Post by Beolakh on Mar 17, 2009 18:10:29 GMT -5
Overview:
The humans of Talambar are a strong breed, hardened by a history of barbarianism and violence. The Caermarn elite laud their government and culture (accurately or not) as the most hardy and effective in the world. In truth, they ride a delicate balance—just as their native continent is one of both rugged wilderness and hospitable temperance, their society teeters on the border between savage and civilized.
Appearance:
Humans of true Talambrian heritage are pale-skinned and dark-haired, with a physique characterized by broad jaws and prominent shoulders and elbows. Men, at adulthood, stand from 5' 9” (1.75 m) to 6' (1.8 m) tall and weigh between 160 lbs (72 kg) and 210 lbs (92.5 kg). Women are typically 5' 3” (160 cm) to 5' 7” (170 cm) tall and weigh from 130 lbs (59 kg) to 180 lbs (82 kg).
Aging:
Typical lifespans (especially for those who can afford medical care) range between 50 and 60 years, with women being on the upper end and men in the lower. Girls reach maturity between 12 and 14 years old; boys between 15 and 19.
Inherent Abilities:
In a social sense, the Talambrians benefit from an inherent sense of diligence and a strong tradition of national confidence; they will unify firmly against a common enemy. As a nation, they show a proclivity toward stubborn endurance and strategic innovation in land-based warfare. From a physiological standpoint, the Talambrians exhibit a relative fortitude against most diseases.
Inherent Weaknesses:
Many a Talambrian army has been defeated because of its commander's arrogance. The Talambrians are quick to underestimate both an opponent's strength and their own vulnerabilities. Also, while they do not often fall ill, they are struck harder by whatever afflictions they do manage to catch.
Territory:
The Talambrians have never been fond of long sea travel and thus have been confined to the shores of Talambar. However, that is not to say they lack expansionistic aspirations—they are constantly and forcefully pressing across the land bridge between Talambar and Srada in hopes of securing possessions there.
Government:
Talambar is ruled by a “rhyn.” The office is passed hereditarily to the current ruler's eldest son (though bizarre exceptions and usurpations are not unheard of). Traditionally, the rhyn appoints a “Bwrdd” of five to seven advisors to assist him.
The rhyn also appoints a number of magistrates to govern specific areas; most of these magistratures are divided along the old tribal territorial lines from before Brencynt's Unification. While magisterial offices are intended to be merit-based appointments, history has shown that magistrates tend to be relatives of the rhyn.
The most local form of government (that with which the common populace is most likely to deal) is a system of judiciary offices designated by an area's magistrate. These judgeships, which have jurisdiction to decide criminal or civil disputes in a given area, are typically given to the heads of wealthy or otherwise powerful families.
Occupations:
The most respected occupation in Talambar is that of a career soldier. Many an ambitious commoner enters the ranks with hopes of ascending through the hierarchy and winning fame and fortune as a successful officer—unfortunately, sons of wealthy or political families are typically given precedence in officer selection. Assignments are given in seven-year increments; at the end of his appointed tour, a soldier returns to his family with a pension proportional to officer recommendations and duration of service.
Outside the military, the largest occupation with which middle and upper-class Talambrians support themselves is political brown-nosing. A good number of pseudo-noble families, after complimenting the right people, granting the right favors, and thus securing some manner of obscure government title, subsist purely on tax money collected from the lower classes.
Among commoners, the most common occupations vary by region. In the pasturelands of the Mordir Maestir, farmers and herders are common; in the cities, construction, banking, and trading dominate; most coastal communities subsist on fishing; the fertile Tairafon Forest is home to many a farmer and orchard keeper, while in the Cedenwys forest of the southern Talmynyd Mountains, where the soil renders agriculture difficult, most men make their way as trappers.
Additionally, slaves make up a huge portion of the Talambrian labor force. Most slaves are of minor races, some captured, some sold by their countrymen, some born into servitude. The most popular slaves are centaurs and Sradan humans.
Housing:
Among the nobility, the most fashionable homes are fashioned of white stones such as marble and limestone quarried from the mountains. The less fortunate usually build from the nation's plentiful timber.
Talambrian architectural design often features vaulted, slanted ceilings and arched thresholds. (Archaeologists trace the use of the arch to the ancient ruins scattered across the continent, the most prominent of which is the Henebion.).
Diet:
Talambrian nobles have a distinct taste for venison; enjoying deer on a daily basis is typically a mark of wealth. Otherwise, most Talambrian cuisine consists of mutton and, in coastal sectors, shrimp, scallops, and various shallow-sea fishes.
Saffron and olive oil are two Talambrian staples used in almost all their dishes.
Weaponry:
Talambrian blacksmiths possess a fairly strong grasp of metallurgy (though nothing like the mastery of the dwarves) and are capable of forging implements of bronze, iron, and steel. The traditional equipment of Talambrian infantry includes a cleddyf—a short steel sword about the length of the forearm with a spade-shaped tip—and a light, rectangular steel shield long enough to afford protection from the shoulders to the knees.
Clothing:
Members of the nobility show their wealth by wearing brightly colored robes of opulent make and material or, for those aspiring to a more active persona, deer-hide togas. Common folk wear mostly wool garments, worn in the toga-style of the wealthy or as simple tunics.
Society:
The most important quality in Talambrian society is strength. Talambar's myth and art all place great praise and reverence on the ideal human physique (called in Talambrian corrfys)—many foreign anthropologists identify this idea as partially the source of Talambrian racial supremacism. Little respect is given individuals who are viewed as weak. Typically, corrfys deals only with the male physique, though this is not to say that women are not respected—the general consensus is that only strong Talambrian women can give birth to corrfys males.
Most social historians agree that the practice of slavery was present in the very early tribal stages of Talambar's development, and that this helped to foster Talambrian racism. Now, slavery is a staple of Talambrian culture; the humans of Talambar view the human race (and specifically, those of Talambrian heritage) as the most perfect of the world's peoples.
Religion:
While prior to the Unification, various tribes adhered to an assortment of religious systems, Brencynt's conquest served also to bring all the Talambrian peoples under one system of belief (though that system evolved wildly during the Unification, incorporating many elements of the other belief systems it absorbed). Now, most Talambrians adhere to the official polytheistic religion of the state (though some adherents to the old religions endure).
Holidays:
Most of the major Talambrian festivals revolve around the solstices and equinoxes (these are also important events for practicers of runic magic). In addition, there are an assortment of other feasts to honor various deities held on certain days throughout the year.
History:
The modern Talambrian race dates back to a scattered number of barbarian tribes which first appear in the archaeological record circa 3100 d.s. The next 1700 years were a period of nearly constant strife and bloodshed between tribes and the native centaur herds. In the late 48th and early 49th century d.s., the warlord chief of the Careg tribe, which was based around Marchnad Bay and possessed the Henebion, conducted a series of massive campaigns which have since been termed the Unification, in which he utilized a steadily expanding army and several teams of runic warmages to subjugate the Talambrian tribes, consolidating power under a single crown.
The humans of Talambar are a strong breed, hardened by a history of barbarianism and violence. The Caermarn elite laud their government and culture (accurately or not) as the most hardy and effective in the world. In truth, they ride a delicate balance—just as their native continent is one of both rugged wilderness and hospitable temperance, their society teeters on the border between savage and civilized.
Appearance:
Humans of true Talambrian heritage are pale-skinned and dark-haired, with a physique characterized by broad jaws and prominent shoulders and elbows. Men, at adulthood, stand from 5' 9” (1.75 m) to 6' (1.8 m) tall and weigh between 160 lbs (72 kg) and 210 lbs (92.5 kg). Women are typically 5' 3” (160 cm) to 5' 7” (170 cm) tall and weigh from 130 lbs (59 kg) to 180 lbs (82 kg).
Aging:
Typical lifespans (especially for those who can afford medical care) range between 50 and 60 years, with women being on the upper end and men in the lower. Girls reach maturity between 12 and 14 years old; boys between 15 and 19.
Inherent Abilities:
In a social sense, the Talambrians benefit from an inherent sense of diligence and a strong tradition of national confidence; they will unify firmly against a common enemy. As a nation, they show a proclivity toward stubborn endurance and strategic innovation in land-based warfare. From a physiological standpoint, the Talambrians exhibit a relative fortitude against most diseases.
Inherent Weaknesses:
Many a Talambrian army has been defeated because of its commander's arrogance. The Talambrians are quick to underestimate both an opponent's strength and their own vulnerabilities. Also, while they do not often fall ill, they are struck harder by whatever afflictions they do manage to catch.
Territory:
The Talambrians have never been fond of long sea travel and thus have been confined to the shores of Talambar. However, that is not to say they lack expansionistic aspirations—they are constantly and forcefully pressing across the land bridge between Talambar and Srada in hopes of securing possessions there.
Government:
Talambar is ruled by a “rhyn.” The office is passed hereditarily to the current ruler's eldest son (though bizarre exceptions and usurpations are not unheard of). Traditionally, the rhyn appoints a “Bwrdd” of five to seven advisors to assist him.
The rhyn also appoints a number of magistrates to govern specific areas; most of these magistratures are divided along the old tribal territorial lines from before Brencynt's Unification. While magisterial offices are intended to be merit-based appointments, history has shown that magistrates tend to be relatives of the rhyn.
The most local form of government (that with which the common populace is most likely to deal) is a system of judiciary offices designated by an area's magistrate. These judgeships, which have jurisdiction to decide criminal or civil disputes in a given area, are typically given to the heads of wealthy or otherwise powerful families.
Occupations:
The most respected occupation in Talambar is that of a career soldier. Many an ambitious commoner enters the ranks with hopes of ascending through the hierarchy and winning fame and fortune as a successful officer—unfortunately, sons of wealthy or political families are typically given precedence in officer selection. Assignments are given in seven-year increments; at the end of his appointed tour, a soldier returns to his family with a pension proportional to officer recommendations and duration of service.
Outside the military, the largest occupation with which middle and upper-class Talambrians support themselves is political brown-nosing. A good number of pseudo-noble families, after complimenting the right people, granting the right favors, and thus securing some manner of obscure government title, subsist purely on tax money collected from the lower classes.
Among commoners, the most common occupations vary by region. In the pasturelands of the Mordir Maestir, farmers and herders are common; in the cities, construction, banking, and trading dominate; most coastal communities subsist on fishing; the fertile Tairafon Forest is home to many a farmer and orchard keeper, while in the Cedenwys forest of the southern Talmynyd Mountains, where the soil renders agriculture difficult, most men make their way as trappers.
Additionally, slaves make up a huge portion of the Talambrian labor force. Most slaves are of minor races, some captured, some sold by their countrymen, some born into servitude. The most popular slaves are centaurs and Sradan humans.
Housing:
Among the nobility, the most fashionable homes are fashioned of white stones such as marble and limestone quarried from the mountains. The less fortunate usually build from the nation's plentiful timber.
Talambrian architectural design often features vaulted, slanted ceilings and arched thresholds. (Archaeologists trace the use of the arch to the ancient ruins scattered across the continent, the most prominent of which is the Henebion.).
Diet:
Talambrian nobles have a distinct taste for venison; enjoying deer on a daily basis is typically a mark of wealth. Otherwise, most Talambrian cuisine consists of mutton and, in coastal sectors, shrimp, scallops, and various shallow-sea fishes.
Saffron and olive oil are two Talambrian staples used in almost all their dishes.
Weaponry:
Talambrian blacksmiths possess a fairly strong grasp of metallurgy (though nothing like the mastery of the dwarves) and are capable of forging implements of bronze, iron, and steel. The traditional equipment of Talambrian infantry includes a cleddyf—a short steel sword about the length of the forearm with a spade-shaped tip—and a light, rectangular steel shield long enough to afford protection from the shoulders to the knees.
Clothing:
Members of the nobility show their wealth by wearing brightly colored robes of opulent make and material or, for those aspiring to a more active persona, deer-hide togas. Common folk wear mostly wool garments, worn in the toga-style of the wealthy or as simple tunics.
Society:
The most important quality in Talambrian society is strength. Talambar's myth and art all place great praise and reverence on the ideal human physique (called in Talambrian corrfys)—many foreign anthropologists identify this idea as partially the source of Talambrian racial supremacism. Little respect is given individuals who are viewed as weak. Typically, corrfys deals only with the male physique, though this is not to say that women are not respected—the general consensus is that only strong Talambrian women can give birth to corrfys males.
Most social historians agree that the practice of slavery was present in the very early tribal stages of Talambar's development, and that this helped to foster Talambrian racism. Now, slavery is a staple of Talambrian culture; the humans of Talambar view the human race (and specifically, those of Talambrian heritage) as the most perfect of the world's peoples.
Religion:
While prior to the Unification, various tribes adhered to an assortment of religious systems, Brencynt's conquest served also to bring all the Talambrian peoples under one system of belief (though that system evolved wildly during the Unification, incorporating many elements of the other belief systems it absorbed). Now, most Talambrians adhere to the official polytheistic religion of the state (though some adherents to the old religions endure).
Holidays:
Most of the major Talambrian festivals revolve around the solstices and equinoxes (these are also important events for practicers of runic magic). In addition, there are an assortment of other feasts to honor various deities held on certain days throughout the year.
History:
The modern Talambrian race dates back to a scattered number of barbarian tribes which first appear in the archaeological record circa 3100 d.s. The next 1700 years were a period of nearly constant strife and bloodshed between tribes and the native centaur herds. In the late 48th and early 49th century d.s., the warlord chief of the Careg tribe, which was based around Marchnad Bay and possessed the Henebion, conducted a series of massive campaigns which have since been termed the Unification, in which he utilized a steadily expanding army and several teams of runic warmages to subjugate the Talambrian tribes, consolidating power under a single crown.