Menite

As a product of a civil war with Cygnar, the Protectorate of Menoth the occupies a relatively small portion of the continent of Immoren, and its population is more homogeneous than those of other nations. The country’s proximity to the harsh climes of the Bloodstone Marches and the religious faith of its people contribute to the hardiness of its inhabitants.

CULTURES OF THE PROTECTORATE OF MENOTH

There are two major cultures in the Protectorate: the Sulese and the Idrians.

Sulese

Sulese make up a large majority of the population of the Protectorate. Although the distinction between being Caspian (Caspia) and being Sulese is very recent, it is very important to both groups. Sharing the same ancestry with those who live west of the Black River in Cygnar, those who live east of the Black River in the Protectorate of Menoth refer to themselves as Sulese. This name honors Hierarch Sulon, who initiated the Cygnaran Civil War and who is the namesake of the city of Sul, which was once eastern Caspia. While this may seem a matter of semantics, it can be argued that the Sulese have established a distinct culture in the century since that war, largely due to their intense religious beliefs. In the years since the civil war, the appearance of the two peoples has differed more and more, as the less comfortable living conditions experienced by the Sulese in the Protectorate of Menoth often weathers their features. Intermarriage between Sulese and Idrians has also become relatively common, contributing to further subtle changes over the last several generations.

Idrians

The Idrians once consisted of a number of diverse tribes native to the eastern region known as the Bloodstone Marches. These formerly nomadic tribesmen have largely taken up the worship of Menoth, although some tribes have remained outside the Protectorate and retain some of their older traditions. Although the Idrians were labeled as worshipers of the Devourer Wurm before their conversion, their spiritual beliefs were, in truth, more varied. Some were indeed followers of the Wurm, but others practiced a variant of ancestor worship. Both practices were intolerable to the Menites of the Protectorate, and numerous crusades were conducted to bring these people back to the faith of the Creator. Idrians typically have olive skin, dark brown or black hair, and almond eyes.

PROTECTORATE NAMES

Naming conventions in the Protectorate of Menoth vary by culture, as explained below.

Sulese. Families that trace their heritage through Caspian bloodlines tend to follow the same naming conventions as those described for Cygnaran earlier in this section.

Idrians. Surnames are a recent addition to Idrian name-giving rituals. The conventional practice is to combine a short surname with one’s tribal name. (Eleven tribes are officially recognized within the Protectorate of Menoth—the eleven that converted en masse in 565 AR.) The name-giving ritual takes place when a child turns three. Up until that time, the child has neither a first nor a last name and is referred to only as “child” or some other dismissive term. During the ritual, the child will be presented with a patronymic name. For example, if a boy’s father hails from the Makha tribe, the boy may then be named Sahu Kehtmakha; if a girl’s father is of Silmani blood, she may be named Saleha Tarsilmani.