GYPSIES AND THE VALAR

The Valar (singular, Val) are the gypsy "nation" of Testoria. (The gypsy are descended from the Valar that migrated west into Avalon during the invasion of the Ogres in 1000 BC. Never quite fitting into the local culture, the nation that formed from these refugees moved out of the region in 600 BC and haven't ever really settled down since.) As the Valar comprised the bulk of the gypsy refugees, they remain the largest of the three gypsy nations. Valar may be found throughout Testoria.

The Valar resemble most Kuverans in appearance: dark hair, light to olive skin, dusky eyes. They dress in even more vibrant clothing than their Valarian cousins, preferring bright kerchiefs, scarves, and sashes, along with embroidered trousers and vests worn with billowing shirts, Both men and women typically wear a great deal of jangling jewellery, and men pierce their ears as often as do women.

The Valar diet consists of roasted meat, goat's and mare's milk, berries, and other fruit, and strong coffees.

Gypsies play the role of bards in Testoria, travelling from place to place, entertaining and spreading news and gossip. While in town, they perform music, songs and dance, storytelling, fortune telling, healing, as well as do some trading. Secretly, they act as spies for the remaining Valaran Lords and maintain an information network between them.

Obviously, they are seen differently be different people. Those of Valar decent see them at best as heroes and at worst as troublemakers. Those of Kuveran decent see them as lawless thieves and con artists. The new mixed blood Kuverans might see them as a colorful remnant of the past, or dangerous and close-minded upstarts trying to destroy the new order. Utharians would turn a blind eye to their various unsavory actions, while the Temple Ov Kuvera and the Order Ov Templars would actively discriminate against them. Their relationship with the Cult of Luna is vague. While they agree with the belief that King Halav will one day return to raise the Estorilian people to new heights, they would disagree that Emperor Kuveros, is Halav reborn. Local elves see them as kindred spirits, ignoring their less honorable tendencies and enjoying their love of life and freedom.

Officially citizens, many Kuveran Lords barely tolerate them in their lands, and from time to time declare them outlaws and thieves for real or imagined crimes. Since most people know little about them, they might mistake them as a single group, instead of several independent clans. So the actions of one clan might cause trouble for the others. In many cases, problems occurring after a visit from gypsies are blamed on them, regardless of their guilt. For example, a farmer's cow dies the day after a gypsy caravan passes through town. Superstitious townsfolk may blame the sudden death on a gypsy curse.

Gypsies follow only gypsy law, such that it is. They ignore laws they don't like, completely unfettered by guilt. To a gypsy, justice is more important than law. They believe that it is not wrong to steal, since if the person truly cared about the stolen item, they would not have left it where someone could steal it in the first place. They have harsh views on murder and rape, seeing both as the most horrible of crimes. They also dislike broken promises and lies, but think nothing of twisting the truth in their favour. Gypsy punishments for crimes are always fitting. A broken promise for services might be responded to by the kidnapping of a young child who will perform services in their parent's place. Meanwhile the child will be accepted as one of the clan and raised as any other gypsy child. They tend to rationalize this by saying that a parent without honor does not deserve to raise such a beautiful child, and to protect the child, they will take him and raise them properly. Assault on a gypsy would be answered with a curse like 'May you always be the target of the anger of others' or 'May the pain of your victims haunt your sleep forever.' or something nasty and poetic.

Folk Traditions

Although most Valar belong to a formal religious organization, some older customs have persisted. For example, in ancient times, Valar considered trees to be sacred plants with the power to grant special favors and requests. By tying strips of cloth to a tree, one could ask for help or heal sick relatives and friends. Some Valar continue this practice today.

To the never-ending chagrin of many, the Valaran people have retained many other old superstitions. These range from belief in lucky numbers and tea leaf readings to always approaching a shop directly from the front (to bring the owner prosperity).

Of course, like everyone else, Valar rely heavily on magical healing. When a healer cannot be had, however, home remedies prevail. Medical beliefs among Valar fall into two general categories: religious and folk medicine. Religious Valar often believe that illness is caused by bad spirits, and so rely mainly on incantations and prayers for relief. Others rely on folk healing. For example, for the healing of wounds, the victim is instructed to clean the wound with wine or another strong spirit, then hold the wound closed with both hands and chant three times, "In the name of Te'Ra. The wound is red, the cut deep, the flesh be sore, but there will be no more blood or pain, this flesh be bound." Then the wound is bound in a poultice and a clean cloth.

Religiously, the Valar feel a strong connection to the land, and honor Te'Ra above all other spirits. (Some also honor Ailesca Wyra, Kagen Dur, Sawa, or Ssara R'sarn, but not as universally). This Valar connection to the land is strange; they love the land and its creatures, but seem unable to settle down. This is because of an ancient curse called down upon the gypsy long, long ago by an evil priest in retribution for their meddling in his treacheries. Since the day the curse was pronounced, the gypsy have wandered. Sages have speculated that the Valar, as former leaders of the gypsy people, are so strong in their worship of nature and the land because of their failure to protect their people from the wandering curse; they seek forgiveness through their supplication.

GYPSY CLANS

The Valar consist of two large clans subdivided into several tribes. Each clan has its own manner of dress, appearance, and traditions, though members of one clan do acknowledge members of the other as fellow Valar. All clans have at least some fortune tellers and entertainers, and characters of nearly any rogue class. Pure warriors are rare. While the Valar do not have clerics or priests of any organized religion (including those of Kuvera and Elan), this role is filled by individuals who function as healers, mystics, or oracles. Most of these are women, especially the elder women.

The two distinct Valar clans (including the subdivision in the Ka'nesh clans) and some related tribes include:

Ka'nesh

The Ka'nesh clan consists of two separate subclans, the Ka'nesh and the Mannora. The Ka'nesh are "camp followers": tinkers, smiths, animal trainers, and healers. They pride themselves in their ability to supply armies, trade caravans, adventurers, and others with the proper tools needed to defeat enemies, as well as with needed healing after a battle. The Ka'nesh have been known to supply both sides in a conflict, not really caring about the disputes of non-Valar, but more interested in making a living. Tribes of Ka'nesh include the Kamii, Equarr, and Vatraska.

Mannora

The Mannora are the rarest of Valar and are seldom encountered in numbers larger than a single family. They are the most mysterious and reclusive of the Valar and the ones closest to the oldest legends of the race. They are tinkerers in the arcane: amulets, charms, potions, and lore. Rumour says they have the power to bend time and space to their will, and that they know much of ancient evils and how best to ward off or escape them. It is believed that they guarded the Valar from the worst of the ancient curse. Tribes of Mannora include the Fa'aiat and the Estovan.

Valar

The Valar are consummate entertainers. Their camps are rife with bards, dancers, musicians, and con men. They seem to have the ability to turn even the most hostile audience into an adoring crowd, and frequently a charming Val can convince an entire village to gamble away months of savings on a rigged game with a smile and a few well-placed words. It is the Valar who occasionally agree to perform as guides, having seen more of Testoria than most Ka'nesh clans. In these cases, the Val performs exactly according to the contract, not going beyond the letter of the agreement, but not falling short of it, either--although they are not adverse to negotiating a new contract if the other party wishes, for just a few more coins. . . The Valar have a darker side; they also hire out as smugglers, kidnappers, and (in a very few instances) assassins, using their innate charm to circumvent obstacles that stymie others. Like the Ka'nesh, the Valar might accept such assignments from all sides in a conflict, performing what they view as necessary, preordained tasks. Tribes include the Canjar and the Corvara.

Subcultures

Although the Valaran people are all one people, there are many subcultures among them. The most populous Valaran subculture are the mixed-blood Valar - those of both Valaran and Kuveran parentage. Other subcultures are not as highly visible, but are nonetheless there. Many other Valar of mixed blood exist, including those of Elaní, and Utharian descent. Fauns often accompany the Valar in their travels.

Gypsies generally speak in the Old Tongue as well as sylvan, gnomekin, and the common tongue of the marketplace.

See Also:

• Mother Valania
• Elves & Dark Elves
• Gypsy Caravans
• Old Valaran Tongue
• Herbalism
• Totems
• Faun