Men of Verrin

The Men of Verrin, or simply humans, are relative newcomers to the continent of Verrin.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

Males generally wear tunics woven from fabrics or wool, secured with simple leather belts. Women tend to wear dresses, which are held in place by ornate brooches. Fabric cloaks and hoods are also common, especially among peasants. The cloaks of the nobility are often made from animal pelts, and the more exotic the animal the richer the wearer is perceived to be. The more wealthy echelons of human society wear tunics embroidered with rich patterns, and buckles of gold and silver. A group of Men known as the Féon, or Wolf-coats, think it shameful to wear woven cloth and choose instead to dress only in the pelts of slain animals.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Men of Verrin often wear a knife at their hip to signify their status as a free man; the undesirables of society such as prisoners and exiles are not allowed this privilege. However, wearing a pair of knives or carrying a sword, spear or axe is considered standoffish and boastful when the wielder is not intending to use them.

History

In the Fifth Age of the Thurún calendar, Men arrived upon the shores of Earenan in the east, bringing with them a new chapter in Verrin's history. Why Men chose to flee their homeland of Theodr is unknown, although shakily translated ancient texts suggest they were fleeing a bloody civil war. Initially, only a few men arrived, led by the now legendary Aethelwulf, who founded the settlement of Kynestol. Most of the new arrivals settled there and in the hinterlands, although the bravest amongst them chose to explore the continent further and establish other settlements across central Verrin. As Aethelwulf's renown grew, more and more people made the treacherous journey across the ocean to settle in Verrin. Eventually, Kynestol became a bustling city and Aethelwulf was elected king of the newly founded Kingdom of Fyfeldor. Despite the apparent wealth of Fyfeldor, some people were keen to carve out their own kingdoms in the virgin land of Verrin. Some such kingdoms that still survive are Galdor, Galere, Thunor and Raine. Raine became a thriving port town until, out of nowhere, the ships stopped arriving from the human homeland. No one knows why this is, and indeed no one who attempted to sail back across the ocean has ever returned to Verrin. Some say that the Gods were angered at mankind's decision to leave the home which had been so lovingly crafted for them, so the Goddess Faega split the ocean in two in a fit of rage. Initially, contact with the other races of Verrin was peaceful. Languages were shared, trade was established, and the Elder Races greeted mankind like an old friend. However, after decades of prosperity, things took a turn for the worse. The cause of conflict between Men and Giants is unknown, but both sides are eager to blame one another. Whatever the reasons were, it sparked centuries of intermittent warfare between Man and Giant. Dwarves played a part in these wars when it suited them, and elves remained reclusive as ever. During the reign of Aethelstan the Luckless (sometimes called the Bloody), Aethelwulf's great grandson, the race of Men was almost entirely driven from Verrin. Many Men fled to the islands off Verrin's coast which put them into conflict with the Elves who lived there. The Giant army laid siege to Kynestol and razed many other towns that did not have the protection of a stone wall as the capital did. However, the intervention of the petty kingdoms of Galere and Galdor, which had hitherto been neutral, broke the siege and drove off the Giants, but at a great cost in human lives. This act is commemorated in many songs and poems, the most famous of which is 'The Banner of Old Galdor'. With renewed courage and strength, Aethelstan led his people on an almost genocidal campaign against the Giants in retaliation for so many human deaths. This campaign, commonly called 'The Just Revenge' by Men and 'The Slaughter' by Giants, had such an impact on their population that even today Verrin's slow-breeding Giant populace has not returned to its former level. After this event, Mankind supplanted Giants as the pre-eminent power of Verrin. The terrified Giants had no choice but to sue for peace, and many retreated to the mountains where they forged new kingdoms. Peace was declared and despite widespread hatred and distrust, Man and Giant learned to live alongside one another once more.

Related Myths