Humans of Martapa, Part II

In the north of Tiana and west of the Tsalagi Mountains are the northern Houses of Tridon. These hardy individuals are large, strong people with red or dark hair, though blond is also possible. They tend to be pale in complexion and wear at least some bit of fur here or there upon their clothes. Most of the men grow beards not unlike dwarves, decorating not only them, but their hair as well with beads, small, hollow bones, and braids. Everyone, even children as young as five, know how to use at least a dagger as a weapon, since these people are always at war with the ogres and other darkly inclined creatures that roam the north. Even the wildlife can cause one to fear for their life.

Clothes of the north are sturdy, sometimes of leather, other times of good, stout wool. They are usually decorated with fanciful creatures or designs. Darker colors are preferred, though bright colors are used for weddings and other important events.

The Major Houses (and thus cities) of the north include Calabay, Goldleaf, Varanath, Eton and Merryweather. Greenthorne is a little further north then Merryweather, but their people, since they are on the coast, appear more like the people of the southern reaches in both appearance and culture.

Culture in the north is very clannish. People are not broken up by caste, but rather how they are related to one another. Commoners play with royalty with out a second thought. In the north the focus is on surviving the environment and creatures, not jocking for power. Protecting the Clan's honor is more important then most everything else in the north.

Agriculture and forestry are very important, as is fishing. Calabay houses the largest fleet of merchant and fishing vessels and make the finest ships in Tridon.

Families living in the same home consist of a mother and father, their children, one or both of their parents, and even brothers and sisters of the mother and father. Large, extended families under the same roof are not unheard of. Usually three to ten children per married couple are the norm.

Classes which might be appropriate from this region would be fighters, rangers, and thieves. Druids and mages could come from this area, but they would be rare. If you want to change stats from a mainstream human in your campaign world I would give a bonus to strength and constitution, but take from intelligence and perhaps even charisma. Characters should start with the ability to use a weapon of some sort (though axes would be the most common). But their starting money should be less since the northern regions barter more then they use coinage.

The people of the north frown upon their southern counterparts. They find them soft and unable to survive the rigors of true honor. The people of the north worship Sarjon and Shade, as well as Tinaka. Other Gods are worshiped, both light and dark, but these are the most common.

Roleplaying Tip of the Day: Character descriptions. Okay, so I like descriptions, places, people, what ever. But if you can get your players to describe their characters, not only can you work the descriptions into your "flavor text" your players can describe what their characters are doing much better. "I swing my sword" sounds so much better when the player says "I swing my scimitar to try and block the blow before it hits my new bracers." Little things make a game so much more fun!
Tomorrow: Humans of Southern Tridon