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Michael whelan to green angel tower back

Sithi on the cover of "To Green Angel Tower"

The Sithi are a race of immortal human-like beings who came to make their home in Osten Ard long before humanity.

History[]

Originally, a race called the Keida'ya lived in a beautiful paradise called The Garden. They was made up of two tribes, the Zida'ya (Sithi) and Hikeda'ya (Norns). Though originally cohesive, over time the two tribes grew apart.

The Keida'ya were forced to flee The Garden and so came across the sea to Osten Ard. There they constructed Green Angel Tower and the Hayholt, which they called Asu'a.

Eventually, mortal men came to Osten Ard. At first, mankind and Sithi lived together peacefully. However, over time the forces of humanity became stronger and began to become more populous throughout the world, encroaching on Sithi land. From across the sea to the west came the Rimmersmen, who brought with them iron, a material deadly to the Sithi. They forced the Sithi from the Frostmarch, slaughtering great droves of them in the process. Accepting their loss, the main Sithi populous withdrew to the safety of the great Hayholt.

After some time, the Rimmersmen had settled Rimmersgard and began a campaign of southward expansion. They deemed the Sithi evil creatures, and took it upon themselves to exterminate them at every opportunity.

The Men of Hernystir were, of all men, the closest in friendship to the Sithi people. Their leaders made a compact with the Sithi-folk and together the held back the tide of the Rimmersmen. In the year 663 in the great battle of the plains of Ach Samrath, the Rimmersmen and the Sithi-Hernystir alliance faced each other in a great and bloody battle. On the sixth day of fighting, the alliance were ambushed by Thrithingsmen from an unprotected flank, and their forces collapsed. This great defeat marked the end of the Sithi rule of Osten Ard and the beginning of the age of men.

The remaining Sithi barricaded themselves in the Asu'a and spent three years repelling the siege of the forces of man. Through the horrible magic of Ineluki, the son of the Sithi King, many Sithi were able to escape the castle during the final moments of the siege.

They remaining Sithi settled into various hidden places throughout Osten Ard.

Physiology[]

Sithi have faces similar to humans, but with large cat-like yellow eyes. Their faces are described as having very prominent and defined cheek bones and noses. They are general very slender and move with a birdlike grace. Though their hair is naturally white, they often colour it as with Jiriki whose hair is described as lavender blue.

The Sithi are immortal and do not die of aging. However, they are susceptible to death by injury.

Historically, the Sithi were greatly harmed by exposure to the metal iron, however, they have found ways to deal with exposure to it for a short period.

Terminology[]

  • Sitha: an individual of the Sithi folk.
  • Zida'ya: The name the Sithi call themselves in their own language.
  • The Peaceful Ones: Hernystiri name for the Sithi
  • The Dawn Children: another name for Sithi

Culture[]

Clans[]

The Sithi have a number of clans that make up their ranks:

  • House of Year Dancing
  • Houses of Dawn
  • House of Contemplation
  • House of Gathering
  • House Sa’onserei (Keepers of Lore)

Marriage[]

Sometimes couplings are referred to as "Husband" and "Wife", other times they might be discussed as "mate". It is unclear what a marriage ceremony looks like, or if divorce exists. We do know that half-siblings exist[1], so re-marriage, polyamory or other situations must exist.

Gender Roles[]

Within the Zida'ya, settlements are governed by a Sa'onsera who is female and Protector who is male. These appear to be most often a couple, though in cases where the Sa'onsera's mate is deceased, other elder family members may take on the role.

Maturity[]

It takes Zida'ya a very long time to come to maturity. We know that 10-20 years old would still be toddler/small child size.

Religion[]

The Sithi do not have "Gods" as the mortal do, but they hold a set of beliefs that are akin to religion. They praise and Pray to The Garden and the Dreaming Sea - which are real places but also serve as concepts. They are guided by The Path of the Sa'onserei

When all the Keida'ya lived in The Garden, the Sa'onserei, for which the Sa'onserei clan is named, guided them to live in peace with the entire world around them. To wait for a new dawn of understanding. They were called Dawn Children, or Zida'ya. Followers of Hamakho Wormslayer thought differently; that they had to fight things that threatened their way of life in order to survive. Hamakho's followers began to be called Cloud Children, or Hikeda'ya, in contrast to the Sa'onserei's followers. The two groups still lived in relative harmony, intermarrying and working together[2]. (EOG p. 339)

Later, in the Mortal lands, the Dawn Children (Zida'ya, or Sithi) and the Cloud Children (Hikeda'ya or Norns) found their ideological differences too much to bare following the deaths of Nenais'u and Drukhi. The two factions parted ways, much like two religious factions might fracture. Among their chief disagreements were the same concepts they struggled with in The Garden; to make peace with Mortals, or to exterminate them in the name of survival.

Law[]

The Zida'ya are governed by deep traditions, though decrees or instructions given by the Protector or the Sa'onsera are taken as law.[3]

Language[]

See Sithi (Language).

Notable Sithi[]

  • Ineluki: Prince, now Storm King
  • Jiriki, (i-Sa’onserei): Prince of the Sithi, son of Shima’onari
  • Aditu
  • Kendharaja’aro: Jiriki’s uncle
  • Ki’ushapo: Jiriki’s hunting companion
  • Shima’onari: King of the Sithi, Jiriki’s father, son of Hakatri
  • Sijandi: Jiriki’s hunting companion
  • An’nai: Jiriki’s lieutenant, hunting companion
  • Ayaminu
  • Amerasu: Eri-queen, mother of Ineluki and Hakatri
  • Hakatri: Ineluki’s elder brother, gravely wounded by Hidohebhi
  • Iyu’unigato: King of the Sithi, Ineluki’s father
  • Finaju: Sithi-woman in Cadrach story
  • Nenais’u: Sithi woman from An’nai’s song, lived in Enki e-Shaosaye
  • Vindaomeyo the Fletcher: Ancient Sithi arrow-maker of Tumet’ai. Taught his techniques by the Dwarrows.
  • Tanahaya: ambassador to King Simon and Queen Miriamele

References[]

  1. Into the Narrowdark (Kindle Edition) Appendix
  2. Empire of Grass (Paperback) p. 339
  3. Empire of Grass, Foreword
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