Endrykas: Endrykas is constantly on the move, and is constantly changing. Members of all the seven clans are represented here, but their numbers differ. Endrykas can sport one thousand individuals, or swell to almost ten thousand.
When the Ankals come together for a meeting, known as a “Stalkmeet,” they usually meet at the approximate center of Endrykas, and often in the open. Such meetings often take hours, and there is much arguing. There is always a result, however, and the Ankals have completed their Stalkmeet before Endrykas continues the Run.
The Run: Historically, the Run began in the south, near the Stardowns, and the Eyktol border, and followed a counter-clockwise rotation based on the season, and the grass. The Run started with winter, and thus begins in the warmer south. As the seasons change, Endrykas moves to the east, and north, ending near the coast during Spring. From there, Endrykas rotates to the north, nearing the Syliran border. As Fall nears, the city draws close to the border with Riverfall. Finally, as Winter falls, the Drykas return to the Stardowns.
The Stardowns: As the Valterrian raged, the Drykas hid underground. Two generations passed, as the proud people hid beneath the ground with their livelihood, horses. As the third generation came, a small group of Drykas came to the exits to the surface. Before them stretched a vast sea of grass, bathed in the light of the moon. Etched into the night sky a hail of meteors fell, trailing tails of red and orange. The expeditionary force rushed to the main group, bearing the news.
Within a fortnight, the entirety of the Drykas people returned to the surface, with their seven guides. Though it took the Drykas many days, they found the fallen meteors four score miles north of a vast desert to their south. Seven meteors the size of a man had dug deep craters. The Drykas took the meteors as a sign from their deities, and built their lives around it.
Seven: The Drykas have a strong bond with the number seven. The Drykas have seven clans, and the Ankals of the seven most powerful pavilions represent each clan. (Power among the Drykas is not represented by mizas, or gems, but by the size of the family, and how many skilled members are present, as well as the size and health of the herd. A family with many skilled members, and a large, healthy herd, has more value than a small family of average members, and a small herd.) Each pavilion (The actually tents) has a total of seven sides, including the entrance flap.
The Clans: The Drykas have divided themselves into seven clans, each named after a gem stone commonly found in Cyphrus. Each clan also boasts of certain strengths that make the Drykas stronger as a whole.
Topaz: Represented by a golden gem of little value elsewhere, member of the Topaz clan often sport various shades of gold and yellow. The Topaz clan is known amongst the Drykas for horsemen who never lose their seat.
Diamond: Though immense in value elsewhere, a diamond to the Drykas is a pretty stone. Diamond clan members wear a variety of whites. The Drykas look to their warriors in times of need, for Diamond clan men and women are often skilled in the arts martial.
Amethyst: Amethysts of remarkable clarity can be found in Cyphrus, and the Amethyst clan borrows the gem’s color. Members of the clan prefer to wear various shades of purple amongst their normal clothing. The horses of the Amethyst clan are renowned for their size, strength and speed.
Ruby: Children can be found playing with stones of the deepest red larger than their fists. Ruby clan members mix reds into their clothing. The men and women of the Ruby clan are often skilled crafters. They spin and weave clothing, build wagons, among other things. Many of the Drykas’s trademark pavilions are built by the Ruby clan.
Opal: Opals come in a variety of colors, from white to black, and every color in between. The Opal clan sports the pearly white of the most common of the gems. When a member of any clan seeks healing, members of the Opal clan are the first to be sought. Opal clan members pride themselves on their knowledge of grassland herbs, as well as their healing abilities. Several honorary members of the Opal clan are healers of the Opal Order, and have been added to the Web.
Sapphire: Sapphires large and small can be found in Cyphrus, and are often of unparalleled clarity. Members of the Sapphire clan often tie blue cloth around their heads, and their jewelry often holds several of the gems in question. The Ankals are well-known for their skill as Webbers, in fact, much of the Web laid down by the Drykas is thanks to the Sapphire clan.
Emerald: Emeralds the size of a man’s fist can be found in Cyphrus, though the smaller ones possess the most clarity. Emerald clan members sport various greens in their clothing and jewelry. Among the Drykas, the Emerald clan boasts of the best hunters. Emerald clan hunters often support Endrykas with the game they hunt. Their hunting dogs and cats are among the best.
*Note: Just because one clan is known for one area, it does not mean that other clans cannot have members skilled in the same area. For example, a member of the Opal clan could easily be a skilled hunter.
Map of Cyphrus: This is a very rough idea of what I imagine Cyphrus to be.
*Note: The cities Claridon and Kenash have little to no known affiliation with the Drykas or Riverfall. Both are, as of this point in time, undeveloped.
