Orbis - Brief History Chapter 3

The Stenraadi Nomadic Folk:

Aside from the Wargothian and the Oakmen, the last remaining species of man are the Stenraadi Nomadic Folk and the forest folk whom go by the name of the Faesiul. These men have often throughout history been subjugated to direct rule from foreign powers or slavery. They can be found inhabiting the open land of Central Lilacia. Their presence can be found in the Enchanted forest (more notably the Kamali Kingdom), the Bloodmen Kingdom, Underhold, and Stenrode.

The Stenraadi are a complicated folk. To start, we’ll look at their origins. The Stenraadi date back to over a thousand years ago, where they where bred as a result of racial mixing between the Faesiul and the Bloodmen. When the Faesiul spread out, they went two ways; the south, which led through the Enchanted forest all the way down to the Kamali Kingdom and to the East, which led to the open plains down at the base of the Wargothian mountains. It was here, on their travel to the east, where they were met with Bloodmen settlements.

At that time, the Bloodmen weren’t very well developed; they were a new folk who were outcasted from the mountains for being too different and barbaric. This was the initial class divide that lead to the ethnic split between the folk of Wargoth and the Bloodmen. They lived in the plains at the base of the mountains, and as a result, they were the first to encounter the Faesiul. They often mingled among one another, and mating was common between the two races. The Eastern Faesiul had set up settlements where they’d remain permanently. Settlements were a new concept in Faesiul society as they were renowned for the nomadic culture.

As the two races bred for generations, it became apparent of the genetic differences between true Faesiul and the Bloodmen mix. This led to an ethnic divide amongst towns. This ethnic divide grew, along with the racial pride of the now called True Bloods. This large group of True Bloods would be the direct cause of a new and bloody civil war between the True Blood and the newly named Stenraadi, referring to the mixed blood. Stenraadi was a Wargothian-given named, meaning “newly ascended” in reference to their cultural shift towards sophisticated civilisation. This also meant that the Stenraadi had the might of Wargoth at their side. The war would go on for months until the True Bloods would finally be defeated; all their occupied towns secured by the superior Stenraadi forces. Upon their defeat, the remaining forces abandoned the cause and fled south.

The True Bloods readopted their nomadic culture as it was one of the causes for the war - they despised the Stenraadi’s total disregard for their nomadic life. With their new lives, they moved south and roamed the open plains of Central Lilacia until eventually going so far south that they would encounter hostile Windshine troops proclaiming the True Bloods were invading their land. This led to many bloody disputes; none of which were very conclusive in deciding a victor. Eventually, the Windshine Chancellor had decided to meet with the Leaders of the True Bloods to settle territorial disputes. A border was drawn there the two nations would split, and the True a Blood agreed to remain in their respective territories. Their nomadic ventures were now limited by borders of growing nations.

Back in the North, the Senator of Wargoth had arranged a meeting with the new Stenraadi leaders. His intentions were to sit them down and settle on a capital for the new unified Kingdom of Stenrode. This concept was new to the Stenraadi and they would require the diplomatic skills of the Leader of Wargoth. It was a mere 24 hours before the Kingdom of Stenrode had been fully established and the capital decided. The man who would become the first Stenrode King was Raedol Bluestone, of House Bluestone; who also subsequently happened to be the richest.

As the decades rapidly progressed into centuries, Wargoth had become heavily invested in the development of this new Kingdom of Man. Foreign aid from Wargoth and later on the Emerald Empire allowed for Stenrode to flourish as the central power of the continent. Despite their impressive progress, they were still burdened with the blight that was the Stenraadi nomads, the “True Bloods.” They kept mostly to the south, but the south wasn’t far enough.

The kingdom grew—towns and roadways were built further and further south. As the maritime industry picked up, they were able to take business further south in efforts to expand their trade. Many people began spreading across the kingdom that now encompassed the entire central region of the Lilacia; all the way down to the Windshine border. Fortresses were built in the south to garrison troops near towns with hopes to offer a sense of security and surveillance to the Stenraadi citizens of the area. Raids from the nomads weren’t unheard of, but they became seldom with every defeat they suffered.

Prior to the Dark War, the Kingdom of Stenrode was a diverse economy of trade, travel and banking. The 4 Houses and the Royal House were in harmony with one another. House Bluestone, House Carthstorm, House Farrel, House Quinswich and House Gwyne were some of the wealthiest families in Lilacia. This all changed when the Orcish invasion reshaped the modern world. The Kingdom became subjugated by the destructive and collateral damage inflicted by the might of the Dremos Army. Its capital soon fell and all Lords were forced to swear realty to the High Chancellor of the new Dremos Empire. The Era of the Ari had begun. The nomads were generally left alone by the Dremosi, however some daring raiders discovered the harsh consequences of attacking them as they were made example of when each of them were executed and resurrected by Necromancers as mindless slaves. Vestiges of their former selves.

The Faesiul of the Forest:

The Faesiul, the forest folk of Lilacia—Nature's Paladins. They’re known commonly as Wood-Walkers, a name cursed upon them by the local people. The Faesiul find their roots buried deep within Oakmen society. Their tribes split after the partition of the Oakmen land; one going East, another going South. The East came to be the Stenraadi, but the South became the Faesiul.

The locals of the Enchanted Forest know little of their culture. This has led to the spread of many lies revolving around their societies—such like those who believe them to be cannibals or incest-like. What little is known about their culture is what can be observed from the forests. Practises such as mass sacrifices, and blood rituals can be seen occasionally. The Faesiul are also famed for their self adornment of runic tattoos; women use Black and Red inks, whilst the men use Yellow and Khaki Green inks. These tattoos are believed to tell stories of the barer who cloaks themselves in them. These tattoos can represent their name, family, bloodline, tribe role and notable kills/successes they have made.

They are one of only two groups of men on Orbis who wield magic as opposed to weaponry. The Faesiul summoning and nature magic is unmatched by many, with an exception to few; however, it is rarely practised outside their homes. Faesiul don’t often corrupt the magic of nature, as it is their sacred duty to guard the forest, but they have been known to make exceptions in times of need. Lycanthropy is very famous example of such time. The Faesiul are credited for the creation of such an abomination of man and wolf, but it came a time where the Kamali threat to Faesiul society was so great, that they themselves found a way to become beasts in order to match the strength of the Kamali.

Over the many centuries of their existence, the Faesiul have been subject to mass slavery at the hand of the Kamali folk who dominate a large portion of the Enchanted Forest, west of Lilacia. Whole tribes and clans have been slaughtered and forced into slavery by the sheer might of the enemy. It was only after the Dark War, would a major slave revolt occur in the capital of the Kamali Kingdom—Rynrock. An impressive city of wood and stone built within and around huge ravine eight kilometres in length. A section of the city was burnt down in a large display of violence from the revolters. The Faesiul slaves eventually took over the city and peace was negotiated. The Capital was handed over to the Kamali whilst all the slaves went free. It came to be known as the Great Kamali Slave a Revolt of 65ADW. The Kamali Slave industry hasn’t recovered since.