Fend and the Fendfolk

To the west of Aru’Mas lies a sprawling area known as the Fend, a vast expanse of farmland, orchards, and small communities that fall under the city’s jurisdiction but not its direct protection. This region serves as the primary source of food and raw materials for Aru’Mas, making it vital to the city’s economy. Despite this connection, the Fend is characterized by its distinct culture, driven by self-reliance, spiritual traditions, and a strong sense of independence from the city’s governance.

The Fend stretches across fertile plains, dotted with windmills, barns, and traditional homes built from locally sourced materials. The land is rich, but its productivity is not merely a result of good soil; the Fendfolk have forged pacts with the local spirits, ensuring the health of crops, the prosperity of livestock, and the protection of their settlements. These spiritual agreements are deeply woven into the daily lives of the Fendfolk, guiding everything from planting rituals to harvest celebrations.

While only a short journey from the gates of Aru’Mas, the Fend feels like a world apart, filled with ancient traditions and a way of life that differs greatly from the cosmopolitan, multiversal hub of the city. Fendfolk are known for their stubborn independence, strong family ties, and deep commitment to honoring both their pacts and their neighbors.

Culture and Lifestyle of the Fendfolk

The Fendfolk have developed a unique culture that is defined by both their relationship with the spirits and their physical distance from the protection of Aru’Mas’ walls:

1. Pacts as a Way of Life

  • In the Fend, pacts with local spirits are not just protective measures but central to the culture. Every family has its own ancestral spirits, fields are watched over by crop guardians, and livestock are blessed by beast spirits.
  • These pacts are honored through regular rituals, offerings, and traditions that pass from generation to generation. Farmers bless the fields before planting, fisherfolk thank the river spirits after a good catch, and newborns are presented to the spirits of the hearth as part of their naming ceremonies.
  • Breaking a pact is considered not only dangerous but morally corrupt, as it can bring harm not just to the individual but to the entire community. Tales of Blood Debts—the consequences of broken pacts—are common warnings told to children, reinforcing the sacredness of these spiritual agreements.

2. Independence and Self-Reliance

  • The Fendfolk are fiercely self-reliant, having developed a society that emphasizes mutual aid and the importance of self-sufficiency. While trade with Aru’Mas is vital, they prefer to resolve matters on their own, whether it be disputes, illness, or natural threats.
  • Most Fend settlements have their own local leaders, often spiritualists or respected elders who possess deep knowledge of the local spirits and the intricacies of the Old Pacts. These leaders act as mediators, ritualists, and negotiators in matters of both community and spirit relations.
  • The sense of independence is further emphasized by their identity: most Fendfolk do not consider themselves citizens of Aru’Mas. They see the city’s laws as distant and irrelevant, with spiritual laws and community pacts taking precedence.

3. Distinct Folklore and Celebrations

  • Fend culture is rich with folklore, blending tales of spirits, ancient guardians, and mythical creatures tied to the land. Celebrations in the Fend often have a more rustic, spiritual quality compared to the grand, multiversal festivals of Aru’Mas.
  • The Harvest Moon Festival, for example, is a major event where offerings of the first fruits and grain are made to the crop spirits, accompanied by communal feasts, dances, and spirit-guided divination.
  • Conversely, the Night of Silent Winds is a more solemn event, marking the time when it is said that the boundary between the living and the spirits is thinnest. On this night, Fendfolk leave unlit lanterns on doorsteps to honor wandering spirits, ensuring they do not linger with ill intent.

Perspectives of Aru’Mas on the Fendfolk

The people of Aru’Mas often view the Fendfolk through a mix of curiosity, respect, and sometimes condescension, reflecting the contrasts between urban life and the more rustic lifestyle of the Fend.

1. “Hardworking and Resourceful”

  • Many Aru’Mas residents see the Fendfolk as hardworking, viewing them as the backbone of the city’s food supply and economy. The Fend’s harvests and resources are crucial to sustaining the city’s population, and Fend produce is highly prized in markets for its quality.
  • There is a certain respect for the Fendfolk’s self-reliance and their ability to maintain peaceful relations with the spirits outside the city’s protections. Some citizens even seek out Fendfolk to learn about spiritual pacts or acquire blessings and charms believed to be more potent than those found within Aru’Mas.

2. “Stubborn and Superstitious”

  • Despite their respect for the Fendfolk’s hardiness, some city dwellers view them as stubborn and overly superstitious. They see the reliance on spiritual pacts and rituals as quaint but ultimately unnecessary, especially when compared to the more sophisticated magical protections and resources available within the city.
  • Some merchants, adventurers, and officials of Aru’Mas find it frustrating that the Fendfolk are so resistant to adopting modern city laws or technologies, often dismissing their ways as old-fashioned. The Fend’s tendency to handle disputes internally can also create tension with Aru’Mas’ officials, who see this independence as uncooperative.

3. “Too Independent for Their Own Good”

  • City officials and members of the ruling council often regard the Fend as a place that lacks the structure and security provided by Aru’Mas’ governance. They worry about the potential dangers of rogue spirits, Blood Debts, or magical incursions going unchecked and potentially spilling over into the city’s territory.
  • There is a fear that the Fend’s reliance on spiritual pacts might invite trouble, leading to events that could destabilize the delicate balance maintained by the Old Pacts. The Runeguard and the Sunspear Legion often find themselves intervening in the Fend during particularly volatile spiritual disturbances, which can create tension between the protectors of the city and the independent Fendfolk.

Source Source: world-anvil — imported from wa_articles_structured.json