Dale-Men
As their name implies, Dale-Men live in the Dales, the descendents of the ancient hill-clans wiped near-to-extinction by the elves of Alphos. Surrounded by larger, stronger orcs, ogres, and giants, the Dale-Men quickly learned their greatest assets were courage and cunning; they have earned a reputation for being skilled rangers, climbers, and marksmen. Likewise, the Dales have little arable land, and few permanent settlements, and they make their living herding livestock and trading with men who live farther south than they. They organize in loose tribal confederacies, where they practice the Old Faith and worship animal spirits. Dale-Men are tall, lean, and strong-looking, with tan skin, blue or black eyes, and dark hair, which they wear long. They often adorn themselves in tattoos and symbolic markings.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
- Examples of female names include: Ata, Casorna, Dalia, Elsha, Etelle, Havaska, Ilka, Kinga, Myrna, and Ulaa.
Masculine names
- Examples of male names include: Agard, Balog, Crom, Danos, Jor, Karpad, Yrnak, and Zamar.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
- Dale-Men speak their own dialect of Common, informed by their own traditional tribal languages. Their written language is different from their spoken dialect; it uses characters and symbols rather than words and letters, and is commonly seen adorning cave walls and cliff faces.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
- The Dale-Men observe the traditions of the Old Faith, and look to totem-druids rather than priests or clerics for spiritual guidance.
- Individual rituals vary based on specific clans, but almost always involve some combination of ancestor- or nature-worship.
- Since the Times of Strife, Dale-Men who have ventured into battle have adorned themselves with bluish warpaint, made from a flower native to the Dales. It supposedly improves their martial prowess.
Coming of Age Rites
- As they age, Dale-Men adorn their skin with tattoos, which typically depict geometric shapes or natural iconography (fish, trees, birds, etc). Although it is rare that they have any kind of personal meaning, their symbolism is great: the act of getting a tattoo is extremely painful, and as such, only men and women who are considered sufficiently mature are entitled to receive them.
- The more tattoos a Dale-Man receives, the more renowned he is considered. In fact, the role of the Clan Elder typically falls to whomever has the most tattoos at any given time.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
- The Dale-Mens' understanding of gender roles has not changed much beyond early-man. Generally speaking, men are hunters, and women are gatherers. Warriors and spiritual leaders are also always men.
- However, the Dales demand a certain respect for practicality, and in times of struggle, women may become hunters or warriors, and Dale-Men are rarely offended by women in positions of authority.
Major organizations
The Dale-Men have adopted a semi-nomadic, tribal culture. The Dales do not have a climate that supports much agriculture. Individual clans have little relations with one another, and the Dale-Men lack a cohesive political identity.
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