Sváthal

Sváthal is a Vidstossi term, meaning "swarthy" originally. It is denoting people of darker skin complexity, though definitions can vary between various parts of the Kingdom of the Gates. For example, in the central region between Sturoana and Risante and the Gate Mountains, even having dark brown to black hair can denote Sváthal-ness, while in the border regions, phenotypical features, body height and similar are used as the conventional definition of Sváthal-ness.
Sváthals are considered dishonourable, weak, effeminate, filthy, thieving and lying, but also good at trade and with lots of knowledge. In some remote parts of the Kingdom of the Gates, Sváthals are seen as having magical properties, that they can "tról" gold and silver from the soil, and that if you throw a wooden shoe at a Sváthal, you will have banished disease from your home for a year.
== Sturozina Áskh and Amlathil ==
 Sturozina Áskh was received in the Gardens of Eryana on a starry eve. It was Amlathil, the court wizard and advisor to the Lady who received her, bowing down and moving the palms of his hands together. She was 
fascinated by him, by the colour of his skin. She had to hold her tongue to not suggest he'll take a wash. He was also smelling differently. Under the fragrances of flowers he used, she could smell a body odour 
that disgusted her. It was not a good sign for sure, that Pelir II used a counselor from a foreign culture, and worse, from a Sváthal culture. The Sváthals did not have the pure white skin and blue eyes, 
but darkish skin, and it was said by the elders that the soul coloured 
the body, and that the Sváthals were of impure blood, descendants of the ancient darkcreatures whom the gods had fought. And they always lied and tricked their ways, instead for fighting with honour, as the Vidstos did!''''
== Sváthal discrimination ==
Around 2,5 million of the 10-15 million inhabitants of the Kingdom of the Gates are thralls, are many of them either are or are descended from populations claimed to have been Sváthals. There are also free Sváthal minorities, who often have sworn allegiance to some local Karl. Discrimination can vary between regions, but often consists of Sváthals being banned from sleeping inside taverns, from buying their tools inside the markets, to Sváthals or descendants of Sváthals being forced to smear their faces with dirt when entering towns. Sváthal women are banned from covering their hair, and in Risante and Sturoana, Sváthals or Sváthal descendants are banned from settling. 
== Religious foundations ==
In Vidstossi religious beliefs, the ancestors of the Vidstossi people were gods. However, intermixture with darkcreatures of the forests spawned the Sváthals, darker half-humans who retained a bit of the primordial power of the forest creatures (not to be confused with the fairies, who are seen as bright and cheerful water deities of the brooks and waterfalls).
== Pelir II and the abolishment of thralldom ==
Pelir II and Alliandre Brezil have issued a decree that abolishes thralldom throught The Kingdom of the Gates. Though limited (Pelir controls only the wealthy but small karldom of Eryana), this statement is very much showcasing him as an enlightened ruler. In Eryana, the relationship between the the Vidstossi and the neighbouring Rahool is good, and that has affected the outlook. There have also been fewer thralls.
== Other Sváthal definitions ==
In the north, Sváthals are called Dorjans instead, or simply Dórj. In the western lands, they are called Saj, after the Za'ahenes. Notably, both Syannics and Za'ahenes are called "The Sáj" by the people in and around Rodmuthana. 
Category:Vidstos people
Category:Discrimination
Category:Religions