Kivirans

The Kivirans are a fictional ethnolinguistic group from the central highlands of the continent of Nyr. They speak Kiviran, a language within the Nyric family, and maintain a distinct artistic tradition that includes metalworking, wood carving, and patterned textiles. The name Kiviran is believed to derive from an ancient term for "river stone," though etymology is contested.

Geography and population: They inhabit the Kivar Basin and surrounding valleys, with major towns along the Vyr river. Key centers include Kivar City, Retham, and Lethara. Population estimates range from 200,000 to 350,000, concentrated in rural communes and market towns.

Society and culture: The Kivirans are organized into kin-based clans that participate in a mutual-aid network. Local governance is by elder councils; major towns elect a High Speaker who coordinates inter-clan affairs. Cultural life centers on craft, oral poetry, and festival days tied to the harvest and solar cycle. The religion is animistic, venerating ancestors and natural forces, with a sun goddess central to many rites.

History: Archaeological and textual traditions place the Kivirans as forming a cohesive culture roughly a millennium ago after migrations from the eastern plains. They established the Crescent Confederacy, a loose federation of towns, before consolidations in later centuries. They maintained trade and diplomacy with neighboring cultures, developing distinctive metallurgical and textile techniques.

Economy and contemporary status: The economy is a mix of agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, and craft production, with a notable export of textiles and metal goods. In modern times, the Kivirans engage in regional trade networks and navigate political changes within Nyr's central realms. Language preservation and cultural revival movements have gained attention in recent decades.