancemaster to learn. Popular with young men of all classes is “Dances of One” which are often linked to specific humorous songs, and incorporate irregular movements and a degree of buffoonery and are something of fad dances based on whatever song is currently popular in court.Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Right to Old Law
Landed Nobility still rule much of Heartlands, and the Wynelords still practice the “old law” for most cases brought to them. Fines exist for most minor offenses, but shaming such as the stocks is common with minor victimizing crimes. Mutilation and death are used for cases ranging from theft to murder and assault. With no dedicated law enforcement, community members often must apprehend and deal with the law-breakers, but all law lays in the hands of the ruling lord. The most serious crimes may reach the Lord’s Court, which is overseen by the Lord as judge or his steward as his proxy. A jury system is often practices by local communities for cases between community members, but a Lord may take offense if larger crimes are notbrought to his court for judgement. The Old Law provides certain ordeal-based exceptions to judgement systems. An ordeal of Fire, Water, Air, and Stone, as well as Combat. In the ordeal of Fire, a pair of rectangular bonfires is constructed, about 12 feet long, with about 4 feet between them. The accused must carry a bundle of sticks their own body weight through this structure. Should they survive, they are deemed innocent, but should they drop their bundle or die in the fire, they are deemed guilty. Ordeal of water - the accused has their hands and feet bound and thrown naked into a body of water. Survivors are innocent. Ordeal of Stone - The accused and the accuser both take in each hand a stone expressly crafted, and about 12 pounds each. They hold them in their open hands and extend them outward. The first to drop a stone is considered a liar. Ordeal of Air - The offender is thrown (or allowed to step, in some cases) from an approximately 30 ft drop. The absence of a proscribed place in the local canon may prohibit this ordeal.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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