Marian

Marian are an industrious and pious race of humans that occupy much of central Oren, including Goldenwood, The Sun Coast, and parts of The Backcountry.

Appearance

Anatomy

Among humans, Marians tend to be shorter than Nirthans but taller than Torathans. They have fair complexions, although a shade warmer than Nirthans. Marian hair can be in shades of blonde, brown, and black and their eyes tend to be hues of green and brown. Blue eyes and ginger hair are almost never seen in pureblooded Marians.

Clothing

Marians wear simple attire made from fabrics and leather straps. Tunics are the general go-to for men and simple gowns are common amongst women. Leather belts are commonly worn by both genders, and wealthier individuals may have more ornate attire made from silks and other fine fabrics in brighter colors. In contrast, poorer Marians may wear threadbare clothes in undyed, earthy tones. During colder times or in colder climates, hide or leather jackets and fur cloaks may provide additional warmth to those who can afford it.

Armor

Marian soldiers are well-outfitted with breastplates, pauldrons, and ringmail hauberks over padded gambesons. Marian civilization sees a great amount of commerce, granting access to a wide variety of materials. In terms of quality, Marian armaments are generally of decent quality, but rarely masterworks.

Culture

Family Ideals

Religion

The Living Light

Historically, worship of The Living Light was very popular amongst Marians, with many concluding that the benefits of the sun are a direct result of the Living Light's benevolence. Over time, worship of the sun itself became analogous with worship of the Living Light. Marians would offer praise to the sun in the form of spoken word, idolotry, and music and in turn would pray to request the continued blessing of the light. Generally, this blessing was for fair weather and calm waters so that their society could continue to thrive.
More recently, a Greater Luxelus named Solariel appeared before a gathering of worshippers of the Living Light in Solstice, proclaiming himself the avatar of the Living Light that was sent to guide the faithful to glory. The resulting religious rennaisance shook Marian civilization to its core and transformed it into a dutiful theocracy. Now, the faithful worship the Living Light through Solariel, to whom they offer obedience and praise in exchange for security and the continued blessing of the sun.

The Tidekeeper

Many sea-faring Marians show some amount of reverence towards The Tidekeeper, who they believe controls the weather at sea and the temperment of the ocean. Most of the faithful agree that the Tidekeeper is a fickle and cruel goddess at times, and worship to her is generally more out of a sense of self-preservation than a deep-seated admiration. Nevertheless, those who worship the Tidekeeper commonly make offerings to her while out at sea. Generally, these offerings consist of a portion of a fisherman's catch, a portion of a merchant's cargo, or a handful of coins. In addition to offerings, many sailors and merchants carry small trinkets depicting the Tidekeeper as a dark-eyed woman with long, snarled hair. In carrying this trinket with them, the faithful hope to identify themselves as worshippers of the Tidekeeper so that she'll be gentle with them. However, worship of the Tidekeeper is prohibited in Order-controlled territory.

Government

The Marian homeland is divided amongst three citystates: Last Light, Solstice, and Eldbridge. The smaller homesteads and settlements in between generally associate themselves closely with one of the three citystates and rely on them for protection and commerce. Each citystate is ruled by a family patriarch who passes the position on to their eldest son when they die or surrender the positions. Generally, these patriarchs have a handful of advisors from different walks of life. While some patriarchs heed advice better than others, these advisors generally help ease public sentiment about a single monarch-like figure.

In more recent times, the citystates of Last Light and Solstice have unified under the banner of the Order of Illumination, a religious organization first established in Solstice in service to the Greater Luxelus Solariel and the Living Light. Although these two settlements still have ruling patriarchs, they defer to the Order almost entirely and really only exist to perpetuate a cultural tradition. The citystate of Eldbridge remains independent and has rejected the Order of Illumintion, but some minor settlements that once associated themselves with Eldbridge have instead fallen in with the Order.

Economy and Industry

Marian civilization is positioned in the middle of the civilized world and tends to be along major waterways. As a result, Marian settlements see a large amount of commerce. Aside from merchants themselves, many Marians find work in supporting markets and harbors, working in inns and taverns, or otherwise contributing to the commercial industry that fuels Marian citystates. In more rural areas, most Marians are ranchers, farmers, hunters, or miners who may cart their wares into citystates on occasion or rely on other merchants to deliver the goods for them.

Military Ideals

Order Templar

City Guard

Local Militias

Spread and Influence

Geographic Distribution

Most Marian settlements can be found along the rivers and coastline of Goldenwood, with some stretching southwards into the Sun Coast or eastward into the Backcountry.

Appearance

Average Height

5'7" (male), 5'4" (female)

Hair

Blonde, Brown, Black

Eyes

Green, Brown

Culture

Languages

Orenic, Hightongue

Homeland

Goldenwood, The Sun Coast, and eastern parts of The Backcountry

Organization

Citystates

Religion

The Living Light