Enderian

The Enderians are one of the six founding races of the Shire, standing alongside Humans, Sammichians, Acadians, Laurelians, and Enpeecees. Believed to share a common ancestor with the Sammichian race, the Enderians are an ancient and resilient people with a long history of both cultural richness and political adaptability. Their civilization has persisted across natural disasters, displacements, and wars, yet continues to hold a unique and respected place in the Shire.

Origins and Evolution

The Enderians are widely thought to have descended from a shared aquatic mammalian ancestor, evolving along a divergent path from the Sammichians. While Sammichians remained more physically influenced by their marine roots, the Enderians gradually adapted to terrestrial life, resulting in a more humanoid physiology. Ancient ruins and fossil evidence suggest Enderians first emerged in the coastal lowlands of what is now eastern Demmatrodine, and began forming structured societies nearly as early as Sammichians, possibly by 8,000 years before present.

Early interactions between proto-Enderians and Sammichians were often contentious, particularly over contested regions. However, these conflicts eventually gave way to diplomacy and cooperation, culminating centuries later in one of the most enduring political alliances in the Shire.

History and the Founding of New Enderton

One of the most pivotal events in Enderian history was the destruction of the city of Enderton in 1876, when a powerful hurricane submerged the thriving industrial center beneath hundreds of feet of water. Though most of the population was evacuated in time, the disaster left the Enderian people scattered and displaced.

The Chancelleric Republic of Fulfwotz offered sanctuary, and within a few years provided land for the Enderians to establish New Enderton, east of the Fulfwotz Gulf. The new city not only preserved Enderian cultural traditions but became a strategic coastal outpost and a symbol of resilience. Its establishment marked a deepening of the alliance between the Enderian Nation and the New Sammichian Empire, an alliance that continues to this day.

Culture and Society

Enderians are deeply tied to the sea. While not traditionally religious, their fishing-based lifestyle has led to a spiritual reverence for oceanic forces. Many Enderians pay respect to a sea deity (name lost or unrecorded), offering gifts before embarking on major fishing expeditions. This ritualistic devotion is a defining part of life in New Enderton.

The community is known throughout the Shire for its exceptional seafood cuisine, with several signature dishes having influenced culinary trends far beyond the Demmatrodine region. Food tourism is a major aspect of New Enderton’s economy, and Enderian culinary techniques are studied and imitated across the Shire.

Enderians are also known for their craftsmanship, particularly in net-making, boat-building, and water-resistant textiles. These traditional industries are preserved alongside modern economic ventures.

Government

New Enderton functions as the capital of the Enderian Nation and is semi-autonomous within the broader structure of the New Sammichian Empire. While closely allied with the NSE, Enderians retain cultural independence and operate their own local government and institutions.

Legacy

The Enderians are a resilient people, defined not by conquest or empire, but by perseverance, community, and adaptation. Their alliance with the Sammichians, their survival of Enderton's destruction, and their continued contribution to Shire culture and economy all speak to a people who endure and evolve without forgetting who they are.