Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 1 - Place

Pronunciation table

peműko (labial)								riisűko (dental)								muitűko (alveolar)								vainűko (palatal)							ṡ̨uuše̋nos (vowels with प)								nı̋þo ṡ̨uuše̋nos (weak vowels)
p	b	f	v	m̃	m			t	d	þ	ð	ɫ	l			ṡ	ż	s	z	r	n			k	g	x	ƣ	h	ȝ			š	s̨			i	e	a	ɔ	o	u			ı	ɛ	y
प	ब	फ	भ	म़	म			त	द	थ	ध	ल़	ल			च	ज	स	स़	र	न			क	ग	क़	ग़	ह	य			स्व	स्य			इ ई पि पी	ए एै पे पै	अ आ प पा	ऒ ॵ पॊ पॏ	ओ औ पो पौ	उ ऊ पु पू			पं	पऺ	पॅ
/p/	/b/	/ɸ/	/β/	/m̥/	/m/			/t/	/d/	/θ/	/ð/	/l̥/	/l/			/ʦ/	/ʣ/	/s/	/z/	/ɾ̥/	/n/			/k/	/g/	/ç/	/ʝ/	/j̊/	/j/			/sʷ/	/sʲ/			/i/	/e/	/ä/	/ɒ/	/o/	/u/			/ɪ/	/ɛ/	/ʊ/

Introduction

• In Sefdaania there are six Peoples (te̋utu). In order of creation, these Peoples are the Ethrans /'iθɹən/ (Children of Air), the Pyrans /'paiɹən/ (Children of Fire), the Hydorans /'haidoɹən/ (Children of Water), the Humans (Children of Earth), the Xylans /'zailən/ (Children of Wood), and the Lithans /'lıθən/ (Children of Stone). These are known as the Loquent Peoples (sa̋m̃antus) to distinguish them from other sapient beings. In describing their customs, anatomy, etc., the many things they have in common will be treated together, followed by individual notes.

Geography

• Sefdaania (sefda̋a̋n̨a) is that part of Europe bounded
  • on the north by the receding or advancing glacier;
  • on the east by the Ural Mountains (v̌ééþn̨akı̋ȝo, earth spine), the Ural River (m̃uida̋a̋e, border river) and the Caspian Sea (ausma̋re, eastern sea);
  • on the south by the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains (ȝúsmarǧa̋ros, between-sea mountains), the Pontic Mountains (k̨uðǧa̋ros, shore mountains) and the Balkan Mountains (m̃esǧa̋ros, western mountains);
  • on the west by the Vistula River (kuðda̋a̋e, northern river), the Carpathian Mountains (þifǧa̋ros, far mountains) and the Balkan Mountains.
• Thus much of the homeland is covered by the Great Steppe (mézkeba̋ro), the Pontic-Caspian Steppe. The land to the east of the Ural Mountains is known as mezm̃a̋a̋sto, the Great Wasteland.
• Sefdaania means seven rivers and refers to the seven major rivers that flow through the land and empty into the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. These rivers are, from west to east, the Danube (mézm̃esda̋a̋e, great western great river), the Dniester (m̃esda̋a̋e, western river), the Southern Bug (pinda̋a̋e, little river), the Dnieper (meðda̋a̋e, middle river), the Don (ausda̋a̋e, eastern river), the Volga (méżausda̋a̋e, great eastern river), and the Ural River. The land is divided into seven river-regions (daata̋ima) which correspond to the watersheds of these seven rivers. The chart below lists these river-regions in order of size, from largest to smallest, although the relative sizes may vary depending on the activity of the glaciers.

1	mézm̃esda̋a̋n̨a	138,000,000 mi.2	533,000 km.2
2	méżausda̋a̋n̨a	817,000 mi.2	315,000 km.2
3	meðda̋a̋n̨a	504,000 mi.2	195,000 km.2
4	ausda̋a̋n̨a	422,000 mi.2	163,000 km.2
5	m̃uida̋a̋n̨a	237,000 mi.2	91,500 km.2
6	m̃esda̋a̋n̨a	72,000 mi.2	28,000 km.2
7	pinda̋a̋n̨a	63,740 mi.2	24,610 km.2

• Each of the regions is inhabited by more than one of the Peoples, although they live only in the ecosystem to which they have been assigned.

Climate

• Covered as it is by the Great Steppe, most of Sefdaania experiences a humid continental climate, which is marked by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Again there will be variations depending upon the extent of the glaciers.
• Precipitation is relatively well-distributed year-round in many areas with this climate. Snowfall, regardless of average seasonal totals, is more common than rain during the height of winter and the snow cover is often deep. Most summer rainfall occurs during thunderstorms and the occasional extratropical cyclone.

Natural disasters

• Snow is the rule in the winter and the peoples have adjusted to the reduced activity caused by the snow. But the occasional really severe blizzard (ƣosı̋ɠo) can cause more severe privation. There is also the danger of avalanche (tom̃lűűżo), but communities (kőino) are not placed where there is a significant danger from them.
• In a year of low precipitation there is the possibility of steppe wildfires (kébara̋a̋þe).
• When the spring temperature is unusually high, the quick thawing of snow and glacier may cause flooding in some of the watercourses.

Travel

• Because of the great distances involved and the scattered populations, travel is not frequent. There are some Lithans who have become traders, bartering their metal products and jewelry for items they need. Any necessary travel is done on the peoples’ steeds (described below in the section on domesticated animals). The Peoples have the wheel and the Pyrans, Humans, and Lithans have wheeled vehicles. Peoples that live close to each other will travel to barter what they have produced or caught.

Population count

• Because of the great distances involved, there is no count of the population.

Communes

The Ethrans

• The Ethrans live in great stone edifices known as citadels (ðűűno) consisting of dormitories (šefte̋ro), offices (daarte̋ro), refectory (eðte̋ro), kitchen (duƣte̋ro), worship room (tozte̋ro), meeting room (muþte̋ro), recreation room (nuuvte̋ro), observation towers (geþőőro), the room of portals (þifge̋nlo), greenhouses (zɔðde̋mo), and extensive gardens (pa̋þo) and crop fields (ga̋zo). It is not known where the citadels are located. Outsiders can gain access only through a visible archway (ƣűvo) which is activated when necessary. dweomercraft (seȝűűra) enables the Ethrans to create space.
• The main entrance leads into a large rotunda (ǧeþte̋ro), the ceiling of which is painted a light blue. On it in gold are painted the stars visible from that location at midnight on the winter solstice. Against the walls to either side, following the curve of the wall, are staircases leading up to the second floor. The second floor landing is a balcony about 12 feet long. In the center of the rotunda is a fountain of a different design in each citadel. These fountains are fed by aquifers; the water is potable.
• Straight ahead there is a semi-circular alcove, on either side of which there is an entrance into the worship room. All doors are high enough to permit the comfortable entrance of a Xylan. On the wall of the alcove are seven wooden arches. Each of these arches is identified by a carving at the top as a doorway to one of the other citadels. As one steps through an arch, one emerges in another citadel from the portal of the citadel of departure. For example, if one is in the Oriole Citadel and wants to go to the Robin Citadel, one steps through the Robin Arch and emerges from the Oriole Arch. To return, one steps into the Oriole Arch and emerges from the Robin Arch.
• The arch on the far left is dark, no longer functioning. It became inoperable when the citadel of Tseliu was destroyed upon her rebellion against Ȝűmu (God). Each of the other arches is illuminated by dweomer (/dʷɪmɹ/) light, the source of which cannot be seen. From left to right, the portals are illuminated as follows:
  • The light in the Oriole portal is yellow.
  • The light in the Robin portal is orange.
  • The light in the Kingfisher portal is blue.
  • The light in the Rosefinch portal is red.
  • The light in the Woodpecker portal is green.
  • The light in the Jackdaw portal is purple.
• The worship room is a circular room painted all in white. The center point is surrounded by six sections of seating, one for each of the Loquent Peoples who may be in attendance.
• There are four two-story wings of the citadel, one to the right upon entering the rotunda, one to the left, and one to either side between the front wings and the worship room. The wing to the left contains the refectory and the kitchen. The wing to the right contains offices. The second floors of these wings and both floors of the two other wings contain dormitories. The ministers (kűűlu) sleep in a dormitory. Each has a desk and chair and there is storage space under the bed. The other Ethrans have small private rooms with the same furniture. Through the combined use of dweomercraft and mechanics there is indoor plumbing. All of the wings have glass windows, one window in each room, one window at each desk. Each sleeping wing has a shower room (ƣiþte̋ro) and a bathroom (oite̋ro) at the far end. The window in the shower rooms is at the top of the wall, just under the ceiling.
• Above the rotunda rises a tower on the top of which are the accomodations of the archimage (reeðse̋ilu) of that citadel: private quarters, office, laboratory (siƣte̋ro), and observation deck (geþb̨a̋so).
• Outside the building, both between the wings and scattered over the estate are various workshops, gardens and greenhouses.

The Pyrans

• The Pyrans live in a commune called a da̋bo. These communes are always located along a watercoursse, preferably where a smaller stream meets a larger. Distance from the river is determined by the pattern of flooding. The plan of the commune is U-shaped with the opening toward the river. There are four rows of six houses, two on each side of the village square (koinlőuko). The rows of houses are back to back. The road (pa̋a̋vo) comes from down river to the da̋bo, divides and goes around the village square, then continues upriver. On the right coming from downriver is another pa̋a̋vo that goes from the village square to the river. On the opposite side of the village square are two buildings, the bath house (lam̃de̋mo) and the community house (koinde̋mo). The bath house will have several guest rooms for travelers. The traveler will be invited to eat with one of the families, usually that of the headwoman (davne̋e̋ilu). On its left is the community house where the people meet for town meetings and worship. In front of the community house is a wooden pole from which flies the standard (pa̋do) of the da̋bo. Also located in the village square is a menhir (áhluxta̋a̋ino) about six feet tall. On it is carved the date of the founding of the da̋bo. It is placed so that its shadow falls directly on the door of the community house on the vernal equinox. In either direction along the road from the da̋bo are the pasture lands (le̋sm̃o). Workshops are situated on the downwind side of the da̋bo based on the prevailing wind direction. The following are typical workshops found in any da̋bo: smithy (kom̃de̋mo), weaving shed (m̃evde̋mo), chandlery (ȝaaxde̋mo), tannery (ǧiinde̋mo), smokehouse (piiƣde̋mo) and dung preparation (koorde̋mo).
• The Pyran family lives in an adobe (ɠorðe̋iho) house with a flat adobe roof (kőro). This type of house is known as an a̋xlo. The adobe is made from the clay (ðe̋iho) of the river banks. The typical a̋xlo contains five rooms. Entrance is into the center room which is the living area/kitchen (ǧiite̋ro). On each side are two rooms, which are three bedrooms (šefte̋ro) and a bathroom (oite̋ro). Strewing herbs (żaadműűlo) are used in the bathroom, especially those which repel insects. The front bedrooms extend out toward the road farther than the living area providing a covered porch (puuse̋ðo) for protected entry and for relaxation. The dirt floor is covered with rush mats, which the homemaker (nomte̋slu) will strew with her favorite strewing herb. An adobe oven (a̋uk̬o), centered on the back wall of the living room provides heat for warmth and cooking. The fuel is dung and sometimes wood, most often deadfall (foolha̋iso). To the left of the oven is a sink and to the right shelves. The windows are covered on the interior with oiled parchment. The windows are protected on the outside by wooden shutters. Tapestries (oorsı̋do) woven from reindeer hair are hung wherever there is a need to prevent a draft. Candles provide needed light.
• On the right side of the house is a walled garden in which there is a staircase (ergı̋ȝo) leading to the roof.
• Along the back of the house is the stable (ƣőmo) with twelve stalls. Entry is through exterior doors or through the bathroom.

The Hydorans

• The Hydorans live in a commune called a na̋a̋do. These communes are established on the shores of still water, such as lakes and ponds. There are many na̋a̋dos around the Black Sea which, at this time, has no connection to the Mediterranean Sea. If there is an island in the lake, the na̋a̋do may be established on it. Six to eight houses (a̋ito) are built in a semi-circle, open to the water. In the center of the semicircle is a larger a̋ito. The women and children live in the smaller houses, so this type of house is known as a ǧena̋ito. In the large house live the men, so it is known as the m̃iira̋ito. At a distance from the shore is a floating platform (kafbőd̨o) with walls. It is connected to the shore by a reed rope bridge (ɠorþőlo) which can be cut down if the na̋a̋do is attacked. The kafbőd̨o can then be poled out of reach of the enemy.
• The one-room houses are built of wood. They are round with steeply pitched roofs (þ̨ofkőro) of thatch (þ̨őfo) made from the rushes that grow along the lake shores. The thatch is attached to a lattice (oordőlo) frame. Several thicknesses make them virtually waterproof and well insulated. Although there are no windows, there are two doors which admit some light in the warmer weather. Rushes are strewn on the floor, along with water mint, and the family sleeps on rush mats on the floor. In warm weather, hammocks are hung outside. Rushlights (ȝoinh̬a̋ko) are used to provide light. A firepan (aaþm̃űɫo) in the center under a smoke hole (ra̋po) provides heat for warmth and for cooking. The fuel is peat (talx̨űmo) or rushes (ȝőino). If the a̋ito becomes too small to accommodate the family, it is dismantled and a larger one built.

The Humans

• The Humans live in a commune called a ṡe̋im̃o. These are situated near a source of fresh water. The ṡe̋im̃o is laid out in a large circle. A trench (ȝa̋a̋mo) is dug completely around the ṡe̋im̃o. The dirt removed is made into a rampart (talfa̋do) which is constructed between the trench and the ṡe̋im̃o. On the talfa̋do are planted whatever crops are desired, most often the lentils which form a major part of the Human diet. Within the talfa̋do are constructed the underground dwellings (arge̋l̨o), with their entrances facing the center of the circle. There may be up to twelve arge̋l̨os in a ṡe̋im̃o. In the ȝa̋a̋mo a hedge of hawthorn (x̌aȝa̋ti) is planted to protect the Humans from predators. The entrance to the ṡe̋im̃o is on the side facing the water. A wooden drawbridge (davþőlo) extends from this entrance across the ȝa̋a̋mo. At the entrance to the ṡe̋im̃o is a wooden gate (ta̋þo) which is closed at sunset. To the right, as one enters, is a wooden pole from which flies the standard (pa̋do) of the ṡe̋im̃o. Between each of the arge̋l̨os are the communal gardens where the women grow their lentils, basil and other vegetables. Around the ṡe̋im̃o, on the outside of the trench, grows a row of cherry plum trees (Prunus cerasifera) (lı̋ı̋m̃i). The horses are kept hobbled inside the ṡe̋im̃o during the night. Every day the children gather the manure and take it out of the ṡe̋im̃o to be dried for use as fuel and fertilizer.
• The family lives in a partially underground dwelling (arge̋l̨o) which consists of a large pit (xa̋no) about six feet deep. The part of the house above ground is made of sod. This two-foot high sod wall (siif̤a̋do) and a roof of wooden latticework (oordőlo), covered with hide (horse, wisent, aurochs, saiga) are constructed over the pit. The hide is then covered with sod upon which grass is allowed to grow. At various places on the sod roof the homemaker will plant patches of herbs. Several holes are dug into the underground walls for cold storage. The floors of these holes are strewn with aromatic herbs. Along the wall are sleeping platforms (inle̋ƣo) with storage space underneath. The walls may be hung with hide, reed mats or even tapestries acquired in trade from the Pyrans or Lithans. There is an exterior staircase (ergı̋ȝo), parallel to the wall, going down to the entrance. The steps are carved out of the earth. These are then covered with a wooden framework which is then whitewashed to help prevent the rain from washing away the steps. Over this staircase is a hardened leather canopy (űngo) to prevent rainwater from falling on the staircase. A high sill (pőso) at the door further helps prevent rainwater from entering the house. The wooden door is often covered on the inside with a horsehide hanging to prevent drafts. A fire hole (aaþm̃űɫo) in the center under the smoke hole (ra̋po) provides heat for warmth and cooking. The fuel is dung, of either horse or wild cattle. A hardened leather canopy and chimney (kőƣlo) help direct the smoke up and out the smokehole. In good weather the door is left open for light; otherwise the only source of light is that from fat lamps (piimf̨őþlo). While on the steppes, pasturing the horses, the men build temporary horsehide shelters (ṡoƣőmo) using the bones of the steppe mammoth (†Mammuthus primigenius) (kama̋ke) for the frame.

The Xylans

• Each Xylan builds for himself a log cabin (raaþm̃e̋e̋so) in his personal territory in the forest, most often near a creek (ȝűke). It is here that he keeps his supplies and personal items, but he is seldom in his cabin. The Xylans roam freely across the land.
• The Xylans are impervious to the heat and the cold, but having a place to call one’s own is a good thing. It is a place for storing food, supplies and equipment, and a fire, even though not needed, is pleasant. The cabin has a fireplace (ṡőlo) which is also used for cooking, although, being vegetarians, Xylans eat a lot of their food raw. The fuel is deadfall (foolha̋iso).

The Lithans

• The Lithans live in a commune called a kı̋lo. At a distance above the flood line is the road. Their stone houses (gűűlo) are built on the other side of the road in a line along the river. In a central location is the village square (koinlőuko) where the great lithophone (taainkűmlo) occupies a central position. The number of gűűlos is limited to 30, 15 on either side of the koinlőuko. On one side of the koinlőuko is the community house (muþde̋mo) where the people meet for town meetings and worship. Also located in the village square is a menhir about six feet tall. On it is carved the date of the founding of the kı̋lo and the names of the original settlers (todı̋xlu). It is placed so that its shadow falls directly on the door of the community house on the vernal equinox. In front of the muþde̋mo is a wooden pole from which flies the standard (pa̋do) of the kı̋lo. To one side of the community house is the bath house (lam̃de̋mo). Behind the houses, on the river plain and up the mountain are the gardens and hemp and sorghum fields. At various intervals are the entrances to the mines.
• The gűűlo is made of stone and has a metal, slate (šı̋bo) or thatch (þ̨őfo) roof. The metal and the slate are mined in their mountains. Entrance is into the center room which is the living area/kitchen (ǧiite̋ro). On one side are two rooms, a bedroom (šefte̋ro) and a bathroom (oite̋ro). Strewing herbs are used in the bathroom, especially those which repel insects. A ladder in the back right corner leads up to a loft which is the bedroom for the children. Oiled parchment covers the windows and there are metal or wooden shutters on the outside. A stone oven stands against the back wall for heating and cooking. The fuel is dung from the yaks and turs, and wood. The dirt floor is covered with rush mats, which the homemaker (nomt̬e̋e̋lu) will strew with her favorite strewing herb (żaaðműűlo). Tapestries woven from yak hair are hung wherever there is a need to prevent a draft.
• Along the back of the house is the stable (ƣőmo) with twelve stalls. Entry is through an exterior door or through the bathroom. The yaks and turs are stabled together.
• Work buildings are built in a common area separate from the houses. These include smithies (kom̃de̋mo), chandleries (ȝaaxde̋mo), tanneries (ǧiinde̋mo), etc.

Caravansaries

• A caravansary (saaþda̋ro) is a fortified building at river crossings where assistance is given to travelers (ta̋ƣlu) and caravans (sa̋a̋þo). The assistance includes lodging and help in crossing the rivers. It is staffed by members of the Peoples who devote their lives to prayer and the care of travelers.
• All of the caravansaries are of the same design, but all are not of the same size. All of them are square with 18-foot (5.5 m.) high defensive walls. In the beginning, these walls were to protect the travelers from predators, but, since the Great Sundering, they also protect the travelers from the slaves of Tseliu, the renegade mage. These walls are built of rubble masonry (żaxta̋a̋ino), the stone either native or brought in from the nearest source. Sloe bushes (Prunus spinosa) (s̨őőfi) are planted around the caravansaries forming a well-nigh impenetrable hedge at the base of the walls. Only the walls are of stone; all the interior construction is of wood.
• The caravansaries are located at fords (m̃a̋a̋ðo) where a river’s current is most amenable to crossing. A few of the crossings are done by means of rope bridges (ðoom̃þőlo).
• In the center of one wall (taþfa̋do) is the outer gate (puusta̋þo), which is the only entrance into the courtyard (a̋ulo). The casemate rooms in the walls are 12 feet deep which gives an entranceway (tı̋ro) of 12 feet. At the inner end of the entranceway is the inner gate (ȝuta̋þo). Arrow slits open onto the entranceway from the adjoining casemates.
• The wall to the right (šeþfa̋do), as one enters the gate, is a casemate wall (terfa̋do), the rooms of which are for the lodging of the travelers (taƣte̋ro). These rooms have a firepan (aaþm̃űɫo), vented through chimneys (kőƣlo) up through the storage decking (goolb̨a̋so) to provide for heat and cooking. The wall to the left (ƣomfa̋do) is a casemate wall also, the rooms of which are stables (ƣőmo) for any livestock, most commonly the yaks of the Lithans. A barricade (xáfviðı̋ȝo) along the stables prevents animals from wandering out of the stable area. One of these casemate rooms is the kennel where the guard dogs are kept. The rooms and stables have 12-foot (3.6 m.) ceilings. At each of the four corners there is a staircase (renı̋ȝo) for access to the area over the rooms for purposes of storage or defense.
• Depending on the size of the courtyard, there will be one or two wells (nűȝo). The livestock are not permitted to drink from these wells. Instead, along the stable wall are located troughs (a̋lðo) which the owner fills from the wells for his livestock.
• In each of the back corners is a bathing room (lam̃te̋ro); no hot water! The room also has several toilets (oise̋do). As needed, the pits (surxa̋no) are emptied and the manure (kőőro) scattered on the fields, as is the manure from the stable. There are also several urinals (ṡiixda̋ro) which, by way of underground pipes, empty into the river.
• The back wall is the monastery proper (kóin̈oonm̃e̋e̋so) in the center of which is a hexagonal worship room (tozte̋ro). To either side of the worship room are the monastery’s dormitories and other rooms, women to the right, men to the left. The six-foot (1.8 m.) high storage area continues over the monastery proper.
• In front of all four walls is a portico (teƣf̨őőlo) for sleeping in the warm weather or for shelter from the weather.
• Unknown to the travelers is a concealed door (laað̤űro) in the monastery proper, in case the caravansary has to be evacuated should the defenses be breached.

Domesticated animals

• There are several animals which have a close association with each of the Loquent Peoples. Two groups in especial are those known as the steeds (mı̋me) and the companions (sűne). Each of the Peoples has an animal that best suits it as a steed. And each People has discovered an animal that shares its domestic life.
• The three mortal herding peoples (taðte̋utu), that is, the Pyrans, Humans, and Lithans, have also domesticated a mongoose (műnge), related to †Herpestes lemanensis, to help keep the rodent population under control.

The Ethrans

• When there is a need to visit the settlements of the other Peoples, the Ethrans ride a unicorn (pı̋ṡe) (†Alcephalus monoceros), a winged member of the Alcelaphinae subfamily. Its body configuration is that of a hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), although it stands taller to accomodate the 6'-7' Ethrans. Only the males have a horn, two horns actually, which turn inward and spiral around each other giving the semblance of a single horn. The natural color is sorrel with white wings. White unicorns are bred for the mages.
• A unicorn proper forcené rampant (še̋e̋ðe re̋nante pı̋ṡe) is the emblem of the Ethrans.
• As companions, the Ethrans have the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) (argı̋pe) which they use for hunting.
• Every citadel also raises a flock of greylag geese (A. anser) (ha̋nse) for food.

The Pyrans

• The Pyran steed is the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) (tűnte). These domesticated deer are descendants of wild reindeer that lived farther south during the time of the expanding glaciers. The wild reindeer then retreated north with the melting of the glaciers. These reindeer serve as steed, pack animal, and draft animal. The males (pa̋ƣne) are known as bulls, the females (m̃a̋ṡe) as cows. The reindeer are a source of meat, milk, hides, bone and antlers.
• A reindeer head caboshed (pűlaþo m̃asnı̋ı̋mo) is the emblem of the Pyrans.
• Their companion is a breed of herding dog (taðna̋a̋ȝe) similar to the Šarplaninac or Sharr Mountain dog. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers and the front legs account for approximately 55% of the height. The head is large but proportional to the body, with dark eyes. They are solid in color, usually fawn, but sometimes grey, white or almost black. The coat is dense, about four inches in length and can be either rough or smooth. They are not reluctant to chase off or even fight wolves, lynxes, and even bears. When in the house, they serve as excellent guards.
• Each householder has a small flock of domesticated ruddy shelducks for eggs and meat.

The Hydorans

• The Hydoran steed is the ostrich (†Struthio orlovi) (kurűle). They are only semi-domesticated, but come when they hear the Hydorans whistle. A harness fastened across the back and around the wings insures that the rider, who sits crosslegged, does not fall off.
• An ostrich cock displayed proper (še̋e̋ðe ƣolűraþe kurűle) is the symbol of the Hydorans.
• The protein staple of the Hydorans is, quite logically, fish. To help them catch fish they enjoy the companionship of the river otter (L. lutra) (űðre).

The Humans

• Humans ride the horse (Equus przewalskii) (mőre) as a steed.
• A horse courant proper (še̋e̋ðe re̋e̋sante mőre) is the symbol of the Hydorans.
• Much of the humans’ protein comes from game, especially the saiga antelope (Saiga tartarica) (dı̋ƣe) and they have bred a gazehound (naxna̋a̋ȝe) as their companion, a breed ancestral to, but larger than, the hortaya borzaya, with which they hunt game on the steppes. These dogs are trained to protect the horses and are fierce defenders of the ṡe̋im̃os and their crops from grazing animals, wolves and enemies. Humans also hunt with golden eagles (Aquila chrysaɛtos) (műire).

The Xylans

• As swift as they are, Xylans have no need of a steed, but they have been seen riding a mammoth or an aurochs (†Bos primigenius) (ta̋ure).
• An oak tree eradicated proper fructed or (gilma̋a̋lanti še̋e̋ði pɔ̋ɔ̋ṡaþi pe̋rk̬i) is the emblem of the Ethrans.
• As forest dwellers, they have discovered the squirrel, specifically the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) (om̃e̋re) to be a fun companion. Their diets are very similar!

The Lithans

• The Lithans in their mountain strongholds have need of a steed that is at home on the crags. They decided upon one of the mountain sheep, the tur (Capra caucasica) (kı̋te). With their magnificent curved horns they make a fine war steed, putting the horns to use as both battering ram and shield.
• A tur head caboshed (pűlaþo kiþnı̋ı̋mo) is the emblem of the Pyrans.
• They also domesticated the yak (Bos mutus) (ṡőne) which were native to the eastern European mountains before dying out and retreating to the mountains of eastern Asia. These bovines are used as beasts of burden in the trade caravans, as draft animals and as providers of meat, milk, wool and dung.
• The Lithans, too, have herding dogs (taðna̋a̋ȝe) which are used to guard the communes and the herds of yaks and turs. These dogs also accompany the trading caravans. They are large dogs, similar to the Armenian gampr.
• The Lithans keep extensive breeding records on all three of these animals.

Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 2 - Time