Stoneborn

The Stoneborn, or Burreni as they refer to themselves in their own tongue, were integrated more so than any other native tribe of Emeraldine. The origin of their name comes from a creation myth that describes how once in times immemorial a race of beautiful and fair people walked the forests and glens of the land. The stones became envious of the beauty they saw and through sheer will formed themselves from stone into the fair ones’ image. Thus the Burreni are literally the progeny of the earth itself. This belief forms the core of their animistic religion. Many Velorians scoff at this myth because they do not see the Stoneborn as exceptional in beauty.

Allying themselves early on with their Velorian conquerors allowed them several privileges. One of which was keeping their native tongue. It is spoken by village elders during writes of ceremony. Prior to the Velurian Conquest, the Stoneborn were engaged in a series of skirmishes over land with the Wideface People. The Stoneborn realized early on that an alliance with the people from across the sea could benefit them. Trading secrets of the land in exchange for some autonomy worked out well for them and as such the Stoneborn evaded the genocides other races were subject to. Because of their help, the Velurians were able to discover the secret hideouts and redoubts of the enemy Wideface and extinguish them.

The Stoneborn make up a majority of the peasant class but many have married into the Velorian clans, insuring their descendants a more affluent future. Most people of Burreni heritage live in the wolds and the West Hills. Powerful Stoneborn chieftains often marry their daughters into clans such as the Highfield, Gower, Strongwise and Ossory. The Burren clan is descended from a legendary hero of the Stoneborn people who served as Fintagian Guard and rescued Queen Rowena Highfield from an outlaw brotherhood. In return for his bravery she gifted him rights to marry and own land, rights specifically forbidden from members of the Fintagian Guard as well as the peasant class. While at the time the Stoneborn hero was loved by many so this transgression was overlooked. The set precedence would incur problems in coming years though.