Khadoran
Although the Khadoran people are not as diverse as their
southern rivals, the nation of Khador is home to numerous
distinct cultures. From the horselords of Umbry to the
Kossites who range through the mountains of the far north,
all Khadorans share a rugged nature.
Khador is home to four main groups: the Khards, Kossites, Skirov, and Umbreans.
Khards
North of Ord, the Khadoran Empire is dominated
by the second-largest culture in western Immoren: that of the
Khards, descendants of the empire that ruled the north before
the coming of the Orgoth. Over a thousand years ago, the
Khardic Empire and its western horselords conquered many
small nations, city-states, and tribes, and the Khards of the
present day descend from the strongest bloodlines of those
times. Like other peoples of the north, Khards tend to be tall
and physically robust, generally larger than their southern
counterparts, and pale skinned.
Kossites
In the far northwest of Khador, the once-wild
Kossites have preserved much of their culture. They are a tall and lanky people, descendants of the forested tribes of
Kos. Kossites are notoriously hostile to outsiders and retain
certain tribal customs, even within larger towns and the great
city of Ohk. They are known for their woodlore and their
ability to survive in impossibly harsh conditions.
Skirov
The other once-wild people of the north who were
tamed by the Khards are the Skirov, the people of Khador’s
northern mountains. These thick-bodied and imposing
people are among the most stoic and fearsome of Khadorans
and are noted for their strong passions and intense piety. The
Skirov have long been deeply religious. In ancient days they
were zealous worshipers of the Wurm, but most converted to
the Menite faith after the crusades of priest-kings emulating
Khardovic, the fierce warrior-priest who helped shape
Khador. Many mountain communities are counted among
the most stalwart supporters of the Old Faith, while others
converted to the faith of Morrow and embraced its principles
with a similar intensity. Skirov have fairer skin than most
other Khadorans and generally have lighter hair.
Southeastern KKhador and western Llael are home to another culturally distinct group: the Umbreans. Heirs to the ancient eastern horselords of old, the Umbreans once challenged the Khards for domination of this region, and distrust and animosity persist between them even today. Umbreans have intermingled with many other groups but retain a strong sense of cultural identity. While Khador occupied parts of Llael, Umbreans saw their dreams of a nation of their own as a real possibility for the first time in centuries, but their hopes were dashed with the reestablishment of the Llaelese monarchy. Their size and build are similar to those of the Khards, but they usually have slightly darker skin and black hair.
KHADORAN NAMES
In Khador, surnames are reserved for the kayazy and men
of status. Many Khadorans refer to each other by their first
name and a last name taken from their father’s first name,
with males adding -evich or -ovich to their last name and
females adding -ovna or -evna. Therefore, Grigor, son of
Alexei, would be known as Grigor Alexeivich. However,
Khadoran naming conventions are no longer as standardized
as they once were, and many of today’s families regularly
break with tradition. This shift in naming is most evident
among the members of the burgeoning middle class, who
often use family names to create a perception of status that
might not have previously existed.
CULTURES OF KHADOR
Khador is home to four main groups: the Khards, Kossites, Skirov, and Umbreans.
Khards
North of Ord, the Khadoran Empire is dominated
by the second-largest culture in western Immoren: that of the
Khards, descendants of the empire that ruled the north before
the coming of the Orgoth. Over a thousand years ago, the
Khardic Empire and its western horselords conquered many
small nations, city-states, and tribes, and the Khards of the
present day descend from the strongest bloodlines of those
times. Like other peoples of the north, Khards tend to be tall
and physically robust, generally larger than their southern
counterparts, and pale skinned.
Kossites
In the far northwest of Khador, the once-wild
Kossites have preserved much of their culture. They are a tall and lanky people, descendants of the forested tribes of
Kos. Kossites are notoriously hostile to outsiders and retain
certain tribal customs, even within larger towns and the great
city of Ohk. They are known for their woodlore and their
ability to survive in impossibly harsh conditions.
Skirov
The other once-wild people of the north who were
tamed by the Khards are the Skirov, the people of Khador’s
northern mountains. These thick-bodied and imposing
people are among the most stoic and fearsome of Khadorans
and are noted for their strong passions and intense piety. The
Skirov have long been deeply religious. In ancient days they
were zealous worshipers of the Wurm, but most converted to
the Menite faith after the crusades of priest-kings emulating
Khardovic, the fierce warrior-priest who helped shape
Khador. Many mountain communities are counted among
the most stalwart supporters of the Old Faith, while others
converted to the faith of Morrow and embraced its principles
with a similar intensity. Skirov have fairer skin than most
other Khadorans and generally have lighter hair.
Umbreans
Southeastern KKhador and western Llael are home to another culturally distinct group: the Umbreans. Heirs to the ancient eastern horselords of old, the Umbreans once challenged the Khards for domination of this region, and distrust and animosity persist between them even today. Umbreans have intermingled with many other groups but retain a strong sense of cultural identity. While Khador occupied parts of Llael, Umbreans saw their dreams of a nation of their own as a real possibility for the first time in centuries, but their hopes were dashed with the reestablishment of the Llaelese monarchy. Their size and build are similar to those of the Khards, but they usually have slightly darker skin and black hair.
KHADORAN NAMES
In Khador, surnames are reserved for the kayazy and men
of status. Many Khadorans refer to each other by their first
name and a last name taken from their father’s first name,
with males adding -evich or -ovich to their last name and
females adding -ovna or -evna. Therefore, Grigor, son of
Alexei, would be known as Grigor Alexeivich. However,
Khadoran naming conventions are no longer as standardized
as they once were, and many of today’s families regularly
break with tradition. This shift in naming is most evident
among the members of the burgeoning middle class, who
often use family names to create a perception of status that
might not have previously existed.Legacy of the North.
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