Midlander

A human ethnicity found in both Western and Eastern Thule, throughout Greater Albion, and found much further abroad in places like Hispania, and Arcadia, Meropis, and even Vinland and Antillia, Midlanders are thought to have been the result of a mingling of several other ethnicities. Particularly Highlanders, Lowlanders, Rimeseekers, Saltbloods, and Woodwardens. They are known for their tendency towards moderate builds and variety in hair and eye color. They tend towards paler skin tones, but can tan more readily than Highlanders, resulting in greater variation.

Midlanders are known to favor a rather complex social structure centered around hierarchies of nobility beholden to a king. That king is in turn usually at least partially beholden to the Church’s own leadership, as their blessings hold great importance over the relatively devout masses. The king nominally owns their lands, which are in turn administered by the nobles, who collect taxes for the Crown. These taxes help to support the nobles and royals, and also to keep a steady flow of materials into the cities and castle towns that tend to rise up at trading points in Midlander-dominated nations. These cities are in turn usually dominated by guilds that control the various trades within their borders… and sometimes even in the more rural portions of their countries.

Midlanders are a surprisingly devout people; Church attendance is high, with those not attending often facing ostracization and prejudice. The Church’s values are paramount to Midlander life; Piety, Chastity, Charity, Industriousness, Temperance, Compassion, Love, Gratitude, Mercy, Humility, Integrity, and Creativity. They are builders, creators, mild in temperament by and large… but fierce when roused and staunch defenders of what they view as right and just. Crusaders, even, for they’re known to volunteer themselves into any number of adventures. For good or ill. Especially should the Church support it.

Midlanders are otherwise prone to living simple lives of hard work practicing their trades or toiling away at a range of agrarian practices; from farming to ranching to fishing, Midlanders tend towards diverse economic endeavors. They have no strong cultural predilections for any particular trade or craft and tend to put honest effort into their chosen professions. Most follow in the footsteps of the forebears, however, carrying on family trades or working the same land for the same noble family that their parents and grandparents did. Military service is seen as a personal duty, especially for the nobility, who often have binding agreements to serve the Crown.

Midlanders tend towards a patriarchal society; men usually have a higher station than women, but not always. In particular, the Church tends to shape their society, and in recent centuries the institution’s greater openness to female clergy has opened pathways to women in Midlander society. That said, husbands and fathers are almost always the head of a given household, and positions of power are dominated by men in secular society. This has, ironically, pushed more women into religious service, leading to a surprisingly large number of priestesses in Midlander territories.

Modesty is a virtue to Midlanders, as is restraint. They tend towards simple, subdued attire chosen for practicality when their station doesn’t demand, and strive to keep private matters private. This can lead to pent up frustrations that sometimes boil over in riotous ways, and to a two-faced quality to their lives; Midlanders often present in public very differently from how they behave or feel in private. And sexual matters? Those stay strictly behind closed doors and are not to be spoken of except in close company. Of course, there’s also something of a culture of gossip at work. The men and women are equally prone to it.

Midlanders tend to towards austerity and restraint in most things, favoring an intellectual, moral persona that gives them an unpleasant stereotype; they are often seen as having a cultural superiority complex. While this is normally directed at outsiders, who are often viewed as debased, degenerate, or unsophisticated, it can also be directed internally between Midlander communities… and it has been known to lead to conflicts. Especially over the use, or perceived misuse, or resources by their peers. Midlanders are not as prone to violence as the neighboring Highlanders, but when they engage in it, it is an altogether bloodier affair. Midlanders tend to bring technology to bear and couple it with a ruthless efficiency driven by the sense that their violence is justified and a necessary evil that will ultimately benefit their victims.

Midlanders tend to view magic in general as a valuable skill, though certain traditions are seen as heretical. The practices of Witches (the Class, not the Monster) and Warlocks are usually forbidden, though there are secret covens to be sure. Occult magic is often looked at with a combination of distrust and awe, whereas Meldshaping and Veilweaving are not well understood or often seen. Shadowcasting is generally seen as a malevolent practice, even though it isn’t, but the Martial Arts are viewed with respect. Psionics are somewhat less understood, but there’s a growing interest in it. Particularly through its connection to Occult magic. Midlanders have a high respect for Divine magic… except for that of a more Primal bent. Druidic traditions were once common in the region, but have fallen out of favor in Midlander society proper over the centuries, and are now seen as pagan practices.

Midlanders encountered outside their territory tend to be people serving it in some manner; they may be merchants, diplomats, sailors, surveyors, or even soldiers and crusaders, depending on the circumstances. They tend to frown on frivolous exercises like adventuring… but there’s always restless spirits, and with the rigid behavioral expectations and class system, more than a few Midlanders over the years have turned their backs on their homes for the open road and adventure.