Nerathi

Nerathi refers to both a fictional ethnolinguistic group and their language in the world of Ardenton. The Nerathi are traditionally coastal and seafaring, inhabiting the northern archipelago of the Verdant Sea. The name Nerathi is derived from the old term Nerath, meaning coast-dwellers in their tongue.

They occupy a chain of islands and the adjacent mainland coast, with major urban centers including Neris and Khol. Political organization is decentralized, often centered on clan councils rather than a single state.

The Nerathi language belongs to the Tyrenic branch of the Ardenton language family. It has several dialects and is written with a native script in some communities; it is commonly learned alongside the regional lingua franca.

Archaeological evidence suggests Nerathi settlements arose in the early medieval period, with intensified maritime activity and trade networks that connected island communities to inland regions. A loose maritime confederation formed by the mid era persisted in various degrees of autonomy.

Society is clan-based, with a Council of Elders guiding major decisions and annual sea-festival marking harvests and voyages. Maritime skills, boat-building, weaving, and beadwork are traditional crafts. Diet emphasizes fish, sea vegetables, and salt-preserved foods. Religion combines ancestor worship with nature spirits; contemporary Nerathi often blend these beliefs with broader regional practices.

Economy relies on fishing, trade, and crafts, and island communities participate in regional markets and, increasingly, tourism. Language vitality varies by island: Nerathi is taught in local schools but faces competition from the regional lingua franca; preservation efforts are ongoing.

Notable Nerathi figures include poets, navigators, and elders who contribute to cultural life.