Yorians
Yorians are from the eastern hemisphere of Latter Earth, in a region known as Yor. Yor includes the Yorian Peninsula and surrounding islands. Yorians share a common culture, including language (see Yorish), religion, and art. Despite having a shared culture, Yorians are comprised of different tribes, or subgroups, each with physical, cultural, and historical nuances. Over the centuries, intermarriage between the tribes has blurred cultural and genetic differences.
Societal Organization
The ties of blood, as in most societies, are fundamental to Yorian society — extending from immediate family to cousins and like kin. Birthright often determines a person's occupation and social status, but it is not unheard of for ambitious individuals to climb the ranks of society.
Social Classes
- Aristocrat: The upper class, or aristocracy, consists of wealthy land-owners and high-ranking officials. Most often born into privilege, they enjoy a lifestyle of wealth, power, and prestige. Their political influence dominates governments, and their wealth allows them to patron cultural endeavors and adventuring expeditions.
- Yeoman: The middle class, or yeomanry, consists of small farmers, warriors, artisans, merchants, and most adventurers.
- Thete: The lower class, or thetes, are the poorest members of society, including laborers, slaves, and urban poor. These folks have very little social and economic power.
- Foreigner: Visitors from other city-states or regions. Resident foreigners are known as metics.
- Outcast: The exiled of a city-state — including criminals and political adversaries.
Yorian Fashion
Common Yorian clothing is quite simple, draped, loose-fitting, and free-flowing. Clothing is typically homemade and cut to various lengths of rectangular linen or wool fabric with minimal cutting or sewing, and secured with ornamental clasps or pins, and a belt, or girdle. Wealthier Yorians often prefer the highly crafted fashion of urban artisans.
The material used for clothing varies. The northern Yorian climate features a lot of wool and fur for warmth, while lower Yor features more linen. The wealthy enjoy expensive silks. Pieces are generally considered interchangeable between men and women.
