The Culture of Vostroya

The Virtues seen by Vostroyans:

Hardiness, Toughness

Vostroyans assume that everyone is tough enough to survive the winter, when it comes to survival, the folks are very selfish and strict about their expectations. Everyone is supposed to know how to defend themselves, otherwise they were a nuisance and an obstacle for tougher people, who deserve to live. Life is not a right, it is a merit

War tactics and the art of battle

The need for tacticians in Vostroya is natural, they need people who know how to make the best out on any team, this is why Vostroyans are known and notorious for their deep understanding of warfare and battlefield ingenuity. They have built their land on war, fighting threats that could decimate any human being on their own, but together and in structure, they could strike down any foe placed in front of them. Warriors are seen as superior, because they are the foundations on which sits Vostroya.

Intellect, Philosophy

Because tacticians are of great importance, many parents want to see their children grow up with an educated mind, one of rationality and thought. Intellectuals are praised by nobles but stay frightening sometimes to folk of lower educational levels like those in far off villages. Every mind should be turned towards making Vostroya a safer and overall better place. But the highest levels of genius can only be compared to sheer madness.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is seen as one of the highest form of honor and loyalty one can give because the cost is one's life. Many deaths in battle are considered a sacrifice because war is a building tool for Vostroyans, not an engine of destruction. The lives given in the name of Sigmar during a battle signify the bricks and mortar that will build present Vostroya. They are a long term oriented culture and sacrifice almost always becomes fruitful in the future.

Courage and fearlessness

Vostroyans respect someone who understands their mortality, who knows they are but a speck of dust that found itself in a cosmic machine that is the multiverse, wise men know that in death one can accomplish so much more than in life. This leads to an attitude necessary to defeat the enemies of Vostroya, liberating the person of this natural fear and giving them full focus on the only socially acceptable life mission: the preservation of Vostroya

Technology

Vostroyans seek a way out of humanity, knowing the flaws that they carry as a human. This is why technology is seen as a virtue, because it pushes back the flawed humanity that forced Vostroya to rebuild itself many times. Industrialism has an unprecedented momentum, and brings with it many professional and military opportunities

Hospitality

The winter times are harsh and so every Vostroyans is expected to receive their guests as they should be, with a warm fire, a fine drink and meals that invigorate the guest. Outside, Vostroyans are grumpy, absent of emotions, focusing all their strength on surviving, but once inside a warm tavern loosen up and become the party animals they have a reputation for, often going on bar crawls and many times finishing their evening with a brawl, it is a virtue to know when and where to have a good time.

The Many Enemies of Vostroyans

Elves

Elves are considered some of the worst peoples by Vostroyans, they are seen as traitors, omens, and a reminder of the first wars of Vostroya after the end of the Age of Chains. More recently, elves are associated with the war in the west in Tamphocai, Elven parties raid villages on the border as revenge for the advance of Vostroyan civilization. One of the common punishments used to shame criminals, especially in Zamokret is to cut the ears into a point, and make the criminal become an elf in his community, being shunned, and hunted down by any Vostroyan worth his salt.

Kvaabians

Not necessarily mortal enemies, many Kvaabians make it to Portemort to work without slavery but end up being enslaved by the systematic racism of Vostroya. They are considered half men by many, and often spend their whole life being dung collectors, janitors, and members of the sewers city watch in Portemort. They are most often seen there because no one would escort them to another settlement, their fate always leading them to some more violent end than that of the janitor in Portemort.

Ghouls

Wild ghouls appear usually after any sort of armed battle that left many dead, they come out of the woods to feed on dead humans. Those are fine, and considered pest more than anything else, any child growing up in the rural regions especially on the borders of the duchies know how to fight a ghoul, using sticks to keep them at distance and burning them as soon as they go down.
But talking, intelligent undead, now that's another level. These ghouls are heavily associated with Strygos, and hearing an undead talk is a bitter reminder of the Doom Wars. Every first son of Vostroya was sent to fight ghouls in Strygos, in the eyes of their families, those sentient ghouls are what took their children to war. They are seen as vile and malicious, and are subject to witch hunts if discovered within communities.

Dragons

Dragon slaying was one of the highest achievements in ancient Vostroyan history, to slay one is to avenge the countless who fell to one of those reptilian creatures. Every mortal has a fear of dragons, especially humans. Vostroyans wouldn't even try to raise dragons into obedience like they did in Tat Kvaab or Mestotetmo, they would kill them as soon as possible. Dragon eggs are seen as a curse by the populace. However, higher ranking citizens like nobles would use those eggs in traditional dishes. This hatred has been very effective, Vostroya has not been victim of a major dragon attack for a century.

Orks

Half Orks could have a tough time since they bear the traits of an ork to a lesser degree, but usually in bigger cities have no problem finding jobs as bodyguard and lifters in docks.
Orks however, being usually distinct for their huge teeth and pupil less red eyes, are feared throughout the country. They appear from the ground, gestating in earthly wombs as a fungal animal before ripping out and doing what they do best, violence. Seeing one of those earth sacks means the doom of the community who discovered them, for they will eventually be attacked by the most violent armies in the Old World. Singular Orks can be dealt with, and even small tribes found throughout Vostroya can be kept at bay, but the hordes of Strygos shake the ground in their march and are said to be in the millions in Lower Strygos, fortunately it is only their stupidity and in fighting that buys the rest of the world's time before the inevitable green tide binds together and marches on anything that bleeds and screams when you hit it with a great axe.