Now it is two hundred years later. The now-united island country was originally made up of five sovereign countries: Bostania, Mallow, Niatwa, Talony and Navan. All of them are basically of the same culture, with slight differences from region to region. They are a mix of Cygman and Gwyneddian, and act it. They have family crests and plaids, but still follow the religion of the Mainland.
Physical descriptions:
Light colored curly hair; dark eyes; short stature (rarely over 5-and-a-half feet); light frames, “magicians” (deryni) and Bards
Style of dress:
Men: Cloak, over-tunic, tunic, pants, boots
Women: Cloak, over-gown, kirtle, boots
Culture:
Most people are well educated and well traveled. This is the region where most of the inventors come from. They have already pioneered watchmaking, optometry and the manufacture of simple machines. They shake hands to greet someone new and incline their heads in parting. They use the “modern” vernacular and traditional Cygman names.
Currently live in viceroyalty of Navan.
The Talonese:
Physical descriptions:
Dark hair and eyes, medium height and build, more varied mage types
Style of dress:
Men: Coat, crisp white shirt, black leather vest, brightly colored pants, comfortable shoes
Women: Coat, shirt, bodice, skirt, comfortable shoes
Culture:
They tend to have use-names and keep their given name (first and last) secret. They are a very quiet and secretive people, while at the same time being friendly and open. For example, they will talk to anyone about the weather or politics, but tend not to talk about themselves. They bow slightly by way of greeting and hug before parting.
Currently live in duchy of Talony.
The Niatwans:
Physical descriptions:
Strawberry-blond to auburn hair, gray, green or hazel eyes, a large range in height and build, typically only “magicians”
Style of dress:
Men: Cloak, shirt, breeches, high boots
Women: Cloak, flowing gown, soft slippers
Culture:
They are a very courtly people. They place a high importance on whether something will appear proper or not. For example, the have a law that states that no woman can rule them, except as Regent for her son. They incline their heads by way of greeting and in parting. Niatwans use modern Cygman names.
Currently live in duchy of Niatwa.
The Serenzians (of Mallow):
Physical descriptions:
Dark hair, light (blue or gray) eyes, powerful builds (women are buxom), somewhat tall, only a few mages – all are Bards
Style of dress:
Men: Cloak, tunic, pants, boots
Women: Cloak, simple gown, boots
Culture:
An agrarian society; few common people ever travel more than a few miles from the place where they are born. They tend to be very curious about the world around them and strive to understand nature. They usually have Welsh or Welsh-sounding names. They shake hands by way of greeting and in parting.
Currently live in duchies of Serenzia and Mallow.
The Bostanians:
Physical descriptions:
They are quite varied in hair and eye color as well as height and build. Mages are rare, occurring primarily in the common families as “magicians”.
Style of dress:
Men: Cloak, loose, full shirt laced in front, knee-length vest, light, straight-legged pants, sandals or boots
Women: Cloaks, loose, full shirt laced in front, knee-length vest, light, full skirt or straight-legged pants, sandals or boots
Culture:
They are a very relaxed people, with a calm, laidback manner about them. They don’t tend to worry about things that cannot be helped. They tend to be charismatic and have used this to bring most of the island under the control of their sovereign prince. They usually have Greek or Hebrew given names.
Currently live in duchies of Tuam, Ryalla and Rhynchon.
