Hinterlanders
| The Hinterlanders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Classification | |
| Nicknames | Hitch, Hooghlanders, Highlanders |
| Languages | Hitch, Common |
| Average Height | |
| Average Weight | |
| Maximum Age | |
| Stat Bonuses |
+1 Strength +1 Defense +1 Agility +0 Intelligence |
Introduction
At the heart of every Hinterlander is the strong desire to be free. Having suffered under hundreds of years of foreign oppression, the Hinterlanders' first and foremost belief is the desire to decide one's fate. This strong independent favor has influenced the more liberal-minded Hinterlanders in pursuing private property and representation in their home rule. This attitude towards the peoples of Eden has gained the Hinterlanders the reputation of being stubborn, although not arrogant, for they have lived very soberly for the greater part of their history and are not easily swayed by lavishness. In short, at the core of their existence, the people of the Hinterlands are their survivability, adaptability, and stubborn independence, for they also rule themselves as a Republic.
Through the centuries, the Hinterlanders have always inhabited the center of Eden, spawning no great empires but great people. They have raised scholars, engineers, theologians, and philosophers. They pride themselves in their stubbornness and bluntness, so they have characterized themselves predominately as merchants, artists, and hagglers. The dominant religion of the Hinterlanders is Makerism, though they aren't connected to the Church of Hadriana.
The strong desire for home rule and freedom has put the Hinterlanders in the crosshairs of greater empires. Therefore in the days of old, the tribes of the Hinterlands could only have survived by banding together in great councils. To truly appreciate the Hitch culture and history, one must understand that the pursuit of freedom has left many scars on the people of the Hinterlands, who now all but concentrate in the Highland Freestate (Hooghlandsche Vrystaet) in the north. This is where they live in exile from their ancestral lands, but they live as free men.
Appearance
Hinterlanders are tall, standing half a foot taller than the average Attian Humans. The people of the Hinterlands have grown this tall because of the relatively healthy animal protein diet, which sustained them in the often war-torn Hinterlands, where farming offered more risk than cattle harvesting. Even in the new Highland Freestate of Raevendrecht, the main diet of Hinterlanders still consists of meat, sustaining their tall appearance. Hinterlanders often have darker hair and darker eye colors; blonde hair is seen as a rarity, though valued as a sign of beauty. In their attire, the Hinterlanders are more often seen in sober colors. Therefore, the garment is mostly black or dark blue robes with large white collars. They dress this way because Hinterlanders value modestness instead of lavishness. In the past, they were a people of bankers, traders, and merchants, their status preceding them and their black attire as honest and true business folk. A Hitch household owns various hats, as the Hinterlanders express themselves in sober colors. They do experiment with newer styles, including hats and barrettes. The most common is the broadhead, which is a broad, thick black hat with a flat cap and a belt around the headpiece. Women in the Hinterlands usually express themselves with their hairstyles and silver jewelry, as silver is seen as modest. The Hitch's modesty in clothing is subdued to hypocrisy, as the clothes the Hinterlanders wear look Sobre; they are most often made of expensive fabric. The Hinterlanders have recently added furs to their outfits, adapting to the colder climate. In addition, those individuals sympathetic to the Stadtholder family often wear an orange scarf.
Languages
The Hinterlands people speak in their traditional tongue, which is famous for its brutal pronunciation of the 'g' that often reminds people of demon sounds. The language known as Hitch does have some poetic phonations as it is often used in rhymes to explain fairy tales and morals. Other than Hitch, the people of the Hinterlands are also fluent in common, and some senior clergy members speak Ancient Attian when translating the Dictus.
(OOC: Hitch as a language closely resembles Dutch, some important words are explained below)
| Greetings | |
|---|---|
| Hitch | Common |
| Gegroet | Greetings |
| Vaarwel | Farewell |
| Vrienden | Friend(s) |
| Races | |
| Elfen | Elf |
| Witte Elfen | High Elf |
| Groene Elfen | Wood Elf |
| Zwarte Elfen | Dark Elf |
| Dwerg | Denur |
| Mensen | Human(s) |
| Vieshuiden | Faulskins(s) |
| Gehoornden | Tiefling |
| Titles | |
| Stadhouder | Stadtholder/ Steward |
| Staten Generaal | Estates General |
| Raadspensionaris | Prime Ministers |
| Gedelegeerden | Regents/ Attendees to the Estates General |
| Graf(in) | Count(ess) |
| Adel | Noble |
| Regent | Minister |
| Tovenaar | Mage |
| Commonly Used Words | |
| Toveren | To Cast Magic |
| Handel | Trade |
| Verkiezingen | Elections |
| Student | (Older) Student |
| Leerling | (Young) Student |
| Vrijheid | Freedom |
| Dokter | Doctor/Medic |
| Pastor | Makerist Priest |
| Hooghland | Highland |
Culture and Society
Structure of Hoogh Society
To describe the Hinterlanders, terms such as tolerant, organized, and cordial come to mind. Vise Versa the Hitch is also known to be quite blunt or direct. This has led many Hinterlanders to pursue a mercantile approach to the world of Eden. The world's riches are theirs to be taken, and pursuing them may portray them as greedy. They do not particularly fancy jousts and tournaments because their recent integration into the colder climate has adjusted the Hinterlanders, now known as Highlanders, to fighting monsters instead of knights in shining armor. In addition, their republican form of government has actively encouraged civil participation. Still, it also comes at a cost hence the phrase 'He’s screaming like a Hitch uncle' is referenced when someone goes on a drag about politics.
They are disciplined, conservative, and pay attention to the smallest details. They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking, practical, and well-organized. They place a high value on cleanliness and neatness. At the same time, the Hinterlanders are very private people. Yet the handshake of a Hinterlander to signify any deal or agreement is regarded most of all as honest. The Hinterlanders have always survived under the yoke of foreign powers, most pressingly the Attians, who occupied their lands for ages. During this time, the only privileges granted to the Hinterlanders were the occupations of merchants and craftsmen since these trades were looked down upon by the Attian Empire and later the Hadrian knights. Having taken to this mercantile life, a Hinterlander will not easily overspend himself on anything, preferring to live comfortably but soberly. This sober lifestyle has made many Hinterlanders in the past very rich, which is why many Hinterlanders were able to invest time in universities, arts, and other professions.
In addition, the recent disputes in the Empire of Hadriana have made the people of the Hinterlands rather hostile to Hadrians, who they view as having murdered their last liege lord. Because of the aid given to them by the Kingdom of Luminion, the Highland Freestate has amiable and friendly relations with the High Elves. The culture of the Hinterlanders is summarized as upright, mercantile, and independent.
Political Beliefs
Through the centuries, the old Hinterlands had been home to a different set of tribes. Other than their Attian kin in the north, the tribes of the Hinterlands stayed divided for a long time, and a lot of infighting ensued. In this early phase of the Hinterlands, the idea of a general assembly of townsfolk to issue their demands to their local chieftains was born. The chiefs of the early Hitch tribes were replaced when they, for instance, did not function properly. It is said that in these town meetings, the first general principle of the republic was formed. Later, during the 90 Years' war against the Kingdom of Hadriana, the chieftains briefly united under a common crown. During the Age of Kings, the people of the Hinterlands copied the lordly system of the Hadrians, and noble houses were formed like the Van Leuveren family.
In the aftermath of the collapse of the Hadrian Kingdom, the Hitch gathered in Wakkerdam (Now Prezza L'Aquila) and was inspired by the ancient town meetings of the ancient Hitch and the ancient Attian consular system they set upon creating a General Assembly dubbed the Estates General. After the collapse of the United Provinces, the idea of a state without a monarch was continued in the Freestate. However, it was improved a bit.
Every 2 years (66 days), a General Election is called in the Freestate. All adult republic citizens can put themselves up for election to the Estates General. This is the legislative body of the Freestate and consists of 4 to 16 seats depending on population growth. The citizens of the Freestate elect the candidates with to most votes to the Estates General. Within the Estates General, the chosen representatives vote for the Grand-Pensionary, who will represent the Estates General with legislative measures for two years. The Stadhouder, leader of the executive branch, also has a vote in the Estates General and is the head of the Orange Guard. The Estates General, for example, can vote on diplomatic issues, taxes, laws, and government structure.
Expression and Art
Hinterlanders express themselves soberly and modestly in their way of life. Therefore they do not express themselves with lavish gold, instead when captured. Therefore Hinterlanders are more drawn to the use of silver. Having been part of the merchant class in the past Hadrian Empire, the Hinterlanders have acquired more wealth than their average Hadrian counterpart due to Hitch being isolated to certain jobs. This wealth has translated into a higher average of Hinterlanders participating in colleges and universities worldwide. Hinterlanders would therefore view themselves as more tolerant of foreign cultures, having been educated abroad for the most part. The intellectual class of the Hinterlands expresses itself in two ways. As golden decorations are frowned upon, the Hinterlanders take great value in the arts, such as music and paintings. In the past, famous painters originated from the Hinterlands. Though the Hinterlanders do not value scenes of landscapes, they love portraits of their families or their trades. Hinterlanders take pride in their work and labor and, through paintings, have a venue to show off. However, the cold climate is less suited to flowery decorations, so the Hinterlanders experiment with adaptable flower types that offer them great value. As flowers are a direct creation of the Maker’s hand and not a fabric of man to show off their lavishness, these colorful flowers compliment the sober attire of Hinterlanders.
Romance & Marriage
Marriages are more liberated in the Highlands and former Hinterlands, except for the usual prejudice accompanying a Makerist settlement. As usual, a party is thrown, and the ceremony has to take place in the church, and the one that leads the church should give their blessing to the marriage. Often the head of the family has to permit for the bride to be married. This way, arranged marriages are still part of the United Provinces, usually for economic gain. But the bride can end the marriage on the altar at the clergyman’s final offer. When married, the bride and groom make a holy vow on a Dictus to support each other in times of hardship and well-being. All in all, marriages are a very sober event in the Hinterlands as they do not view love as an excuse to brag about one's wealth. Gifts exchanged at weddings are often practical.
Life & Reproduction
During their lifetime, a Hinterlander always pursues freedom and values their personal property. Hinterlanders ought not to spend their wealth on useless lavishness but are actively encouraged to invest in private companies. The life of a Hinterlander is, therefore, a bit hypocritical, as most of them are rich but don't show that they're rich. To augment this hypocrisy, Hinterlanders usually do wear and buy very expensive items; they usually just don't clad them in gold to show off, as this would make them look immodest in the public eye.
This wealth has allowed Hinterlanders to participate in many university programs across Eden and has evolved their past as serfs and peasants to a new civil class: the citizen. Like this, the citizens of the Highland Freestate are given privileges and participatory rights in government through the elective body of the Estates General. Usually, the patron of a household invites their children to come to the Estates General from a very young age. Upbringings in Hitch culture are very strict, and parents often teach their children moral lessons according to the rule of the Maker. The church is in charge of the upbringing of lowborn citizens, whereas richer citizens tend to send their children to schools and universities.
Although all citizens, there is still nobility in the culture of the Hinterlands; these are mainly the old bloodlines of the ancient tribal leaders of the Hinterlands and are viewed as the 'lords’ of the Hinterlands. Most prominently is the House van Leuveren, the current ruling house of the Highland Freestate and patron of the Hinterlands.
Death & Funerals
In Raevendrecht, the deceased is to be given a proper burial. Graveyards are not considered scary or blighted places but a place of refuge to try and connect with the recently deceased. Families pay and invest a lot in the decoration of tombstones. At a proper burial, a Makerist priest should be present. People that commit suicide are decapitated before entering the grave, as suicide is frowned upon by the Makerist church.