Acathian

The Acathian people are a historical group of individuals, originally native to the Acathi Peninsula, now classified as a subset of various ethnicities. The term 'Acathian' has undergone a complex evolution throughout the ages, its significance and usage deeply interwoven with the social, political, and cultural changes that have transpired in the Acathi Peninsula since antiquity.

Origins

The Acathians are considered descendants of the ancient Thalesi, inhabitants of the Thalesian Plains , and the Acamarin from Mundalodem to the north. The two groups converged in the Acathi Peninsula around 1500 Before Republic Era (BRE) during a global dimming event known as the Darkening. This event, marked by significant climate shifts and widespread chaos, led to the migration of the Acamarin people to the south, where they eventually intermingled with the Thalesi.

Formation of Acathian Ethnicity

Over a period of approximately 500 years, marked by warfare, intermarriage, and alliances, the Thalesi and Acamarin people gradually blended their cultures, giving rise to what is now recognized as the Acathian ethnicity. Despite sparse historical records, the fusion of these cultures is generally accepted as having led to the Acathians dominating the majority of the Peninsula by around 1000 BRE.

Namorian Influence

The Namorians, an expansive ethnic group from the East, arrived in the Acathi Peninsula circa 500 BRE. Establishing settlements and the city of Acathi, they introduced elements of their own culture, including their pantheon, customs, and currency, to the region. Tensions rose between the Namorians and Acathians, but cohabitation also led to a significant cultural exchange.

Decline of Acathian Culture

The decline of the Acathian culture was a complex process, marked by several critical events and the systematic extermination of the ethnic group's language, traditions, and people. This period was primarily triggered by the invasion of the Hanaan clans and their alliance with some Acathian groups. The Namorians, viewing this as a betrayal, used it as an opportunity to extend their dominance over the Acathi Peninsula. Key events in the decline and erasure of Acathian culture include:

• Massacre of Munat Village (110 BRE) - Known for its staunch Acathian identity, Munat was one of the first villages to resist Namorian domination. In response, Namorian forces attacked, leading to the death of a significant portion of its population. This event was a chilling warning to other Acathian communities.
• Destruction of Thalesian Groves (109 BRE) - In an attempt to erase Acathian history, Namorian forces torched the Thalesian Groves, a sacred site that was believed to be the spiritual center of the Acathian culture.
• The Defacement of Acamarin Statues (108 BRE) - Namorian armies defaced Acamarin statues and other cultural symbols throughout the peninsula, often replacing them with depictions of Namorian deities and heroes.
• The Acathi Book Burning (105 BRE) - Namorian leaders ordered the burning of Acathian texts, effectively eliminating a large part of their historical and cultural record. The event was a severe blow to the survival of the Acathian language.
• Enslavement of Acathian People (104 BRE) - Many Acathians were enslaved and transported to Namorian territories, further disrupting the ethnic group's cohesion and continuity.
• Forced Marriages and Assimilation (103 - 1 RE) - The Namorians implemented policies that encouraged or forced intermarriage between Acathian and Namorian people. This strategy aimed to assimilate the Acathians into the Namorian culture.
• The Great Famine of 100 BRE - While a natural disaster, the Great Famine significantly impacted the Acathian people, who received little aid from the Namorian rulers. The famine decimated the Acathian population and weakened their resistance against the Namorian cultural assimilation.
• The Edict of Silence (98 BRE) - The Namorian rulers issued an edict prohibiting the use of the Acathian language in public spaces. This marked the beginning of the gradual extinction of the Acathian language.

Through a combination of physical violence, cultural suppression, and forced assimilation, the Namorians successfully erased a significant portion of Acathian culture, with the remaining traces barely recognizable as the once vibrant and unique Acathian identity.

The Census Controversy of 20 RE

In 20 RE, a significant controversy arose over the handling of the census in the Acathi Peninsula. Governor Marcus Aldenar, a prominent figure from one of the former noble families, spearheaded a campaign to remove the option for "Acathian" as an ethnicity on the census form. The justification given for this move was that the Acathian culture was already effectively extinct and this step was simply a reflection of the existing reality.
This move ignited a fierce debate across the Republic, as it seemed to directly contradict the newly established Republic's ideals of diversity and meritocracy. Critics viewed this as an act of cultural erasure, accusing Governor Marcus of continuing the old ways of the Namorian nobility under the guise of Republic governance. There was even a series unrest in some more traditional areas.
However, the central Republic authorities chose not to challenge Marcius on this issue. The move was seen as necessary to maintain peace in Acathi, which was still adjusting to the transition from a noble-dominated society to Republic governance.
The controversy didn't subside, however, and it led to changes in the next census. In a concession to the critics, options for other ethnicities such as Orsoan and Isolate were added. While this step did not restore the Acathian ethnicity option, it was seen as an acknowledgement of the Republic's commitment to recognizing and respecting diversity within its territories. Despite these changes, the "Acathian" ethnicity remains unrecognized officially, cementing the erasure of the Acathian people within the Republic.

Legacy

Today, the Acathian culture largely exists as echoes in the modern-day Acathi Peninsula. Elements of the Acathian identity persist in place names, family names, and regional folklore, though they bear little resemblance to the original culture. Some isolated pockets of Acathian tradition, such as Ombrosi and Sun Pledges can be found among the Acathian Isolates, inhabitants of the southern islands who managed to evade the cultural erasure.
While the Acathian language has been largely replaced by Namorian, the term 'Acathian' remains an important cultural marker for many communities in the peninsula. It is often used in self-identification by individuals tracing their lineage back to the pre-Namorian inhabitants of the region.

Culture

Common Myths and Legends

• The Legend of the Silver Deer - This legend tells of a magical deer that could turn everything it touched into silver. It was considered a guardian spirit of the Acathian people, bringing prosperity and peace to the peninsula.
• The Tale of Thalesi and Acamarin - An epic tale recounting the mythical meeting of Thalesi and Acamarin, personified as two mighty heroes representing the Thalesi and Acamarin peoples, respectively. Their eventual union is seen as an allegory for the fusion of the two cultures into the Acathian ethnicity.
• Myth of the Eternal Night - This myth originates from the time of the global dimming event, interpreted by the Acathians as a battle between the sun god and a monstrous entity that shrouded the world in darkness. The eventual victory of the sun god symbolized the hope for survival and recovery after a period of great hardship.

Historical figures

• Hyrda of Thales (1520 - 1465 BRE) - Known as the "Unifying Voice", Hyrda was instrumental in forging peace between the Thalesi and migrating Acamarin peoples during the turbulent period following the global dimming event. Her diplomatic efforts were pivotal in the eventual fusion of these two groups into the Acathian ethnicity.
• Kunoral the Brave (1300 - 1235 BRE) - An Acathian warrior who famously defended the Acathi Peninsula against numerous raids from nearby lands. He is revered as a symbol of Acathian resilience and courage.
• Tolan the Wise (1150 - 1078 BRE) - Tolan was a renowned scholar who wrote extensively about the Acathian culture, its traditions, and its languages. His works, unfortunately lost during the Acathi Book Burning, were crucial in preserving the Acathian cultural memory.

Parent ethnicities

• Acamarin

Diverged ethnicities

• Acathian Isolates

Related Organizations

• Acathi Governorate
• Duchy of Acathi

Related Locations

• Acathi
• Acathi Peninsula
• Acathian Islands
• Namorian Continent
• Thalesian Plains
• Vaelora
• Vaeloran Coast