Highlander

An ethnicity of Humans originating in the highlands surrounding the Western Shield Mountains in northern and Western Thule, the hills and valleys in southern Hyperborea, and the island of Alba in Greater Albion, Highlanders are known for their great height, muscular physiques, pale complexions, and tendency towards fair-to-auburn hair. They have an unusually high rate of red hair and blue or hazel eyes. Hair is often wavy or curly.

Culturally, Highlanders tend to place great importance on family and on bravery and honor, both personal and familial. They are quick to take offence at minor slights, particularly those directed at their families. They are also quick to resort to violence to resolve their disputes, and to forgive those who earnestly apologize. Especially should they acquit themselves well in an altercation. They tend to congregate in large extended families called Clans that dress in colors and patterns identifying their familial connection; the heraldry associated with this practice is quite complicated and wearing another Clan’s colors without the Chieftain’s approval is seen as a grave insult.

Highlanders are a people prone to violence and war, particularly over territorial disputes and crimes. They have long held herding and ranching in high regard, making livestock rustling a common practice that leads to many a long-standing feud. Similarly, breaching another Clan’s grazing rights or poaching from their woods frequently bring neighboring Clans into escalating conflicts. The act of punishing transgressors tends to become a transgression in its own right, worsening the conflict until a third-party mediates. Often, this is the local Druidic Sect or Church… who are themselves often in conflict and may come to contradictory resolutions that themselves become a problem.

When not involved in this sort of complication, Highlanders tend to be a jovial sort, if one ignores the tendency to slightly morbid humor that runs through the culture. They enjoy their agrarian lifestyles for the most part and tend to feel closely tied to their lands; property is very important to them, as it’s usually communal within the whole Clan and supports everyone within.

Highlanders tend to look down on the formation of large cities; they associate this practice with Midlanders, who they tend to view as “soft” by comparison. Instead, they usually form brief trading posts at set times during the year to exchange goods and gossip. These are usually accompanied by festivals and ceremonial practices where old feuds are set aside as part of certain games or events.

Highlanders enjoy a high level of gender equality; women are seen as nearly the equal of men in most regards. Even in terms of combat prowess. Women may hold all of the titles and positions that men can. However, they still tend to shunt domestic chores to their women while leaving hunting and fighting to the men. They just won’t bat an eye at women doing the same if they want.

Highlanders are known for being quite open about their sexual practices. It’s something that the Church has never quite been able to weed out of them. The people as a whole are unconcerned about modesty, only comfort and practicality. Underclothes are often ignored in good weather, and both men and women alike are prone to wearing kilts or skirts. Clothing is often nearly unisex. Public nudity isn’t seen as especially shocking, if somewhat crude, but sexual acts in public are seen as indecent… if one is caught, anyway. Modesty around children, however, is expected.

Highlanders tend to place a great deal of respect in one’s age; the elderly are treated well in their communities as they’re seen as a great source of wisdom and knowledge. Oral traditions are important as literacy is relatively uncommon.

Highlanders tend to look askance at magical practices that aren’t Divine in nature; Wizards and the like are looked at with mistrust, and practitioners of more obscure arts are seen as even more frightening. They acknowledge the power and value of Runes… but also associate them with ancestral enemies. Particularly the Svartalfar, Icereavers, and Rimeseekers. The Martial Arts are highly prized among Highlanders, especially those that excel at powerful strikes. Psionics are not well understood, though, and there’s no native tradition to teach those born with the talent, leaving them as Wilders.

Highlanders outside of their borders are often mercenaries, exiles, or adventurers; criminals are sometimes driven from the lands as Clanless folk, and many seek to make their fortunes selling their swords or plundering ruins. Those who fall in with companions tend to view them as a Clan of sorts. One to which they tend to be profoundly loyal.