Alinors

The Alinors are a fictional seafaring people whose culture centers on navigation, trade, and coastal communities. They inhabit the Alinor Archipelago, a cluster of islands in the eastern seas, with the capital city of Elarin and a network of port towns along the southern coasts.

Origin and name: The ethnonym Alinor derives from an ancient phrase meaning "people of the tide." Early inscriptions place their founding in the late first millennium of their calendar, following a migration from the northern shores after a long famine.

Society and governance: Alinor society is organized around guilds and elected councils, with the Circle of Elders serving as a ceremonial and judicial body. Maritime proficiency, carpentry, and seamanship are highly valued. The calendar centers on seasonal tides, with major rites marking planting, harvest, and voyages.

Language and culture: The Alinori language has several regional dialects and uses a syllabary known as the ilvi script for inscriptions. Oral tradition preserves epic voyages and genealogies, often told in taverns and markets. Architecture favors wind-swept stone piers, whitewashed walls, and gated harbors.

Economy and relations: The economy blends fishing, shipbuilding, and trade with neighboring realms. They maintain a network of free ports and mutual defense pacts, balancing piracy concerns with commerce. In modern depictions, they are portrayed as cautious yet worldly merchants who prize reliability and seamanship.

History and legacy: Notable events include the Founding, the Pact of the Northern Chorus, and a long maritime treaty with inland kingdoms. The Alinors' legacy is evident in harbor planning, nautical laws, and ceremonial songs.