Alorns (Northmen) (updated 2003/06/24)

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Northman

The bright Alorns draw from the strengths of many cultures and intermingled bloodlines. They are thought to be descended from Belerions and Lothians of the north, commingled with Rochir tribes to the south, but there are traces of Kith and even Ithilrhi blood in their ancestry as well. Their location at the center of the continent make their young kingdoms hubs for trade and culture much like Aquila, but with more restrictions and less corruption than the fabled "City of Thieves". They have a formidable force of knights renowned for their sophisticated techniques of warfare drawn from cultures all over the "Dragon Isles".

Regions

Alorns are a collection of related peoples. Kitanians rule the nation of "Kitania" but often venture into the "Rochir Plains". The vigilant Alglonds guard "Alglondor" and the half-elven Dorthons rule "Dorthonien".

Population

Alorns are very common, their agrarian lands central and populous. However, Alorns rarely travel far from home and their families.

Personality

Alorns are progressive, open-minded, and innovative, rewarding acts of bravery and initiative. They value the chivalric ideals of courage and honor, and are renowned for their military prowess. Alorns were taught the arts of archery and swordplay by the Elves, and excel in the war arts. Many distinguished orders of knighthood grace their history, the "Order of the Cruciform Sword", the "Knights of the Holy Shielding", the "Knights of the Chalice", and the "Order of the Unicorn" are but a few. Many Alorn knights aspire to be paladins, and not a few succeed.

Still, not all Alorns are knights. Alorns have a deep respect for nature, and care for horses in particular. The famous rangers of the north are Alorns trained by Eldar to watch the forests for signs of undead. They are everywhere, see all, but are rarely seen.

Alorns have had horrible experiences with most forms of magic, except natural or holy magics such as that of their religions or the beautiful song magic of the Elves. They do not tolerate witches such as Necromancers, Sorcerers, or Wizards in their lands, running them out of town or burning them as witches. Some men even hunt down and slay witches to rid the world of their stained souls. Alorn witch hunters have many tricks and tools of their trade for dealing with witches and Kurgans. Even knowledgeable Alorns are cautious when dealing with magic of unknown sources.

Physical Description

Alorns are the most common of all men, and are thus of average human height and weight (about 5'11"). They enjoy wearing their hair long to flow in the wind, but warriors tie it back out of the way. Alorns favor helms with streaming tassels and pennants that fly in the wind on a galloping horse. Yeomen dress in soft hides of deer and elk, while nobles wear fine, richly dyed and embroidered cloth.

Relations

The Alorns forged a long-standing ancestral ties and true friendship with the Southmarens, Dwur, Karrocks, and Elves. Trade and even intermarriage is common and makes the union even stronger. Some Alorns have even intermarried with Elves, and have Elven blood flowing within their veins.

The Alorns are on friendly kinsman-like terms with the Kith as well, but find them brutish and crude. Preferring peace, the Alorns often act as negotiators and messengers between warring Kithocs. Only the Rochir Alorns have been known to trade with the cruel Alu.

Alorns and Avathar tribes had warred for generations even before the Kurgans claimed the Avathar lands and people. The conflict will likely never stop due to the immortal vampire lords who rule Nan-Avathar. Alorns despise Avathars and especially Kurgans even more than they do black wizards or dark priests, and will rarely suffer one to live.

Lands

Alorns dwell in high-walled, well-defended towns and cities along the Southeastern coasts of the Dragon Sea. The lands are parceled out in a feudal patchwork, with each lord responsible for maintenance of defensive works and a muster of armed and armored knights.

Religion

Alorns have a deep respect for nature, revering the gods of wind, water, grass, and horses. In ancient times, some Alornean women who had the gift become healers and medicine-women, and each tribe had a circle of wise-woman called the "Hichana", who spoke for the tribe concerning all things unrelated to war or the hunt. Hichana are still common in Rochir tribes, but are more rare in more northern Alorn lands, usually living quietly as hermits or apothecaries. Hichana keep oratory histories of their people, and have knowledge of nature and healing that many call supernatural.

Alorns greatly value peace, even if is fleeting, and most Alorns worship the Avatara. Many Dorthons worship the Elven Menelion. Alorns have dozens of knightly orders, each with their own beliefs and tenants. One of the most famous is the "Knights of the Eternal Light", zealous crusaders who seek to for every destroy the vampiric Kurgans and other forces of evil, such as wizards and acolytes of dark gods.

History

The Alorns are descendants of a Rochir tribe of horsemen who wandered north of the "Rochir Plains". Settling in the rich valley, the Kitanian tribe formed the nation of Kitania. They established close ties with their neighbors, the Harnendorians, and the Alorn coast became a favored destination for Harnendorian nobles.

The Alorn-Harnendorian military alliance was formed to combat the Goblyns to the south and the vampiric Kurgans to the North of both kingdoms. The Alorns served as speeded couriers, scouts, and light cavalry to strike advance formations of Goblyns or supply trains. Hit-and-run skirmish tactics learned from the Rochir were also very successful in harassing the enemy's flanks in open battle. The Alorns learned the secrets of heavy plate from the Kurgans, and over time they developed heavy cavalry to further augment the Harnendorian phalanxes in larger battles. The combined force of arms was enough to defend the Harnendorian and Alorn borders against the vampiric forces of Nan-Avathar through the Vampire Wars. They succeeded in fending off the Goblyns of the south of Harnendor for many years, but year after year the mighty empire of Harnendor lost ground. Only the capital has been saved to this day.

Language

Alorns speak a mixture of Northmen and Southmaren, and nobles often feign Eldarin.

Names

Alorns take names from their ancestry--most often Belerion Names or Lothian Names. However, some Alorns take Kith names, Dorthons often take Eldar names, while Rochir and Kitanians often take Southmaren names.

Equipment

Alorns are skilled fighters on foot or ahorse, and have developed advanced armor, weapons, and fighting techniques through the trials of battle against Kurgans, Goblyns and the undead hordes of Forandol. Various kingdoms of Alorns have different fighting styles unique to their terrain and local foes, but typically prefer heavy arms and armor well-suited to large-scale warfare, such as chainmail, kite shields, broadswords, lances, and longbows. Armor is common, with every warrior owning at least a full suit of chainmail, and nobles often owning a rare suit of plate armor.

Alorn-bred horses are highly regarded and sought after as the finest riding and war horses money can buy. While experts at mounted combat, many Alornean cavalry techniques also have applications on foot. No Alornean gentleman would be seen without a broadsword on his hip, and most are expert at its use. This long sword can be used to make heavy cuts while charging on horseback, and double cuts or piercing gashes on foot.

In the rocky, mountainous north of Alglondor horses provide little advantage, so Alglonds prefer to dismount and fight on foot. They field vast armies of pikemen and longbowmen, but Alglonds knights are the most famous for wielding enormous zweihander swords, smashing through waves of bloody Kurgans or walking corpses.

Southern Rochir favor light horseman's weapons like spears, sabers, small axes, and short composite bows. While the Rochir craft exquisite composite short bows, metal is rare on the plains and weapons of forged steel are generally traded from city-dwelling Alorns or taken from enemies. The Rochir also make a rare variety of studded leather armor that uses bones instead of metal. Tribal wise women also trade various medicinal herbs, poultices and potions.

Adventurers

Alorns are brave explorers who are undeterred by danger, particularly when facing evil or while riches or honor are at stake.

Getting Into Character

Many generations of your ancestors have withstood the armies of darkness with strength and honor. Many soldiers died as mere lads, but all met their fate with determination, standing strong and true. You are a proud patriot--do your duty defending your nation so that their deaths were not in vain, and do not disgrace their memories by bringing dishonor upon your house. Be courageous, never flinching wavering even when your death is at hand, but do not throw away your life needlessly. Speak in a loud, clear, commanding voice that will be heard and obeyed over the din of battle. You are a man of action, so let your actions be your voice.

Quotes

Strength and Honor!

Hold the line men!

Always see everything -- Northern Ranger motto

Stone trees defeat stone beast. Amber heart blinds topaz gaze. -- Hichana wisdom

Black is the snake that takes away sight. Blue is the flower that dawns first light. -- Hichana wisdom

"He who flees counts each foeman twice.

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you."

Alglonds (Alorns of Alglondor)

  Alglond Names 

The northern Alorns of Alglondor have a rich tradition of knightly chivalry, courage and altruistic self-sacrifice in the defense of the other realms. They see themselves as the last bastion against the dread vampiric Kurgans and the undead hordes of Sepulchre. In the rocky, mountainous north and high-walled strongholds horses provide little advantage, so Alglonds prefer to dismount and fight on foot. They field vast armies of pikemen and longbowmen, but Alglonds knights are the most famous for wielding enormous zweihander swords, smashing through waves of bloody Kurgans or walking corpses. Most Alglonds worship Sharheen, the lady of swords, or Pyrose, god of fire.

Alhanians (Alorns of Alahan)

  Alhanian Names 

The "Lions of Alhania" are descended from Tuscaer Kith and Alglond Alorns. Alhanians dwell East of Alglondor, on the border of Alorn and Kith lands, and are strong allies with both neighbors. Alhanians speak Northman, and worship Pyrose and the Kornun with equal zeal.

Belerions (updated 2008/01/15)

The ancient homeland of the Alorns is called Belerion, and located in the northeastern corner of greater Alornea. [ more... ]

Dorthons (half-eldar of Dorthonien) (updated 2008/10/17)

  Taurithren (Dorthon Rangers)    gallery: Dorthons 

The southeastern quadrant of Alornea is covered by the vast, ancient forest of Dorthonien. Many Ithilrhi took up refuge there in ancient times, and as Alorns came to the region the two cultures gradually blended into the Dorthons. The Dorthons have commingled Alorn and Ithilrhi bloodlines, and as a result have longer lifespans of most Alorns and sometimes show traces in their facial features. Despite this, Alorns see the Dorthons as full kin and have close relationships and open trade.

Most Dorthons dwell in the river and coastal cities nestled into and around the great forest of Dorthonien. However, a great many Dorthons follow the old ways of the Taurithren rangers and wander the forest, which can take months to cross. Most Dorthons worship Lunara, goddess of the moons, or Mrmym, lord of the skies.

Kitanians (Southern Alorns)

The southern Alorns of Kitania ("Kitanians") are a young people bonded by optimistic nationalism and idealistic honor. Their young nation rules open coastal plains where cavalry provides a distinct advantage. Their horses are highly regarded and sought after as the finest riding and war horses money can buy. Kitanians favor Norman cavalry weapons such as chainmail, kite shields, broadswords, lances, and longbows. While experts at mounted combat, many Kitanian cavalry techniques also have applications on foot. No Kitanian gentleman would be seen without a broadsword on his hip, and most are expert at its use. This long sword can be used to make heavy cuts while charging on horseback, and double cuts or piercing gashes on foot. Most Kitanians are moderates where religion is considered, worshiping Lunara, goddess of the moons, or Mrmym, lord of the sky.

Lyonese (Lothians) (updated 2009/12/01)

  Lothian Names    gallery: Lyonese (Lothians) 

The Lyonese are the famous mercenaries who live in the border region of Lyonesse between Nan'Avathar and Belerion. The Lyonese come from a long line of warriors, and are renowned for their strength, adaptability, and bravery. [ more... ]

Order of the Cruciform Sword

The Order of the Cruciform Sword is an ancient order of Alorns who have pledged their lives to fight black wizards and Kaeden. In recent years the Order has opened its arms to other races, although it operates largely in secret. The Paladins hold the freshly cut laurel wreath and the ancient Tree of Life as symbols of purity and honor. Their single-minded devotion to training and pure deeds are so great it is said that no man can defeat one of these Paladins in single combat. Their selfless devotion to duty and their code of honor sets the example for others to resist the corruption of the Kaeden.

These Paladins subscribe to two codes, the Oath and the Codex. The Oath is simply "My Honor is my life", symbolized by the freshly cut laurel wreath that must be renewed daily. To a Paladin, honor is everything, and discipline and adherence to the Codex determines honor. The Codex is more complex, an extensive set of laws that is many volumes in length. The spirit of the Codex involves concepts dealing with Loyal [ more... ]

gallery: Alorns

  Alglond Bishop of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alglond Justicar of Sharheen    Alorn Adventurer    Alorn Commander    Alorn Soldier    Alorn Soldiers    Alorns fighting the undead hordes of ...    Dorthon Hero    Kitanian Chevalier    Kitanian Knight    Kitanian Nobleman    Kitanian Noblewoman    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Paladin of Pyrose    Priestess of Sharheen