Algyaldan
The Algyaldan are the main group of hobgoblins known to outsiders, and may also be called Forefordian, which is their name in the elven tongue. Although this name is generally only applied by elves, certain adjacent cultures also make use of this name. The Algyaldans may also refer to themselves as Tsivilizacijalyy or Bikahšyy Kešhlar, but this claim is pointless without also demeaning the "uncivilized" or "lesser" Hobgoblins, so such terms are not used here. The Algyaldan are immensely proud of their civilized demeanor and culture, which they trace back to a unification of tribes under benevolent elven rule. After a period of time under the Kingdom of Foreforde, which was ruled by elves, the local Hobgoblins eventually came to control the government and over time the state became more known by the name it's natives called it: Algyaldan.
Algyaldan culture is greatly influenced by that of the elven peoples, and the Algyaldans retain close ties with many of the elven nations they border, which is a rarity considering the High Elves generally restrict trade with outsiders. Their culture also heavily reflects the Izobhüdiye religion, and they are generally a faithful people, at minimum greatly revering their ancestors and canonized saints. They also maintain many traditions from when they were migratory, as well as a fierce warrior culture, exemplified by their hawkish stance towards centaur encroachment. The Algyaldans are a hardy people, used to conflict and hard times, but also a society of proud and stubborn people, unwilling to back down from what they see as their birthright, which often comes with territorial connotations. As a people they are generally settled by this point, and those on the borders must deal with raids by both centaurs and the migratory hobgoblins who often attack. The cultural values and bonds of the Algyaldans is also reflected in those residing in other lands.
The broader Algyaldan identity can be split into 5 different groups, each occupying a general goegraphical region. In the southern parts of Algyaldan, within the Magilacq region, one can find the Maghalyk, a group of hobgoblins with both a notable streak of elven blood and a tendency towards magic. The Maghalyk were some of the first to be conquered by the elves, as they lived within the boundaries of the magical forest, though not very deep. Thus, with elven conquest they became soldiers and increasingly political leaders administering the other hobgoblin tribes. During the early years of Foreforde, these Hobgoblins were favored and somewhat dissipated throughout the lands as they intermarried with locals. However, thay also maintained a population in Magilacq, which was also the only region of Foreforde to recieve significant elven settlement beyond the new urban areas along the rivers and estuaries. The Maghalyk are still considered some of the finest Algyaldans have to offer, though their days of political dominance have faded. They are generally seen as beautiful, mysterious, and magically adept by their compatriots, and their lands not only host the main magical academy of Algyaldan but also the largest trading centers with the High Elves. Their mystique is enhanced by the plurality of elves within the region.
To the north of the Maghalyk, populating both banks of the main river in the region (though extending mostly from the right, or eastern, bank) dwell the Horaš. The region of Horaš settlement is the most densely populated of all Algyaldan, and the population of the region mostly traces their ancestry back to the tribes originally conquered by the elves. They also have a sizable ancestry from western migrants during the relatively recent migrations eastwards. Most of the large cities of Algyaldan are situated in this region, with the areas along the river being heavily cultivated. Much of the rest of the Horaš lands are a mix between forest steppe, some grassland steppe, and more hilly regions, where hunting trapping, logging, and herding are the primary economic movers. There is limited amounts of montane grasslands, as the higher elevations of the south have long been the domain of the Lunar Elves, and what does exist is very sparsely populated. The Horaš do not have any true forested regions as the southern forest is the domain of the Maghalyk.
To the west of the Horaš, the population shifts to two different groups. In the north, around the Tloman Hills, the population is Tloman, while the majority of the west is populated by the Reltivator. The Tloman are a hardy group of Algyaldan. Fiercely independent, they trace their ancestry back to Rhodum Mistspear, a legendary general (Tloman means Mistspear in their language). The Tloman were driven back into the hills as centaurs tribes pressed forward in the steppe, with their population refusing to abandon resistance. Many years of warfare left their people drained and weak, and they were eventually incorporated as a march during the Foreforde period. They continue to agitate for wars against centaurs to this day, and have the most militaristic culture of any Algyaldans. The Tloman are regarded as brave and strong by their fellows, and represent the apex of Hobgoblin manhood to many. When not at war, they are mainly herders and genrally have few large settlements. There is a small section of Tloman living in lands controlled by centaurs in the western hills, who are in close contact with their free brethren and who generally refuse to submit to centaur authority. Over the years, their numbers have greatly dwindled, however.
In contrast to Tloman, the Reltivator are Hobgoblins who once fled the west for the east, and after many years of intermingling with the Horaš eventually returned to their ancestral lands. The modern Reltivator are a mix between these reclaimers and those of predominantly Horaš blood looking to move west for numerous reasons. Life on the rontier can be tough, but the open lands are a great draw for the poor and destitute who struggle to make ends meet otherwise or who dream of owning their own lands. Such settlement is encouraged as a means to supplement defenses of the "Dwarven Road", a trade route running through the south of Algyaldan and through the pass into Bakatyeong. Settlements along this route have begun to flourish in recent years, while the rest of the reclaimed steppe is generally a depopulated wasteland. As the Algyaldan conquests stalled against stiffened opposition, the strategic buffer between the population and centaurs who had been on the run was no longer as secure, thus discouraging further settlement directly along the porous frontier.
Looking east rather than west from the Horaš, most of the population is Estenčygyš. The Estenčygyš are a population of Algyaldan who were conquered in the latter period of Foreforde control and into the Algyaldan period. Many of them retain a seminomaidic lifestyle, and their lands are not exploited or settled in a major way. Estenčygyš lands are a patchwork of forest and grassland steppe, butting up against the magical forest in the south. The region is also notable for a number of lakes in its rolling terrain, where larger and more permanent sedantary settlements are genrally located. These lakes increase in density to the north, where the region transitions from forest steppe to coastal forests. This region is also populated by many goblins, and is not fully conquered. To increase control of the north, the state has begun encouraging migration, which some Estenčygyš resent. However, they agree that Hobgoblin dominance over the regional goblins must be achieved. Estenčygyš are seen as somewhat less civilized than the rest of the Algyaldan, due to their seminomaidic status and late adidition to the culture. However, they are mostly loyal citizens, with only a few following the old ways.
Algyaldan culture is greatly influenced by that of the elven peoples, and the Algyaldans retain close ties with many of the elven nations they border, which is a rarity considering the High Elves generally restrict trade with outsiders. Their culture also heavily reflects the Izobhüdiye religion, and they are generally a faithful people, at minimum greatly revering their ancestors and canonized saints. They also maintain many traditions from when they were migratory, as well as a fierce warrior culture, exemplified by their hawkish stance towards centaur encroachment. The Algyaldans are a hardy people, used to conflict and hard times, but also a society of proud and stubborn people, unwilling to back down from what they see as their birthright, which often comes with territorial connotations. As a people they are generally settled by this point, and those on the borders must deal with raids by both centaurs and the migratory hobgoblins who often attack. The cultural values and bonds of the Algyaldans is also reflected in those residing in other lands.
The broader Algyaldan identity can be split into 5 different groups, each occupying a general goegraphical region. In the southern parts of Algyaldan, within the Magilacq region, one can find the Maghalyk, a group of hobgoblins with both a notable streak of elven blood and a tendency towards magic. The Maghalyk were some of the first to be conquered by the elves, as they lived within the boundaries of the magical forest, though not very deep. Thus, with elven conquest they became soldiers and increasingly political leaders administering the other hobgoblin tribes. During the early years of Foreforde, these Hobgoblins were favored and somewhat dissipated throughout the lands as they intermarried with locals. However, thay also maintained a population in Magilacq, which was also the only region of Foreforde to recieve significant elven settlement beyond the new urban areas along the rivers and estuaries. The Maghalyk are still considered some of the finest Algyaldans have to offer, though their days of political dominance have faded. They are generally seen as beautiful, mysterious, and magically adept by their compatriots, and their lands not only host the main magical academy of Algyaldan but also the largest trading centers with the High Elves. Their mystique is enhanced by the plurality of elves within the region.
To the north of the Maghalyk, populating both banks of the main river in the region (though extending mostly from the right, or eastern, bank) dwell the Horaš. The region of Horaš settlement is the most densely populated of all Algyaldan, and the population of the region mostly traces their ancestry back to the tribes originally conquered by the elves. They also have a sizable ancestry from western migrants during the relatively recent migrations eastwards. Most of the large cities of Algyaldan are situated in this region, with the areas along the river being heavily cultivated. Much of the rest of the Horaš lands are a mix between forest steppe, some grassland steppe, and more hilly regions, where hunting trapping, logging, and herding are the primary economic movers. There is limited amounts of montane grasslands, as the higher elevations of the south have long been the domain of the Lunar Elves, and what does exist is very sparsely populated. The Horaš do not have any true forested regions as the southern forest is the domain of the Maghalyk.
To the west of the Horaš, the population shifts to two different groups. In the north, around the Tloman Hills, the population is Tloman, while the majority of the west is populated by the Reltivator. The Tloman are a hardy group of Algyaldan. Fiercely independent, they trace their ancestry back to Rhodum Mistspear, a legendary general (Tloman means Mistspear in their language). The Tloman were driven back into the hills as centaurs tribes pressed forward in the steppe, with their population refusing to abandon resistance. Many years of warfare left their people drained and weak, and they were eventually incorporated as a march during the Foreforde period. They continue to agitate for wars against centaurs to this day, and have the most militaristic culture of any Algyaldans. The Tloman are regarded as brave and strong by their fellows, and represent the apex of Hobgoblin manhood to many. When not at war, they are mainly herders and genrally have few large settlements. There is a small section of Tloman living in lands controlled by centaurs in the western hills, who are in close contact with their free brethren and who generally refuse to submit to centaur authority. Over the years, their numbers have greatly dwindled, however.
In contrast to Tloman, the Reltivator are Hobgoblins who once fled the west for the east, and after many years of intermingling with the Horaš eventually returned to their ancestral lands. The modern Reltivator are a mix between these reclaimers and those of predominantly Horaš blood looking to move west for numerous reasons. Life on the rontier can be tough, but the open lands are a great draw for the poor and destitute who struggle to make ends meet otherwise or who dream of owning their own lands. Such settlement is encouraged as a means to supplement defenses of the "Dwarven Road", a trade route running through the south of Algyaldan and through the pass into Bakatyeong. Settlements along this route have begun to flourish in recent years, while the rest of the reclaimed steppe is generally a depopulated wasteland. As the Algyaldan conquests stalled against stiffened opposition, the strategic buffer between the population and centaurs who had been on the run was no longer as secure, thus discouraging further settlement directly along the porous frontier.
Looking east rather than west from the Horaš, most of the population is Estenčygyš. The Estenčygyš are a population of Algyaldan who were conquered in the latter period of Foreforde control and into the Algyaldan period. Many of them retain a seminomaidic lifestyle, and their lands are not exploited or settled in a major way. Estenčygyš lands are a patchwork of forest and grassland steppe, butting up against the magical forest in the south. The region is also notable for a number of lakes in its rolling terrain, where larger and more permanent sedantary settlements are genrally located. These lakes increase in density to the north, where the region transitions from forest steppe to coastal forests. This region is also populated by many goblins, and is not fully conquered. To increase control of the north, the state has begun encouraging migration, which some Estenčygyš resent. However, they agree that Hobgoblin dominance over the regional goblins must be achieved. Estenčygyš are seen as somewhat less civilized than the rest of the Algyaldan, due to their seminomaidic status and late adidition to the culture. However, they are mostly loyal citizens, with only a few following the old ways.
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