darovs

Darovs are a fictional ethnic group that appear in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. In most depictions, they are riverine farmers and artisans who inhabit the central valley of the continent Veloria. The name is said to derive from the Darov language, spoken by ancestors recorded in local legends.

Society and economy: Darov communities are organized into kin-based clans led by an elder council; disputes are settled by mediation and ritual reconciliation. The economy centers on agriculture, river-fisheries, and craftwork—especially pottery, basketry, and metalwork. Trade networks link river towns with neighboring peoples. Darov technology is generally described as Bronze Age with occasional ironworking.

Culture and language: The Darov language is described as agglutinative with a complex system of classifiers; many stories are transmitted orally. Cultural life centers on seasonal festivals, water rites, and ancestor veneration. Art emphasizes geometric motifs and river imagery.

History and interactions: Lore describes migrations from upland regions to the valley, followed by contact with neighboring cultures, including merchants and occasional rival groups. Conflicts typically center on control of river crossings and harvest rights, resolved through diplomacy or ritual ceremony rather than large-scale warfare.

Notes: Because Darovs appear in multiple works with varying details, there is no single canonical portrait; details differ by author and game setting.