The Encrors, The Staynes

Introduction

In the furthest, most remote valleys and slopes of the southern range of mountains of Alven called the Great Towers, there lives a tribe of people (a few thousands at most) who do not share the same ancestors as the clansmen of Alven.

Instead of building keeps and settlements, the Staynes or Encrors - as they are known by the men of Alven- live in huge open caves and other underground dwellings of the Alven high mountains - The Dew Caves. Historians believe that the Staynes are descending from a culture pre-existing the Clans, and have always lived in the The Great Towers Range.

Physique

The Curts are rarely seen outside their mountain realm. When they venture outside the Great Towers mountain range, they stand out in a crowd as their skin is blue: the tones range from pale, duck egg blue to a more pronounced darker, royal blue. Their features are also quite delicate, and their eyes have been known to glow slightly in the dark. 

Their eyesight is very well adapted to seeing in the dark and they are very comfortable moving at night.
Their height varies from one Stayn to another, but they are usually taller than any clansmen.
Their physiology - especially their long legs - give them extra speed while walking and running.

They are of course very good mountaineers, as they adapt quickly to cold and can breathe in the more rarefied atmosphere of high altitude.



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See also The Secrets of Beyonfar  The Staynes In the high valleys of The Great Towers Range, the The Dew Caves are the homes of the civilization of The Encrors, The Staynes.
The Staynes are an ancient race of humanoids who have inhabited the Alven continent for millennia.

Their customs and religion affect every part of their society and strictly adhered to. Not many Staynes stray out of their homeland.
Few Staynes decide to leave the safety of the Caves and wander the length of the continent. If they do, they are sure to cause a sensation among humans with their blue skins, tattoos, white hair, and tall stature.
The Staynes can manipulate the magic of the world much better than humans, and for that, there are feared by most clansmen.


Also see Francalia Article about Encrors

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Curts speak and write in their own language, which they are very reluctant to share with strangers. Observers have commented on the musicality of the language, but very few Clansmen can speak it or write it. There are myths and legends on the Music of the Words: beliefs that the language of the Darksteins is a powerful magic construct of its own.

Shared customary codes and values

The Curts are peace-loving people who do not trust anyone from outside their community. Their way of life is ancient and they reject any influence from other cultures. They are particularly suspicious of science and the technical advancements of our more modern times. For example, they have banned the use of lunettes to look at the stars, as they think it is a sacrilege to spy on the gods.
Their practice of medicine is much more advanced than the ones practised by the Clans and they are well versed in the use of natural compounds and surgery techniques. They have been willing in the past to share this knowledge with the rest of the world, but have not gone out of their way to teach it.
They do not look kindly on mixed-race marriage which the Council of the Curts forbids. These are very rare and the Curt who would like to join with a clansman or clanswoman would be exiled, never to return to the caves.

Common Etiquette rules

Society

Curts are known to belong to different family groups. Lineage is all-important to them. In that respect, their structure mirrors the Clansmen of Alven. Each family group or Den has a specific underground territory where they dwell. The Dens also possess fields and pastures on the slopes of the mountains where their flocks and herds graze in the light months. Animals are usually brought within the sanctuary of the deep open caves to withstand the dark months and the harsh weather of the year. The only exception is the cattle called Wooly Hooves, which are a breed of long-haired cows that can withstand the harsh dark months outside with little support.
Each Den chooses two representatives (one male, one female) to represent them in the Council. The Council arbitrates between the Dens and decides on decisions that would affect the whole of the community.

Common Dress code

Curts like to wear clothes that they spin, knit, and weave from the wool of their sheep and their goats. They use similar dyes on their clothes and skins, and it means that they are usually dressed in the color blue. However, they also make a burnt red and dun dye from different plants growing on the mountains. White is also a popular color for headgears and shawls with the female Curts.
They also make very beautiful leather items from the animals they rear and hunt: waistcoats and paddings are beautifully stamped, carved, and embossed in traditional patterns.
The Curts are also very knowledgeable about metals. They know where to find most metals and stones the Great Towers can produce. They jealously guard the knowledge of such mines and veins. They consider quartz and other precious stones a gift from the gods and can become guarded or violent when these are mined - and in their eyes desecrated - from their territories.
They wear very specific jewelry in silver or gold. They do not use stones in their jewelry. Could it be linked to their religious beliefs? We are not sure, but their silversmiths are renowned for their excellent work. They like to pierce their ears and wear elaborate chains and other ornaments from them. Unlike the Clansmen, they do not wear tattoos.

Art & Architecture

Their dwellings sit in huge open caves on the flanks of the mountain. They incorporate a lot of transparent quartz and glass-like materials in their architecture to make the most of the light coming through the cave openings. The roofs and sides of their homes are usually made of quartz mosaics, usually clear or translucent white interspersed by more colourful patterns. This skill resembles the stained glass skills of the southern kingdoms.