The Basques

The Basque Country covers much of the Pyrenees, especially in the west and along the Bay of Biscay. This overlaps portions of the Iberian and Provençal Tribunals, including both Upper and Lower Navarre and Gascony. The Basques form an independent ethnic and linguistic group, but one without a national identity. The Basque term "Euskaldun" translates as "one who speaks the Basque Language." Although casually used to refer to themselves as a people, the definition includes other people who learn to speak Basque and excludes Basques who don't speak the language. Basques currently share the region with Franks and Spaniards. They have also partially assimilated other cultures through intermarriage, but remain a distinct and separate people, resisting any attempts to dislodge or assimilate them.

The region considered "Basque Country" has shifted over the centuries, growing, shrinking, and fragmenting several times. However, it has always centered on the Pyrenees, mainly in the west but having stretched further east in the past. The seven provinces considered Basque Country fall within the domain of the kingdoms of France, Navarre, and Castile in 1220. However, they retain a great deal of autonomy within their communities, maintaining their language and traditions and often ownership of their land. The provinces of Álva, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa are part of Castile, which also contains a few Basque settlements in other regions. Labour, Lower Navarre, and Soule are part of France. Upper Navarre, dominated by Castile, is the province with the largest concentration of Basques, but they are the most assimilated into the culture and nobility of the Spaniards.

Euskara is the ancient language of the Basque people. Unrelated to any other tongue, it shares influences with those languages it encounters. Dialects vary by region, and Basques often speak other regional languages. In fact, for some Basques, Euskara may be a second tongue, with Occitan or another language as their native speech. Medieval Euskara uses the Latin alphabet, but in the distant past it utilized Ancient Iberian. The Basques maintain a unique system of numbering, which takes the form of strange and seemingly arcane shaped symbols representing numbers from 1 to 100 and most fractions.

Basque mythology claims they inhabited the land after seizing it from the giants (Jentilak) and other beings. Early Basques made use of the mysterious Iberian alphabet, and likely interacted with the Iberians, the Celts, and Gauls. The historian Strabo records the Vascones tribe inhabiting the region now called Basque Country. Roman contact extends back to the 1st century AD, when Julius Cae-

In the fifth century, Basque legions commanded by Romans defeated barbarian invaders such as the Alans, Suevi, and Vandals. Despite their efforts, Germanic tribes eventually crossed the Pyrenees and brought the fall of Imperial rule. The Visigoths and the Franks pressured the Basques, who persevered and established the independent Duchy of Vasconia in the sixth century. This demense eventually submitted to the Franks with the Moorish invasions and Charlemagne's rise. Basque resistance persisted, however, with the most famous example being the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.

From the ninth and into the tenth century, the southern Basque provinces made up the Kingdom of Pamplona. Under King Sancho III, their power extended into Castile, Aragon, and Gascony. After his death, Pamplona was partitioned between Castile and Aragon, with Gascony being absorbed again by the Franks. Garcia Rameriez briefly restored the kingdom in the mid-twelfth century, but this was eventually subsumed by Castile. The Castilians annexed western Basque Country, forming the provinces of Álva, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa. By comparison, Upper Navarre is cut off from the rest of Iberia, trapped between Castile and the Pyrenees, with Lower Navarre and the other Basque provinces under French control on the other side.

Nevertheless, Basques still enjoy a great amount of autonomy in their lands. They are intermarried and integrated with the aristocracy and form a majority of the population. However, northern (Navarre) Basques more strongly identify with Occitan language and culture than Euskara. The southern (Castilian) provinces retain self government through fueros, charters granted by the Aragonese king guaranteeing their rights. The French provinces retain no special privileges, but the people are not often harassed. Medieval Basques lack a sense of unified national identity, and retain private ownership of their lands, rather than serving as the peasants of ruling nobles, so they are content with the current state of affairs.

The Euskara language forms the primary feature of Basque culture. It embodies most aspects of their society and beliefs. For instance, family names derive from descriptions of geographic features or birthplaces, such as Errekondo (next to the stream), Goikoetxea (the house above), and others meaning "by the rock," "the old house," "on the mountain," or "by the ocean." This custom demonstrates the Basques' strong attachment to family and home.

Compared to their neighbors, Basque women enjoy increased influence and equality in society, but their culture is undoubtedly a patriarchy. Men hold most of the dominant positions and control the majority of property. Usually only a few elder women aggressively participate in community leadership. The father acts as head of the household and inheritance favors sons. However, daughters do receive inheritance from mothers, women own and control property, hold official positions, and voice their opinions in household and community affairs. In pagan times, Basque women participated in ecstatic magical ceremonies forbidden to most men.

Basques adopted Christianity in the fourth and fifth centuries. There are bishoprics in both Pamplona and Urgell. However, weak participation in early Synods and a paucity of Christian grave markers suggests a protracted conversion where Christian traditions slowly replaced pagan beliefs. By 1220, the overwhelming majority of Basques are Christian, and the persistence of old customs is the same as for other medieval cultures. Still, they quietly allow a small pagan minority to practice their beliefs, so long as no one menaces the community. Basques even permit Jews and Muslims who intermarry or learn their language to dwell alongside them. Historically, Basques had little or no conflict with heretical groups, and heretic characters in your saga might seek similar tolerance amongst them.

Known as a vigorous mountain people, Basques foster a strong tradition as hardy sailors engaging in whaling and cod fishing. They use longboats or larger vessels launched from shore, and recently began using an innovation known as the rudder. Basque sailors work on merchant and naval ships from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, to the Channel, the North Sea, and beyond.

In 778, Charlemagne crossed the Pyrenees, attempting to repel the Moors. He initially liberated Barcelona, but the stalled siege of Zaragoza forced his return to Gaul. The great emperor's forces were attacked three times in their retreat. First, the Moors ambushed him en route to Navarre. Then the rebellious Basques of Pamplona led an attack. Finally, when the main forces had crossed through the pass at Roncevaux, the true attack came. Basques claim guerillas ambushed the rear guard, equipped with only spears and shortswords, and wearing no armor. In truth, a monumental force of 400,000 Saracens, employing Basque guides and Jentilak mercenaries, attacked Roland. In a savage battle stretching across the valley, they defeated the Franks and plundered the baggage train while killing Charlemagne's nephew Roland, the force's commander. Another ten years passed before Charlemagne permanently liberated Barcelona and established the Pyrenees Marcher Kingdoms.

The popular chanson de geste known as the Song of Roland tells how Roland fought valiantly against the 400,000 Saracens, but ultimately fell.

Other stories, popular among the Basques, tell of the Basque guerillas. Faeries thrive on human myths, and when they desire chosen mortals to relive and interact with this tale, depending on who they attempt to deceive or manipulate, Roland alternately battles either the Moors or a small group of clever and bold Basques.

Considered a chthonic religion, Basque paganism focuses on the veneration of earthbound deities and natural forces and contains various "unclean" ecstatic rituals. Mari, an earth-mother goddess who capriciously brings fortune or calamity to the land, dominates the mythology. In legends, she rides a chariot of thunderclouds drawn by massive goats, or meets with Sugaar, her consort, to mate—both activities create further storms or droughts while sowing the both the seeds of good and ill fortune upon the people as

Female Names

The following are common female Basque names followed by their significance in Euskara or English equivalent.

Abene ("pillar"), Aintza ("glory"), Alaia ("joyful, happy"), Alazne ("miracle"), Amaia ("the end"), Berezi ("special"), Bihotz ("heart"), Elixabete (Elizabeth), Erlea ("a bee"), Eskarne ("mercy"), Esti ("sweet, honey"), Euria ("rain"), Garbi ("clean, pure"), Goizane ("morning"), Haizea ("wind"), Hilargi ("moon"), Hirune ("trinity"), Ihintza ("dew"), Itsaso ("ocean"), Itzaro ("hope"), Izar ("star"), Kattalin (Katherine), Kistiñe (Christina), Lore ("flower"), Maia (Maria), Maialene (Magdalene), Maite ("lovable"), Nahia ("desire"), Nekane ("sorrows"), Nere ("mine"), Oihana ("forest"), Osane ("cure, remedy"), Udane ("summer"), Usoa ("dove"), Zuriñe ("white")

Male Names

The following are common male Basque names followed by their significance in Euskara or English equivalent.

Amets ("dream"), Argi ("light"), Arkaitz ("rock"), Bakar ("alone"), Eder ("handsome, beautiful"), Edur ("snow"), Eguzki ("sun"), Ekaitz ("storm"), Endika (Henry), Erlantz ("glow, shine"), Erramun (Raymond), Frantzisko (Francis), Ganix (John), Garaile ("victor"), Gorka (George), Gotzon ("angel"), Hodei ("cloud"), Igon ("ascension"), Itzal ("shadow"), Izotz ("ice"), Joseba (Joseph), Kemen ("courage, vigor"), Marko (Mark), Matia (Matthew), Mitzel (Michael), Oroitz ("memory"), Patxi (Francis), Peio (Peter), Sendoa ("strong"), Txomin (Dominic), Unai ("cowherd"), Xanti (Santiago), Zeru ("sky"), Zorion ("happiness"), Zuzen ("just, fair")

Jaun Zuria was a Basque noble born in the village of Mundak sometime in the 10th century (during the Kingdom of Pamplona). His mother was a Scottish princess and wife of Lemor MacMorna, an Irish knight in service to King Lekobide of Euskadi. Lemor died in battle, but his bride claimed he had visited her that night and sired a child, whom she named Jaun. It was an imposter; the dragon Sugaar in human form was the true father of Jaun Zuria. Jaun grew to be bold and adventurous, the king's favorite knight, eventually falling in love with and marrying his daughter Luz. He led the fight against Leon at the Battle of Arrigorriaga, slaying King Ordono and leading Pamplona to victory. As a result, he ruled over Biscay and received the title Zuria, Euskara for "White Lord."

Kingdoms shatter, borders change, and allegiances shift. Pamplona faded, becoming Navarre, and Castile annexed Biscay along with Alva and Guipuzcoa in 1200. However, the blood of the dragon persists as Mythic Blood, Magic Blood, or Blood of Heroes. Diego Lopez, current Lord of Biscay, led the vanguard during the victory at Las Navas eight years ago. He claims this lineage, as do his relatives and descendants.

it pleases them. Mari dwells in a remote mountain cave, the exact location changing depending on the teller of the tale.

Sugaar is the legendary Great Dragon of the Pyrenees, and the genius loci of the mountain range. He claims power over storms and the fates of both heroes and villains. He commonly manifests as an enormous serpent up to seven hundred feet long, varying with the Might of the Aspect. Other forms include a large black ram, a tremendous thunderstorm, a great dragon, and even a human warrior. Sugaar purportedly fought a battle against the Archangel Michael. Michael feared the dragon, and relied upon his faith for courage. Victorious, Michael bound Sugaar to the Pyrenees as an earthly spirit (a genius loci). Indeed, because of this earthly nature, Mari and Sugaar truly are chthonic; sorginak rituals may contain hedonistic components, and their deities dwell in the underworld.

Mari and Sugaar spawned many offspring in addition to storms. Their children include drakes, wyrms, multi-headed dragons known as herensuge, and the venomous dragons known as vibria, vouivre or wyverns (see Realms of Power: Magic, pages 74 & 75 for examples). Mari has taken many human lovers over the centuries, and many powerful women claim descent from her or one of her daughters. Mikelatz, the son of Mari and Sugaar, is a fearsome, wild spirit who can take the form of a huge warrior, a raging red bull, or a large thunderstorm. He inherited the powers of a sorgin from his mother, the ferocity of the dragon from his father, and has special powers concerning storms and male virility. Another scion, Atxular, was sired by a pious man seduced by Mari. Wicked and malicious in youth, he practiced black magic taught to him by a corrupt priest. After discovering his mentor's demonic nature, Atxular repented, embracing Christianity and thereafter reluctantly using his powers to protect innocents from dark forces. A popular folk hero, Atxular symbolizes the conversion of the Basques and embodies hope of salvation. He also provides justification for Christian Basques who continue to practice sorginak magic; they protect the community from pagan demons. Jaun Zuria, the White Lord, was the son of Sugaar and a Scottish princess he visited in human guise; later he became the first Lord of Biscay.

Other prominent figures in Basque myth are the jentilak, giants who ruled the land before the arrival of humans. The jentilak created the enormous stone monuments and other ancient structures scattered through the land. They taught the Basques tool use, agriculture, and metallurgy. They invented a game involving tossing large rocks back and forth, which still exists as a sport amongst the Basque people. According to one legend, jentilak fought alongside the Basques at the Battle of Roncevaux, helping defeat Roland's forces by hurling boulders at them. However advanced, they eventually retreated to mountaintops, where they have slowly faded away. Nearly extinct, a few jentilak remain as magical creatures or masquerading faeries dwelling deep in the mountains. For example, Olentzero is a jentil who visits

Basque tolerance and the sense of unity based upon a shared language do not apply to a subgroup within their own community—"the Crestias," a people treated as outcasts (Consider the Outcast or Social Handicap flaws). They share the same language and many of the same cultural traits as other Basques, but have some distinctly different physical features and some dissimilar customs. They cannot own armaments, horses, or dogs, can only marry among themselves, and live segregated within the community, permitted only the poorer portions of the land. They have a separate entrance

at church with segregated pews, and a screen often obscures their view of the altar and consecration.

No one remembers why the Crestias are outcast. Other than appearance, the differences are subtle. Most Crestias are Christian, though they have a larger pagan minority and cling to more old superstitions compared to other Basques. Euskara slang refers to them as "not (of the) people." This could mean they are not truly Basque, or they are the unassimilated remnants of one or more of the many people that have tried to dislodge or subdue the Basques like the Visigoths, Vikings, Suevi, Celts, Iberians, or even the mysterious Tartessians. An ominous double meaning might imply the Crestias are not fully human, descended from some mysterious supernatural heritage.

Among sorginak at akelarre (a folk witch gathering discussed later in this section), reverence replaces the disdain held by mundanes (a Crestia who regularly participates might have the Temporal Influence virtue). Crestias among the sorginak are allegedly more skilled with powerful, dark forces. Perhaps they possess a proclivity for such magic, or perhaps it is part of the stereotype.

near Christmas leaving toys and treats for children. While reclusive and shy, the giants actually thrive with companionship based on a begrudging yet deep friendship. An ancient race, they adopt a mentor role in relationships. Exceptional blacksmiths and farmers, they refuse to learn more advanced crafts or Academic Abilities. A jentil would make an interesting option for a Faerie Friend, Supernatural Warder, or in an extreme example a Faerie Familiar. The cyclops-like tartalo, which also hunt in the Pyrenees, are sometimes thought to be degenerate jentilak with bestial temperament and man-eating habits.

The laminak (singular: lamia) are the river fae of the Pyrenees. Consummate builders and craftsmen, they combine many of the traits of brownies and tritons. Known for their textile-spinning skills and building acumen, laminak reputedly instruct sorginak and build bridges, churches and homes for those who agree to their bargains. These deals often involve meals, marriage, even a student's soul. However, stories claim if a petitioner steals a lamia's golden comb, the lamia has no choice but to serve.

Aker are goatmen who lurk near the meadows pocketing the hills and valleys of the Pyrenees. Sorginak often summon them to harass enemies or teach the secrets of the weather and land or the healing properties of local plants, or even to celebrate akelarre alongside a coven. Demons occasionally masquerade as Aker, attempting to corrupt sorginak by offering to teach Infernal abilities. (See Guardians of the Forests, page 50, and use statistics for the bockman.).

The following Virtues & Flaws are presented with Basque characters in mind, but may apply to characters in different sagas. Those applicable only to sorginak hedgewitches are presented elsewhere.

Faerie Blood: Jentil

Minor or Major Supernatural Virtue

You claim descent from the race of giants who once ruled the lands of the Basque Country. Though now defeated and virtually ex-

tinct, your ancestors created enormous stone monuments, and invented both metallurgy and agriculture. Their legacy lives in you. As a Minor Virtue, this grants you a +1 bonus to resist aging, a +1 bonus to recovery rolls, and a +1 increase in Strength, to a maximum of +3. This Virtue is compatible with Large and Giant's Blood. As a Major Virtue, it grants Second Sight, replaces the bonus to recovery with a +1 increase in Size, and increases the bonus to resist aging to +3 while disregarding aging rolls until age 50. The Major virtue marks you with a distinctive appearance indicating your ancestry, such as oversized hands and feet or exaggerated facial features.

Faerie Blood: Laminak

Minor Supernatural Virtue

Descended from the river fae of the Basque Country, you favor either their hardworking or beautiful nature. You may add +1 to either your Stamina or Presence, but not to more than +3. Many mortals find you intriguing, but don't understand why. Characters with this Virtue have webbed toes.