Vargash

## The Vargash

The Vargash are a culture group of northern dwelling humans. Nearly all of the Rissonian, and Lessonian regions accomodate members of the Vargash culture, and it even extends into the deep heart of the Aldrian region; albeit the fact that the culture of Aldria has grown distinct itself to warrant its own subculture, there is no doubt that the Vargash remain at its core. Following the initial cataclysms of the Dark Ages, and the subsequent scattering of the different culture of Eyumel, members of the La' Vanti, Njord'volk, and a hint of Ostendian cultures found themselves increasingly integrating with one another, until they melded so closely as to be viewed as a new hybrid of the human ethnic groups.

The term Vargash itself originates from the early period of the Dark Ages, following the final collapse of Old Knave. A Warlord brigand from the North known simply as Chief Varga launched a campaign to push back beasts that had begun to swell forth in force from the Morire Wastes. Whatever homogenous La'Vanti communities that had called eastern Aldria home, were scattered, and upon Varga's campaign to reclaim the Aldrian region from the Morire forest, joined up with his army. While the campaigns faced initial success in quelling the more dangerous elements originating from the Wastes, it ultimately failed, with the remnants of Varga's people subsequently melding, and forming what today are considered the Vargash.

## Vargash Subcultures

While the Vargash originated from Varga's campaigns against the Morire, the Vargash can still be subdivided into various subcultures distinct to their regions. Vargash all inherently possess a large amount of facial hair growth amongst the males. Hair colors range from a light brown, to a deep gold. With the exception of the Aldrians, the Vargash tend to be more burly, and larger than other human cultures. Amongst the Western and Eastern Vargash, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals nearly two meters in height. Eye colors amongst the Vargash range from a deep blue present among the Western and Eastern Vargash, to a forest green that is prevalent amongst the Aldrians.

### The Aldrians

The Aldrians are a Vargash subgroup most closely aligned with their La'Vanti ancestry. They call Aldria their home, and are the primary residents that make up the Sovereignty of New Knave. They are leaner in appearance but still maintain the facial hair growth characteristic of the Vargash culture group. While physically a few centimeters shorter than the other Vargash subcultures, Aldrians still tend to be a bit taller than other human races. Their eyes tend to be green in hue, and their hair a lighter brown.

### Western Vargash (Rissonians)

Western Vargash are the most closely attuned to their Njord'volk ancestry. Sporting golden blonde hair, and a burly build, these Vargash are known to be rather ruthless in battle, and raider groups and brigands tend to exhibit members of Western Vargash heritage. This group call Rissonia their home.

### Eastern Vargash (Lessonians)

Eastern Vargash are a mix of the characteristics of the Aldrians and Western Vargash. Hair colors tend to be a dirty blonde and both blue and green eye colors are prevalent in their group. They tend to be more cultured than the Western Vargash, and possess larger civilized towns. They tend to stick to a more sedentary lifestyle albeit occasionally wandering the frozen wastes of Lessonia.