Arinian

Arinian refers to the inhabitants of the Arin Isles, an archipelago off Eldoria's western coast, as well as to their language and cultural practices.

The Arin Isles consist of about a dozen main islands with rocky coasts, eucalyptus and pine forests, and sheltered harbors. The climate is mild, with wet winters and dry summers.

The Arinians trace urban settlements to the late Bronze Age, developing a network of maritime city-states by the early medieval era. They flourished as a trading and seafaring people, forming the Maritime Confederacy in the 12th century. In the modern period, after a gradual integration into the Eldorian state system, the Arin city-states retain considerable local autonomy.

Arinian society emphasizes family networks, guilds, and seafaring professions. The Arinian language belongs to the Neo-Italic family and uses the Arin Script for records and commerce. Religion is polytheistic with sea-focused rituals; major festivals include the Spring Tides Festival and the Night of Lanterns. Social norms prize maritime skill, craftsmanship, and oral storytelling.

The current political system is the Arin Confederacy, a federal federation of city-states with a rotating Grand Council and a ceremonial Harbor Speaker who represents the confederacy externally. The economy centers on fishing, shipbuilding, and coastal trade, supplemented by pearl diving and small-scale agriculture inland. Notable sites include the port of Maris and the harbor towns of Thalen and Eira.