Delorgan

*“Delorgan blood made this world free! And kept it that way! Don't you forget it!”-Hengus Doogal, Delorgan raider, after his fourth mead.*

*“I'll fight alongside one any day. Their warriors are almost as strong as our own!”-Vex, Umgar barbarian.*

*“Their longships are the only vessels that can challenge our junks on the open seas. I recommend more cannons.”- Admiral Shen Chan, Imperial adviser to the Jade Regent.*

## Physical Description:

Delorgans are a hearty folk, tall, fair and strong. While not quite hitting the impressive height of the Umgarans or Zamonians they are quite large. Bearlike may be the best way to describe them as their well built bodies ripple with muscle. They often appear windswept, as the Delorgan isles are a gusty place. They are pale of skin with brightly colored hair of various shades including orange, red, auburn, brown and black. Both sexes wear their hair long, with braids being a popular style, both for control and decoration. Long beards among men are a sign of heroism and virtue and so almost all Delorgan men wear long beards, though they also keep these well braided so as not to provide the enemy with an advantage in battle. Delorgans wear tartans of their various clans and it is the rare piece of Delorgan clothing that features no plaid or tartan at all. Long cloaks that protect from the winds and seas are popular among both sexes. While trousers are not unheard of, kilts are the preferred method of dress among men and axe-maidens while non-combat women have long dresses that match the style.

## History:

Delorgans are quick to celebrate the fierce independence their islands have always known. Proudly, they will proclaim that theirs is the first true human nation, that the slaves who slew Dhuadthrahsh and overtook his tower are their forefathers. They'll tell all who will listen of Delorgan longships and fierce Delorgan raiders who bolstered Latrell's slave army and without them there would be no victory over the beholders. There is truth to these words, no matter how boldly they are proclaimed. It was the Delorgan uprising that established the first human kingdom, bleak though its prospect may have seemed, and it was Delorgan raiders who struck the beholder forces from across the Stone Sea. Since then however, Delorgan hasn't had much impact on Apia. They hold little interest in expanding their culture across the lands or holding great territories. Instead, they mostly keep to their own islands, launching raids up and down the coasts, pillaging and taking what they wish. They are great warriors, who revel in battle and glory, and so often hire themselves out as mercenaries. This has ensured that its people are remarkably well known despite the size of the islands.

## Geography:

The Delorgan Isles are an outcropping of mostly barren rock and imposing pines, that jut out of the northern Stone Sea. Farm land is at a premium as the winds and waves make for harsh climate. The plants and animals are stout and hearty, much like the people. The nature of the islands is what to led to the raiding lifestyle of its inhabitants, as the alternative was starvation.

## Personality:

Delorgans are proud, they enjoy boasting and reveling in their great deeds. Honesty is a highly valued trait as, due to limited resources, openness has proved crucial in allowing their nation to survive. The word of a Delorgan is her bond, whether that be a vow of fealty or an oath of vengeance. However, there is a key understanding of personal ownership and, while any Delorgan would die before failing to offer proper hospitality to a guest in need, theft is punished by death. Any Delorgan who kills a thief on his property is considered innocent by Delorgan law. Delorgans strive for challenge, and wish to test themselves in battles both mock and real, thus most choose to fight for money. They have built up a reputation as reliable, honest, warriors. They enjoy drinking, boasting and riotous music in those moments when they are not in battle. While they enjoy company, most are also happy with solitude, wasting away the hours with meditation, whittling, playing instruments or scrimshaw

## Society:

Delorgans live in clans, those clans are large extended families, each of which is led by a jarl and his/her thanes. Those jarls, in turn, swear fealty to a high jarl who rules the islands as a whole. Any jarl can challenge for the position of high jarl and it is a crafty ruler who keeps his enemies in check. Jarls are advised by druids, who form their own mystic circle in the hearts of the pine forests of Delorgan. They are a mysterious but well-respected order and their knowledge of the planes is extraordinary. A Delorgan holds his loyalties in this particular order, immediate family, clan, jarl, high jarl and if forced to disobey one of his betters will do so with the priorities mentioned above. Most Delorgans are mercenaries or sea-born raiders, pillaging the main continent to bring food and wealth back home to the clan and thus the islands are less populated than the number of Delorgans might suggest. Just as important and respected as the raiders are the whalers, who do battle with those colossal beasts of the seas, bringing home fat, meat, oil and blubber, the closest things Delorgan has to natural resources beyond lumber.

## Religion:

Delorgans venerate Vyzbus above all other Gods, seeing him as the jarl and father of all sea life. Being born of the surf and rock themselves, as far as they believe, he is seen as their god-king and the head of their own pantheon. Khan, The Green Lord, Emdera Ruggedfist, Dozna and Burtix all find worshipers on the island. Those who serve The Green Lord are often druids, while those who follow Burtix are the berserkers, one step removed from beasts.

## Alignment:

Most Delorgans are neutral, they honor a personal code but otherwise act as they see fit. Due to their nature as pillagers it is difficult to be purely good, though there certainly are many Delorgans who are. Evil Delorgans, who kill without mercy are also tragically common.

## Relations:

Latrellus and Delorgan have been allies since the beholder war and, as such, no Delorgan would knowingly raid Latrellus or any of her ships. Those who break this oath are hunted by their own tribesmen for the dishonor they have brought. Sea Gnomes are considered as Delorgan as the humans and are often found onboard longships, serving with the humans. Umgarans are seen as worthy foes or even as allies under some circumstances, and Delorgans enjoy battle with the barbarians. Goliaths are treated as equals and any of the aquatic races can find a home on the isles.

## Language:

Delorgans speak common, albeit, a heavily accented version. They have no native tongue of their own, claiming common as their original language. The historicity of this claim is hotly debated.

## Adventurers:

Because they need to venture far from home to recover enough wealth and supplies to support their island home, Delorgan adventurers are very common. War is what they know and they seek it. Those Delorgans who violate laws of hospitality or property might turn to adventuring because they have no alternative, to remain on the islands would invite death.

### Names:

Delorgan names range from oddly poetic, to guttural and harsh, it depends on the clan. Clannames serve as the surname for Delorgans.

**Example Male Names:** Angus, Hengus, Skjor, Ivan, Macbeth, Ragnar, Ragovid, Ducan, Wallace

**Example Female Names:** Brunhilde, Helga, Imogen, Heather, Molly, Ceryse, Skalla

**Example Clannames:** Doogal, Crait, McDongan, Daggerbran, MacHarwall

## Traits:

The same as humans on page 19 with the following exceptions:

+2 in the following skills, Climb, Jump, Profession (Sail), Swim, Use Rope. This replaces the four bonus skill points at level one. Delorgans know the ways of the sails, the cliffs and the oceans but their specialization keeps them from the general skill selection of other humans.

Proficiency with battleaxe and medium shields. No matter his occupation, no Delorgan is untrained in the use of these two weapons and the sight of a Delorgan warrior, charging from his longship with axe and shield is often enough to break the opponents before battle begins.

Favored Class: Barbarian, Druid or Fighter. Delorgan warriors are well known, their druids are well respected and their barbarians, known as berserkers, are feared on many battlefields.