Highlanders

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. 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. Highlanders usually display brash and aggressive personalities that are likely a result of the highly warlike and hierarchical societies from which they originate. 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. 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 hierarchical 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 are 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: A 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. Though the majority of their population consisted of agricultural serfs and peasants from the north, Raevirs rose to power as they distringuished thesmselves with military might. 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. However they are fond of pieces that preserve epic feats and historical events. Often large renditions of critical moments of battle or portraits of famous nobles will be commissioned by Highlanders to preserve their legacy.

Literature

Highlanders are not well known for their scholarly tradition and beyond their historical records, there are no great poems or recountings of a 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. However several of the Religious Schisms have been caused by Highlander factions The most recent of which was the Aesterwaldian Schism, with the waldenian clergy attempting to schism from the Church of the Canon over ideological differences over theological texts. This resulted in a long grueling war that culminated in the defeat of Aesterwald. This defeat was punctuated by an event widely referred to as "Aestershima" in which the capitol of the of Aesterwaldian kingdom was completely destroyed by Ibleeian forces.

History

It cannot be said that there is any one history of Highlanders due to the multiple sub-groups of Highland people.

Recent Highlander History

Historical Highlander Kingdoms

• Hanseti
• Kaedrin
• Aesterwald
• Vandoria
• Norland

Cities

Highlander settlements are typically not as populous as the settlements of their southern kin. This combined with their tendency to live on the frontier has resulted in Highlander towns being dense heavily fortified settlements that stand starkly in the snow.

Existing Highlander Settlements

• Carrenhall - Capital of Erochland, occupied by House Colborn it is a highlander city most prominant in the artisan ways and trade.
• Riga - Capital of Courland, occupied by House Staunton and its vassals. Arguably not a highlander settlement as it is controlled by heartlanders.
• Seahelm - Largest town in Ostavar, occupied by House Ruric and the people of Ostavar.

Historical Highlander Settlements

• Siegrad
• Karovia
• Kralta

Random Tidbits

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

Written by: Narthok