G'huis

G'huis is the largest rathari range both in terms of geographical area and population on Aquanius. Having been settled for thousands of years they have defended their territory from both the Sunna and different dwarven expeditions; although they allow open passage for both of them under the terms of trade and exploration. As a semi-nomadic people their are few population centers except for their center of government and a series of watchtowers they maintain on the east coast.

The range is divided into smaller regions with each region's central gathering point a large wood and stone tower. The tower will rise above the treetops so that it is visible to all those flying around it. The peaks are commonly flying hundreds of different flags and banners depending on who is nearby and what is happening. The eyesight of the rathari allow for effective communication across the range by semaphore.

• Capitol: Split End

  • Major Cities: So'val
• Official Languages(s): Rathari

  • Regional Languages(s): Soone
• Ethnic Minority Groups:

  • Jo'kari, 18,000, Semi-Independent live near the Escarian Mountains
  • Ni'booke, 15,000, Followers of the True Dawn
  • Narsh, 8,000, Religious semi-radical independents
• Demonym: huis'nan
• Government: Council(s)
• Area: 300,000 sq. km

  • Approximately size of Italy
• Territories:
• Population: 725,000
• Military:

  • 5,000 Standing Regulars
  • All able adults serve two years in militia
• Structures:

  • 42 Towers still active
  • 18 Castles in ruins or abandoned
• Currency:

  • Foreign only

Although rathari have lived in the area for thousands of years before the “founding” of this range it was only officially accepted by its neighbors in Y837 AE after those living here repelled a large incursion from the Children of the Sun. The treaty that ended this war drew the border between the two countries. This war in turn created a permanent settlement and need for centralized government to ensure it was maintained. The hu family was the largest in the area and so they signed the agreement.

This single settlement eventually grew as those families living near it prospered and spread north. As nearby families and communities slowly joined and intermingled over hundreds of years the territory of those who owned a measure of prosperity to G'huis expanded. Eventually it reached a point where communities far removed the central family stopped joining for their was no benefit.

With the agreement became a need to oversee it. At first the Hu Family oversaw everything, but as the extended family grew it became difficult to get agreement on changes. The matriarch of the family selected council of elders to relieve this burden upon the others. Each member was selected for personal loyalty to her, age, and wisdom. Rule was for the elderly as those who could still fly the skies should not be bound by the earth and words.

The council grew as did their territory. Eventually smaller councils sprung up to administrate distant regions. Each council built their own “Council House” modeled on the large towers of Split End. This structure remains in place to the current age. The local council oversees all local issues, but may take its case to the central council for wisdom and adjudication.

With central councils the “freedom to roam” became more constrained. The local rathari did not appreciate newcomers arriving and taking their resources or trade goods. The tradition of freedom conflicted with the government of council. In Y1202 AE a small conflict eventually grew into a range war between the Blue Skies and the Councils. The various Councils would have won except eventually Council militia were fighting each other over long territorial grievances.

This was not a bloody war with massive casualties, but instead thousands were wounded - many too wounded to fly again. The Hu Council eventually sent in their own trained troops along with come neutral Council militia. This was the first use of regular military, which had been created to fight the Sunna if necessary.

When the Eye of the Magi first appeared in the sky the huis'nan leaders saw this as a sign that Aesir was angry with them and the war came to a close. The end result was not just the destruction of several council houses, but stronger centralized controls as the Hu Council brought the more independent councils to heel. In addition those ranges outside of the huis'nan drew together to oppose any further expansion.

In Y108 AH a trading dispute between the huis'nan and hel'nan threatened to break into open conflict. The huis'nan again sent their experienced soldiers to “mediate” this situation. The hel'nan had hired a theodovan mercenary company to open their own “negotiations.” Magic is not unknown among the ratheri; although most consider the practice of anything except proscribed by the Scholars of Aesir. The mercenaries did not just bring sword and shield to the battle, but magic not seen among the huis'nan in generations.

The battle was short and the huis'nan forced to retreat. The hel'nan could not continue to pay the mercenary for long and dismissed them after signing a peace treaty with the huis'nan. Eighteen years after that peace treaty the “Night the Wings Fell” happened. The huis'nan sent in assassins to kill those who hired the mercenaries and other influential hel'nan before their soldiers moved into the territory. By morning the few scattered remnants of the hel'nan had fled - all others were killed.

It was a brutal conflict and one that not only made the point of involving outsiders, but drew their neighbors together rather than risk being destroyed by the huis'nan.