The Hi-ren

The Hi-ren have built a culture of knowledge and technological advancement from the primal roots of their people. They have eschewed the old beliefs and ways of their ancestors, instead promoting a society based on rational thought rather than old superstition. As a result, Hi-ren magicians take a very scientific approach to their magic, referring to formulae and procedures rather than spells and incantations. They are similar to the Dvergar in that both cultures, as a whole, denounce religion as it is commonly practiced; however, unlike the Dvergar, the Hi-ren are under the sway of Pradava. Pradava-speakers among the Hi-ren practice esoteric rites to placate their patron, soliciting donations from the populace. For the most part, Hi-ren Pradava-speakers are left to their own devices; unlike in other lands, where the Dragonspeakers hold much more sway, Hi-ren Dragonspeakers have little influence outside of their duty to properly placate Lin Wa’s Dragon. Most affluent Hi-ren look down on the Dragonspeakers, treating them little better than the Hi-na. As the Hi-ren expand their cities, they encroach on the ancient territories and sacred places of the Hi-na, located in the forests and mountains and other wild spaces, which is the root cause of the strife between the two ethnic groups.

The Ministers of Wealth and Prosperity

The Hi-ren are ruled by an oligarchy called the Ministers of Wealth and Prosperity. The Ministers claim descent from the first of the Hi-ren to question the ways of the Hi people. There are five at any given point: the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Knowledge, the Minister of Law, the Minister of War, and the Minister of Culture. These Ministers are the absolute authorities in their respective areas, each with large bureaus and expansive offices in the capital city of Doretai. Their offices are complex networks of departments and divisions; most requests to the Ministers must first pass through the labyrinth of Hi-ren bureaucracy. It is not only commonplace but, in fact, accepted to bribe officials to overlook minor violations or to grease the wheels for a particular form or process. In fact, officials are even taxed on bribes they take in.

The Exalted Arts

Among the technological advancements of the Hi-ren is the printing press, making the copying and distribution of books cheap and easy. As a result, more Hi-ren are educated than not. The Seven Exalted Arts To Which Man May Aspire, known simply as the Exalted Arts, are philosophy, mathematics, poetry, natural sciences, medicine, engineering, and alchemy, taught to children from a young age. Most Hi-ren seek to master at least three over the course of their lives; particularly sage Hi-ren may seek to master five; a few masters have mastered all seven (and, as such, are to be addressed formally as Exalted Master). Schools compete for students, often holding open competitions and examinations to determine which school has the best teaching methods. Schools also administer the tests that determine mastery over a particular Exalted Art.

Technology

The Hi-ren have advanced technology compared to the rest of the world, featuring such wonders as indoor plumbing, the printing press, cannons, and the beginnings of steam engines. They have ruthlessly distilled the principles of magic down to a concise manual known as The Thousand and One Admixtures, a treatise and guide to practical alchemy and basic engineering.

Family

In Hi-ren society, family is the most important social unit. Families are large, dwelling together whenever possible. Hi-ren families are ruled by an elder patriarch who has powers of life and death over his clan, by law. Children are taught to serve the interests of the family from a young age. Marriages are arranged for the benefit of the familiy. Individualism is an undesired trait; exercising too much of it can lead to being exiled from one's family, considered among the worst fates to happen to any self-respecting Hi-ren.