Tyen

Formal Race Name\Plural: Tyen\Tyeni
Nickname: House of Tye

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Height Range: 165cm to 188cm
Weight Range: 54kg to 83kg
Build: Tall and lean
Hair/Eye/Skin Colour Ranges: Gray through black, rarely albino

Tyeni share many similarities with the Tir: they tend to be tall and slim, with sharp features and tapered ears. Unlike the Tir, they sport monochrome pigmentation in their eyes, skin and hair. The darker the skin, the more appealing; the richest black is a sign of good breeding. Albino Tyen are incredibly rare, and are thought to somehow be weaker, or less intelligent. A configuration of two calcium 'horns' protrude from their brow; they tend to be more prominent in males, rarely exceeding 3cm in length. These begin to grow sometime after birth (like teeth), and begin a pearly white, growing darker throughout puberty to ebony at adulthood. The Tyeni physique, in comparison to humans, is somewhat weak, but more agile and dexterous. More often, Tyeni depend on speed and cunning - rather than brute strength - in combat.

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Life Span: Child 1 - 15, Young Adult 16 - 29, Adult 30 - 89, Old age 90 - 120
Population prior cataclysm: 2,045,500 (12%)
Population post cataclysm: 5,500 ( 5%)
Average No# of Offspring per family: 1
Type of Culture: Politician-Warriors, Merchants

Slaves to tradition, Tyeni value their social structure above all else. Every imperial citizen is born into a specific role, and one that can only be adjusted by the highest order of power; social mobility is almost entirely non-existent. Even Tyeni family names can translate to their positions and duties, and all but exiles have such names. Their social and political ladder can be described thus: the emperor himself, who inherits his title from his father (or, worse-case scenario, his uncle or cousin); then the High- and Low-Ministers, who guide the machinations of government and economics; beneath these are Consuls, who serve as district governors, judges, diplomats, and generals; then the rest of the nation in their varied jobs; then slaves, who are almost always imported from other races - The imperial economy has been built entirely on the back of slave-labour.

Tyeni family structure is complicated. They often practice polygamy; one male may have up to four wives, and each of those wives might have two or three other concubines or courtiers, male or female. Adoption is commonplace, and makes for mind-boggling family trees. Another interesting fact about the Tyeni is their concept of ethics and honour. Life to them is a well-rehearsed play, with each player knowing well are their lines; what happens off-stage, stays off-stage. No word, action, or plot is particularly evil - unless it comes to light. Politics, therefore, are often subtle, secretive, and violent.

INTERACTIONS:

Full Bloods:
Human - Neutral / Mildly Disliked
Tir - Strongly Disliked
Skel'reth - Disliked

Half-Bloods:
Strongly Disliked (Though Tyeni may keep 'foreign' concubines around, to breed with one is abhorred.)

HISTORY:

Hejdedros Tye I organized the scattered tribes into one nation early in world history, becoming the House of Tye's first Emperor. He handed down to his successors his same ambitious love of conquest; the direct line of Tyen emperors has not been broken in a thousand years. Likewise, the will of the empire to enforce Tyeni superiority over the other races Aagos remained whole - by guile, trade, or war. Early in the history of the empire, the Tir were first to be subjected, along with the historically elusive Elves. Eventually, they expanded north and west to meet Humans and Skrel'eth at the southern border of Viroth, a time which marked the height of the empire's glory. The petty human kingdoms in that region - and their clannish Skrel'eth allies - fell quickly to the massive onslaught. That is, until the humans and Skrel'eth organized themselves into the Viroth Alliance under the leadership of Cumaill, the first King of Viroth. The imperial Tyeni army was quickly repelled, and a wall was built between the two nations. The second campaign, some years later, was nearly a complete success. A series of decisive victories left the King's army crushed, and the last obstacle between the Tyeni and their coveted world-wide empire was nearly passed. It was then that Cymur himself intervened, devastating the invading army with an outpouring of holy wrath. Over the next few decades, more and more of the Tyen's once mighty empire was lost to the Viroth Alliance, civil war, and Tir revolts. The power and glory of the empire faded, until they were forced into a submissive peace. Eventually, the Tyeni turned their energies to wealth by trade and art; conservative imperialists whispered of a time when they would rule Aagos again. The Darkness brought those dreams short, as a huge majority of Tyeni were swallowed up in it.

The old capitol of Musahyet is far to the south of Telantha, and assumed to be lost. Despite, most Tyeni alive still count themselves as imperial citizens, attempting to cling to their sacred culture. An exception to these, of course, are those who had already been outcast by the empire for criminal reasons, or traders and artisans who had given up their citizenship for a 'Northern' lifestyle.