Talk:Highlanders
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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.
Contents
Professions
Racial Profession:
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Culture
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Unlike their kin of the heartland, the Highlandish peoples are divided into extremes. The Raev, Kaedrini, and Hansets are all so different, all so at odds, that its a miracle they can be grouped by historians into such a broad term. Each draws upon different ancient traditions, different styles of combat, different beliefs and tenets, amongst many other differing political allegiances.
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. Their Great House can be identified with none but the varying Hochmeisters, for example the Mirtokan Government.
Kaedrin
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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. Their Great House can be identified in the House Chivay.
Raevir
A culture birthed from the Ancient Harrenic tribes, the raevir first made their appearance in the political field of Oren in the realm of Anthos. Their bastion of power, the Krelmstad once overlooked the bustling city of Kralta which housed a wide range of peoples. The raev, in the Old Age, focused on teamwork and unity versus individuality of the soul. Their social structure was unlike the other cultures of Man which possessed unified militant doctrine. In opposition, the raevir were defined by their serf class, called strelts.
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These peoples ranged from agricultural farmers to steel smiths. Each contributed to the community and each owed loyalty to their lord. The raev man, or woman, is defined by brown hair, sometimes favoring darker shades. Their skin is fair, however strelesy often possessed darker, more tanned complexions due to working the field. Their Great House can be identified in the House Carrion.
Art
The stereotype that heartlanders are artless people is a shame. They often dabbled in art forms involving great religious scenes, (see Bogdan and the Scrolls), they've also embarked on great feats of writing, often recounting the political history or makeup of Oren in volumes.
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
In the past, the Highlanders have been dominated by religious beliefs. In the Kaedrini culture, the belief of 'Lucienism' once dominated. In comparison to Modern Lucienism, developed by the proto-Aesterwaldians, this Lucienism was marked by human dominance and fueled the war machine, the beliefs, that was the White Rose. The Hansets, possibly the longest opposer to Orenian mainstream, claimed loyalty to the Creator and took upon themselves the Black Cross as their signet. In the Raev, the old faith of Ruskan Orthodoxy was molded amongst the aristocracy and clergy. In the aftermath of the Horenian Exodus, the Raevir forged this religion in opposition to other denominations and, in future years, most directly opposed the Order of Saint Lucien. Ruskan Orthodoxy, perhaps the most important contribution of Highlanders to the Faith of Man, was a key component in molding the modern Church of the Canon. The highlander cultures were once pitted against one another, in the Great Schism. A war between the Canonist League, spearheaded by the Pontiff Daniel I (a former Carrion) clashed against the Schismatic Aesterwaldian-Rovin state, which sook to remove the Carrionic Hegemony from the Church.
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
- The Apostolic Kingdom of Ruska
- 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
