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Dawnstar Ancestor Reverence
Year of the Emperor 486, 00-09 3rd year
Committed to parchment by Aethen-Mercurian liaison and historian Settra Wolfram, Dawnstar Library, Castle Frostfall.
Ave allies.
As our more "Hermertianised" Aethen brethren continue to discover more about our native homeland's ancient history, yet more is uncovered as time progresses onwards. Those Aethen who followed Samaia Almandine's seccession from Perth were finally re-patriated after who-knows how many Mercannums spent wandering or living beyond their homeland. The knowledge of their people is finally available to them, House Almandine included.
The Ancient Sites that we know of so far have been accessed by non native Aethen (Snow Elves) only so far. The late Duchess Samaia Almandine as the only exception, being of half Aethen - half human descent. As a result of the internecine conflict between the repatriated Perthian Aethen and few Human settlers, and the Natives of Dawnstar's lands, mistrust and outright hostilities had brief cessations of violence allowing for dialogue. Dawnstar is still a young and there is much to learn.
More information is being allowed to surface, with a slight thaw in the tense relations that the native Aethen have even with their "Hermertianised" kin. A number of monument sites have been recorded, though their locations are forbidden to be noted. It is unknown even to the natives themselves how exactly many of these were created. What is known however, is that they form a natural succession of the tribe's journeys across the lands. The vast and untamed wilderness is unforgiving, leading to most of the population to affect a nomadic lifestyle. This in turn has, if the legends are to be believed from the shaman-monks, has led to these sites becoming a link with their ancestors and the ley-lines in the world's spirit.
Ancestor guidance has been a core principal in the lives of the Aethen people for millennium. Each shrine or monument is, given empirical evidence, seen to be in a spot of particular natural beauty. A small monument is observed within a few, or a particular outcrop of rock, waterfall or cavern or notable river feature. These are secluded areas, with little chance for an explorer to ever come across them by accident.
Each site does not have a tribe specific significance, with any Aethen permitted to attend the sacred sites. Given the revered and sacrosanct nature of these incredible, ancient places, there is an unwritten law that no violence should ever occur within their boundaries. Any Aethen caught disregarding this proscribed activity is harshly dealt with with lashing or ritual starvation.
While many of the other established religious beliefs in the Mercurian Empire are perhaps, from certain points of view, more "civilised" than Dawnstar's native beliefs, let no one contest the rigid adherence to the core principals of Discipline, Strength, and above all: Honour to one's ancestors. Their bloodlines have been carried from through the snow and winters for thousands of years. Each young Aethen can only aspire to make their ancestors proud.
More information is slow to be uncovered, and wishing to respect the natives who hold these secrets close to their hearts, we shall not pry. Trust is earned, not requested nor given. We will have to wait for further evidence or details of significant, prominent places, rituals or hierarchy system, if any.
Written by Settra Wolfram, "An introductory treatise on Dawnstar Native Ancestor Reverence".
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_________________ Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil
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