Kaians
Inhabiting the northeastern reaches of Kalesten are the tribes of Kaius. While these tribes are mostly independent from one another, they are united by their devotion to the dragon Kaius, who inhabits the northern mountains of the region. They share some similarities with old northern European tribal cultures of our world, and are similar to “barbarian” cultures in other fantasy settings.
Contents
Appearance
The Kaians are a large people, compared to other human ethnicities. They are taller than the human average, with males standing a typical 6’ (183cm) and females at 5’7” (170cm). Tending toward an endomorphic or mesomorphic body type, Kaians are rather broad and sturdy, meaty with fat and muscle. Men are broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, often with pot-bellies in their later years. Women are broad as well, with broad shoulders and wide hips, often plump. With their cold and harsh climate, a bit of extra fat is needed to get them through lean times. Kaian culture values a bit of plumpness on both men and women, but as many Kaians are nomadic, they are frequently active and relatively healthy regardless of any fat they carry.
Kaians are typically of fair complexion. Their skin is light, sometimes tanning slightly, but more likely freckling and burning with extended sun exposure. Blonde, red, brown, and black hair are observed, most typically brown and blonde. Blue, green, and hazel eyes are most common amongst the Kaians.
Tattoos and scarification are common distinguishing marks amongst the Kaians, and each tribe and clan has its own tattoos given to individuals through specific rites of passage.
Nation
Government
The Lands of Kaius do not have a centralized government and are instead a collection of self-governing tribes which share a culture. Kaians regard the dragon Kaius as their god and leader, but the dragon rarely intervenes in human affairs. The city of Oni’kel is more of a hub for trade with the Lands of Kaius, and a gathering point for all tribal leaders. It is within the territory of one tribe, but this tribe does not have influence beyond their territory. The Lands of Kaius are a collection of chiefdoms, with each tribe governed by their own appointed leader.
Resources & Trade
Throughout the different regions of the Lands of Kaius are numerous resources. Riverlanders are predominantly farmers, producing grains, some hardy vegetables (mainly roots), berries, as well as animal products. Kaian farmers keep predominantly cattle and sheep. Both provide milk, and Kaians make many dairy products including butter, cheese, and yogurt. Sheep provide wool for clothing as well. Pigs are kept by some, but not many, as they can become large and troublesome. Fowl are also kept; chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, valued both for meat and eggs. Horses and oxen are mainly work animals, but may also be eaten when they have outlived their usefulness or during hard times. Kaian horses are short, stout, hairy and hardy little animals. Dogs are a popular companion animal, kept by not only riverlanders, but steppe tribes and coastal Kaians as well. Riverlanders make use of feral cats for pest control, but will not hesitate to find other uses for cats—cat skin is considered a fine textile for well-dressed ladies.
Lumber is harvested from the foothills of the mountains, which is floated down the rivers to Oni’kel where it is distributed to the farmers. Many people fish in the rivers as well. Hunting is more of a sport than a necessity for sustenance among the riverlanders, but it is considered an important skill for many to have, in order to stay true to their roots.
Iron and silver are mined in the mountains as well. Most smiths are located in Oni’kel, and weapons are distributed from there throughout the lands of Kaius. With influence from the Heartlanders to the south, Oni’kel has taken to using iron coins for trade, as well as taking coinage from trade with the south. Kaian coins are square iron stamped with a stylized icon of Kaius.
Culture
There are three distinct cultural groupings among the Kaian people. Throughout the heart of the region, where most tribes are nomadic and receive their subsistence through hunting and gathering, the tribes are largely egalitarian and broken up into smaller clans. Every person in these clans is regarded as having talents and skills that support the group as a whole. Men and women follow their strengths to ensure the survival of all in a harsh terrain. Meanwhile, tribes which have become more sedentary around the coast and fertile riverlands tend to have a more structured and regimented society. They are often patriarchal in the riverlands and matriarchal on the west coast.
History
The ancestors of the Kaian people originated on the continent of Ageond and migrated by sea to colonize the northern reaches of Kalesten, long before the Cataclysm and even the War of the Gods. The knowledge of this origin is a distant legend to modern Kaians, with much being lost to time and the upheaval of the Cataclysm. Their old legends refer to a place known as Sæmdheim in the east, across the Tonult.
The pre-Kaian settlers were seafarers from the northern regions of Agenom who pushed westward, likely fleeing conflict with the growing empire headed by the Danaij or seeking new frontiers without that pressure from the south. Few native Kalestans settled this region, due to the presence of the dragons Kaius and Shurra and their kin. However, as the dragons hibernated for long periods, the original settlers may not have been aware of the threat until they had already established themselves. Even after their first encounter with the dragons, the Sæmdheimdan colonists remained. However, for at least one or two generations, there was still travel to and from the homeland, despite the dragons. Some early settlers may have fled, but many stayed and even more joined them. A final, massive surge of refugees came to Kalesten in the decades leading up to the War of the Gods, when the Danaij completed their conquest of the entire continent of Ageond.
The Sæmdheimdans also played a role in the resettlement of the Kiar from Ageond. As the Danaij conquest focused on capturing the small, fast-reproducing people for experimentation, survivors fled north, into Sæmdheim, where they were given shelter and transportation to the west. Though after their arrival in Kalestan, the Kiar quickly migrated away from their benefactors due to the presence of the dragons. Some of the few ancient legends of the Kaians mention protecting a small, weak, and gentle people and imply that their ancestors found them cute and took pity on them. In repayment for their protection, these petite people rewarded the Sæmdheimdans with feasts, ale, and spirits from the bounty found in the new lands.
As the new settlers spread further inland, they had encounters with tribes of native Kalestans. Some were violent, but others were peaceful. The region now known as Samonight developed from a community of Sæmdheim settlers and the local native population merging in cooperation, and eventually forming a new culture. As the colonists pressed further into the continent, they often clashed with the emerging nations of the Heartland.
The expansion of the Sæmdheimdans after the final surge of settlers eventually drew the attention of the dragons. Two powerful silver dragon brothers, Kaius and Shurra, ruled over a small population of their younger siblings and offspring in the mountains running up the far-north peninsula. As the lowlands the Sæmdheimdans colonized were the dragon hunting grounds, they and their livestock became potential prey. In response, the settlers began hunting dragons and after their raids succeeded in taking down several young dragons, Kaius and Shurra were spurred to action.
The two dragons had differing opinions on how to handle the threat of these humans. Shurra was of the opinion that the humans should be eradicated, but Kaius was less reactionary and believed that there could be a compromise, but the disagreement between the brothers fractured the dragon population between them. Kaius began seeking ways to parlay, but Shurra and his followers only became more aggressive, and instead of picking off easy prey, they began razing entire settlements and burning down forests.
With the use of an intermediary--the legends describe a elf-like man with silver hair that could have been a transformed Kaius or homunculus--Kaius finally made contact with a prominent warlord and argued for an arrangement in which Kaius would act as a guardian for the settlers against coming threats in exchange for homage paid to him and his subordinates. It is believed that Kaius foresaw the War of the Gods, and that Shurra may have been influenced by the dark gods. Kaius' warning of a threat greater than Shurra looming in the future struck a cord with the settlers, who still remembered the horrors of the Danaij campaigns in Ageond. Thus, they made a pact with Kaius.
Upon hearing of his brother making peace with the humans, Shurra and his followers retaliated by devastating much of the interior forestland from the Lyteus River and almost to the west coast of the region. As the Sæmdheimdan settlers had been establishing settlements throughout the forests, Shurra was determined to wipe out as many of them from the hunting grounds as possible, and devastate their resources.
The ruination of the northern forests had taken a toll on the surviving Sæmdheimdans, but it also enraged the tribes of Nafod who escaped harm. The Ochae'nafod and Dra'nafod clans had largely avoided the new human settlers, but now they reached out to the surviving warlords to lend their strength to the backlash against the dragons. Colonies from the east coast and southern settlements answered the call of vengeance, some bringing new allies of native Kalestans to fight on their behalf. The armies of human and Nafod joined with Kaius' faction of dragons to slay Shurra and his ilk. A grueling, but blessedly short war saw the eradication of the dragons that followed Shurra. Kaius himself battled his brother, eventually killing Shurra in the sea to the east.
Kaius was rewarded with the devotion of the the Sæmdheimdans who renamed themselves the People of Kaius, but in the aftermath of the conflict, Kaius and his remaining dragons retreated to the mountains to hibernate, with a promise to awaken in seven years. The remaining Kaian people reestablished themselves while their allies returned home. Seven years later, as promised, Kaius reawakened and began building the foundation of his relationship with the humans, and preparing them for what was to come.
The War of the Gods was beginning on the other side of the world and would continue for a thousand years, barely touching Kalesten. While the forces of the Dark Gods concentrated on their enemies on Thiskel, occasional forays into Kalesten came from both east and west, but were repelled primarily by Kaians. With their ancestral home being lost to the Danaij, the descendants of Sæmdheim believed it to be their duty to protect their new homeland. Along with the gradual expansion and integration with the native population, Kaians traveled further west to defend against Danaij incursions from Thiskel.
When the epic war finally came to an end, the world was thrown into chaos in the Cataclysm. When the continent of Ageond sank, tsunamis battered coastlines, dust and volcanic ash erupted into the atmosphere, sea levels rose, ocean currents changed, and the entire climate of Aserra drastically altered. Across the world, people fought for survival. For the Kaians, they had the benefit of their dragon-god to prepare and protect them with his magic. As sea levels changed, the Kaians had retreated inland, to higher altitudes. Over the generations, they became isolated, many returning to nomadic lifestyles as they dealt with the long, deep winters. The Cataclysm's miniature ice age erased what remained of the Sæmdheim legacy, aside from a handful of stories carried down through generations orally. For many of Aserra's peoples, this extreme shift effectively reset many cultures to hunter-gatherers, the Kaians included. When the climate regained balance, societies had to reestablish themselves.
The Kaians that emerged from the Cataclysm were a harsher, more self-interested culture. The land that Shurra had razed never recovered as a forest, instead becoming vast steppe and tundra. To the current era, there are still groups of Kaians that maintain nomadic traditions in the steppes. Others would resettle the east and west coasts of the Lands of Kaius and build ships for fishing and whaling, but not for crossing the distances their Sæmdheim ancestors once did. Others maintained permanent settlements along the Lyteus River, coming from the foothills of the Kaius Mountains, including the city of Oni'kel that is a mecca for the dragon worshippers. Despite their various cultures, their devotion to Kaius still binds them all. Every seven years, pilgrims travel to Oni'kel to witness Kaius's awakening from slumber or his return to hibernation, bringing him offerings.
Gender and Relationships
In the three different Kaian groups are three distinct outlooks on gender and relationships. Riverlanders, having formed a more patriarchal society, give men more social privileges. Men own property, are the heads of the household and of the clan, and inheritance is passed down to male children. Formal marriages are typically arranged between clans with a dowry paid by the bride’s family. The bride leaves her family home to join her new husband’s clan. Women typically tend to the home and children, while men handle the heavy labor and trade. On farms, chores are often divided by gender. Women handle tasks such as collecting eggs, milking cows and goats, food preparation, and other production tasks. The tasks of the men are building, herding, and trade. Harvesting and planting tasks are often seen to by every able-bodied member of the family. When hunting or fishing supplements a family’s diet, men tend to this task.
In the steppe tribes, gender roles are not clearly defined. When a small clan needs every able-bodied person to contribute to survival, they don’t discriminate. Romances in the steppe tribes are based in attraction and short-lived. They have strict rules against incest, so members of a clan must leave their own clan to find a partner. Those seeking companionship may remain with another clan for a time, but romances tend to burn out quickly. Lineage is loosely traced on a matrilineal line. Few men raise their own children in the steppes, and instead they contribute to the upbringing of the children born to women of their own clan. When a woman becomes pregnant, she often loses interest in her partner and relies on the security of her family in which to raise her child. Some people may return to the same lover repeatedly, while others will take a new partner whenever the whim strikes them. However, in tribes that subsist on raiding, they take what they please, including partners. Usually women, but occasionally men, may be kidnapped and forced to marry a raider. The raiders will do everything they can to break the spirit of their captive until they accept their fate. However, women are not necessarily oppressed. While captured brides may be lacking in freedom, their daughters are wholly welcomed into the clan and may even become raiders themselves if they show an interest.
Meanwhile, Kaians on the west coast have developed a different sort of regimented sedentary society. Fishing (and sometimes raiding by sea) are mainstays of the coastal Kaians. Typically, men in this region are seafarers, while women remain on land. Women own property, inheritance is traced through a maternal line, and women lead the home and clan. As life on the sea is treacherous, many men are lost at sea. Socially, it became necessary for women to rule on land, and men at sea. However, the distinction between genders is not set in stone. Many women have joined their menfolk at sea. Men who are unable to or choose not to go to sea, however, are at a disadvantage. They are unlikely to find a wife, or even a lover, and are often ridiculed. But, there is the option for those who do not wish to brave the ocean to instead go inland and serve Kaius in the mountains. Marriages are arranged before young men go out to sea for the first time, giving them the chance to father children before risking their lives.
Language and Naming Traditions
The Kaian language is very similar to Kalestan, the language spoken by their neighbors to the south. Sharing a similar root language, Kaian is close to one of the base dialects which formed the unified Kalestan language, instituted by the Kalesten Union over six hundred years ago. Five distinct regional dialects exist today; east riverlands, west riverlands, south steppes, north steppes, and west coast. The Kaian language sounds similar to Germanic and Scandinavian tongues. As such, Kaian names may be similar to Norse and old Germanic style names. They are strong, consonant heavy names.
The use of surnames varies between social groups. Riverlanders and coastal tribes have both established inherited surnames, though the inherited surname is dependent on the lineal traditions. Riverlands, as a patrilineal culture, pass surnames from father to child. When a woman marries into a riverland family, she takes her husband’s name, essentially becoming a part of his family, and any children born between them bear her husband’s name as well. Many riverlander names have the suffix of “soen” following the name of a forbearer, such as Jaredsoen.
This dates to an older tradition, to introduce one’s self as the son of their father, sometimes still followed by certain patrilineal steppe tribes. However, amongst the steppe tribes there are several different traditions. Many do not even use true surnames, but carry a name earned through deeds of valor in hunting or raiding. Some introduce themselves as members of their specific clan, which often have a name based on the locations they typically migrate through or a specific feature that many members have. It is also typical for babies to not be named until they have survived their first year.
On the west coast, they follow a matrilineal tradition, but still honor the father. This is done by the child inheriting the father’s surname, but also being officially a member of the mother’s house, so the name would present like so [Given Name] [Father’s Family Name] of House [Mother’s Family Name]. In marriage, neither partner surrenders their family name, or is absorbed into their partner’s house, but the child is considered a part of the mother’s house. Children born out of wedlock only carry their mother’s house name. Family or House names are often slightly more complex than given names, and have storied roots, often a compound of an ancient tribal name and an ancestor’s given name. They do not have a uniform suffix like riverlanders.
Religion
Kaians are dragon-worshipers, devoted to the dragon Kaius, for whom their land is named. Kaius is an ancient and powerful wind drake who established his position in Kaian culture at the beginning of their recorded history. When ancient nomads roamed the forests of Kaius’s territory, his brother Shurra, a fire dragon, wanted to take his land from him. Even though the land was more suited for Kaius, his jealous brother wanted what he had. It led to a battle between the two dragons, and when Shurra burned the central forests, killing many human nomads, Kaius’s fury burned brighter than Shurra’s flames. The wind dragon snuffed his brother’s fires, then snuffed his own light out. Seeing that the dragon defended them, the nomads bowed to him in gratitude, thus ushering in the beginning of a cycle of worship and reciprocity.
Kaius spends much of his time in hibernation, waking every seven years to accept gifts and assess the state of the nation. He has promised that if the Kaian people ever require him to defend their land that he will come to their call, regardless of his hibernation cycle. Kaians believe that while Kaius sleeps on the physical plane, he wanders the higher planes, guarding his lands against threats from beyond the veil.
Kaians do not pray to Kaius for every little need and whim, as followers of other religions do. Their culture emphasizes self-determination and strength, but there are some things that the Kaian people recognize as beyond their power, such as weather, famine, and disease. As Kaius is a wind dragon, he has some influence over the weather, so during the time he is awake he receives prayers for fair weather along with his offerings.
The seven-year offerings are typically fattened livestock and material wealth. Cows, horses, and sheep are the common offering, and must be presented live. Each clan contributes what they can. Animals to be offered are usually a year or two old, specifically raised to be fodder for the dragon. As for material wealth, items of value which can vary from gold and jewels looted or traded from southerners; Kaian iron coins; traditional adornments and trinkets of bone, wood, stone, etc; finely crafted armor and weapons; and donations of food for the dragon priests that serve Kaius. The dragon hordes much of his non-perishable offerings, but he also redistributes items to individuals who deserve to be honored by him.
Kaius is served by an order of all-male clerics, led by one individual who is Kaius’s dragon-bound servant. Kaius’s dragon-bound are granted a generous amount of agency, along with boons from the dragon. However, a long lifespan is not one of these boons. Kaius will not extend the natural lifespan of his dragon-bound, though he may give them better health for that lifespan. Kaius maintains one dragon-bound servant per generation, and when that servant reaches his twilight years, Kaius will withdraw support for the servant’s health until their death of natural causes. In the meantime, he will scout out his next servant from the ranks of his priests.
Kaius’s priests come from across the Lands, but most are from the riverlands and coast. Young men who do not fit the standards of their culture often opt to go to Kaius, or are sent by their families. The priesthood offers these misfit young men another option when the traditional options are out of their reach. The dragon priests are well-educated by Kaius and their superiors. They learn the runic dragon language, and are often educated in advanced shamanism. For most of their careers, they live and work in their mountain monastery, but they can also be dispatched as emissaries of Kaius throughout the Lands.
Magic
The most commonly practiced magic amongst the Kaians is totemic shamanism. It is most popular amongst the steppe tribes, but the dragon priests also employ shamanism as their magic of choice. In the more sedentary groups, shamanism has lost some of its appeal, but generally shamans are regarded with respect throughout the Lands. Aside from certain individuals with a mixed human and Nafod heritage (on a direct Nafod female line) who have inherited Life Elementalism, other forms of magic are not practiced without outside influence. Most Kaians do not have a good grasp of other forms of magic. Shamanism itself defines “magic” for the Kaians.
Kaian Calendar & Astrology
The Kaians follow a seven-year astrological system based around Kaius’s hibernation pattern. They do not use the Kalesten Calendar, but they do recognize the same lunar year with sixteen months. The seven years are denoted with seven animals, each one bestowing a trait up on those born in that year. The months are much the same, to a more precise degree, each one assigned to a certain animal native to the Lands of Kaius.
The Kaian Seven Year Cycle
- Year of the Dragon – The first year of the cycle is the year Kaius awakens. Children born in this year are believed to be destined for greatness, often becoming leaders in their communities.
- Year of the Ox – The second year of the cycle; those born in the ox year are strong and steadfast. They can be stubborn, but they are meant to be followers, not leaders.
- Year of the Wolf – The third year of the cycle. Wolf children are cunning, meant to be warriors. They are also very social and need a “pack” of comrades. They are loyal and reliable friends.
- Year of the Horse – The fourth year of the cycle. Those born to the horse year are headstrong and brave. They are creative thinkers, but quicker to run from or outthink a fight than to engage.
- Year of the Salmon – The fifth year of the cycle. Salmon-borne Kaians are single-minded and driven, carving out a path for themselves and their kin, but they can be reckless in their pursuit of a goal.
- Year of the Bear – The sixth year of the cycle. Bears are a force to be reckoned with when stirred, but at peace, they are lovable people. Bears are considered strong and wise by the Kaians, but incredibly dangerous of when threatened.
- Year of the Elk – The seventh year of the cycle. Those born in the year of the Elk are cautious and wise, preferring to negotiate out of conflict. If pressed, they can be a formidable opponent, however.
