A restored page from the travel journal of Iobar Malinowski.
Entry 17: Northward Bound
The grandeur of the Marble Palace was my first glimpse into their world—a place where simplicity intertwined with elegance. The reception room, adorned with lush furs and woven blankets, served not only as the Queen's throne but also as a place of respite to those seeking her counsel. Here, the Queen was perched upon an alabaster platform, listening carefully to the citizenry. Sceptical of whether I was being presented a false image of harmony, I remained for quite some time. Dispelling my concerns, Queen Taivas truly appeared to allow easy communication with her people - a rarity among nests.
At the Aryeal Hall, annexed to the Marble Palace, a cacophony of voices rang in harmonious melodies, a first-hand experience of their rich literary tradition. Although I noticed it immediately upon arrival, it was striking how differently the Northerners conversed. While some might jest about their hearty accents, I found their linguistic traditions utterly captivating. Proto-Starrian, the progenitor of our modern script, stood as one of the world's oldest and most influential literary languages. Remarkably, here in the North, the legacy of Proto-Starrian persisted, dominating their writings and spoken language. However, it has somewhat evolved into a Northern dialect and is now referred to simply as the "North Script" or "North Speak."
My research took me beyond the palace walls, unveiling the symbiotic relationship between the Northerners and their natural surroundings. The husbandry of porminn stood as a cornerstone of their existence. Yet, it was the mastery of robust textile creation that enchanted me—thick, durable fabrics that were skilfully woven, a testament to their commitment to their traditional crafts. The only tradition they have abandoned is their earliest form of artistry, manifested in monumental rock reliefs etched into cliffs and boulders — all of them tied to the nest's creation myth, said to have originated from a fallen star.
The rhythm of life here in the North is bookmarked by solstice festivals, feasts, and all manner of celebrations, where breath-taking auroras sparked particular celebrations — the revered Aurorae Dance. In these traditions, I glimpsed their spiritual connection with the elements of nature, devoid of formal religion but rooted in reverence for the natural world and the ancient customs of fire and hearth, discarded elsewhere.
Their collectivist society revolved around a robust family structure, focussing on values of trust, loyalty, and courage. Exile was considered akin to obliteration, worse than physical death if you endured the harsh winters was the loss of identity, purpose, and kin.
Notes to self:
Entry 17: Northward Bound
The grandeur of the Marble Palace was my first glimpse into their world—a place where simplicity intertwined with elegance. The reception room, adorned with lush furs and woven blankets, served not only as the Queen's throne but also as a place of respite to those seeking her counsel. Here, the Queen was perched upon an alabaster platform, listening carefully to the citizenry. Sceptical of whether I was being presented a false image of harmony, I remained for quite some time. Dispelling my concerns, Queen Taivas truly appeared to allow easy communication with her people - a rarity among nests.
At the Aryeal Hall, annexed to the Marble Palace, a cacophony of voices rang in harmonious melodies, a first-hand experience of their rich literary tradition. Although I noticed it immediately upon arrival, it was striking how differently the Northerners conversed. While some might jest about their hearty accents, I found their linguistic traditions utterly captivating. Proto-Starrian, the progenitor of our modern script, stood as one of the world's oldest and most influential literary languages. Remarkably, here in the North, the legacy of Proto-Starrian persisted, dominating their writings and spoken language. However, it has somewhat evolved into a Northern dialect and is now referred to simply as the "North Script" or "North Speak."
My research took me beyond the palace walls, unveiling the symbiotic relationship between the Northerners and their natural surroundings. The husbandry of porminn stood as a cornerstone of their existence. Yet, it was the mastery of robust textile creation that enchanted me—thick, durable fabrics that were skilfully woven, a testament to their commitment to their traditional crafts. The only tradition they have abandoned is their earliest form of artistry, manifested in monumental rock reliefs etched into cliffs and boulders — all of them tied to the nest's creation myth, said to have originated from a fallen star.
The rhythm of life here in the North is bookmarked by solstice festivals, feasts, and all manner of celebrations, where breath-taking auroras sparked particular celebrations — the revered Aurorae Dance. In these traditions, I glimpsed their spiritual connection with the elements of nature, devoid of formal religion but rooted in reverence for the natural world and the ancient customs of fire and hearth, discarded elsewhere.
Their collectivist society revolved around a robust family structure, focussing on values of trust, loyalty, and courage. Exile was considered akin to obliteration, worse than physical death if you endured the harsh winters was the loss of identity, purpose, and kin.
Notes to self:
- Northerners typically adhere to pacifism, discouraging conflict between citizens, and actively fostering a harmonious nest. In stark contrast to the individualistic culture of the Star Nest, which places emphasis on bloodlines and inheritance, Northern cultures prioritize demonstrated loyalty, aligning closely with their robust code of ethos. Unlike the noble families of Star, one might be claimed by a Northern clan as kin purely through sheer diligence.
- Despite valuing peace, caeli of the North are known to be fierce fighters. Their physical prowess in the cold and with North weapons are unparalleled, and physical matches are known to be good sport. Other nests often try to recruit fighters from the North in order to fill their own defensive ranks.
- While I don't fancy myself a geologist, the Marble Palace was notably, not created of marble. The indigenous stone in the Northern Nest holds remarkable visual similarity to the carbonate rock. Upon closer examination, as I ran my hand over the surface of the rock, I noticed an unexpected warmth emanating from it. Astonishingly, this native stone displayed commendable insulation properties.