Human-kind

General

Southerners are part of the Empire, ruled from the distant metropolis of Nessantico. The Governor of Sasserine is appointed, normally for a period of ten years, although a second decade is quite common, and a third is not unheard of.

There was a Human Kingdom in the valley once, but over a century ago Fair King Leric, last of his line, died without issue. Candlehall Palace, in Gelinat, lies empty, but despite a number of pretenders, the loose coalition of human nobles in the valley seem to have no interest in a new King. Most of them pay lip-service to the Elven Council.

Gelinat and Vleris are "Free Cities" ruled by Merchant Councils, and paying taxes to local nobility. Holy Tiral and the lands around it are part of the Shrial Patriarch's lands, and answer to no mortal authority.

Variations

Humans cultures mingle and swirl through the valley, but the following groupings are strong tendencies but not absolute rules.

The Sasserine are truly cosmopolitan, and ethnicities similar to Calishite, Mulan, and Turami are common. They often speak "Imperial", a distinct language from Gelini, better known in the valley as the Common Tongue.

The folk of Gelinat and Holy Tirol tend to resemble Chondathan and Tethyrian

The Vleri were once a northern tribe, long since settled down. The resemble Damarans. Northern barbarians often found in Vleris resemble Illuskans. The Vleri no longer speak northern tongues, but they have their own unique alphabet that can be difficult for non-Vleri to comprehend.

Religion

There are many distant faiths, but one pantheon unites the humans in the valley. The Shrial Pantheon, described on the sacred tablets unearthed on the shores of the Lake Tiral, is both seasonal and aging in nature. Although Priests (of either sex) remain as a servant of one of the gods, worshippers pass through the pantheon each year, and as they age.

The Maiden of Spring (Nature) is a carefree child, and the new year. Her symbol is the fruit blossom, and her clergy wear white garlanded with green.

The Son of Summer (War) is a hunter, a gatherer, a provider, and a protector. The Shrial Knights are all sworn servants of the Son of Summer, whose symbol is a shield. His clergy wear bright colors, reds, blues, and greens.

The Autumn Matron (Life) is a provider, a parent, and a teacher. Her clergy wear brown, trimmed with orange and red and all the colours of the harvest. Her symbols are the sickle that harvests, and the bowl that refreshes.

The Winter Father (Knowledge) is a craftsman, a judge, and a ruler. His clergy wear grey, trimmed with white, and a heavy crown of iron, which is their symbol.

The Pentad Heresy claims that in addition to the words engraved on the front of the sacred tablets, more are hastily carved into the back.

The Bastard (trickery) is a fool, a magician, a thief, a tinker, and a beggar. If the Beggar had clergy (Ridiculous!) they may dress in motley, in pantomime, or as any other Shrial Order. And their symbol, should these mountebanks, charlatans, or down-trodden have one? Who is to say?

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