Hylthian

== History ==
Hylthian first began to develop at the northern edge of the Imperial Colonies as settlers pushed into Flussstätter, southern Hylthia. As they did, they expanded ever further outside of the effective reach of the preoccupied colonial government. Here in the frontier, filled with Lizardfolk kingdoms and tribes, dragons and other monsters, the settlers had to band together to take the land they though theirs for the taking. It was during these Northern Wars that Hylthian began to noticeably diverge from Old Imperial Culture.
Since then, as the Confederation of Haystan spread across the rest of Hylthia it brought its culture with it and Hylthian began to diverge into the Hylthian cultures like Taler or Westfallen. Hylthian overall and itself is still alive and well.
== Culture ==
=== The Standings ===
The Standings from Old Imperial Culture also exists in Hylthian culture. It is however different in many significant ways: 
Firstly, the civilised races are seen as almost equal to the Imperials and usually aren't discriminated against much. Sometimes Imperials are preferred for certain high positions due to being seen as more prestigious but civilized races have and do hold high positions, notably the Dwarves make up a significant minority of the Princes in the House of Princes.
Secondly, the Beastfolk, while still being under heavy discrimination, have a ever so slim chance of being recognized for their deeds by Hylthian culture unlike the much more rigid Old Imperial Culture. Very rarely, a Beatfolk hero might be recognized as such and is then regarded as almost on the same level as other civilized races.
Thirdly, the Lizardfolk. Due to the much more personal and brutal conflict during the Northern Wars, Hylthians are more hostile to the Lizardfolk than Old Imperial Culture was. Lizardfolk are seen as little more than rabid beasts and most Hylthians will try to immediately kill any Lizardfolk on sight, or go get someone who can.
=== The Helds ===
During the Northern Wars, as great individuals lead the attack against the various dangers of ancient Fulras that the concept of Held was shaped. The word Held from the Hylthian dialect directly translates to Hero in Imperial Common but to the Hylthians a Held is more than just a hero. Someone can be a hero without being acclaimed as Held.
A Held is a larger-than-life figure, a folk legend that will still be told about in years and centuries to come. Often times a Held came to represent a single virtue at which they are said to have excelled. In Hylthian Hero Worship Helds are believed to be living saints and to ascend to god status upon their death.
One can not be proclaimed as Held by any one individual or organization. It is a general understanding, a collective decision that play out across Hylthian society as a whole. It is often joked that you know will know you are a Held if you go to the other end of the Confederation of Haystan from where you had performed your heroic deed and if, upon entering a tavern, you are greeted with cheers and free drink.
Category:Culture