Common Legends and Lore: Mansguard
by Sir Rezaldo Perelli, Master of the Adventurers Guild
Year - 748
“Thank you for reading, brave adventurers, this issue is a bit special. It has been five years since the mighty Pact of the Fist has been signed, bringing together many human nations under one protective umbrella! To celebrate this alliance, I bring you, dear adventurers, a quick rundown of each ethnic group of human origin that I have met in my travels.
The Tempestans of Tempesta
My people! The beautiful men and women of the sea kissed shores in the far west of Pyrennia. We are a varied people, as years of trade have brought many wonderful influences into our culture and people. Generally, we are fair skinned, with curly brown or black hair, and a bit on the shorter side. As a people, we value grace and valor, piety and wealth. We are a fiercely individualistic lot, and look to the self-made man as our prime
example. A Tempestan does not waver in rough seas, or give up hope when faced with impossible odds. To a true Tempestan, these trials are merely an opportunity to elevate one’s own notoriety.
The Guardians of Mansguard
The brash, the bold, the great bulwark! This is the spirit of the guardians, a brave and fearless society dedicated to the defense of mankind. To a guardian, no fate is sweeter than to become a legend, and thus nearly all guardians you will meet will have some tale to tell of their valiant labors in benefit of humankind. Whether it’s the baker feeding his local militia, or the young squire slaying his first goblin, all guardians possess a strong inner sense of purpose and unfettered passion. Physically, the guardians are a burly folk, with light brown, red, or blond hair, light skin and sharp features. Trust me, dear adventurers, there is no greater friend than an allied guardian, and no more terrifying an enemy.
The Lentic of Lentaine
The peoples of the great wide expanses of The Spit, the Lentic are a simple rugged folk. Mostly farmers making a living, however they can. If you’ve ever spoken to a Lentic person, they may come across as dull, or uninteresting, but under that wind-baked shell lies a deeply spiritual and handy people, dedicated to the life they’ve all chosen out in those fields. The Lentic are tall, quite tall, and dusty in complexion. Their faces are often worn and detailed, and their hair a matted, curly brown.
The Sangovians of Sangovy
The briars of central Pyrennia have cultivated an interesting, if not a bit strange, people known as the Sangovians. Of all the human cultures, they are by far the most populous. A peaceful folk, their concerns rarely leave their villages, but in this vest web of marginally connected hamlets a nation of sorts is born. To a Sangovian, nothing is more important than family and friends, and they rely on each other strongly, for Sangovy can be a harrowing land. A pale people, almost ghostly, with hair naturally ranging anywhere along the black to white spectrum with green eyes. They are gaunt, gangly, but with an unmistakable friendliness to them that can be hard to place. No home is warmer, no people more kind than the gentle folk of Sangovy.
The Aljanni of Aljann
If the Sangovians are the kindest, then the Aljanni are the meanest, and they revel in it. A fierce, tough, combative people, the Aljanni rule the deserts of Southern Pyrennia. In the shifting, sun-baked sands only the shrewdest, smartest, and most capable thrive, and this belief has penetrated all parts of Aljanni life. To an Aljanni Merchant, only the sale matters. Who cares if your product is a sham? To an Aljanni Soldier, why give mercy to a surrendering enemy? He will only be needing your water. To an Aljanni noble, who cares that your property is tended to by slaves? If they deserved freedom they would have it already! As I said, a tough people, but it is not as if they cannot back it up. The Aljanni are incredibly powerful, arguably the most influential of all Pact members, much to the pride of the Aljann. Aljanni have skin ranging from fair to muddy, often depending on time spent in the burning sun. They all possess thick black hair, and grow legendary beards which are often delicately tended to and braided.
The Ekaran of Ekara
Not a member of the Pact officially, the Ekara were enslaved long ago by the Aljanni. Today much of the culture of the Ekara has been lost, though some details survive, and they are glorious. The Ekara are master builders and artisans, their constructions litter Pyrennia, an artifact of a time long gone. Though even today they retain their skills, just in the service of the Aljanni. Though marginalized, these people do retain some power. They have several towns in the Slave Holds of Ekara that few outsiders frequent, and possess considerable influence in the Aljanni city of Bhavanna Sahi. A dark-skinned people, Ekaran's are often quite tall and bulky, moreso than any other particular human ethnicity. Their hair is mostly dark brown, with some black.
The Yarese of Yari
To many of us on Pyrennia, the Yari are a whisper of a legend, for they rarely venture far from their island chain homeland. The Yarese are a stalwart, unbreakable people, battling constantly against a horrible foe from deep under the ocean. Their entire society revolves around battling these otherworldly forces. To this end, the Yarese are taught to never give into their base impulses, to stand in the face of mind-wracking horror like a stone unmoved by roaring waves. To an outsider, a Yarese person would seem plain emotionless, bitter, or even statuesque. But after the things that society has been through, we should all be glad they are so resolute, for they are the only force keeping the horrors of the southern ocean from reaching Pyrennia. Yarese peoples sport a fair complexion, soft facial features, straight black hair, and dark eyes.
There are more out there. I know of a black-skinned people in the far south, roaming the savanna, but not enough to describe them properly to you. There also exists the barbarians of Mong-kar to the far north, past the dwarven holds, though I have yet to travel there.
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