Haalfinns

Haalfinisches Exile

The Haalfinns are the inhabitants of the eastern part of Vona and known as the indirect protectors of it, from threats beyond the Frozen Sea.

## Origin

The *Haalfinns* originated from berlish and galawinian warriors, who during the 2nd Era, fought against the T'vii of the T'cane Tribes, for supremacy of the continent Vona. They were gifted the eastern parts of Vona as a reward for their efforts, founding their own original nation and culture. Similar to Berland and Galawin, Haalfinnia fell apart after the Three-Corner-War, with the former royal family fleeing the continent eastwards, beyond the Frozen Sea, establishing an everlasting threat, which not only seeks to reconquer Haalfinnia, but the entirety of Vona.

## Description

### Appearance

The Humans of former Haalfinnia are around **1,70 m tall.** Their skin tends to be **pale to fair**, and their hair grows from **blond to dark-blond** and even **reddish**.

The *Haalfinns* live in the cold and especially windy eastern regions of Vona. They often wear thick coats and weaterproof clothes. Different to other Northerners, they do not care for either gold or pelts. Most Haalfinns prefer practial cloths over aestheticals.

Similar is their hair, often simply worn out until clipped off again. They value quality over appearance, by themselves and others. They often carry weapons with them, from a simple farmer to every child, able to hold a blade. Training- and entertainment-fights are common among the *Haalfinns*, who are always ready for a fight.

### Names

The language of the *Haalfinns* is partly based on the dutch language and the lower franconian.

Examples for haalfinnian names are: **Toon, Stefaan, Eefje, Jan or Naut.**

### Behavior

*Haalfinns* normally only value ones abilities and character, over worldly goods or bloodline. They are a simple and pragmatic warrior folk, with almost no real social hierarchy. Their direct nature and live styles does not only allow them to thrive in even the harshest environments, but also the raids of their former royal master, who constantly are sending their Black Knight from beyond the Frozen Sea, to harass the *Haalfinns*. This live of constant weariness to fight their old Kaiser, made them cold realist, who care little for politics or other people's problems.

## Culture

Since the expulsion of the royal family from Vona, the Haalfinns of today's Bergenfall and Tillmegen own their freedom, but are also in a way the protectors of the northern continent. For centuries and with several attempts made, they exiled Royalists tried to gain a foothold on Bergenfall again, after their own people drove them out of the country into exile. The modern Haalfinns are the first front against the forced coming from beyond the Frozen Sea. The homeless Kaiser sent raiders over, while the population of the Haalfinns hold the tie of oppressors at bay. The fight the Kaiser, to the rest of Vona does not have to. This lead to the ideal of "being born with a sword in the hand" many Haalfinns embody.

In addition to the eastern threat, their homeland is rather barren, with most of Bergenfall being empty tundra and windy fields. This is why the Berlish and Galwinian States sent a tribute to the Haalfinns, supporting them with goods, weapons and food, so they never have to deal with the exiled Kaiser themselves. This created a synergy, making west and east of Vona depending on each other.

Different to other cultures, who are lead by monarchs or elected leaders, the Haalfinns have their own system: Depending on the current circumsatnces of the nation and its people, they leader may vary, being picked from an array of Paragons. If the country faces a famine, a farmer may be chosen by the former Paragons to lead the nation. If they are at war, a soldier may rise to the challenge. The leaders are always depending on the current needs and the best possible person to deal with these. This means, that a ruling Paragon can be replaced at any moment, allthough they would not lose their status as such. They would become part of the Paragon Council who chooses fitting individuals from either the population, or even themselves. This is just one of the facades, of haalfinnian pragmactism.

The people of the north-east also care little for other cultures or foreigners. None of the newer religons has gained a real foothold in their lands. The Haalfinns rather stick to the Old Gods their forebearers prayed to and even the Wild Gods, as many Haalfinns have T'vii blood in them, giving them their tall statures.