Ertes

Ertes is a term used in a fictional setting to denote a culturally cohesive group, their language, and a mineral resource associated with them.

The Ertes inhabit the high valleys and plateaus of the northern continent of Eldra. They organize themselves around councils of elders, guilds, and family lineages, and their communities are known for terraced agriculture, metalwork, and ceremonial music. Social bonds emphasize communal labor, storytelling, and reciprocal hospitality, with regional variations in dress and crafts.

Ertean is the language of the Ertes. It has a long oral tradition and is written in a script developed with aid from neighboring cultures. The language features rich metaphor and a system of noun classes that influence kinship terms, place names, and ceremonial vocabulary.

Erte crystals, the mineral resource also called erte, are translucent to pale blue and valued for their energy-storage properties. Mined in the Ertes Ridge, they support regional power grids and are traded for food, salt, and timber. Craft specialization includes crystal filigree, inlay work, and mechanical components that rely on the mineral’s conductive qualities. The crystals also hold ceremonial significance in rites of passage and in the depiction of ancestral figures.

Historically, the Ertes trace their origins to migrations recorded in ancient cairns and inscriptions dating back about a thousand years. They have seen periods of conflict and alliance with neighboring peoples, shaping the current borders and interregional trade networks of Eldra.

Notable Ertes figures include Lyra Ertes, a chronicler who documented oral histories, and Torin Ertes, a craftsman famed for silverwork and crystal filigree.