Khirinan

Khirinan is the dominant culture of the island of Khirina. It is the primary cultures of both the Grand Duchy of Irinoff and the Republic of Enekland as well as constituing nearly half of the population of Pranor's Strand. Khirinan Culture is a unique blend of both the native Khirinans who had lived on the island since before the founding of the Kingdom of Two Rivers, the mass migration of Kirshallan people that fled the destruction of the Kirshani Empire in 535 as well as the nearby Ferrani who have often staid within their own borders but allowed for passing caravans.

Heirbond

The Heirbond was a concept unique to Khirinan culture. While the noble houses outside of Khirina will only extend to those who are directly related to the House's Lord, in Khirina this is extended to the Second Sons or more broadly, to the second in line for the noble seat. In cases where either the first or second in line are no longer able, the next appropriate family member in line after that, following in age order, will take the spot of the Heirbond.

It is customary for the Heirbonded to be given a position of power subordinate to the heir apparent. This has historically lead to conflicts where jealous second sons have used their position to usurp power from their older brothers. As such, it is not uncommon for the Heirbonded to be given a position of power with little influence, or a token position that implies power but does not actually grant any such powers.

The Four Khirinans

While technically, one culture with a shared language, there in truth, exists four distinct branches of Khirinan, divided across in each direction.

East Khirinan

Stretching from Great Irinoff south to the The Blighted Coast, the East Khirinan are the representatives of all Khirina in the world's eye. Famed for their harvest feasts and spring dances, the East Khirinan are the oldest of the human tribes who settled the land.

South Khirinan

The wealth of Enekland shows on the South Khirinan, fond of colorful silks shipped across the seas from the Aelves of Tel'A'At, they are more akin to the warm and inviting grand halls of Aminum than the cold cities of Irinoff. Much of this can be attributed to the mass migration of Kirshallans who fled their homes in the fires of Emperor Benalon I Ulanala to Enekland.

West Khirinan

Bog-dwellers, forest-men and hillsfolk, the West Khirinan are the rugged survivalists of the island. The West Khirinans are also among the most spiritually inclined, but heretical in their practices, they have been influenced each by the Ferrani to the south, the Amanite to the east, and in the westernmost shores, fire worshippers of the Disciples of The Sunder have begun preaching along the smallest farming communities while members of the Marshborne preach among the fishing communities found along the Melyn. By time a force can be mustered from distant Melynk, they are long since scattered.

North Khirinan

Made up largely of men living in the mountain ranges and the valley-city of Ordhov, the North Khirinan are the hardiest among all Khirinan and, as they would claim, across the whole of Man.