Foothill folk

*"The Foothills of the Heights of Enduring Song are populated by people of mostly human ancestry, but they also have some dwarven and elf genealogy. After the Anchorage many people settled on the first lands they could reach and claim. They are some of the most cold hardy people, though not so much as the alpine folk. The people here often have close bonds with an animal companion and have a general affinity for beasts." -Lauchlan Nobleheart of the Frostshield Archive from his book Realms of Convergence*

## **Appearance**

Foothill folk are of mostly human stock, but have more elven blood than the humans of Sothos.

## **Culture and customs**

Elven culture has the greatest influence on the Foothills as the animals and plants of the world are worshipped specifically, though were the Elves bond with the trees, the Foothillers bond with animals. Many infants are placed with wolf pubs in the crib and the two develop a bond of supernatural strength. This bond opens some people up to a deeper bond with all beasts and can in fact communicate with them.

### **Governance**

In all things the Foothillers are a mix of all cultures that were present for the Anchorage. A unique system of tribal counsel, weaponthanes and minor kings and queens rule the individual tulas. It is considered lucky to have a follower of each of the Nine Divines on the council, though with so many diverse perspectives decision making can be difficult.

### **Faith**

The Foothill folk believe they can live on through their animal companion, or their animal through them, as their souls join. Cerdar is the focus on Foothill worship as mediating the wild with the civil is so important to them.

### **Economy**

The Foothills produce the majority of food for Frostshield. The coastline is rainy and cloudy temperate enough year round to always be in growing season. While their farming industry is not as consummate as the Kingdom's it is none the less impressive. Animal pelts, timber, and ivory are also valued exports. The larger Foothill ports manage many goods from Frostshield for shipment.

### **Language**

Elven and Dwarven are spoken natively in the Foothills, some even speak a unique combination dialect of the two.

### **Culinary customs**

A great bounty of food is available in the Foothills and the culinary customs that drift out of the Lindale have influenced the people outside as well. Great roasts of meat cook in the longhouses of the tula and large stone ovens bake delicious honeyed bread. Wealthier folk enjoy more complex dishes of exotic spicing.

### **Structures**

The tula is the core of Foothill culture. Often built on a raised hill and fortified with a palisade or rock wall containing yurts or log long houses that often inhabit several families within a clan. The shrines are of simple, stone arrangements, often obelisk like and huge. While simple they do not lack for sincerity and soul, indeed the natural rough hewn rock is authentic.

### **Settlements**

White Bay on the mouth the the Aura Bow river is the main recipient and shipper of Frostshield goods. If the Foothill folk have a capital, this is it.

### **Marriage, sexual relations, and childbirth**

Marriage is a serious under taking among the Foothill folk. Inheritance and responsibility for children are determined by marriage so the process is often over seen, approved, and divorced if necessary by the tula council. This is done to prevent conflict over inheritance and tensions within the tula.

While adultery is not specially a crime the creation of children outside of marriage is considered irresponsible and it is possible to be punished especially if the situation creates a conflict on interests. While marriage is sacred and promises are made to the Gods most councils will find it foolish to force an unhappy couple to stay together, in such cases the pain staking task of sorting out the legal ownership of property and responsibility to children is done so carefully with the ultimate goal of restoring harmony.

Roles between the sexes are defined by a practical division of labor. Men are responsible for fighting, though any woman who takes to the skill is more than welcomed and other women serve as auxiliaries. Men do the majority of farming while women manage households and tend to animals within the tula.

### **Death**

Honored council members, kings, queens, and weaponthanes are given large burial mounds and laid with their loved possessions.

### **Military**

The fyrd is an army composed of armed male farmers and weaponthanes who are professional fighters.

### **Other beliefs and superstitions**

Discord and bitter argument are believed to attract the attention of evil spirits. If such a debate must be had it is preferred it be done while loud drums are played.

The birth of deformed calves is considered an extremely bad omen that Chaos is near or even a horrible Chaos beast attack is soon to happen. Sacrificing to Abizboah and Auravea are common when such a thing is feared as they are most known for their power to fight such things.

The restless unkillable dead ancestors are said to rise from their grave and eat an endless amount of food. In such cases making offerings to Eatora is said to be the only solution as She returns them to the earth.