Sefdaanian ethnography Ch. 1, Place 1

Introduction

• In Sefdaania there are six Peoples. In order of creation, these Peoples are the Ethrans (Children of Air), the Pyrans (Children of Fire), the Hydorans (Children of Water), the Humans (Children of Earth), the Xylans (Children of Wood), and the Lithans (Children of Stone). These are known as the Loquent Peoples 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 (sefdą́ņas) is that part of Europe bounded on the north by the receding or advancing glacier; on the east by the Ural Mountains (v̌ę̀tëspínos, earth spine) and the Ural River; on the south by the Danube River, the Black Sea (ṁesmáṙes, western sea), the Caucasus Mountains (entèṙmaṙménȝos, intersea mountains), and the Caspian Sea (ą̀usmáṙes, eastern sea); and on the west by the forests of Central Europe. Thus much of the homeland is covered by the Great Steppe and, to a lesser extent, the Pannonian Basin.
• 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 the Danube (ṁesdą́es, western river), the Dnieper (bèðṙëdą́es, center river), the Southern Bug (lų̀ðdą́es, little river), the Dniester (mòniȝdą́es, mountain river), the Don (lų̀ðmaṙdą́es, small sea river), the Volga (mezdą́es, great river), and the Ural (ą̀usdą́es, eastern river). The land is divided into seven regions (táȝmas) which correspond to the watersheds of these seven rivers. The chart below lists the regions in order of size, from largest to smallest, although the relative sizes may vary depending on the activity of the glaciers.

Rank	Name	Km2	Mi2
1	mezdą́ņas	138,000,000	533,000
2	ṁesdą́ņas	817,000	315,000
3	bèðṙëdą́ņas	504,000	195,000
4	lų̀ðmaṙdą́ņas	422,000	163,000
5	ą̀usdą́ņas	237,000	91,500
6	mòniȝdą́ņas	72,000	28,000
7	lųðdą́ņas	63,740	24,610

• 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. When personal identification is needed, the name of the region is stated before the personal name, e.g., mezdą́ṁus, from Mezdaania.

Climate

• Covered as it is by the Great Steppe (mèzĸebáṙos), 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 (ȝeqdą́os).
• 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 tropical system.

Natural disasters

• Snow is common in the winter and the Peoples have adjusted to the reduced activity caused by the snow. But the occasional really severe blizzard (qǫsíģos) can cause more severe privation.
• In a year of low precipitation there is the possibility of steppe wildfires (ĸèbaṙp̌ónes).
• When the spring temperature is unusually high, the quick thawing of snow and glacier may cause flooding in some of the watercourses.

Most common domesticated plants

• Onions (ĸǫ́ṙmis), garlic (ģángis), ramsons (lęną́lis) and leeks (péṙsis) are used by all the Peoples. Shallots were not part of the original food of the Peoples.
• Root crops such as carrots (meą́cis), parsnips (nípis), beets (ṁṙą́dis), radishes (tóṙbis), greater burdock (lápis) and turnips (túṙmis) are used by all the Peoples.
• Other common vegetables are celery (selínis), rhubarb (vṙìsĸëvą́lis), cabbage (ĸaṙámbis) and cucumbers (ĸíĸis).
• The following herbs and spices are available to all the Peoples: celery seed (sèlinsę́is), black mustard (ṙángis), white mustard (sinápis), capers (), caraway (vraqsę́is), cumin (gamúnis), carrot (meą́cis), wild rosemary (), dittander (), lovage (), lemon balm (), bayberry (), oregano (ǧòṙluqsámis), Swiss stone pine (), sage (), sweet violet (şúmes), thyme (), red clover (dóbis), and fenugreek (meþícis).
• The following greens (vąlóes) are available for salads: bracken (ĸaqpáṙtis), angelica (čénðis), chervil (nųvą́lis), caraway (vraqsę́is), celery (selínis), cardoon (), dandelion (núnis), turnip (túṙmis), black mustard (ṙángis), white mustard (sinápis), cucumber (ĸíĸis), poppy (mą́ĸis), sorrel (súǧis) and beet (ṁṙą́dis).

1. The Ethrans chose a grain, oats (aṁíĸis) (Avena sativa), as the staple of their diet. They cultivate the dog rose (ṁṙódis) (Rosa canina) for its beauty, its fragrance, and its taste. Crocuses (Crocus sativus) are grown for their saffron (àṙisánis).
2. The Pyrans chose a legume, the chickpea (ȝ̇áṙlis) (Cicer arietinum) as the staple of their diet. They cultivate the sloe berry (slí̧ṁĸis) (Prunus spinosa) as their fruit of choice. Fennel (maðúṙĸis) (Foeniculum vulgare) is the sweet spice. Horseradish (ĸàvṙëṁę́ṙdis) (Armoracia rusticana) is the characteristic savory spice.
3. The Hydorans chose a reed, the cattail (ĸúṙðis) (reedmace) (Typha latifolia) that grows so abundantly in their ecosystem, as the staple of their diet. Because of the many uses of the cattail, it figures prominently in their culture and is known as "the gift of Neerus (nęṙdǫ́os). The cranberry (ĸitém̧is) (Vaccinium oxycoccos) is the favorite fruit of the Hydorans. Water mint (ṁèfluqsámis) (Mentha aquatica), which grows profusely in water environments, is the characteristic sweet spice of the Hydorans. Water cress (ṁefðémnis) (Nasturium officinale) is used as a savory spice.
4. Humans chose a seed, the lentil (edą́ĸis) (Lens culinaris), the planting and harvesting of which is the work of the women, as the staple of their diet. The springtime proliferation of poppies (mąĸénis) (Papaver rhoeas) enables the Humans to harvest the seeds. The cherry plum (slí̧ṁis) (Prunus cerasifera) is the fruit of choice of the Humans. Wild basil () (Ocimum basilicum) is the savory spice that flavors their meat dishes.
5. The Xylans chose a nut, the acorn (méðtos), the fruit of the ubiquitous oak trees, especially of Quercus robur, as the primary staple of their diet. The tannins present in acorns do not affect the Xylans and they seldom leach the acorns. Other nuts are also used. These various nutmeats constitute their primary source of protein. The Xylans enjoy the wild cherry (ĸɔ́nis) (Prunus avium) as their favorite fruit. Wild angelica (cunðónis) (Angelica sylvestris), with its licorice-like flavor, is their favorite sweet spice.
6. The Lithans chose a seed, sorghum (ņúṙgis) (Sorghum bicolor), as the staple of their diet. In the caves of their ecosystem they discovered that mushrooms would flourish in their caves and mines and they developed varieties of many sizes, colors and flavors. They are the main source of protein in their diet. They grow flax (lį́nis) (Linum usitatissimum) to make linen. The Lithans enjoy the elderberry (tóṙ̌is) (Sambucus nigra) as their favorite fruit. Lemon balm () (Melissa officinalis) is the sweet spice and parsley is the characteristic savory spice. Parsley root, a favorite vegetable, is grown in the home gardens.

Most commonly-eaten meats

1. The Ethrans’ special protein source is geese (ȝ̇ánses), raised domestically, and game birds, caught by their gyrfalcons (aṙgípes) (Falco rusticolus) for sport.
2. Although they occasionally eat cheviot, the Pyrans utilize their goats primarily for the production of cheese (séṙḑos) which constitutes a large part of their protein intake.
3. Their environment has determined the protein source of the Hydorans, various water animals, mainly fish and frogs. Fish are preserved by drying (mímços).
4. Game taken ahorseback is the main source of the Humans' protein, although horse flesh is eaten as needed to keep the herds manageable.
5. The Xylans are vegetarians.
6. Although the many varieties of mushrooms that they grow are the main protein source for the Lithans, they do enjoy mountain hare (b̧éṁnes) (Lepus timidus), which they hunt with their foxes.

Alcoholic beverages

• Honey (melítos) is available to all the Peoples and all but the Lithans use it as a sweetener. All the Peoples, except the Xylans and Lithans, have bee hives in their settlements (ṁèicóes). The Xylans gather wild honey and the Lithans use sorghum syrup.

1. Only the Ethrans, however, use it to make an alcoholic beverage known as mead (méð̬os). This mead is flavored with rose hips, a variety known as rhodomel (ṁṙodméð̬os). They also make a liqueur from the rose hips (ṁṙòðsulsógos). Their beer is made from oats (àṁiĸál̬os).
2. The Pyrans brew a fermented beverage from goat whey (ȝ̇adáȝros) and a liqueur from sloe berries (slèȝṁësulsógos).
3. The Hydorans make a fruit wine (ĸitèmïṁeínos) and a liqueur from cranberries (ĸitèmïsulsógos). The Hydorans do not make a beer.
4. The Humans make a fermented beverage from mare's milk (ècüáȝros) and a liqueur from cherry plums (slì̧ṁsulsógos).
5. The Xylans make a beer from the needles of evergreens, especially of the spruce (èlentál̬os). They do not make any other alcoholic beverage.
6. The Lithans make their beer from sorghum (ņuṙgál̬os). The Lithans also make a blackcurrant liqueur (ȝotìĸsulsógos), often with a hint of lemon balm.

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 in the section on domesticated animals). The Peoples have the wheel and the Pyrans and Humans have wheeled vehicles. Peoples that live close to each other will travel to barter what they have produced or caught. See Ch. 14 Technology for a description of a caravansary.

Population count

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

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 and the companions. 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 primary domesticated animals are in two broad groups, known as steeds (mímes) and companions (súnes).
• The Ethrans.
  • Because of their need to travel to and from their mountain citadels (ðúnos) in a timely fashion, the Ethrans need a winged steed. They have found this in the animal later known as a Pegasus, pterippus, or flying horse (Megadorcas volans) (кábes). In reality it is not an equid, but a member of the family Bovidae, subfamily Antilopinae, having a cloven hoof and chewing a cud, but lacking horns or antlers.
  • The ancestor (related to Pantholops hodgsonii) was a much smaller animal that lived in the mountains. A mutation for wings gave it an advantage in escaping from predators. A descendant settled on the steppes, became a grazer instead of a browzer, and increased in size.
  • The general body conformation does resemble that of a horse but, unlike the wild equids, it possesses a flowing mane. The tail also marks it as bovine rather than equine. The kab is hollow-boned for lightness. The wing humerus is attached to the upper side of an enlarged scapula, the foreleg humerus being attached to the lower side. The chest is rather massive containing as it does the muscles for both the wing and the foreleg. As with the larger birds, a running start is necessary to become airborne. The early ancestor merely jumped off the side of the mountain! The descendant still retains the musculature in the hindquarters for leaping. Surprisingly, the wings are covered with feathers and not hair.
  • Five color variants have been bred, one for each of the orders of Ethrans (the elementals do not use steeds): white for the archimages, gray for the mages, sorrel for the archons, chestnut for the adepts, and brown for the guardians. Of course, breeding registers are maintained. Specimens of undesirable coloration are not bred (the bucks are gelded), but they are cared for until they die which could be as long as 30 years. The males are known as bucks, the females as does.
  • A kab forcene is the symbol of the Ethrans.
  • As companions, the Ethrans have the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) (aṙgípes) which they use for hunting.
  • They also breed carrier pigeons (Columba livia) (mìþĸolómbes), for sending messages from citadel to citadel. Each of the Ethran citadels contains a dovecote (pèlonvéðlos) for the breeding of these pigeons. The color of the plumage tells from which citadel they originate.
  • Every citadel also has a flock of geese (ȝ̇ánses) for food.
• The Pyrans.
  • The Pyran steed is the unicorn (Alcelaphus monoceros) (íƶes). From one of the wild species, they bred a domestic variety which they use as both a steed and a pack animal. The males are known as stallions, the females as mares. Astride these steeds, they herd their flocks of goats.
  • Domestication has enabled the Pyrans to produce coloration not found in the wild unicorn. The most common coat color is dapple gray which consists of a dark hair coat with dark rings with lighter hairs on the inside of the ring, scattered over the entire body of the animal. From time to time a solid black or solid white unicorn is born. The beard of the male remains white in all these variations. There is no winter change in coat color. The horns of these color variations have acquired a golden color.
  • A unicorn forcene is the symbol of the Pyrans.
  • Their companion is a breed of herding dog (ȝ̇aðčénes) 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 colour, 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.
  • The Pyrans herd a breed of goats (Capra aegagrus donensis) (ȝ̇ádes) a breed that they developed from the West Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) (ĸítes) to produce large quantities of milk and wool. Goats are supremely important to the Pyrans and they have built their culture around them. The males are known as bucks, the females as does. The wethers are used as pack and draft animals and to turn mills.
• The Hydorans.
  • The Hydorans ride ponies which they have bred from the horses of the steppes. These ponies have more water-repellent hair and splayed hooves for better traction in the marshy environment.
  • 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) (aṙdóṙes).
• The Humans.
  • Humans ride the horse (Equus przewalskii) (éčes) as a steed.
  • The wolf (Canis lupus) (lúpes), later turned dog (čénes) is their companion.
  • Much of their protein comes from game, especially the saiga antelope (Saiga tartarica) (díqes) and they have bred a gazehound (òĸüčénes) with which they hunt game on the steppes. These dogs are trained to protect the horses and are fierce defenders of the cèimóes from wolves and enemies.
• The Xylans.
  • As swift as they are, Xylans have no need of a steed, but they have been seen riding a steppe mammoth (Mammuthus trogontherii) (ǧíȝes), or an aurochs (Bos primigenius) (taúṙes).
  • As forest dwellers, the Xylans have discovered the squirrel, specifically the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) (oṁéṙes) to be a fun companion. The 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 known as an argali (Ovis a. ammon) (óṁes). With their magnificent curled horns they make a fine war steed, putting the horns to use as both battering ram and shield.
  • They also domesticated the kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) (lémṙes) and from it bred a smaller donkey (ĸúnges), more suitable for their small stature. This donkey is used as a beast of burden in the mines and in the trade caravans and is ridden by the female Lithans.
  • The Lithans have domesticated the Corsac fox (Vulpes praecorsac) (púĸes), a social fox. The bond between a Lithan and his or her fox is fully as strong as that between a human and his or her dog. A Lithan will often go hunting with his fox for his favorite protein, mountain hare (Lepus timidus) (b̧éṁnes)!
  • The Lithans keep extensive breeding records on all three of these animals.