A Tella is a people, a loose collection of families and clans, who fight together to hold their grazing lands and take it from the other Tellas. Eleven Tellas called Ioland their home, before the Night Raid of Helm Hailas destroyed the Ui Lide Aesal. They each trace themselves back to one of the sons of Iol, the man who discovered the isle. A Tella is ruled by a Teloch, a king chosen from among the previous Teloch’s kin.
The Ui Lide Aesal are the people of the true High Teloch. In their number are such heroes as Math, Mathred, and Malach. The Tella was destroyed in the Night Raid, and those who survived join the Aamach Eas. The Hart is the royal symbol of the Tella.
The Ui Agla occupy a jutting peninsula in southeastern Ioland. In the time of the cycle, they are disunited and struggling, their Teloch a great warrior but weak leader.
The Ui Arden are a contentious people, often split between two men for their Teloch. Civil war between candidates is common. The Aamach Eas split from them after one such disagreement.
The Ui Con Tara are a northern Tella, smaller than others. Though they play only a small part of the epic cycle, they are a proud warrior people.
The Un Colta bar did not suffer as other Tella in those dark days after the Nigh Raid. Instead, they rose to prominence and laid claim to the island. Ruled by the Hawk King, they rose to heights only the High King had seen.
The Un Goll are a numerous people who live in northwestern Ioland. Their land is covered in mists which are driven off only in the light of the noon sun.
The Un Bolam were once a powerful people, securing weregilds from other Tella. Their power was broken before the cycle, and their hatred for the Ui Lide Aesal is intense. As a people, they are the tallest on Ioland.
The Un Salal live in the foothills of the Ail Kelrose mountains. Chaotic and warlike, they often find themselves set against whoever claims to be High Teloch.
The Un Londar are one part of a great people, the other half being the Un Londar Norna. They have fought more battles with their kin than with other Tella.
The Drocht Baalon do not take the prefix Ui or Un, but call themselves the Sons of Baalon. Mistrustful warriors, their Teloch’s seat is fashioned from the bones of a great sea demon.
The Un Londar Norna are part of that sundered kin who spend much of their time fighting among themselves.
The People of Helm Hailas are not properly Iolish and do not have colors or a heraldic shield. Though they inhabited part of the island for hundreds of years, the Iolish did not recognize them as one of them.
Michael Frutig 