Branthian

Branthian refers to the civilization, its people, language, and material culture that flourished on the eastern coast of the fictional continent of Eldara during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The term derives from early inscriptions naming the region Branth and its inhabitants, the Branti.

Geographically, the Branthian homeland centered on the Brant River valley and a stretch of coastal cities along the Brantine Gulf. The heartland combined riverine agriculture with maritime trade, supporting a population organized mainly into city-states governed by merchant elites.

Historically, Branthian society emerged around 1100–900 BCE with fortified towns and bronze workshops. Its economy rested on copper-tin bronze, timber, fish, and long-distance trade. By the first millennium BCE, Branthian cities formed a loose confederation to manage commerce and coastal defense. The decline began around the sixth century BCE amid external pressure and internal factionalism.

Language and writing: Branthian language belonged to the Branthic family and is known from inscriptions on bronze, stone, and pottery. The Branthic script was used for legal codes, accounting, and calendars, and it serves as the primary source for reconstructing Branthian history.

Culture and society: Branthians practiced a polytheistic religion with solar and ancestral deities, supported by monumental sculpture, shipbuilding, and craft specialization. Social life emphasized trade, kinship networks, and urban ritual spaces. Important centers preserved distinctive mural styles and bronze workshop techniques.

Legacy: Modern scholarship identifies Branthian as a key node in ancient trans-regional networks. Excavations have revealed urban planning, seafaring infrastructure, and metalworking techniques that influenced neighboring cultures. Branthian artifacts and inscriptions inform reconstructions of early Eldaran history and antiquity trade routes.