This group of Common Men traditionally lives in the hills and highlands. Many have become settled farmers and herders and make up majority populations in many rural areas. Others remain pure and life in the foothills and mountain vales. More civilized humans might call the Hillmen barbarians, but their cultures and traditions run deep and they tend to have quite a sophisticated society.
Basic Information
They are of medium to stocky build and rugged, with little body hair.
Additional Information
Hillmen can mostly be found in the hills and highlands for which they are named. However, they will often send members of their community to travel to cities to barter for goods they could not otherwise acquire.
Civilization and Culture
Surnames, and one's genetic line, is traced through the female in Hillman societies.
Hillmen are monogamous, being required to marry outside of the family. It is very common for political marriages to be arranged so various tribes can broker peace between one another.
Crude wool and hide tunics with leggings. They also wear rough over-coats, short cloaks, and fur hats. The wollens are woven in bright patterns, the colors indicating the wearer's family lines and clan. Ritual tattooing is widespread as well as animal-based jewelry.
Hillmen are herders, hunters, and gatherers who livein extended families and reside in villages and fortified clan-holds. They also use chariots.
Extremely theatric, they are gifted poets, musicians, singers, and storytellers. Pugnacious, they often settle disputes by raiding, fighting, or even warring on one another (and of course others).
In Hillman society, written word is extremely rare, for a premium is placed on oral tradition and the performing arts.
In the Champions of Old religious belief system, one member of this pantheon used to be a mortal Hillman before ascending to godhood. Yngoald, Champion of Champions, is said to have dealt the final blows to the Old Gods, thus freeing Thoroth from their tyrannical reign and ending The Severance. Of the Champions, Yngoald is said to be the last of the Champions to ascend to godhood, and is the beacon of hope to many humans who seek to ascend from their current lowly circumstances and become more than they have ever been.
Hillmen generally hate the Nomads; many also despise the High Men, Dwarves, and Orcs.
RPG Datasheet
Hillmen / Mixed Hillmen
AG 0;
CO 0 / CO +2;
ME 0;
RE 0;
SD +2;
EM 0 / EM +2;
IN 0;
PR 0 / PR +2;
QU 0;
ST +2;
Appearance 0
Channeling 0; Essence 0; Mentalism 0; Poison 0; Disease 0
Body Development 0.6.4.2.1 / 0.6.5.2.1; Arcane PP 0.6.5.4.3; Channeling PP 0.6.5.4.3; Essence PP 0.6.5.4.3; Mentalism PP 0.7.6.5.4;
Soul Departure 12 Rounds; Recovery Mult. 1x
Languages 4; Background Options 6 / 5;
Special Abilities - Hillmen get a special +20 bonus for Scaling, Acrobatics, Public Speaking, and Acting skills.
Language: Starting Languages - Giant (S8/W4) and Common-speech (S8/W4). Allowed Adolescent Development - Giant (S10/W10), Common-speech (S10/W10), and Plains-speech (S8/W8).
Everyman skills: Driving, Herding, Horticulture, Hunting, Play Instrument, Poetic improvisation, Singing, Tale Telling
Restricted skills: None
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