Carpofinia

Lord Carpofinia, cousin of the Duke of Coluber, is a renown explorer of the north. Carpofinia has headed expeditions to climb the highest peaks of the Aves and to find passage further north to the Ji plateau. Most of Carpofinia’s predecessors as well as several members of the lord's previous expeditions have perished: dying of exposure, starvation, falls or avalanches.

Written Works

A number of autobiographical essays and diaries recounting Carpofinia's expeditions have been published and enjoyed enthusiasm among members of the literate as well as among commoners who may gather to hear them read aloud or hear the stories second hand. There are several false texts which claim to be written by Carpofinia; they can sometimes be distinguished based on quality, writing style, or the inclusion of fantastical elements.

High Mountain People
In order to aid in his exploration Carpofinia has befriended and enlisted help among the High Mountain People (or “Aves people”). This is an ethnic group whose members are typically short and stout and who are adapted to the high altitude and cold of the Aves. The High Mountain People raise large, horned cattle and are nomadic, drawing their small groups of livestock around frequently in order to find areas adequate for grazing—in part their itinerary is determined by the seasons as they move further south and to lower altitudes during the winter months. The High Mountain People diet is comprised almost entirely of animal meat and blood.

The Aves people speak a distinct language unrelated to Long and do not possess a writing system. The High Mountain do sometimes travel north of the Aves’ peaks, to areas in the Ji Plateau which are unknown to Long people

The High Mountain people have never been subject to the Long crown given their geographic isolation, their tendency to move regularly, and to their small numbers. The Aves tell explorers and ethnologists that their people have several fixed settlements, villages or even cities, on the Ji plateau.

Ancient Ji Culture Several monumental ruins have been found high in the Aves mountains. Almost nothing is known about these structures’ builders who are commonly referred as the "Ji" after the legendary kingdom to the north. The purpose of these monumental buildings is also unknown: various experts have theorized they may be palaces, temples, monasteries, or tombs. A small number of artefacts have been retrieved from Ji civilization sites including stone tablets, metal ornaments showing fine work done in gold, pottery and a few scroll fragments. Elements present in both artefacts and in the buildings themselves have been correlated with the movement of the heavenly bodies, thus suggesting the Ji were skilled astronomers.

Scrolls, tablets and inscriptions sometimes display the Ji civilization’s unique writing system which is written in vertical columns with elaborate calligraphy.

The ancient Ji language may be the ancestor of the language spoken by the High Mountain people. The people’s relationship to the Ji civilization and its patrimony is not well understood.