The Kaunians were a racial/ethnic group on the continent of Derlavai. The dominant ethnic group of far eastern Derlavai, they were resented by peoples of Unkerlanter and especially Algarvic extraction, with whom they had a long and complex history of competition. During the Derlavaian War, anti-Kaunian racism had devastating effects upon the populations of Western Derlavai, most notably those in Forthweg. These Kaunians were used by Algarve for "Special Magecraft"--they were slaughtered en masse, and their life energy was converted into a terrible offensive weapon against Algarve's enemies.