Kyrjaits

Kyrjaits are a fictional ethnolinguistic group from the highland regions of Veloria, in the northern continent of Ardin. The name Kyrjait is derived from Kyrj, an old regional term meaning "highland kin." The Kyrjait language is an agglutinative tongue in the hypothetical Kirk language family, with two main dialects, northern and southern Kyrjait.

Geography: They inhabit valley settlements along the Ryll River, at 800–1500 meters above sea level, with about a dozen villages connected by footpaths and mountain passes.

Society and culture: Kyrjaits organize themselves around extended kin groups and elder councils. Traditional crafts include ironwork, brass ornaments, and wool weaving. Seasonal transhumance historically linked to pastoralism; today, many households combine agriculture with craft production.

History: According to lore, Kyrjaits migrated from coastal regions in the medieval era and gradually formed autonomous highland communities. Contact with neighboring groups produced cultural exchanges, while political autonomy persisted in the era of the Velorian federation.

Modern status: In the Velorian federation, Kyrjaits are recognized as a minority cultural community. Language preservation efforts are ongoing, with community schools teaching Kyrjait to younger generations and projects to document oral histories.

Notable aspects: Metalwork motifs and geometric textile patterns are distinctive elements of Kyrjait material culture.