User:Apateus
| The Hinterlanders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Classification | |
| Nicknames | Hitch, Hooghlanders, Highlanders |
| Languages | Hitch, Common |
| Average Height | |
| Average Weight | |
| Maximum Age | |
| Stat Bonuses |
+1 Strength +2 Defense +0 Agility +1 Intelligence |
Introduction
People of the world and seamen, the Hinterlands have always stood out for their resourcefulness and their courage in facing the most arduous and ambitious challenges and the most difficult lifestyles.
Dedicated to trade and the development of strong regional identities, the Hinterlanders have adapted to the most disparate climates and regions of Eden, thanks to their great tradition of navigators and their ability to fend for themselves.
Among Hinterlanders, blood privilege often matters less than battle prowess or individual resourcefulness. And it often happens that new nobles families appear from nowhere, enriched by less noble traditions such as trading or navigation, claiming the same importance as ancient combative noble Hinterlander families
Appearance
Hinterlanders are tall, standing half a foot taller than the average Attian Humans, that love to sustain with an highly proteic diet.
Hinterlanders often have darker hair and darker eye colors; blonde hair is seen as a rarity.
In their attire, the Hinterlanders are more often seen in sober colors and clothes, more suitable for action. Their traditional garment is mostly black or dark blue robes with large white collars.
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 traditionally express themselves with their hairstyles and silver jewelry, far more common than gold in their place of origin.
It is not unusual for Northern Hinterlanders to add furs to their outfits, adapting to the colder climate. In addition, those individuals sympathetic to a specific noble Household may carry a colored scarf with the color of their banner.
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
The Hinterlands are known throughout history for their seamanship and have long worked and operated trading posts all along the Alban Ocean coastline.
Although native to the Hinterlands, many of this species have moved widely, and developed unique regional identities.
Many later versions of Hinterlander culture are in fact known in Eden.
Dale Hinterlanders
Traditionally, the Hintish tradition developed in the Hinterlands has mostly favored a business culture, open to trade and of ancient republican tradition, due to the great influence of wealthy entrepreneurs and merchants in society. Those who consider themselves the "Hinterlands natives" have a society focused on free association and the free flow of ideas.
This strategy has repeatedly made the Hinterlands the richest place on the continent, but also the most unstable and subject to multiple successive internal divisions, despite the Dale Hintish's natural propensity for organization and practicality.
Alban Hinterlanders
The Hinterlanders have historically been great and glorious navigators and some of these known as Alban Hinterlanders do not have a true region of belonging: They are born, live and die on their brigs, calling at the various ports of the Alban Ocean.
These expert navigators and battle-hardened buccaneers transport goods, technologies and information between the various kingdoms of the Western continent, sometimes even attacking other ships while wielding letters of marque from various factions.
Raeven Hinterlanders
The Northern Hinterlanders in Norlanden have adopted part of the traditional culture of the region, where the hostile environment has pushed the men who survived the catastrophe of Magna Attia towards a more militaristic and centralized order.
Hinterlander spirit in the Northern storms has remained intact, but in the snowy lands it has taken on a harsher and more militaristic tone.
Where the Dale Hinterlanders mint large gold coins and exploit the great trade routes that cross the Spine connecting elves and men to the center of the continent, in the north furs, weapons and the magical fangs and claws of the most ruthless creatures are exchanged for silver.
Hintish practicality and mercantile sobriety in the north is also a necessity and the only possible lifestyle and the maritime capabilities of the Hinterlanders make it possible for the Raeven ones to navigate the stormy Nordic Sea, avoiding the dangers of the Attia Marshes.
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.
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.