The Danfalk

The Danthing incursion occured after the Goerthan Big Flood, as part of a mass movement of peoples from Targelon to the west. The Danfalk were the western most tribes, actually related to the Winarians but separated by several generations. The incursion sparked the Mage War which shaped much of the peninsula. Following the Mage War some of the Danfalk went south and settled in Sevalia. These were the Colbrians.

Danfalk are a large people, with blond, sandy brown, or auburn hair and blue eyes.

Belmerthurs: Inhabitants of Belmerth.

Lance (or Lants): The dominant branch of Danfalk, controlling Lancesor and Belagor. The Colbrians, who founded Verentis, were a branch of the Lance.

Vidarians: Nominally Danfalk, the Vidarian culture is still heavily steeped in Winarian tradition.

Family

Kinship

Kinship	Patriarchal
Lineage	Patrilineal
Inheritence	Primogeniture

Courtship and Marriage

It is said that after the Mage War, the kings of the Danfalk began programs to encourage the birth of more sons, to make up for the great losses suffered. Women were associated with Winarian magic, and found themselves losing status in the southern realms. No longer able to own property, they were consigned to producing male children for the powerful men of their day. Female infanticide was not an unpopular practice.

Marriages among the Danfalk nobility have created a situation in which family bickering dominates politics. The most powerful family of the Danfalk is the Lancesorian House of Nieron which allies itself with the kings of Belagor and Fodeor are on the other.

Naming

Danfalk tend to use given name followed by a family name. Famous individuals are frequently given one or more epithets.

Society Characteristics

The kingdoms of the Andalors are basically feudal states. They are each head by a king and under the king nobles who represent the military and esoteric power of the state.

Progressiveness	Progressive
Planning	Short term, 2-5 years.
Advancement	Advancing
Growth	Competitive
Militancy	Neutral
Unity	Discordant
Tolerance	Neutral

Social Class and Status

Foundations of Status

Status is based on military or esoteric strength, in that order.

Customs and Rigidity of Status

Attaining status merely involves obtaining military or esoteric power and successfully using it to carve a niche. The population and infrastructural level of the Andalors is low enough to make this feasible.

Status Levels

Social Class	Status Level
High King	20
King/Warlord	19
Royal Kinsman	17-18
Noble Householder	14-16
Priest	13
Noble Retainer	11-12
Clansman	9-10
Monk	8
Wealthy Commoner	6-8
Poor Commoner	2-5
Slave/Thrall	1

Education

In Lancesor, the king has established a school at Lancedon for educating the realm's nobles. Mostly, however, learning is done through apprenticeship or mentorship. There are also learned men who teach out of their homes. Every castle has training facilities for soldiers. There is no cavalry in the Andalors, so a specialized knight class has never developed. Instead there are common soldiers, who train in regular fighting styles. Then there are noble warriors, who are trained in more esoteric fighting arts, as well as leadership, strategy, and tactics.

Danfalk Costume

The Danfalk are fond of flashy colors. A variety of fur-bearing animals and the cool weather of the region encourages the wearing of many layers of clothing and furs.

Hair

Danfalk are particular about their hair. Members of the nobility braid their hair as a token of status. Warriors (and their wives) are encouraged to wear their hair as long as it will grow. Traditionally, non-warriors are supposed to keep their hair to no longer than shoulder length. Slaves are shaven bald (and as a result, Danfalk think that Winarian priests look like slaves). Danfalk priests, in their special position, wear a single braid running like a stripe from pate to nape of neck, but shave the sides.

Cosmetics and Mutilation

Tattooing is a popular custom, but is allowed only in adults (over the age of 14). Danfalk prefer animal symbols.

Danfalk men and women pierce their ears and wear whatever is the flashiest jewelry they can afford. Members of religious professions will also pierce other parts of their bodies, but wear no jewelry, only religious paraphernalia (which, admittedly, sometimes looks like jewelry).

Propriety

Danfalk cover themselves except when bathing submerged. To be naked in sunlight is thought to be disrespectful to the gods, as the rays of Bayloth reveal too much the weaknesses of mortal men. When wearing clothing, exposed areas of skin tend to be covered in tattoos.

Eating Habits

Diet

Fish, wurch meat, bread, and vegetable stews form the diet of most Andalorians. Only a few types of berries grow in the Andalors. Nobles may import fruit from Sevalia.

Dining Rituals and Practices

Men and women do not eat together. The women serve the men first, then eat together later in private and out of sight. Among the noblemen, the lowest status individuals take the first bite and the first drink.

Sleeping Practices

Sleeping quarters for single men, single females, and married couples (with their children) are kept separate when possible. Children are given separate quarters in wealthy households.

Language

The most prevalent language spoken is called Argalance (also Lancesian, or Lantsian), but is actually spoken in countless dialects throughout the area. The language of trade and diplomacy is Verentian, which is actually related to Argalance.