- CERCHAE -

Cerchae was founded by Meoqai and the Cercahe symbol is of an amphibious Kvamda. Meoqai are able to hold their breath for a very long time and use the Kvamda when fishing in the many rivers, tributaries, pools and lakes of their land.

The Cerchae pride themselves on their knowledge. Any respectable Cerchae clan has a library, museum, and school; to be uneducated is strongly frowned upon. Although the Cerchae study all subjects, they have a strong passion for archaeology. This mainly involves the exploration of ruins of an unknown civilisation destroyed long before the Cerchae settled their land. Professional Cerchae explorers have now located these remains across the whole of the known world and before the Huaos-Dzaa conquered they amassed a sizeable collection of artefacts from all quarters of Edadh. The Huaos-Dzaa confiscated as much of these collections as they could along with most scrolls, books and anything vaguely connected to the Sagi, the wielders of magic and religion.

Though the Cerchae are an educated people they are also strong fighters; quick to defend their hearth and home against any who would attack them. The Cerchae culture is composed of several Kingdoms and ancient feuds exist between them that used to frequently erupt into war. The Kingdoms still exist, together with Kings and Queens who claim to be able to trace their ancestry back to the rulers who sat on their thrones before the Huaos-Dzaa arrived.

The central lands of Cerchae are in the main flat, forested and swampy with countless waterways, tributaries, ponds, lakes and rivers. Precipitous, individual tors and low, rocky outcrops and hills jut above the forest canopy. The western coast is one giant, interlinked delta punctuated with tors whose sides are vertical cliff faces and low lying, forested or grassy islands.

Hills covered in coniferous and deciduous wood to the north, and heath and grass in the south, funnel streams and rivers into Cerchae's heart but the largest volume of water pours in from the east where steep, rocky foothills of a great mountain range mark Cerchae's border.

On tors, hills and ridges where springs or wells exist, the Cerchae built their homes and most travel is conducted via the myriad water-courses.

Both male and female Cerchae wear trousers, usually manufactured from softened leather and winter ones are often lined with fur. In late spring, summer and early autumn the Cerchae go bare foot but in the colder months knee length boots are donned. Plain shirts are worn on top although vivid colours are common. Many females opt to wear ankle length dresses instead of a shirt. These dresses are often worn over the top of trousers and are slit from the hip down on one side.

During the colder times of the year both sexes also wear jackets. These are styled to have wide cuffs and collars that can be turned up and fastened under the chin.

In all weathers Cerchae wear a robe that is attached to shirt, dress or jacket by means of a broach or hook at the shoulder, and hooks off of the belt. The robe hangs from the back, but can be wrapped around the waist, or slung off each shoulder, and is even sometimes attached to either elbow from jacket sleeves. The robe is mostly of a plain, earthy colour, decorated with stitch-worked spiral patterns of various designs, usually in a contrasting colour. Winter robes are thick, often fur lined, and hang longer past the waistline, sometimes down to the calves.

Tri-pointed, wide-brimmed hats are commonly seen, especially favoured by wildsmen and Cerchae's rebels, the Angueth. Made from leather or stiff woven material in summer they are protection against the heavy rains, storms, and sun.

Jewellery and wards are worn from the ear, neck, wrist, calf, and waist, either from the skin or attached to clothing. They tend to incorporate circular motifs, spirals and winding bindings, made of wood or stone together with metal or natural adornments.

In the time before the Huaos-Dzaa invasion, the Cerchae worshipped four deities: Ygheke (pronounced eye-geck), god of the Sun, Ulelorh (pronounced you-le-lor), goddess of the Moon, Suvoch (pronounced sue-vok), the River God and Wyeneth (pronounced why-neth), Goddess of the Forest. A single building constructed adjacent to the tor's spring or well acted as the focal point of the Cerchae's worship to all four deities. The Huaos-Dzaa banned all religions and had these halls of worship demolished; their ruins still stand and those that, in secret, still worship these deities often conduct clandestine meetings and rituals within them.

Many Cerchae fled into the wilder regions of their country when the Huaos-Dzaa invaded. Here, under the protection of the forest goddess - Wyeneth - they fought their invader. Many such bands still exist and conduct an ongoing guerrilla war against the Huaos-Dzaa. These rebel fighters are known as the Angueth.

There are many Angueth sympathisers within Cerchae clans who assist them as and when they can. But many clan members have allied themselves with the Huaos-Dzaa and will hand over any sympathisers to them.