Brennermen
The Brenner people are highly diverse due to the large and divided areas they inhabit. All Brenner however are proud of their heritage and are the first to tell anyone they can about their lineage and history. Nowhere else on Serrus is heraldry and history more important than within Brenner lands. In fact, Kingsland, the nation encompassing much of the southern continent is ruled exclusively by Brennermen. The kings themselves must be able to trace their line back to the Ametrian Empire to have any hope of support or legitimacy.
The Brennermen on the mainland are quite diverse physically as they live in and amongst the other southern cultures. The Brennermen on Regis Island are more physically like their ancestors, the Ametrians in that they have an average build, more blonde and light hair as well as sporting no facial hair.
Subcultures
High Brenner
The High Brenner hail from Regis Island. They consider themselves the purest Brenner culture and many of even the mainland nobles are from a High Brenner family. Even with their own cousins, they seem even more fanatical about stature and lineage. Some even say the High Brenner trace and track the lineages of their pets as well. Most of the Kingsland royalty are High Brenner and they’ll be the first to tell anyone that when questioned. The High Brenner have lighter hair than their mainland brethren and blonde is the most common. Most High Brenner have small patches on every outfit showing their heraldry, some being as elaborate as a whole familial tree across the front or back. Even the lowest born High Brenner will have some symbol or patch showing his or her family.Cliffmen
The craggy northwest area of Regis Island is home to the Cliffmen. Less concerned about lineage and heraldry than their cousins, they would prefer to be left alone as a whole. The Cliffmen claim to have inhabited Regis Island before even the Ametrian tribes did. This leads to a lot of conflict with the other Brennermen as this would imply that they were founded separately by The Creator, which is in direct opposition to the Ametrian Church’s views. The Cliffmen know how to traverse and live on the edge of the world so to speak and in truth, no one cares enough to deal with their constant raiding and detachment from areas traditionally ruled by Kingsland. Cliffmen are expert climbers and typically have strong arms and legs. They are shorter than the average Brennerman, so this coupled with their stocky frames makes them seem clumsy to outsiders, but this is only a myth. They eschew all familial lineages and in fact, do not have surnames at all. This tradition is said to have originated to annoy their neighbors.Middle Brenner
Middle Brenner does not actually denote their actual cultural location as most think it applies. It is in reference to their position on Regis Island, their home. Middle Brenner are more practical than their cousins and while they do find lineage important, and individual’s deeds are the most significant thing in a person’s life. Because of this, their symbolism is more typical in being a symbol of a particular deed, battle, or event rather than a family symbol. The Middle Brenner are isolated from theircousins to a degree because of the natural boundaries around them. They are not completely isolated however, but are unused to dealing with other cultures. Their physical features are very typical for Brennermen in general.South Brenner
Similar to the Middle Brenner, their name comes from their location on Regis Island, rather than Brennerlands as a whole. The South Brenner inhabit the hilly areas of the southern tip of the island. The South Brenner are similar to their High Brenner cousins, but have some distinct differences. The South Brenner strive to be unique within their familial groups. Standing out among their peers is of utmost importance. This leads most outsiders to feel a South Brenner “tries too hard” or likes to “act up.” The south Brenner find this perfectly normal however and being amongst a group of them can be a very exhausting experience. Due to their proclivity to be unique, a South Brenner’s appearance varies wildly. Many dye their hair exotic colors. Most wear outlandish and foreign clothes with as many feathers and buttons as possible.Kinnemen
Just west of Liggen, MacKinney’s Isle sits. Liggen itself straddles the mainland and the island. This island is where the Kinnemen come from. They trace their founding from John McKinney in 902 AC. It’s said he was exiled from Liggen and Kingsland as a whole. Despite this, he decided to squat on the island to the west of Liggen. At the time, no one inhabited the island save for a few small families. Liggen had not yet encroached upon the island. McKinney renamed the island and claimed rulership over the inhabitants. He had a forceful personality and was said to also be a good liar. Kingsland forgot about McKinney until 1125 AC when Liggen began to expand across to the island. The inhabitants constantly attacked the builders and Kingsland had to send troops to guard the construction efforts. Eventually, Liggen struck a deal with McKinney’s isle: Liggen would pay a sum of ducats to each family and Liggen would be allowed to build upon the shores. The Kinnemen, as they were now known were without McKinney who had died many years ago, and accepted. Ever since the Kinnemen have lived on the isle and even coexist with the rest of Kingsland. Kingsland notionally rules the Kinnemen, but they don’t exact any taxes from the families there. Kinnemen are unique in that they consist of only 30 or so families living on the isle. They are mostly fishermen and boatmen and are very resistant to any edicts Liggen tries to impose on the island. Kinnemen believe in being completely free. Some would say they are opposed to all government, but in truth, they would just rather be locally ruled by their own families and elders.Long Brenner
The Long Brenner are said to be called as such because they tend to be tall and they favor a unique long bladed spear amongst their guards and troops called the Sarlspear. They are separated from their kin by the Long Reach Mountains, which is more likely why they are named Long Brenner. The Long Brenner are more dour than their cousins as they lie in the shadow of the Long Reach Peaks as well as stand as the major guardians of the foul monsters that erupt from the Withering Void on their borders to the east. When the Void opened, some of their coastal land was devastated and turned into what is now the Fear Lands. Many Long Brenner family lines died out during this cataclysm. Reverences for the dead, especially those that die fighting to protect loved ones are true virtues to the Long Brenner. Most Long Brenner can fight to some degree as they believe that one day, the Withering Void will expand and the monsters will attempt to consume and overrun all of Serrus. The Long Brenner would like to be prepared to defend their homes.Reach Brenner
Considered a mix of Long and traditional Brennermen, the Reach Brenner live in the mountains along the Winter’s Breath Pass cutting through the Long Reach Mountains. They hire themselves as guides through the pass and can even assist caravans attempting to traverse the pass in the harsh winter snows. They are experts with picks and spikes and it always surprises foreigners how quickly, yet safely, they can scale a mountainside. Reach Brenner however, have many superstitions about large bodies of water and chose as best they can to avoid lakes and oceans altogether.River Brenner
So far removed in distance from the other Brennermen cultures, that some would say River Brenner are their own macro culture. The River Brenner are not part of Kingsland, but have their own Kingdom, Riverhaven on the eastern shores of Serrus. When the Ametrian Empire broke apart, the River Brenner were quick to form their own Kingdom. Although this was the case, they had excellent ties with the families of Kingsland, and still do to this day. The River Kings as they are called all follow their lineage back to the Ametrian Empire just as the rest of the Brenner do. Where they differ however, is they don’t believe any one person should rule over everyone. Because of this, they are distrustful of those that claim sole rulership over the majority. Amongst the River Brenner dozens of Kings all rule the Kingdom together, And in turn, each of those Kings is also co-governing with a petty council of nobles. This leads to massive confusion to outsiders who wonder how any decisions get made amongst the River Brenner. Surprisingly, they make it work. River Brenner are very open to outside advice and are great with diplomacy in general because of how their Kingdom and people are governed.Lakemen
Lakemen are much like their River Brenner brothers. They hold the same values as the River Brenner for the most part. Where they differ is in whom they let rule. Around Long Lake, the Lakemen are allowed to rule by a Democratic system where every individual, down to the lowest laborer can vote on who gets to rule. This can lead to an average burgher suddenly becoming King for a year. They are extremely patriotic and believe that their system is better than any other. The rest of the River Brenner don’t argue with their methods and tolerate them, for they are some of the best fishermen on Serrus and largely stay out of River Haven’s affairs at large.Naming Traditions
Family names
Smythe, Jones, Williams, Taylor, Davies, Brown, Wilson, Evans, Thomas, Roberts, Walker, Wright, Hughes, Edwards, Green, Lewis, Wood, Harris, Martin, Clarke, Adcock, Ainsworth, Baines, Barrett, Colbert, Cole, Hewitt, Nichols, Riley, Sowards, Spalding
You question my judgement? I am a Wolfwind sir. My father was a Wolfwind and his mother was an Oakheart. As you know the Oakhearts have a long a storied history. They go back alongside the Diwood family intermarrying, leading back to the Bluechests of Liggen. These as you most likely already know, bring you to the Ametrian Empire with the head of the…wait…where are you going? I’m not finished!
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
