Anzian

Anzian is a term used in the fictional world of Anzia to denote the ethnic group and their language. In this context, Anzians are described as a coastal people whose territory runs along the eastern shore and its river delta. The language, also called Anzian, is central to regional identity and is studied as a distinct member of the world’s linguistic catalog.

Etymology and language: The name derives from the ancestral term anz-, found in early chronicles. Anzian is described as an agglutinative, subject–object–verb language with vowel harmony; it features two principal dialects, Western Anzian and Eastern Anzian, and uses the Anzian script, a runic-derived writing system.

Geography and society: Traditionally, Anzians inhabit lowland plains and delta towns such as Lomar, Sirel, and Gath. Social organization centers on extended clans arranged into regional councils. The economy relies on fishing, boatbuilding, and river trade, supplemented by agriculture and craft production such as pottery and textile weaving.

History: Within the fictional chronology, Anzian communities emerged in the Bronze Age and later formed the River Confederacy, a loose political federation, to coordinate defense and commerce. Contact with neighboring polities shaped religious practices and art, while urban centers expanded in the medieval and early modern periods.

Culture and religion: Anzian religious life emphasizes ancestor shrines and seasonal rites. Cultural expressions include weaving, carved woodwork, and lyre-like instruments. Festivals mark planting, navigational milestones, and harvest.

Modern status: In the contemporary fiction setting, Anzian communities maintain language and cultural institutions, including schools, archives, and cultural associations, and participate in a multilateral political framework within Anzia.