Irydnu: About the Irydnu

Irydnu

Hey gang!

I've spoken to some folks in emails and PMs about the Irydnu, long long ago, before this handy dandy lore forum existed. So I'll recap what I said then here...

Of all of the Human subraces, they're one of the most exotic - don't think of them as Egyptian - it's too easy a fit (and besides, the ancient Imperial Irekei pre-war of flames are the Egypt analogues for SB). For the Irydnu, you need to go to the other end of Africa: sub-sahara.

It's a little known fact that up until the 15th centruy there were thriving EMPIRES in sub-saharran Africa, the builders of Great Zimbabwe, Timbuktu, and other places. Very little is known of them today (alas, they left no written records!), but accounts of the time and archaeological data point to lavish cities.

To this African framework, inject a huge dose of India for flavor. Picture cities with carvings covering every building, and temples that rival the Khmer culture in deep asia.

Anyway, I evision the Irydnu as a magocracy - the Wise hold the power, and the non-magically gifted are secondary citizens. They see Half Giants as inferior (a marked contrast to the Invorri), and use them almost as beasts of burden. I can imagine a caste system as rigid as you see in old India, with privileged, enlightened nobles ruling over thousands of low castes, and untouchables maintaing a thriving black market in foreign goods, slaves, and the raw materials for the magical experimentation of the elite. Expect to see all manner of summoned and charmed creatures, and murgolems far different from what the Ethyrian magi have devised.

The actual Irydnu territory consists of an assortment of massive City States, each ruled by a council of wizards. For a really quick fantasy analog, look to Martin's description of Qarth when Danaerys goes there, but adjust the skin color of the inhabitants accordingly.

That should be enough to get you going. Tyhe obvious question: will you guys ever get to visit the Irydnu lands? In time, all things are possible - new weapons, clothes, armor, and architecture is a tall order, from an art standpoint alone. Not to mention all the strange, exotci creatures that might live there. I'd expect the distant realms to come in an expension someday. Util then, Irydnu walking the known fragments are fish out of water, remembering their homelands fondly but unable to return.

I hope this helps!