Highlanders

Introduction: A proud and hardy race, the Highland people are descendants of Horen that dwell in the rougher corners of the world. Oft found braving the elements in the far north, or battling threats on the frontier. Some of the toughest and most rugged heroes of humanity have emerged from the ranks of this proud people.

Physical Attributes: Highlanders are typically larger than their fairer cousins due to the harsh constraints of their homelands only allowing the strongest to survive. It is not unusual for highlanders to sport copious amounts of facial hair, with some highlander cultures regarding this as a symbol of masculinity. Highlanders are fair skinned with hair colour ranging from blond to dark brown, some variations of highlanders have been known to dye their hair as a ritual for battle however this is not common.

Other Attributes: Highlanders usually display brash and aggressive personalities that are likely a result of the highly warlike and hierarchical societies from which they originate

Aging Highlanders typically follow the standard aging of descendants of Horen, not living far beyond eighty (80) years of age naturally, yet the oldest reaching a hundred and fifty (150). Due to the harsh lifestyle of the highlander people they often meet death earlier than others.

Curse: The Highlanders experience the same curse as the rest of the progeny of Horen, with very short lives.

Professions

Racial Profession: None. Instead, humans can advance any capped skill two tier higher than usual if the cap isn't Inept. Special Perks + Quick Learner: Humans receive a +5% XP for every skill + Make it count: Auto-aging humans receive an additional +10% XP for every Skill + Troop Morale: Increased combat damage when near at least 4 other humans.

Culture

The culture of the highlander people is very diverse and is divided into several subgroups that characterize the ethnic, geographical and ideological divisions in the highlander people. Each of these cultural subgroups has a rich and expansive culture that will be covered at length below. There are three main branches of highlander culture, namely Hansetian, Kaedrinic and Raev. All subsequent highland cultures can be linked to these three main branches.

Hanseti: A cultural group of highlanders from the Aegian region of Haense. They are extremely militant as evidenced by their enlistment in the widely influential Teutonic Order. They typically speak Marian amongst one another (the native language of the Haensian people) but are usually fluent in common. However it should be noted that their Marian roots result in a pronounced accent. Hansetians epitomized honour and strength as the peak of social virtue and often focused on increasing or defending these traits. However the bulk and militant temperament of the Hansentian people should not be used to define them as dumb brutes. They were certainly not dwarfed in intellectual fields with their architecture and war machines being some of the most effective and advanced of any of the descendant races. The Haensian people were towering titans of warfare that shaped the history of humanity through their actions.

Waldenian:A subset of Haense that entered prominence following the collapse of Haense and the Teutonic order in Athera. Led by a series of Apostolic Kings. A great deal of the Waldenian people originated from the Order of Saint Lucien. The Waldenian people speak with a pronounced accent and are a very disciplined people. There military orders are very hierarchicial and well drilled. The Waldenian people are a highly efficient and disciplined people.

Norlanders:Another subset of Haense that was founded by Haensian folk and militant wood elves following the collapse of Haense in Athera. Though they follow the creator the Norland people have a history of independence and rebellion. They are quite fond of their freedom and are highly suspicious of outsiders due to the repeated attempts to crush them by outsiders. Norland folk are fair skinned with hair ranging from dark brown to light brown. There is rumours that they have bred with their wood elven companions but these rumours are unproven. The Norland people prove to be a hardy and efficient people with an incredibly strong drive for independence.

Kaedrin: Another cultural group of highlanders originating from the lands of Aeldin. Typically fair skinned with blond or light brown hair. The Kaedrin people are a militaristic bunch, having produced the majority of the forces within the White Rose. They engage in large architecture projects on behalf of the White Rose order. Very focused on military perfection the Kaedrin people exert a great deal of effort in crafting the perfect soldier. Utilizing advanced exercises to improve physical strength, unit cohesion and tactical skill. The Kaedrin people focus on the export of arms and armour as the primary means of funds to sustain their military. Overall the Kaedrin people are an extremely militaristic people who have come into great success on the field of battle.

Raevir: A strange northern culture with an extremely heavy accent. Almost exclusively militaristic in nature the Raev people formed the mainstay of the Decterum order. Typically Raevir have very dark black hair accompanied by heavy facial hair. They stand at a middling height in contrast to the towering stature of their other northern kin. They are very fond of alcoholic beverages. Though they were once extremely populace in Oren their numbers have fallen dramatically as the Raevir houses fell from power after several gruelling inter human wars. The Raevir people are an industrious people that experienced rises and falls in power but overall were relatively successful at keeping the realms of man unified under a single banner.

Darweigin: A culture of polytheistic highlanders with a severe tendency towards savage, barbarism and battle. With a pantheon that glorifies death in battle these strange warriors are some of the most violent and aggressive amongst the highlander people. The Darweigin people are usually far taller than average, almost always towering over six feet. They will sport elaborate hairstyles and tattoos in accordance with their religion. Strangely the Darweigin highlanders cannot be linked to any existing or historical highland groups.

Art

Highlanders shun most art forms preferring to focus on the art of waging war. Any highlander claiming to be an artist would no doubt be shunned by his peers. Literature[edit] Highlanders are not well known for their scholarly tradition and beyond their historical records there are no great poems or recountings of tale. Though warriors are fond of boasting of the achievements of their fathers after imbuing a few ale.

Music

Highlander music typically consists of battle hymns or tavern songs with very little formalized music being recorded .

Religion

Highlanders follow the Church of the Cannon allowing their Heartland brethren to minister to them in manners of faith.

History

It cannot be said that there is any one history of Highlanders due to the multiple sub groups of Highland people. To properly understand the historical progression of highlanders one must examine the history of man in its totality. Links to a more indepth entry on the history of each of the respective human kingdoms will be provided below.

Cities

The main highlander settlements that currently exist are located in the Earldom of Ostavar and the Duchy of Courland. The Duchy of Courland has experienced several overhauls of late and the city of Riga has been refurbished. It can be argued that this is not a true highlander settlement as the Stauntons are a heartlander house that gained the lands of a highlander house however this is merely semantics. The Earldom of Ostavar houses several highlander families of Norlandic culture, the settlements of Seahelm, Valkyria, Frostholm and Crestholm all bustle with northern souls.

Random Tidbits

• Highlander lore is a compilation of influences from Germanic, Viking and Witcher sources
• Highlanders are the best humans

Written by: Narthok