Noreya

The Noreya were once humans, but have been drastically warped and transformed by an abundance of magical energy. They fled their northern homelands after the Aetherbreach catastrophe, which destroyed much of their homeland. In exile, they cling to the fringes of society, having carved out a niche as academics and other professions. While discriminated against, they have also found their place in society, and have managed to reclaim aspects of their society from the wreckage of its fall. Noreya adventurers have sought to rebuild Noreyan hegemony in several places in the past few centuries, though few accomplish much.

History

The Noreya were once a human empire, tucked away to the far north of the continent. Here, they flourished, their society fuelled by the discovery of magic and its mastery over their surroundings. And yet this sprawling empire would be laid low by their own greed. In a desire for ever more power, the Noreya made deals with demonic and otherworldly beasts, unknowingly enslaving themselves for more magic. This greed would shift and change their bodies, warping them into a mockery of the humans they once were. Horns and tails sprouted from them, while their skin changed into a rainbow of colours. Ultimately, their need for magic would create the cataclysm known as the Aetherbreach; a massive arcane explosion that destroyed much of their empire. Fleeing this destruction, the remnants lived as refugees on the outskirts of other human settlements further south, despised for their appearance and the damage they wrought on the world. Over time, they have carved out a niche in these cities, and even become more valued members of society. No matter how accepted they are, however, their appearances still remind all around them of their heritage.

Society

Nobility

Noreya nobility, traditionally, was categorized into ruling families. These families were the most entrenched in their magical lifestyle, governing and strictly controlling education in its use. Upon the destruction of the Noreyan empire, many of these noble houses were completely eradicated. Some of the smaller, distant families had members survive. These, and others claiming more tenuous connections to nobility, sought out places of importance in their refugee communities, helping to lead the rebuilding of their society. These roles became the new nobility; community leaders who were respected for their leadership and guidance. New families rose to prominence, becoming wealthy through trade and other means available to them. Very few Noreya are landed in the human hierarchies, however, remaining still separate from full inclusion into its fold.

Conflicts

Nationalism

The fall of the Noreya was a tragic event, and one that completely derailed their path to dominance over the world. When their circumstances changed, many accepted their new roles and sought out the best way to contribute and rebuild among the humans. Many more, however, refused to accept their fall from grace. These Noreya believe they were given divine providence to rule over the rest of the continent, and that the Aetherbreach was little more than an inconvenience to this end. Amid the Noreya enclaves, these nationalists seek out and practice those same dark rituals that led to their ancient downfall, gathering as much power as they can to accomplish their goal of uniting and creating a new Noreya state. Individuals who try and harness this have been inevitably stopped by human military might, those few occasions fracturing human and Noreya relations for a generation. The existence of these nationalists in general is a source of tensions between the Noreya and their hosts, fermenting a mistrust over the true motives of the refugees. All of this contributes greatly to the discrimination the Noreya face on a daily basis, awkwardly creating a situation where the nationalism can continue to fester and grow. The cyclical nature of the conflict has been proven difficult to break, and seems to continue in every generation.

Religion

The Noreya religion found itself corrupted by their quest for magic. Divine magic was the basis for Noreya supremacy, branching them into other more unwieldy methods of spellcasting. As their greed empowered them, they found their gods changing along with them, taken over by the demons and other creatures that now possessed them. With the Aetherbreach, the Noreya left much of their society behind. Of its fragments, however, were its gods. Faith was a major tenet of the early rebuilding of their society, and followers of the gods sought to return to the roots of how the pantheon was before. The two major deities were Rannva and Ogne, an ice goddess and fire god respectively, who dictated life in the frozen north. These two cults had once worked hand in hand; the father and mother of Noreya faith. But with new circumstances, came new room for political power. The two cults, in their reformation, saw an opportunity to grab an even more important grip over the rebuilding Noreya culture. They began to vie for sole dominance, vilifying the other to usurp its role at the head of the pantheon. Ogne saw the better of this conflict in the beginning, but in recent years has begun to falter in favor of the Ice Queen Rannva. Her priestesses have been tireless, using their magic and influence to weaken the powerful sun god Ogne from his place firmly at the top. Neither has completely won yet, however, and the battle for influence continues on.

Daily Life

The Noreya live in several other realms, and tend to take on the culture of whoever surrounds them. Despite this, certain aspects of Noreya life remain relatively constant across the continent. They tend to live in small family communities, often in ghettos or otherwise insular neighbourhoods within a broader cityscape. They are often very family oriented, tracing their lineage back some generations. A link to the past is important, and so Noreya children are often educated about accomplishments of ancestors and other topics, providing an easy opportunity for many to become academics. Trades are usually passed down to children, keeping skills and knowledge within the family as well, furthering the importance and priority placed on tradition.

Notable Factions

Khlysty

Not an organized group by any means, the Khlysty is more of a movement within Noreyan society itself. Tying in with nationalists, those who practice Khlysty are seeking out a way to restore the Noreya’s lost power. Through forbidden ritual and other esoteric and lost knowledge they try to commune with the demonic forces that once provided for their civilization, seeking to channel their magical energies into the world again. All of this is strictly controlled, and those who are found out are punished severely by both the Noreya themselves and the human authorities. As such, it is a very underground group, composed of individual cells or cults led by particularly charismatic or capable sorcerers. Sometimes disguised as religious figures, other times working as particularly fiery Noreya nationalists, they spread and live across the continent, secretly working behind the scenes to accomplish their goal. Known individually as khlysts, there is numerous sorts and types, each with their own rituals or practices. Experts are employed to try and track them down, helping to break up the underground rings before they can enact their terrible desires.

Notable Places

Maugard

Once little more than one of the upstart princedoms in the Midlands, Maugard has grown to become a centre for Noreyan cultural revival. Since it was conquered by Feydaj Bokha a generation ago, it has become a hotbed for nationalist sentiment. Attracting adventurers and others keen on creating such a Noreyan nation, the once petty princedom has grown into a reasonably large state. Still afflicted at every corner by the other princes, as chaotic as the region is, it has remained relatively stable. With the attention of the major Noreyan cults, the city has become legitimized in a way no other Noreyan project has before. Goroyev Bokha rules over the realm, a fierce and immensely capable leader who has invigorated his subjects with his own enthusiasm and passion.

Vanne

The Routot city of Vanne, in the far north of the confederacy, is a major home to the Noreya. As refugees after the Atherbreach, the Noreya found little respite among the Swidnican steppes. One of the first centres to provide them shelter, and react with little hostility, was the town of Vanne. Its kings offered the exiles respite and aid, and allowed them to settle amidst the city itself. While the humans and Noreya have not always lived peacefully alongside one another, the northerners are nonetheless an important part of the city and its history. Providing a nexus for Noreyan cultural activity, the city houses the heads of both Rannva’s and Ogne’s cults, while also housing the most established Noreyan noble families.

Notable Personalities

Goroyev Bokha, "The Fiery Bokha", Druzhina of Maugard

Goroyev is a descendant of one of the few noble houses to survive the Aetherbreach. His family took refuge among the Routot, where they were forced to live on the fringes of society as beggars and other unworthy roles. While they were able to steadily climb in influence, they never were able to attain the level of control they held in the old world. Goroyev’s father, Feydaj, went to the Midlands in search of this rule, and found it in Maugard. His son was raised to take his rightful role as a king, and ascended to the throne upon the death of Feydaj. Goroyev steered the fledgling realm through several crises early in his reign, and has retained a youthful fire and passion as he ages. He has taken the old title of Druzhina, reserved for the most powerful of old Noreyan rulers, and seems eager to live up to the name. He has tremendous disdain for khlysts and other Noreya who bow to demonic forces, blaming them for the Aetherbreach and collapse of their society itself. Goroyev is a strong and tall Noreya, with dull red skin and black hair. He has a regal air about him, and looks every bit the part of an ancient ruler.

Khionya Berladskaya, Matriarch of Rannva

The highest authority of Rannva, ancient mother-goddess of the Noreya, Khionya is seemingly as ancient as the steppe itself. Born long after the Aetherbreach, she is nonetheless centuries old, having lived in Vanne for much of her life. As a young girl she was selected as many of the Ice Hags are; standing naked on a frozen morning with a cluster of young Noreyan girls. The inspecting Ice Hag saw the spark of magic in her, and she was taken from her family for the proper training. Since then, Khionya has dedicated herself solely to furthering her cult’s agenda. Her tenure has seen Rannva become even more influential among the Noreya, and even garner some influence over the humans in the north. Her and her other elder Ice Hags guide their order throughout the land, sending itinerant witches far and wide to further their goals. Khionya is several hundred years old, and yet one would be hard pressed to realize it. She appears as young and beautiful, if ethereal and otherworldly. Her eyes are completely black, while her skin is pale blue. Horns wrap tightly around her head, pointing down towards her neck. White hair stretches down her back, disappearing beneath her dress. Her features are pointed and sharp, giving her a severe impression.

Matvei, Watcher of Ogne

While Rannva is the mother of the Noreya, Ogne is the stern patriarch of their pantheon. His clergy are entirely male, known as the Watchers, and act as the fathers for Noreyan spirituality. In ancient days the two gods were tied through ritual. Those times have since passed, and now their cults fight bitterly for followers and influence. Matvei is the head of their order, a deeply religious man who has worked to guide his followers as well as he can. Despite his convictions, he struggles with an aloof detachment, preferring scripture and ritual to politics. This has allowed him to be outflanked by Khionya and the Ice Hags, who have turned many Noreyan leaders against him and his god. As the cult comes more and more under siege, Matvei retreats deeper into his own studies, dedicating himself to the flames he keeps rather than fighting off the advances of the Matriarch. His skin is a pale yellow, with bright orange eyes. He dresses in the ceremonial robes of Ogne, with flames licking at the hem of a white fabric.