Rhytham
Rhythamhold is a rugged and unyielding nation located in the northern reaches of the world, where harsh winters, icy winds, and tempestuous seas shape both the land and the people who call it home. The terrain of Rhythamhold is a mixture of jagged coastlines, dense pine forests, and snow-covered highlands, where survival is earned through resilience, strength, and cunning. Life in Rhythamhold is not easy—the long, bitter winters test the endurance of its inhabitants, while the short summers provide just enough time to gather resources and prepare for the trials that lie ahead. The people of Rhythamhold, called the Rhytham, are hardened by their unforgiving environment, and their culture is deeply rooted in the traditions of seafaring, raiding, and honor.
Rhytham people are expert mariners, their lives intertwined with the sea that surrounds them. From a young age, they learn to navigate treacherous waters, read the shifting winds, and master the craft of shipbuilding. Their sleek, sturdy vessels are built for both speed and endurance, capable of braving the icy currents and carrying warriors across vast distances. Seafaring is not merely a skill—it is a way of life, and the Rhytham people take great pride in their ability to conquer the waves and explore distant shores. They are renowned as fierce raiders, striking swiftly and relentlessly against neighboring lands to claim wealth and glory. Yet, these raids are not driven by greed alone—they are acts of survival, ensuring that their people endure through the lean times of winter by bringing home the spoils of conquest.
The Rhytham follow a pantheon of the Old Gods, who embody the primal forces of nature and fate. These deities govern the seas, storms, the cycles of life and death, and the trials of war, and their favor is sought before every voyage or battle. Alongside the Old Gods, the Rhytham also revere a host of Hero-Gods—mortal champions and ancestors whose legendary deeds elevated them to divine status. These Hero-Gods serve as paragons of strength, courage, and cunning, and their stories are passed down through generations as both inspiration and cautionary tales. The tales of these heroes are recited in long, rhythmic sagas around roaring hearthfires during the dark of winter, binding the Rhytham to their heritage and the deeds of those who came before.
Rhytham culture places a strong emphasis on honor, loyalty, and reputation, where a person’s deeds echo beyond their own life. To bring shame to one’s name or family is a fate worse than death, while glory in battle or on the seas ensures that one’s name is remembered for generations. Feasts and celebrations follow victorious raids, where tales of valor are recounted, and songs are sung in honor of the fallen. However, life in Rhythamhold is not all violence and war—hospitality is sacred, and those who seek shelter in the harsh northern winters are welcomed by hearth and home, bound by ancient customs of guest-right and protection.
Early Rhytham sailors used to raid the Moontide Isles. However, after the Great Leviathan destroyed one of their massive raiding fleets, the survivors made it to the shores and created an offshoot culture of Northlanders, who have more Daoine customs than the Rhytham natives.
Though the Rhytham people are fiercely independent and proud, they are bound by a deep respect for tradition and the unyielding laws of their ancestors. They understand that survival depends not only on strength and courage but also on community and kinship. Their bonds are forged in fire and tempered by the sea, and their loyalty to their clans and kin is as steadfast as the mountains that shelter them. In Rhythamhold, every life is a story, and the greatest honor is to leave behind a tale worth telling.
Race: Human
Regions: Rhythamhold
Deities: Any of the Old Gods and Hero-Gods
Starting Languages: Common, Rhytham
Regions: Rhythamhold
Deities: Any of the Old Gods and Hero-Gods
Starting Languages: Common, Rhytham