Ffolk

The Ffolk are a race of humans who inhabit the Moonshae Isles. They are the most bountiful society in the islands, having displaced the once-ubiquitous Llewyrr in the second century DR. They have light skin and dark hair, and make their livings primarily as farmers and fishermen. They almost universally worship the Earthmother, though visiting clerics of mainstream deities have slowly spread their beliefs across the isles as well. The Ffolk consist of a number of small, disparate kingdoms, with no official, centralized leadership. For hundreds of years, there had been a High Monarch of the Ffolk, but the increasingly isolated nature of the kingdoms deprecated this title. King Reginald Carrathal of Callidyrr, erstwhile seat of the High Monarch, is sometimes nominally, and atavistically, referred to as the High King.

History
The Talfir humans who would come to be known as the Ffolk arrived on the southernmost island of Moonshae in 140 DR, naming it Gwynneth after their leader, Lady Gwynneth Randol. They had fled the kingdom of Ebenfar, ruled by the vicious Verraketh Talembar, known as the Shadowking. They also brought a number of halflings with them, many of them eager to continue working as merchants. Gwynneth died a year later of consumption, leaving her consort Taylor to rule. The refugees quickly entered a conflict with the native Llewyrr elves, and Taylor died in battle as a result. His and Gwynneth's son Deric united the Ffolk and established the kingdom of Corwell, overwhelming the elves over the next several years. Deric and King Kaminas of the Llewyrr signed a peace treaty in 154, and the Ffolk attained dominance in the isles. They began to worship the Earthmother, spiritual overseer of the Moonshae Isles. Deric died of natural causes in 171, leaving behind no heir&mdash;a civil war ensued and raged over the next six years. Callidyrr Hugh, a son of Ebenfar nobles, emerged as the new king of a united Corwell. His son Cymrych Hugh took the throne upon his death in 193, and soon led the Ffolk against the evil aspect of Malar known as Kazgoroth in 201. The dwarves of the mountains forged Cymrych a sword blessed by the Earthmother that came to be known simply as the Sword of Cymrych Hugh, and the king used it to repel the Beast and defend his people. Cymrych was crowned the first High King, marking year 1 of the Moonshae Reckoning (MR) calendar. Cymrych erected the great castle Caer Callidyrr over his home on the isle of Alaron, and this would be the seat of the High Monarch for centuries to come.

The war against Kazgoroth resulted in many casualties, including the utter end of most high-born family lines. Surviving nobles married into Cymrych's bloodline, and starting with Cymrych Hugh's son Warren I, all adopted the Cymrych surname in the High King's honor. Cymrych Hugh's battle with Kazgoroth left long-term effects, and he died as a result in 50 MR. High King Warren I took the throne, but some Ffolk saw him as a disappointment after Cymrych. They split into disparate kingdoms once more, though the High King officially retained his rule over them. Invaders from the northern isles, known simply as northmen, began raiding Ffolk villages, leading to a struggle for supremacy that continues to this day. The agricultural Ffolk had difficulty competing with the warlike northmen, but in 267 MR a group of migrant Tethyrians assimilated into the Ffolk and used their engineering prowess to build greater defensive fortifications. This advance led to a steady decline in northmen raids over time. In 652 MR, High King Dolan drowned at sea fighting the northmen,  and the crown worn by all High Monarchs to date was lost. In 744 MR, High King Tanner ceded the northern isles to the northmen, calming the conflict between them somewhat. He later assaulted Myrloch Vale to quell an apparent incursion by the firbolgs there, who had long since been crossbred with evil fomorians. The Ffolk were victorious, but Tanner perished&mdash;the Sword of Cymrych Hugh was lost, apparently having been taken by firbolg survivors.

Tanner's death and the loss of the Sword effectively ended the era of High Monarchs. The Cymrych bloodline split into eight families, with Tanner's son Niall ruling the Carrathal dynasty from Caer Callidyrr. His descendants have continued to rule for the past 400 years, up to King Reginald Carrathal today. Some still nominatively refer to the King of Callidyrr as the High King, but this title is deprecated.

Bards
Bards are highly regarded among the Ffolk, to a level comparable with monarchs. Three legendary and powerful Instruments of the Bards reside on the isles, and to possess one is to earn the title of Greater Bard. Greater Bards are considered the "poets laureate" of the Ffolk, and do much to chronicle their history. Whereas a Lesser Bard may travel far and wide singing of their adventures, Greater Bards generally remain in Moonshae. They are greatly respected, and their services greatly desired, by the monarchs and nobles of the Ffolk.