Taarieven

The Taarieven are a fictional ethnolinguistic group described as native to the highland plateaus of Eldara. The name is thought to derive from taar, an ancient Eldaran word for hearth, with a suffix used in ethnonyms. The Taarieven are presented as a cohesive cultural community with a distinct language, traditional crafts, and a shared system of customary practice.

Language and writing are central to Taarieven identity. Taarievian is described as an agglutinative language belonging to the Taariewic branch of the Eldaran language family. It is traditionally transmitted through family networks and community schooling, and historically employed a syllabic script used by scribes in village archives.

Historically, the Taarieven emerged as a distinct group in the early medieval period, organizing in clan-based polities in the highlands and maintaining trade connections with inland communities. Over time they absorbed influences from neighboring peoples, shaping ritual practice, craft traditions, and social norms. In colonial or state-administrative eras, many Taarieven migrated to towns, while others retained rural settlements that sustain customary practices.

Culture and society center on kin-based social structures governed by councils of elders. Traditional crafts are a hallmark, especially weaving, pottery, and woodcarving. Economically, communities balance small-scale agriculture with pastoral activities and seasonal transhumance. Shared rituals emphasize ancestors, the hearth, and seasonal harvests, with festivals that reinforce communal ties.

Contemporary status varies by region. Population figures are not fixed in this construct, but communities are imagined to maintain both rural villages and urban diasporas within Eldaran national contexts. Efforts to preserve language and craft are typically cited as central to sustaining Taarieven cultural heritage.