Argossean

Starting Languages

When a player selects a culture, they automatically gain ability in the primary language associated with that culture. This language represents the common tongue or dominant language spoken in that cultural region. Each culture provides a pool of additional languages that players can choose from. This pool should include languages associated with neighboring regions, historical influences, or significant trade partners of that culture. The number of additional languages in the pool can vary based on the diversity and historical context of the culture. For example, a culture with extensive trade routes or a history of conquest might have a larger pool. You may select an additional language from this pool for each point of edge you have in Intellect, and another for each additional point you gain as you level up in your adventures.

Starting Arms & Armor

Players are afforded their starting weapons, clothing, & tool proficiencies by the age associated with their homeland. So Stone Age cultures and Dark Age cultures might both grant ability with a mace for example, but only the Dark Age culture would grant ability with guns, for example. Over the course of your adventures you may choose to use your progression to gain proficiency in a different age's tools.

Argos, Land of the Argosseans

The major sea power of the Hyborian Age, proud Argos sweeps across the western sea from Vanaheim and into the Black Kingdoms. Wealthy beyond its size, Argos seldom lacks the funds either in war or when weaving far reaching webs of intrigue as the situation dictates. Natural enemy of Zingara.

The People of Argos

The Argosseans were originally a Hyborian people, though they have intermarried with many other races, particularly the Zingarans and to a lesser extent the Shemites. Most are short and stocky. They make superb sailors, traders and pirates. Renegade Argossean sailors have colonised the Baracha Islands, turning them into one of the greatest havens for piracy in all the seas.
Argos is a country of two contrasting cultures. All the seaports are cosmopolitan, with the capital, Messantia, being the most open-minded of all, while the inland provinces are filled with farmers, craftsmen and labourers who are friendly enough but wary of strangers. Argos is a noted trading nation of sharp-eyed silk-clad merchants, not all of whom remain strictly within the law – smuggling and piracy are often tolerated. The law is said to be lax, although occasionally an example is made of foreigners.
Argos is regarded as a proud and avaricious kingdom. The racial admixture with the Zingarans is more extensive than with the Shemites in the Argossean Hyborians. Argos and Zingara have an ancient feud that works itself out in their attempts to become the dominant sea nation. Zingaran pirates raid the coast of Argos, just as the Argosseans and Barachans raid Zingara. Argos allies itself with Shem on occasion.

Names

Argossean names are Italian or Greek in tone, though as it is a major trading country a mix of names is possible. Examples: (male) Demetrio, Ortho, Publio, Servio, Tito, Tranicos. Suggestions: (female) Alcina, Danae, Demitrea, Larissa, Polyxene.

Religion

The Argosseans are primarily Mitra worshipers, although Bel, the Shemitish God of Thieves, is worshiped by many Argossean freebooters. Other religions are tolerated, although worship of Set, the Stygian serpent-god, is viewed with considerable suspicion.

Homeland Traits

Starting Arms & Armor: Dark Ages
Automatic Languages: Hyborian, Argossean, Trade Tongue
Favoured Tropes: Any
Bonus Languages: Stygian, Nemedian, Aquilonian, Bossonian, Brythunian, Ophirean, Corinthian, Hyperborean, Zingaran, Zamorian, Pictish, Kothic, Shemitish.