Heartlanders
The inhabitants of the lands now-called Ralindor, Ironwall, and Oster have enjoyed the bounty of agriculture and good game, and are the most populous of all the groups of humans in the Free Kingdoms. Most are farmers or tradesmen, but their plain exterior belies an indomitable spirit and a prosperous culture.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
- Examples of female names include: Afra, Ardina, Belleth, Caelia, Cara, Elsbeth, Endlin, Eva, Gisel, Iona, Lucia, Maynild, Megara, Oriel, Rowena, Sara, or Verin.
Masculine names
- Examples of male names include: Adelard, Alain, Anselm, Astor, Bram, Caldor, Clerbold, Eghan, Eldus, Everard, Frantz, Galvin, Giles, Helm, Heward, Imbert, Jehan, Jon, Marius, Reynard, Ralf, Tomas, Theodoric, Urnst, Wilm, or Wymar.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
- Heartlanders speak Common, and there are enough halflings in the area that many also learn Halfling.
Shared customary codes and values
- The people of the Heartlands value diligence and determination, and have a strong appreciation for those who can coexist peacefully with the natural order and live off the land.
- Because of the Red Banner, they are unified only through practical means, and hold little esteem for values like national or collective identity. They stick to themselves, but have a strong sense of internal community, loyal to their village, family, and friends.
Common Etiquette rules
- In the Heartlands, folk are expected to smile politely, but keep to themselves; work hard, but remain humble; trust, but verify.
- As a predominantly rural culture, Heartlanders are rarely impressed by ostentatious displays of culture, wealth, or education. They might also be suspicious of non-humans, urban folk, or other strangers.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
- Heartlanders worship the Green Goddess; they find other gods mostly inscrutable or too dogmatic. The holiest days are traditionally at the beginning and end of the harvest season.
- Grand festivals are thrown once the harvest is complete. They worship the Green Goddess mostly to protect their livelihood, and grow wary of religion as it grows less practical, or more political.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
- The pastoral nature of their homeland has certainly informed its people's approach to beauty. Heartlanders love scenes of natural splendor, and struggle to see the point of complex or Baroque designs.
- Their clothes, art, and what little jewelry they might have all tend to be simply decorated with natural imagery.
Gender Ideals
- The Heartlanders live in a predominantly patriarchal culture, but following the Elveswar, vast amounts of working-men were left dead, and able-bodied women were called upon to take their place as farmers and laborers.
- They are considered a comparatively egalitarian people, although men still do maintain most of the dominant social roles in the Heartlands. Although there is no law against it, women are often denied the right to learn skilled crafts, and are outright forbidden from training as soldiers or guards.
- Female nobles are entitled to the rights of male nobles, and can rule lands of their own. Many a tale is told of wise Baronesses and Queens who have earned the respect and adoration of their people.
Courtship Ideals
- Lower-class individuals tend to marry out of necessity, most often to produce children, and have little rules or customs associated with them.
- Conversely, arranged marriages to broker peace or trade can be seen among the aristocracy; these are often seen as savvy political moves, befitting wise leaders. The exchange of dowries (most often land) is almost necessary among upper-class marriages.
- Marriage outside of one's social station is discouraged, although nobles will occasionally marry their daughters to merchants or soldiers of outstanding wealth or promise.
Major organizations
The feudal system was banished from the Heartlands many years ago. Now, its people live in free villages and towns, and pay taxes to local lords in exchange for protection. Still, few are landowners; most work for wages tilling someone else's land. Heartlanders are the dominant population in the northerly kingdoms of Oster and Ironwall, as well as the Free City of Ralindor.
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Related Locations
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