Germani

## History and Current Events

Like the Celtic tribes, Germanic tribes have existed in middle to northern Europe east of the Rhine and north of the Danube for thousands of years. The most recent dominant culture to come to the region, the Jastorfs, came to be around 600 BCE. The Jastorfs originated in Denmark, and their ways quickly spread to the people of north mainland Europe, as well as the southern coasts of the some of the Scandinavian states.

## Religion, Culture, and non-Humans

### Native Races

Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Kobolds, Erdhenne, Moss People (fey folk), Nixie (naiads), Rubezahl (Satyrs), WeiBefrauen

### Religion

The Germanic Peoples are pagans who largely worship the god Vulcan, who may have actually been Hephaestus spreading his cult from Greece to Germany. Donar, another well known deity, is said to actually be synonymous with Thor from their Norse ancestors, who still blesses his subjects even having left the fatherland.

### Culture

German culture is often matriarchal, with venerated Seeresses guiding their tribes in worship of the many deities. It is common practice for the tribe's Seeress to perform ritual killings with a sacrificial knife, most often upon captives or slaves not originally of the tribe. These women are considered powerful, bloodthirsty sorceresses, rightfully feared by their Celtic and Roman neighbors. Some of them have transcended their mortal bonds, having free access to the celestial plane (known as WeiBe Frauen). Unlike the Celts and Britons, the Germans do not practice druidism or animism.

Germans are known to host wild festivals during both Yule (the new year) and Midsummer's day. Anyone who shows up is typically greeted with cheer, beer, and entertainment.

### Non-humans

Germani holds the largest population of non-human monsters, creatures, and humanoids currently in Europe. Majestic elves dwell in forest homes along the Schwarzwald, with some claiming that the legendary Alfheim is on the Celtic side of the Rhine. Dwarves, kobolds, changelings, fairies, and water nymphs (Nixies) are only a few of the many races that can be found in Germanic towns. It is said that Vampires stalk the towns of Bastarnae, and Werewolves prowl the forests all across Germani.

## Government

Today, the most commonly known tribes of Germans to the Mediterranean people are:

The **Bastarnae**, who border the Danube with Macedon, are peaceful, sedentary farming tribes. Not much is known about their governmental structure.

In the Ukraine to the north, the **Sciri** are a nomadic people known for their frequent raids on Black Sea villages, competing with their Gallic Galatian cousins. It is said that Sciri tribes are ruled by their strongest warrior, who an upstart must challenge and defeat to lead the clan.

The **Vandals** are another nomadic people currently residing in Poland known for forming large tribes and taking on more formidable enemies.

## Diplomatic Relations

### Gaul (Neutral)

Although geographically close to their Gallic cousins, there are neither many clashes nor cultural exchanges between the two peoples.

### Norse (Mixed)

Many Germans claim ancestry from Scandinavia and worship Norse gods. However, the annual Norse raids upon German tribes has led many to believe that the people they once called cousins have disowned them completely.

### Greece (Neutral)

Although some tribes share borders with Greece, there are not many raids from either party. However, some Mediterranean people see the Gauls and Germans as the same, causing their prejudices (particularly against the Galatians) to show against the German tribes.

### Rome (Mixed)

Roman citizens, particularly those living close to the Alps, have been subject to kidnappings by German tribes seeking sacrifices for their gods. Otherwise, no tribe has yet outright declared war on the Romans, nor do the Romans claim enough knowledge of the German people to launch a full on invasion.