Arnar

Introduction to the Arnar

The Arnar, "People of the Flowing Waters," originated from the Nar who settled along the Ülvara, "Flowing Waters," and the Vülarn, "Great Lakes," of Takra. Over generations, the Arnar absorbed neighboring Nar, particularly captured Günnar and Barynár, forming a diverse yet cohesive subgroup defined by their reliance on the rivers and lakes that shaped their way of life.

Semi-nomadic by nature, the Arnar were skilled sailors, boat builders, and fishermen who thrived along the vast riverways and fertile lands bordering the lakes. Their mastery of the waterways extended beyond survival; they became formidable raiders and explorers, capturing slaves during their conquests. These slaves were forced to labor as rowers on Arnar ships or as farmers in the settled regions, supporting the growing demands of the Arnar economy and expansion.

The rivers and lakes were central to their identity, providing not only sustenance and trade opportunities but also a means of domination and survival. This connection to the Ülvara and Vülarn fostered a culture of adaptability and exploration, allowing the Arnar to expand their influence across the waterways of Takra. Their dual nature as both raiders and settlers ensured their survival, cementing their legacy as masters of the flowing waters.

Physical Appearance of the Arnar

The Arnar, shaped by their semi-nomadic life along the Ülvara (Flowing Waters) and Vülarn (Great Lakes), exhibit a blend of traits influenced by their origins and their integration with captured Günnar and Barynár. Their appearance reflects their resourceful and seafaring nature, forged by life on the waterways of Takra.

Skin Tone

The Arnar’s skin ranges from light olive to deep tan, reflecting their frequent exposure to the sun and wind while traversing the rivers and lakes. Their complexions often have a rugged, weathered quality, symbolizing their life on the water.

Facial Features and Hair

• Eyes: Arnar eyes are keen and focused, often dark brown or hazel. Rare amber or green hues are considered a mark of luck and leadership.

• Nose: Prominent and well-defined noses are common, often straight or slightly aquiline, reflecting their mixed ancestry.

• Mouth and Lips: Expressive and strong, with lips that often carry a calculated or resolute set, indicative of their determination as sailors and explorers.

Hair is typically dark brown to black, coarse in texture, and worn in practical styles.

• Men: Favor short or shoulder-length hair, often tied back to avoid interference during labor, with neatly trimmed or braided beards as a sign of status.

• Women: Style their hair in simple braids or loose waves, occasionally adorned with shells, beads, or small river stones, symbolising ties to their families or achievements.

Build and Stature

Build: The Arnar possess lean, muscular builds, reflecting the physical demands of rowing, fishing, and raiding. Their frames balance strength and agility, essential for life on the water.

Height: They are of average to slightly above-average height, their stature exuding endurance and adaptability.

Movement: Their gait is purposeful and fluid, embodying the rhythm of life on the rivers and lakes.

Clothing

The clothing of the Arnar is primitive yet practical, inspired by their reliance on natural materials and the need for mobility.

• Materials: Garments are made from woven reeds, rough linen, and animal hides, dyed with natural pigments to reflect status or clan identity.

  • Styles:

    • Men: Typically wear short kilts or wraparound skirts, paired with loose, sleeveless tunics or simple leather harnesses. These allow for freedom of movement during labor and combat.

    • Women: Wear long, flowing skirts or knee-length wraps, combined with sleeveless tops or shawls for protection against the sun.

• Decorations: Clothing is often adorned with simple patterns of waves, currents, or fish scales, reflecting their connection to the Ülvara.

• Accessories: Shell necklaces, braided belts, and bronze or copper armbands are common among the Arnar, often signifying personal achievements or clan affiliation.

Adornments and Markings

• Jewelry: Practical yet symbolic, featuring small trinkets such as shell pendants, fishbone ornaments, and carved river stones.

• Scarification and Tattoos: Some Arnar display tattoos or scarifications depicting flowing waters, ships, or significant battles, commemorating personal milestones and conquests.

Overall Presence

The Arnar’s physical appearance reflects their life of endurance, adaptability, and connection to the flowing waters of Takra. Their rugged clothing, adorned with symbols of the rivers and lakes, and their muscular, agile builds convey their identity as skilled sailors, raiders, and explorers. Primitive yet functional, their attire and adornments speak to their resourcefulness and deep ties to the Ülvara and Vülarn.

Culture and Society of the Arnar

The Arnar, "People of the Flowing Waters," organized their society around the dual necessities of water and land, dividing their population into two distinct but interdependent groups: the Ülmar and the Sármar. This structure reflected their reliance on both the rivers (Ül) and the fertile lands (Thar) to sustain their settlements and way of life.

Social Division: Ülmar and Sármar

• Ülmar: "People of the Water"

  • The Ülmar were clans closely tied to the rivers and lakes. They lived much of their lives on the Ül, engaging in fishing, boatmaking, raiding, and trade. They embodied the seafaring spirit of the Arnar, and their activities were crucial for the economic and military strength of the settlements.

    • Occupations: Fishermen, sailors, navigators, and craftsmen specializing in boats and other water-related tools.

    • Identity: The Ülmar prided themselves on their mastery of the rivers, seeing themselves as the guardians of the Ülvara and the clan’s first line of expansion and defense.

• Sármar: "People of the Soil"

  • The Sármar were primarily made up of clans and ex-slave families who lived in the villages, cultivating the Thar (dry land) to sustain the settlement. They were responsible for growing crops, tending livestock, and maintaining the fertile riverbanks.

    • Occupations: Farmers, herders, and laborers who supported the settlements with food and resources.

    • Identity: Though seen as less prestigious than the Ülmar, the Sármar played an essential role in the survival and stability of the Arnar settlements.

Leadership and Governance

The division of labor between the Ülmar and Sármar was reflected in the governance structure of Arnar society.

• Ülkhan (River Chief): The Ülkhan led the Ülmar in expeditions, raids, and naval activities. They were responsible for the safety and prosperity of the clans who lived on the water.

  • Selection: The Ülkhan was chosen based on merit, skill, and the ability to lead, and could be challenged for their position by another capable member of the Ülmar.

• Tharkhan (Land Chief): The Tharkhan governed the settlements and led the Sármar, ensuring the stability and productivity of the villages and fields. They managed disputes, organized labor, and maintained order in the Thar.

  • Selection: The Tharkhan was elected by the council of elders, often from among the most experienced or respected Sármar.

• Council of Elders: A council of retired sailors, farmers, and leaders provided oversight, ensuring harmony between the Ülmar and Sármar. They advised both the Ülkhan and Tharkhan, offering guidance based on the teachings of Durzakh and the community's needs.

Interdependence and Collaboration

Though the Ülmar and Sármar had distinct roles, their survival depended on collaboration.

• Trade and Exchange: The Ülmar supplied fish, raiding spoils, and trade goods, while the Sármar provided crops, livestock, and labor for building and maintaining settlements.

• Shared Celebrations: Communal events, such as successful harvests or the return of the fleet, brought the Ülmar and Sármar together to strengthen bonds and celebrate their shared prosperity.

• Cultural Exchange: Over time, intermarriage between Ülmar and Sármar clans blurred the distinctions, creating a cohesive community despite their differing lifestyles.

Innovation in Settlement Design

The Arnar settlements were strategically designed to reflect their reliance on both water and land.

• Ülvarakhan (Bridge Over Flowing Waters): Settlements were often constructed with floating extensions that bridged the Ülvara, uniting both sides of the river and providing a foundation for both land and water activities.

• Integration of Roles: The Ülvarakhan symbolized the interconnectedness of the Ülmar and Sármar, serving as a central hub where the two groups could interact and collaborate.

A Balanced Society Rooted in Land and Water

The Arnar created a society that balanced the strengths of the Ülmar and Sármar, blending the seafaring ambition of the water-bound clans with the agricultural stability of the land-bound families. Their governance reflected this duality, ensuring that both groups worked together to sustain and expand their settlements. Through their reliance on the Ülvara and Thar, the Arnar exemplified survival through unity, adaptability, and the enduring pursuit of prosperity.

Religious Beliefs of the Arnar

The Arnar, "People of the Flowing Waters," rooted their spiritual practices in Durzakh (The Way of Survival), with a deep reverence for the Ülvara (Flowing Waters) and Vülarn (Great Lakes). Their beliefs emphasized the cyclical nature of life, the guiding presence of their ancestors, and the balance between human survival and the aquatic life they depended on.

Core Beliefs

1. Durzakh as a Spiritual and Practical Guide

   • For the Arnar, Durzakh was both a philosophy and a spiritual framework, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and harmony with the waters. Their survival depended on understanding and working within the cycles of the Ülvara and Vülarn.

2. The Sacred Flow of Life

   • The rivers and lakes symbolized life’s essence, connecting the past, present, and future. The Arnar believed their ancestors’ spirits flowed through the waters, offering guidance and strength.

3. Reverence for Aquatic Life

   • The Arnar held aquatic creatures in high regard, viewing their birth and growth as sacred events tied to the health of the waters and, by extension, the tribe. This reverence extended to their early practices of aquaculture, which became integral to their way of life.

Rituals and Practices

1. Honouring the Dead

   • Deceased Arnar were cremated, and their ashes were scattered into the Ülvara or Vülarn, symbolizing their return to the eternal flow and ensuring their spirits would guide future generations.

2. Water Blessings

   • Children were blessed with water from the rivers or lakes in early-life ceremonies, symbolizing their connection to the sacred waters and the resilience required to thrive.

3. Seasonal Celebrations

   • Festivals aligned with the natural cycles of the rivers and lakes, including floods, receding waters, and bountiful fishing seasons. These communal gatherings celebrated survival, unity, and the sacred balance of life.

4. Calendars of Aquatic Life

   • The Arnar carefully observed and recorded the birth cycles of aquatic creatures within their aquaculture systems. These births were seen as blessings and were marked on tribal calendars as sacred events. Each creature’s birth symbolised renewal and abundance, reinforcing the tribe’s connection to the waters.

5. Tattoos as Spiritual Markers

   • Tattoos depicting aquatic creatures, waves, or flowing currents commemorated personal milestones and achievements. They also symbolized the individual's role within the larger cycle of life sustained by the waters.

Sacred Spaces and Symbols

1. Shrines Along the Waters:

   • River shrines served as places of reflection and remembrance, honoring both the spirits of the ancestors and the aquatic life that sustained the tribe.

2. Symbols of Aquatic Life:

   • Depictions of fish, aquatic plants, and flowing currents were commonly used in carvings, jewelry, and tattoos, symbolising prosperity, guidance, and the tribe’s reliance on the Ülvara and Vülarn.

A Faith Rooted in Water and Life

The Arnar’s spirituality reflected their deep connection to the rivers and lakes that defined their existence. Through practices such as water blessings, honoring aquatic life cycles, and revering the spirits of their ancestors, the Arnar wove a spiritual narrative that emphasized survival, renewal, and harmony with the natural world. Their faith tied the cycles of water, life, and ancestry into a continuous flow, ensuring the prosperity of the "People of the Flowing Waters."