Conians

Conians are a fictional ethnic group described in the world-building setting of Eldaria. They are said to have originated in the eastern river valleys and along the southern coast, with community hubs in the lower Nira and Sol river basins and adjacent coastal plains. The name is traced to the ancient city of Cona, cited in several lore texts, and is sometimes rendered as Conias in older manuscripts.

History and geography: Early Conian settlements are placed in the Bronze to early Iron Age, expanding through riverine and maritime trade networks. Over time, Conian polities formed city-states and trading leagues, often engaging in both alliances and rivalries with neighboring groups. Coastal ports and river towns facilitated long-distance exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.

Society and economy: Conian society is described as regionally diverse. Some communities organize around kin-based clans led by elders; others feature centralized chieftaincies or merchant guilds. Craft production—pottery, metalwork, textiles, and shipbuilding—plays a prominent role, and markets along rivers and coasts support regional and interregional commerce.

Culture and religion: Traditional Conian belief systems emphasize river spirits, agricultural deities, and ancestor veneration. Festivals mark seasonal cycles and harvests, with music, dance, and distinctive weaving patterns contributing to communal identity.

Language and demographics: The Conian language is hypothesized to belong to a broader Aricaric family, though surviving texts are fragmentary and linguistic classification remains debated. In the modern setting, Conian identity persists primarily in cultural memory and diaspora communities, with some revival efforts in urban centers.