The Yvengi

 Yvengi [Yv-eng-e]
“Of the Plains“

One of three nomadic tribes that had settled in the northeast, they would not be pushed out by Vivessian forces; hardy mercenaries they fought long and hard for the independence of the plains along the eastern sea coast. A deal was struck with the Vivessians; if they ran out the other tribes who would not pay tribute to the Vivessian King they could remain unhindered in their lands under their own laws.

When the Vivessian Empire was destroyed and the Royalian Empire took its place the agreement stood. The Yvengi were allowed to live under their own laws and customs as long as they paid yearly tribute to the Dark King.

They are a people who love challenges and physical prowess. They have found a strange kinship with the Islay of the Camarian Empire whom they share a primary deity, Shyr Vaero Lord of War and Vengeance. Bloodlines have mixed in the past until it was an executable crime for Yvengi to be in Camarian lands. This greatly angered the Yvengi who believe that the Islay share a common soul thread with them and they refuse to remain passive as they see the Islay as brothers and sisters who re militarily occupied by the enemy. They often, still, attempt to enter Camarian land to fight beside the Islay against Camarian oppression.

Most Islay they meet on the battlefield they will refuse to kill and instead will capture and bring back to their tribe. They will hold the Islay in bounds if the Islay tries to flee but otherwise will integrate them into their culture and society with the same level of respect and honor as born Yvengi.

Death is celebrated with songs and legends of past accomplishments of ancestors and statues are erected of cultural heroes. Oral tradition is more important than written language which completely bars the Yvengi from ever holding any Royalian government offices. Though there is little want to do so among these people who seldom leave their own lands. They have their own language, Rauvmin, but primarily speak Yelkhos (Royalian common).

The Yvengi are predominately monogamous because of Islay influence. At one time, young Yvengi could select their marriage partners fairly freely, and courting involved a great deal of singing, dancing and competition. Over time this changed as the wars worsened between Royale and Camar'a as the Yvengi were exogamous, where marriage was only allowed outside of clan, and often married Islay. This has become a practice frowned upon by the Royalian dynasty and treasonous to the Camarian dynasty.

The idea of home includes both men and women in Yvengi society; "without a man, there is no home and without a woman there is no home." Women are often consulted on issues of public affairs and play an important role in mediating disputes regardless of whether the disputes are community disputes or family disputes.

The women magi practice together in secret their arts and the men learn how to craft arms and armor that can be enchanted by the women. The women serve as cover fire in combat and as healers on the sidelines. Every woman is given rudimentary training with melee and ranged weapons for hunting and protection. They have adopted one Barazon (Royalian) custom which is the giving of a sword, quiver, sword guard and bow to the future wife as betrothal gifts by her soon to be husband.

Children are raised almost naked until about the ages of four to five. Even when they wear clothes, they did not wear belts and left the front of their clothes open. Subsequently they wear very plain clothes without patterns until coming of age. This was to toughen them at a young age to surviving.

The most promising of the men born with magical abilities are brought into the fold of the women to be taught. What goes on behind closed doors is unknown but these men become known to the enemy as Warmages.

Warmages are often seen on the front-lines against Camarian forces that have ravaged the Royalian north lands. These men lose themselves in the core of their arts creating chaos, a swirling consuming raw energy that surrounds them and is let loose in every spell cast and target hit by range or melee weapon. This is an all consuming drain on the Warmage but proves to be devastating to the enemy if a strike hits home on a Warmage, and if a Warmage dies, this unleashes the wild chaotic spirit of the Warmage throughout the battlefield.

Primary deities of the Yvengi are: Shyr'Vaero Lord of War, Reinn Anon Lord of Light and Nanqa Lord of Darkness both prayed to equally.

_______________________

All Original names and references to the story they are from are Copyright of Nathanial Davidson.