Duinwaith (Narbeleth)
Gender: 2
Race: Men
Age: A few hundred years old
Family: Divided into four different clans. The Heolstor, the Wathan, the Éastath, and the Winnan. (Details in history)
Animals: The Duinwaith keep chickens and other fowl for meat and eggs. Also dogs, cats and other companion-type animals. They know nothing of horses, for they do not keep them on their boats.
Weapons: The Duinwaith prefer to use light, slightly curved cutlasses for daily protection from raiders and other unfriendlies. They are also well known for their knife throwing skills, which they seem to learn from a young age. Many of the Duinwaith men are skilled with the bow, which they use mainly for hunting and fishing.
Personality: The Duinwaith are a friendly people, willing to make friends with anyone who is friendly in return. Even though they are despised by nearly all races of Men, they don't seem to mind much, quite content to keep to themselves. But if an outsider is ever a guest with them, the Duinwaith are very hospitable, treating the outsider as one of their own. Though the Duinwaith have many enemies, they never fight against them unless their own lives are in jeopardy. They never involve themselves in the politics or wars of other people, which is one of the reasons they are so despised. The people of Gondor and Rohan think the Duinwaith (or River Rats, as they call them) should do their part in the ongoing fight against the Shadow.
Appearance: Most of the Duinwaith come from the North and have dark hair, though their are a few exceptions. They are a tall, strongly built people, not afraid of hard work, but who know how to have a good time. Their way of life and their dress is simple. They know nothing of finery, but neither do they wish to possess any. All of the men and most of the women wear the colors of their clan, usually as a sash about the waist, though their actual clothing could be comprised of these colors as well. The colors of the Heolstor Clan are tiny black stars on dark yellow. Wethan's colors are yellow strips on dark green. Éastath's colors are a white crescent moon and three white stars on dark blue. Winnan's colors are rust brown stripes on maroon.
History:
The Duinwaith originated in the North, probably somewhere near Esgaroth or Dale. They were originally four large families that decided to move south via the Anduin. They never settled anywhere, but continued to wander the River until reaching the sea, where they then traveled the coast until coming to other rivers, which they also traveled, exploring Middle-earth in this way. Sometimes they would stop and live in camps for months at a time, but always their wandering hearts would urge them onward. The four families eventually grew, forming into the well-developed clans that now exist. The Four Clans possess a different level of social status, at the highest of which is the Heolstor Clan, and lowest is the Winnan. The other two are the Wathan and the Éastath, which are nearly identical in status with each other. They were named Duinwaith by the elves, who have always been their friends.
The Four Clans are each led by a head chief, or Captain. This position is passed from father to son (or to the next male heir in line). The clans do not usually travel together, but meet up often at regular camps. The Four Clans often intermarry. When this happens the woman leaves her own clan and is adopted by the clan of her husband. She adopts his colors and travels with his clan.
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((Disclaimer: the Duinwaith are my own creation. Any similarities to anything Tolkien has invented, either published or not is purely coincidental. I am not making any money from this creation, it is purely for the fun of it. However, if you wish to use the Duinwaith in your own story or RP, please ask my permission first, thank you.))
Please PM me if you would like any other information about the Duinwaith. I can say only so much about them here.
