Chæman

Widespread along the Calderan peninsula, chæmans are of medium build and height, with olive skin that tends to grow fairer the farther east they dwell. Their hair and eye color varies, but brown hair and green eyes are the most common. They are of the founders and inhabitants of the Republic of Chæmeron.

## **Ability Score Increase**

Chaemans are hardy and stubborn things, displaying greater bravery and obstinance than other races. As such, chæmans gain 1 Physique.

## **Racial Abilities**

### **Blood of the Riverfolk**

Chæmans gain a swimming speed of 8 meters, and can hold their breath underwater for twice as long before suffocating.

## **History**

In Chæman culture, community bonds are strong, as are superstitions. Their past bred a brave and pious people who believe in standing tall in the face of adversity and upholding the severity and seriousness of life, but who will then merry and dine at the drop of a hat. To a chæman, authority must be earned through deed, not indolent aquiescence. The vast majority of chæman communities rely entirely on the massive rivers that cut through the Calderan peninsula. These affect every aspect of their lives; from food and housing to war and trade; faith, ritual, and even relationships, all these are determined by the river's flow. It should be no surprise they have become known by their moniker, "the Riverfolk." In contrast with their frank and earthy nature, the origin of the chæmans is veiled in mystery and legend. Like most Humans of Whorlaynd, the chæman can trace back their origins to a legion of the Grand Coalition. It is pretty clear their ancestors were from the 3rd Battalion, however, that is where historical records end. Their folklore tell that the captain of said battalion decided to settle his men near the inner sea, where he met and married some manner of mermaid or ophimaid royal, and that the scions of this creature took his men as husbands and concubines. The captain's descendants would become kings of the pre-republic principalities, those of his officials would become nobles, and those of concubine descendance would become peasants. The veracity of this story is doubtful, especially since it has fallen out of favor after the fall of the monarchy.

## **Names**

Names are traditionally chosen by the parents and bestowed on the eighth day after birth. When men and women reach legal adulthood, usually while serving in the military, their parents or superior officer bestow a second name on them. As a result, their Adulthood name is often inspired by an exploit or characteristic. While one can choose their Adulthood name themselves that is considered uncouth as it more typical of criminals, whom usually have it stricken off when their sentence is decided.

### **Conventional Naming Scheme**

In official text and settings, a Chæman's full name is arranged in the following scheme: Family Name - First Name - Adulthood Name. Only family, close friends ans lovers refer to each-other with just their given names. In a casual setting, calling a Chæman by their adulthood name comes of as friendly.

### ***Common Chæman Names***

#### **Given Names**

##### ***Male***

Male Chæman names make frequent use of their culture's unique character "Æ/æ", which is literally the joined letters of "a" and "e", read as "hhe". Male namels also tend to end in "o's".

* Æmilio, Aurælio, Ægrippo, Blandinos, Bruto, Kalios, Kaisær, Cornælio, Drusilo, Fæbiano, Fælindro, Cæius, Hæracio, Juliæ, Joviæn, Lucios, Marcos, Næro, Octavio, Pælinio, Quinto, Rufo, Seværo, Tibæro, Valærio, Vitulio, Virtruvio.

##### ***Female***

Female Chæman names are distinct for always ending in "a's". They also never make use of "Æ/æ", as it is a distinctly male character.

* Alba, Agrippa, Balbina, Claudia, Drussila, Floriana, Galla, Gaia, Hadriana, Juliana, Livia, Mariana, Nona, Ovidia, Priscila, Quintina, Rufina, Tatiana, Valeria, Vita.

#### ***Family Names***

Chaeman family names are typically derived from a first name, replacing the original suffix with the suffix "-us", meaning "of 's".

* Aurelius, Bellius, Cattius, Domitius, Egnacius, Flavius, Granius, Heina, Jullius, Licinius, Marius, Novus, Octavius, Passienus, Quintillius, Romulius, Sertorius, Tituis, Vitelius, Vergilius.