Sarnensians

The Sarnensians are a culturally defined community centered in the fictional Sarn River basin. They describe a set of interrelated communities sharing language, customary law, and artistic traditions, rather than a single unified state. They identify collectively as Sarnensian and maintain regional subgroups.

Etymology and origins: The name derives from the old Sarnen word for watercourse. The ethnogenesis occurred through decades of interaction among river settlements in late antiquity, with later consolidation into distinct yet related regional identities during the medieval period.

Geography and population: Inhabiting river valleys and foothills of northern Sarnia, the Sarnensian homeland includes several urban centers and rural districts. Contemporary estimates place most Sarnensians in three core districts, with diaspora communities across neighboring regions.

Language: The Sarnen language family comprises three branches—Sarnic, Alaran, and North-Sarnish—often with bilingualism in a regional lingua franca used for trade and administration.

Culture and society: Social life centers on kinship networks, guilds, and elder councils. Traditional crafts include metalwork, pottery, and textile weaving. Seasonal festivals tied to harvests and river cycles structure communal life.

History and governance: Early sources describe federations of river settlements; later, urban centers and merchant networks formed. Modern governance blends customary law with statutory institutions and regional councils.

Religion and beliefs: Traditional belief centers on ancestor veneration and river spirits; contact with external religions led to a plural landscape, with many Sarnensians identifying as secular or practicing multiple faiths.

Identity and culture: Today, Sarnensians sustain music, dance, cuisine, and oral storytelling, while engaging in regional cultural preservation and education initiatives.