Hallengardian Culture

**Hallengardian** is the primary culture and ethnic group of the Kingdom of Hallengard.

## Appearance

Hallengardians most commonly have fair skin, light and long hair, and blue or green eyes. On average, Hallengardians are slightly taller and more lean than Aedwinians, though the difference between the two is miniscule.

Due to their cold climate, they generally wear multiple layers of clothing made of furs, thick wool, and leather. Reds, yellows, and whites are preferred among the nobility, though browns, grays, and blacks are common in both the peasantry and nobility. Tartan sashes are sometimes present in the Hallengardian nobility as a long-standing tradition, though far less common nowadays.

## Arts and Literature

While the arts such as painting and music are less common in Hallengard, literature and philosophy are the opposite. With the religious sects of Hedatism, lorekeeping, and management of the kingdom, writing has become ingrained in Hallengard’s upper society. Philosophers, primarily coming from the clergy, are commonplace and have various contributions within and without the nation.

## Cuisine

Because of the cold climate and the rocky highlands terrain, farming is generally unsuitable in the majority of Hallengard. As such, most of the dietary staples of Hallengard come from shepherding, hunting, or fishing. The primary grain crops are barley, rye, and potatoes, but much of the grain in the North is imported from Aedwin or Lauchette.

What can be grown is mostly consumed by the peasantry, but a large portion of it is distilled into drinks. Beers, whiskeys, and sometimes meads are the most commonly consumed drinks in Hallengard. Tobacco is grown in small quantities in the southeast where the climate is warmer, and is usually more aromatic, mild, and smaller-leaved than the Aedwinian and Lauch varieties.

## Leisure

When there is free time, most Hallengardians prefer to spend their time at the pub with drinks and some games (Fox and Geese as well as Nim are common in the North, Three Man’s Morris is common throughout the Hales). Gambling is sometimes common in the form of betting on said games or playing dice. The nobility also partakes in artistic and intellectual pursuits (painting, writing, reading, etc) as well as hunting for sport. Children also commonly play games such as hoop rolling and horseshoes.

## Religion

The division of Hedatism into various sects has caused some internal strife between Hallengardians, but it has not become a major issue for the kingdom. This is mostly because of the nature of the religion; while there’s different interpretations of the commandments, the primary god is the same. Similarly, the Hedatist clergy is less harsh on nonbelievers compared to its southern counterpart, Andophy. There are some pockets of Andophy in Hallengard, mostly in the capital region and the midlands, but the primary religion is Hedatism.

## Common Characteristics

Most Hallengardians are considered to be humble, independent, and traditionalistic. While the strifes between the decentralized clans has seen Hallengardians characterized as being vicious and aggressive, this is usually not the case.

## Relations

**Aedwinians**: Most Hallengardians see Aedwin as a natural extension to the realm of Hallengard and their state as illegitimate. In addition to this, the Aedwinian border reiving during the War of Daggers and the Dunedeigh Massacre haven’t helped their relations.

**Lauch**: Hallengardians generally see Lauchette as a nation of traders and wealth, and while their relations are friendly, many see the nation as more trouble than it's worth. The nobility and the King have a particular interest in reestablishing proper ties with the Lauch.

**Winterlanders**: Though little is known about the Winterlanders, the two have a mutual appreciation for one another. There is little else between the two nations or their peoples.