Thetolia
It is said that the time of the collapse of the mysterious Ishtar Empire was a time of pure chaos. Few would remain unscathed from the fires of conflict as tribes of mortals would battle one another for territory. However one tribe of all human woman was said to have vanished off the face of the planet, never to be seen again. At least so it was thought. In the year 3000EC, Bolsilvan lancers would suddenly stumble across a great city of marble at the very edges of the lands of Ustaria. There they found a strange society of all warrior women fighting off a horde of demonic tribals easily. After helping vanquish the foul pagan tribals, the Thetolian's simply thanked the lancers for their help, collected their dead, and would walk back to their great city. The Bolsilvan's would return back and tell of their travels, and since then the Thetolian's have remained a mystery, for they rarely venture out of their city state, and little else is known about them.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Dania, Fedethya, Nomeia, Ouoyche, Draodiyne, Phiorpoenara, Peimosippe, Caolcidice
Family names
THe Thetolian's do not typically use last names in day to day life.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Their language is believed to actually be derived from the tongue of the lizardfolk, and is known as Tamiscan
Culture and cultural heritage
Faith is a major part of the Thetolian way of life. They believe in a goddess named Edae, who they believe sculpted them from the earth like clay figures. She represents war, honor, life, and fertility, and is said to grant her daughters immense power for them to use to vanquish their enemies. Sacrifices are required to honor her name, but all sacrifices are worth paying to their great goddess. As such, the Thetolia people are a proud warrior culture, with a focus on martial prowess and physical deeds being how highly someone is considered among Thetolian society.
Despite having a city state, the people of Thetolia are said to be semi-nomadic, preferring to travel the steppes upon horseback where they can feel the wind on their faces. It is also believed that in a Thetolian's lifetime, they will at one point be struck with an intense wanderlust not too dissimilar to wood elves, and will travel the world seeking great deeds to accomplish. Some never return home, but those that do are highly honored.
Shared customary codes and values
A strict code of honor as dictated by their goddess is to be adhered to at all times. This code known as the Code of Fire is said to be their guide for most of life's problems, especially on how one is to fight.
Average technological level
The Thetolian's seeminly possess primitive technology, however looks are deceiving as the material they use to make their seemingly primitive armor is as strong as the finest steel in the lands. They also possess well bred horses for them to use as war mounts.
Common Dress code
Typically the women of Thetolia wear either ornate robes or battle armor, as they are a practically minded people. They also seem to have a special kind of silk they make their cloth from that is very strong yet soft to the touch.
Art & Architecture
The art and architecture are strangely reminiscent of observed architecture in the Ruins of Ishtar, with great marble pillars and statues dedicated to old heroes and their goddess.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
It is said that none are entirely sure how the Thetolian's keep their population from going extinct. Some believe they once in a while go out and mate with the males of other people's before retreating back to their cities. Others say they use strange magic to spawn from a sacred pool below the center of their home city. IN truth no one entirely knows how they keep a steady population of all women.
Coming of Age Rites
A Thetolian woman is expected to go on a quest to slay a great beast, and bring the head back to the clan she hailed from. Only then is she considered an adult among the Thetolian's and allowed to go about their life at will.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Thetolian's would tattoo their dead in intricate patterns showing of their achievements and prayers for their soul to find peace. They are then embalmed and wrapped in canvas before being buried in coffins. Some coffins are decorated with skulls and personal items.
Historical figures
Olthalene is the current queen of the Thetolian's, and is said to be a warrior without equal.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Strangely, the Thetolian's are an all female group, however they do not despise the men of other species. However they typically do not allow men in their cities for long periods of time.
Major organizations
The Thetolian's inhabit the small city state of Thetolia, and a few tribal communities around it. This place exists in the southern part of Ustaria, near the mountains seperating it from Vebastonne.
A Species Onto Itself
Strangely, the Thetolian's are on the edge of being their own species. Though they resemble baseline humans at first glance, it has been observed that they are almost entirely unique. They are observed to be stronger, taller, and more resilient then baseline humans. This is a matter of some debate, with some thinking that perhaps they truly were crafted from the ground as the Thetolian's claim they are. It is also said that their species is only capable of creating women, or at least feminine presenting people. This is also a matter of some debate, and causes some confusion amongst the scholarly communities of Nilush.
Related Locations
