Cultures

[Helia Dead Raiser]

Humans
Human's a a noble race of people who believe strongly in family and honor. They are a proud race who flaunt their children as part of their wealth, they also have the largest trade routes and cities in the known world. The serve a many gods as well as the all father god, they have been known to range from highly religious people to boorish cads. This also attributes to the face that Human culture differs vastly from place to place. Even in a single territory social acceptance changes in every small city. Though the most common of cultural similarities seem to stay in regional groupings.

In the Northern Regions of the human kingdoms such as the continent Stutengurt we find humans to be more barbaric of nature. These humans are settlers from Meisterland and have adapted their culture and laws. Due to the slow birth rate at first the laws were changed for Men to be able have more than one wife. Though now days it has become common practice for a man to have more than one wife and several mistresses. While this practice is okay for the men, women are expected to be faithful to one husband or lover. Though women seem to not have as many rights or privileges in the north, this is not the case, due to the Dark Elven influence, over the years females have become the head of the house, and since men often make their living as sailors or travelling tradesmen, the first wife is left to run the family business and other dealings while he is away.
Since there are many children in one family due to the number of wives the father chooses who is to be his heir. This leads to great rivalry between sons, If a man has only daughters then his trade is passed down onto his eldest grandson.
In the Southern Region such as the continent Kahvaria we find human's to be more exotic and mystic of nature. Human's here live around a temple in the center of town, though many of the human's here are devoutly religious this region is also known for many smooth talking con-men who make their fortune as fortune tellers or magicians. This area is also known for it's tall broad chested men who fight for hire, they are known to be the most savage fighters in the land. Women here take their positions as bed mates or dancer, while in their elder years they become scribes or teachers. Children are raised by their mothers until they reach the age of five then they become the ward of their father who teaches them the family trade. Mercenary children are often in battle as their fathers armor bearer before they can even hold a sword, by that same standard, the children of tradesmen are often shrewd salesmen before they can even count the money they've made.
Because realms to the south are teeming with petty thieves, smugglers who wish to sell the riches of the land, and other such criminals has made the night life to the south become dangerous. Every one learns to handle a sword or blade of some type knowing that this will at some point save their lives.
In the Western Regions such as the continent Hiematland Human's are among the most noble of races. They live happily as tradesmen, soldiers or clerics. Men rise to the occasion of battle with a brave face and women bear the burden of their husband or fathers leaving with grace and strength. It is here that the human Empire is settled, and where the Kaizer Lothair reigns. Trade is delegated and many politicians and ambassadors from other countries, races and even the mystic orders reside in harmony in the central cites. Human's here tend to be more acceptant of other races and even of half breeds. The Alliance of Free Peoples was born in the council halls of Kaizer Lothair's palace and here the Alliance is lead.

*Human Names
Human first names differ from place to place. How ever last names remain the same every where. The fathers name is paired with 'son' or 'daughter' such as; Leif Drianson, or Wiesch Driandaughter. When married a woman takes the last name of her husband and so Wiesch Driandaughter becomes Wiesh Forgdaughter.

*Religion
Humans have an archaic and ritualistic Religion. Worship is conducted in grand cathedrals with the gods etched on every wall. Services are conducted only on certain days and times, but the Cathedrals are open to all at any time for prayer or sanctuary.
In the north the worship is conducted once every month the night of the full moon. Commands from the gods are given at each service and the people are blessed and given a chance to confess their sins, or achievements. After the service a large feast is laid out and a sacrifice to Trygalf the Allfather is made.
In the West the services are held weekly on the last day of the week, these services involve blessing of the people, and their children.
In the south services are once yearly on the last day of the year, but rituals are preformed at temples daily.


*Mystic Orders
Humans are aligned with all Mystical Orders.

*Allies
Human's have allied themselves with the Alliance of Free Peoples.
This is strongest in the west and North but has been recognized by the south on some levels.

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Dark Elf Culture
Dark elves have a matriarchal society built upon the values that females are the life givers, and thus the sustainer of life. Contrary to popular belief they do not suppress or enslave males, males are in fact allowed a great deal of power in the ranks of society. Though males are not shunned entirely their roles are of the second class variety. They are allowed in the ranks of military though only as foot soldiers and at highest rank captains or sergeants. They are also allowed to own shops, property and other such things as long as they female as a cosigner on the purchase or lease contracts. It has also been known that some males have left their families to become Rogues living their own lives around humans, or other elves. It is rare but such males have been known to marry Wood Elves or Common Elves and produce rare inter-elf hybrids.
Female Dark Elves are allowed the highest positions of Government each cavern dwelling in the Dark Elf cities is ruled by a female Wych. She is usually the eldest of all the elves in the dwelling. Her wisdom and magic is passed down to her daughter and so the title is passed. In the unlikely event that a Wych gives birth to a son a wife is chosen for the son. A female with great wisdom and power with in the dwelling, and the title is passed down to said wife.
A Wych over sees the branch of Military in her dwelling, as well as all the business practices and maters of judgement concerning the law. All Wych's answer to the Wych Queen.
The Wych Queen, much like the human Kaizer, rules over all of the dwellings. She is the military leader and leader of all foreign political matters. The position of Wych Queen is passed down from other to daughter, or in the chance of a son like that of a Wych.

*Dark Elf Names
Dark Elves pass on a family name from Mother to child, The family name is usually said first when addressing some one, such as; Elden Tudar. There are five main families with in the caverns, Elden, Irshteth, Hectine, Nian, and Veldairesh. Among these five there are other innumerable small families.
First names are very vowel heavy with usually very few consonants. Usually beginning in either a N, H, E, I, or L, and ending in D, T, R, or H.

*Views on Outsiders
Dark Elves are very xenophobic and dislike other species meddling in their affairs. Outsiders who dare to venture into their dwellings are to be met with hostility.

*Major Biological Differences
Dark elves skin tone varies from an almost black color to an off white blue. The skin tone is passed down from the mother, with Black being the rarest color, and dull gray being the most common. Wych Queens or Wyches general have a coal colored skin or ebony black. The eye colors of dark elves also vary greatly from the most common yellow, to red.
Like other elves Dark Elves grow to great heights while still remaining willowy and tightly muscled. Males can reach seven feet at tallest, this is a rare height considering the most common of male Elf heights is six foot five inches. Females can grow up to Six foot ten at tallest, again, this is a rarity most women stand about six feet, or six foot three inches.
Also like other Elves Dark Elves have long ears which normal stand horizontally three to four inches away from their heads. Longer ears are a sign of beauty, some of the most beautiful elves were said to have ears that reached to the ends of their shoulders. Elves also have a strong set of muscles that lay under the ear, these muscles are interlaced with nerves that cause the ears to lift or fall with sharp sounds. All Elven ears are a great way to tell the emotion of an elf considering their faces are general stoic. Downward ears are usually ill emotions, while upward ears are generally fare emotions.

*Religion
Dark Elves worship the goddess Ishtarin, a beautiful yet scornful goddess.
Their religion is based around the constant search for greater power, greater intellect and greater control over the forces of magic.
A Dark Elves spiritual journey starts at the age of adult hood which is about twenty to twenty five years old. A female will ten journey to the temple with her mother and take the right of passage. In which she must over power her mother and draw blood from her left arm. When the blood is drawn a little bit is drained the daughter then drinks from her mothers blood. Taking on the strength and power her mother has gained in her life.
After the right of passage a Dark Elf sets out on a pilgrimage to gain riches and power. This pilgrimage is said to go around the world entirely, but generally it just a journey around the northern realms of Stutengurt.
After the main pilgrimage Dark Elves return to their home lands and learn their trade, seeking the guidance of their priestess in times of need.


*Mystic Orders
The Dark Elves are generally alined with the Dark Practitioners.
Through their own religion they have priestess, Templars and healers.

*Allies
The Black Orcs have been manipulated into being the Allies of the Dark Elves for many years. While Minotaurs have made the real dealings with these Elves. The two have a working relationship for supplies, weapons and hiding places to retreat when times get rough.
Because of the Dark Elves Xenophobic traits other alliances have been short and few.

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Wood Elves
Wood Elves are a druid and hunter like society ruled by an Arch Druid who is in direct council with the Oracle child of Delinedair.
As their name suggests Wood Elves inhabit the forests of Heimatland. Being the great hunters and druids that they are Wood Elves have master the forests. They have learned to tame beasts and build around the flow of nature so that they are just as much a part of it, as it a part of them. Each forrest dwelling is built into the branches of the trees, with linked rope bridges between the main dwellings. Homes generally hold one family, with one room for the children to sleep in, one room for the adults to sleep, and a living area. Wood elves dine communally on the forrest floor. Along with the large dining tables and kegs at the base of their tree dwellings there are large kitchens, washing lavatories and others such facilities. This is mostly because of the tedious process of bringing up animals from the hunt or water to bathe or cook with. Also kept on the forrest floor are shops and meeting halls that outsiders are allowed in.
Family ties are very important to the Wood Elves and a child will not leave the house of his or her father until he or she has his blessing. Daughters are often married off to husbands of their fathers choosing, most commonly an unmarried friend of the father to whom he deems is a noble and honest man.
Elves who venture from the wood to seek a life out side of the forests blessing are banished unless they return with a noble reputation.

*Wood Elf Names
Wood Elves use names that are very vowel heavy. Names Begging in Wryth, Iean, Elian, and Izieare are very common.
While all Wood Elves have different 'core names' they all have the same suffix names based off of their achievements in life.
For example, Elian is the name given at birth, and used until he passes the right of passage, Then his name becomes Elian'Ilked. As he grows older he receives many honor names based off of his choices in profession. If he were to be a warrior he would be Elian'Ilked'Drekid, or if he were a to have a son it would be 'Elian'Ilked'Drekid'Nethryn
and if he were a Holy man or Druid he would simply be Elian'Renneh' he would change this suffix as he gained ranks in the clergy. The suffixes go from 'Renneh (least), 'Ne, 'Ika, and 'lashai (greatest).
These names also change with the gender of a person. If an Elf is born female then her name goes from her child hood name of Izieare to Izieare'Ilyth, and when she marries it is Izieare'Ilyth'Neth, and if her first child is a daughter Izieare'Ilyth'Neth'Nethra.
If a person commits a crime, or leaves the Elf Tribe for another culture they drop all of their honor names and retain only just their Core Name.

*Views on outsiders
Wood Elves view on outsiders is friendly at best. While they do not allow outsiders into their culture they do not discourage others from visiting and partaking of their rituals.

*Major Biological Differences
Wood Elves are the most 'human' in appearance of all elves. Their skin tone varies from a sun tanned 'beige' to a light off pink white. Their hair is most always dark brown and curled, in some rare instances a blonde or black headed child have been born.
Like other elves Wood Elves grow to great heights while still remaining willowy and tightly muscled. Males can reach seven feet at tallest, this is a rare height considering the most common of male Elf heights is six foot five inches. Females can grow up to Six foot ten at tallest, again, this is a rarity most women stand about six feet, or six foot three inches.
Also like other Elves Wood Elves have long ears which normal stand horizontally three to four inches away from their heads. Longer ears are a sign of beauty, some of the most beautiful elves were said to have ears that reached to the ends of their shoulders. Elves also have a strong set of muscles that lay under the ear, these muscles are interlaced with nerves that cause the ears to lift or fall with sharp sounds. All Elven ears are a great way to tell the emotion of an elf considering their faces are general stoic. Downward ears are usually ill emotions, while upward ears are generally fare emotions.

*Religion
Wood Elves religion is based off the flow of nature. Each cycle of the seasons are represented of the spiritual journey.
The spring represents a begging of a persons life and spiritual journey, in this time much cultivation of the young is needed, and much attention is given. Children during this time are brought to the oracle to be taught the ways of Delinedair and many other things they could not learn spiritually from their parents.
The summer is the time of great spiritual trial. While in the young adolescent stage Elves are training to pass their right of adult hood they are often left to find their own spiritual paths. They are allowed to be lead astray, and brought back through these wild and drought field times.
The Autumn is a time of great spiritual awaken, the now adult Elves are choosing their paths in life, and are also learning to interpret the teachings of the Oracle of Delinedair for themselves. They now decide on their own spiritual harvest, on whether the wish to dedicate themselves to teaching the younger generations of Delinedair or whether they wish to become tradesmen or housewives.
The winter represents the time of Spiritual calm. A time when Adult elves are through with their youth and become serene in their knowledge of the Oracle's teachings.

*Mystic Orders
The Wood Elves do not answer to any particular order but allow other orders to teach their children. Most commonly they have been patrons to the Druids, the Clerrics, and priests of their own order.

*Allies
Allies of the Wood Elves have always been the humans, and Cloud Giants. As well as the Storm Giants and various nomadic peoples who have caused them no harm.
The Dryands and the Wood Elves live in harmony together in the forests, but no one has ever heard of an alliance being formed between the two of them.

[Helia Dead Raiser]

Common Elves
Common Elves are a nomadic sect of Elves from the southern continent of Kahvaria, whose only stationary home is a winter home in which all the tribes live together in this small city of tents, this where Common Elves elect a leader for the entire population.
While all of the elves are under the elected head chieftain each tribe is ruled by an elder who passes down his title as tribe leader to his eldest child.
This sect of elves are a non-violent group that refuses get into the disputes of others. They have a small army which travels in the same tribe as the head chieftain but this army has other skills besides fighting in which they use most often. While it isn't often that one sees an Common Elf fight it is said that they are among the most ferocious of Elves when they are provoked to wrath.
Common Elves have a strong sense of kinship with their Tribe. Most outsiders could not tell who's child belongs to who because of the way each female is maternally affectionate to all the children. By that same right when a man teaches his son a craft the boy learns that craft from all the men of the village.
Common Elf marriages are said to be some of the most colorful and long lasting celebrations in the Kahvaria. The groom is usually adorned in orange, red or yellow, while his bride is in, Red, Blue or Yellow garments, the two exchange vows and are then blessed by the Tribe. Marriages and blessings can only be preformed by the head chieftain and so Common Elves can only be wed once a year. Because of this it is not unheard of for a couple to have an infant child, or to be pregnant on their wedding.

*Common Elf Names
Common elf names are similar to other elves in the way that they are heavy in vowels. What does differ is their 'family' naming system. While most elves taken on their parental name or their occupational name Common elves take on a name for the hole. While there are many small clans and tribes it is impossible to narrow it down to just a few common names.

*Views on Outsiders
Common Elves allow outsiders into their midst with caution. They do not trust easily, but when they do trust others they trust them for life.

*Major Biological Differences
Common Elves are the desert variant elves. Their skin tone varies from a brownish red to sandy beige. Their hair is most always light colored, ranging from white to blonde.
Like other elves Common Elves grow to great heights while still remaining willowy and tightly muscled. Males can reach seven feet at tallest, this is a rare height considering the most common of male Elf heights is six foot five inches. Females can grow up to Six foot ten at tallest, again, this is a rarity most women stand about six feet, or six foot three inches.
Also like other Elves Common Elves have long ears which normal stand horizontally three to four inches away from their heads. Longer ears are a sign of beauty, some of the most beautiful elves were said to have ears that reached to the ends of their shoulders. Elves also have a strong set of muscles that lay under the ear, these muscles are interlaced with nerves that cause the ears to lift or fall with sharp sounds. All Elven ears are a great way to tell the emotion of an elf considering their faces are general stoic. Downward ears are usually ill emotions, while upward ears are generally fare emotions.

*Religion
Common Elf religion is a weak no worship centered order. They have no priests, no religious figures. They mearly honor the gods and follow their set laws.
One of the few laws of the Common Elf religion is that one can only eat meat on a full moon. Common elves believe that the full moon cleanses the system of the violence caused by killing animals for food.
Offerings of wine to ones dead elders is another religious law, in which on the night of a lunar eclipse the tribes gather together to drink to the honor of elders and their teachings.

*Mystic Orders
Common elves are not associated with one order or another, they allow their children to choose which ever order they like, or if they want none at all.

*Allies
Common Elves have no allied nations with them due to their nomadic nature, but they are friendly with most races and countries.

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Dwarves
Dwarves are a clan based society. They are known for the hard work, heavy drinking and large egos. It is said that what a Dwarf lacks in size he makes up for in pride.
Dwarves live by the constant philosophy that they had it so much harder than the younger generation. In a constant "walking to work barefooted in a blizzard, carrying my tools and my families tools, with no pack animal and up hill both ways." mind set. While these stories are entirely serious, even if they are not completely true, it makes for comic satire that the Dwarves are famous for.
Dwarf politics are governed by a ruling clan. Each clan has a council of elders that help make decisions and decide to go to war, who to export to and the like. Each council has a leader who reports to a council of the Head clan. Council meetings often sound like shouting matches to see who can be as longwinded on one subject than the other. Often disputes are settled by name calling, threats, and often coming to blows. From the outside it may seem like these dwarves are hostile to one another but in truth they are usually old drinking and war buddies.
Dwarf Children are almost as unseen as Dwarf women. Like the women Children stay within the cities, and are taught by the elder men. When children reach Five or six years old they go with their fathers to learn his trade. Women usually stay home and keep the house, or often run the mining tunnels as messengers.

*Dwarf Names

*Views on Outsiders
Out side of alliances made by the King and trade related exports Dwarves are wary of outsiders. They are quick to travel with those they deem of a nobel cause. But allowing others into their underground cities is a rare occurrence.

*Major Biological Differences
Dwarves differ from humans in the fact that they are stout, broad shouldered creatures that never reach any taller that four foot seven. Males and females alike are usually around the same height.
Males are hairy creatures that grow thick facial hair from about age fifteen onward. Females are nearly hairless on their bodies but the locks on their heads are thick and unruly. It has been said that Dwarves use grooming tools made of gold or bronze, not for the want to flaunt their riches but the fact that most weaker materials will break in their thick hair.

*Religion
Dwarvish religion is a very lively one. Dwarves celebrate holy days with much drinking, dancing, and merry making. If the priests teach the children about the Dwarf god Gurd First Born and tells of how he forged many great weapons for the gods. And how he slew giants and dark elves in battle.
These holy days are usually at the beginning of each season and are one of the few times trusted outsiders are allowed inside the dwarvish cities.

*Mystic Orders
Dwarves are generally alined with the Clerical Order, but allow their children to choose any of the mystical guilds.

*Allies
Dwarves are allied with the Alliance of Free Peoples, but are not trusting of the elves.

[Helia Dead Raiser]

Green Orcs
Externally perceived as wild savage barbarians, there is more to the Green Orcs than entails. Though such a perception is true, there is also a more natural and shamanistic element to the race. Green Orcs do enjoy the good fight, and often have small gladiatorial style combat as an almost passive pastime. The brunt of Green Orcs are respectful to other Green Orcs, though disputes, as above mentioned, can tend to be resolved with fists as opposed to words. To incorporate the shamanistic element, the select Green Orcs who are chosen to become shamans learn of the power which lies underneath the Earth's crust. They are thought that this is a force to be not only reckoned with, but also respected. In such, many shamans spend a considerable portion of their time giving back to the Earth, in whatever means possible.
Green Orcs live by a Marxist lifestyle; being that all goods are part of a collective, and as such everything is everyones. This allows for a simplistic means of earning goods, and doesn't need to worry about the bureaucracy of government and established order. Coupled with how disputes are settled, it makes out to be a fairly solid system.
Military is co-ordinated by the strongest and largest of the Green Orcs, often believed to be merit for the most experienced. There is an established rank system within the Military, though the Green Orcs tend to approach warfare from a more Guerilla fashion, often using the natural surroundings to their advantage. A common and rather successful tactic of Green Orcs is to disperse packs and lure them into Pockets, which consist of a Barbarian front line and a Shaman ranged line, who often charge the group, with chain lightning quickly making work of the small groups.
*Green Orc Names

*Green Orc Views on outsiders
Green Orcs are more generally viewed as savage barbarians, but this is mainly due to the short numbers if shamans in Orc Society. Very few know of Green Orc Shamans, and those who do are either scholars or have met one.
*Majoir Biological differences
Green Orcs stand taller than your average human by at least a foot and a half. Their build is much larger than that of a human, and is primarily displayed by broad shoulders and a muscular back and legs. Their noses appear to more is shape of a snout than an average human nose, and their lower jaw is heavily pronounced, often allowing their lower canine teeth to show past their lips. Males tend to be either entirely bald or completely unkempt, never an either or. Male Shamans tend to have dreaded hair, as well as most Green Orc females. Their hair colour tends to be a dark green, though can very easily be another colour.
*Religion
While most Green Orcs tend to worship Mog & Gom, the Shamans have often been told that Delinedair provides them with much of where they source their magic from. It is not rare to see these people worship Kord also.
*Mystic Orders
The Mystic Order is taken up in the fashion of Shamans.
*Allies
Allegiance are very situational for Green Orcs, as they often only ally with people when their land is threatened. However, they have been seen to ally with the Alliance of Free Peoples, and Shamans have a particular respect for Wood Elves and Dryads.

[Helia Dead Raiser]

Black Orcs

*Black Orc Names

*Black Orc Views on outsiders

*Black Biological differences

*religion

*Mystic Orders

*Allies