Truefolk

“Our Cousins are bought and paid for, and not by us. They call themselves ‘True’folk. But I ask you, how much truth can there be if your entire life is about catering to the highest bidder?”

Truefolk

(Direct translation of their name in their own tongue, means ‘Real People’)

### Origin

The Truefolk of Dwarvenkind believe they have always existed. They give little thought to their origins beyond the fact that they exist now.  A creation story is not a monetizable resource.

### Home Nations/Region

Anywhere there is an exploitable resource you will find Truefolk and when a new one appears, they are not far behind. It is often said that an area is heading for economic depression when it's Truefolk begin leaving the area. They primarily organize themselves into independent City States. Most notably The City States of Vrosa and Winegorge.

### Physical Appearance

Slightly taller and thinner than what they refer to as “lesser dwarves,” they tend to be clean shaven or have elaborate goatee as having a beard means you cannot afford a barber. They dress in expensive dyes, love metallic colors, and are very fond of loud exotic bird feathers, especially in large stiff brimmed or cloth hats.  Members of Fortuneless Cohorts tend to tattoo their bodies and faces with the images of coins and the decoration of their fighting gear is almost always in wealth motifs.

### Faith

Though there is advantage to worshiping members of the Deck, The Truefolk are not daft. Gods are fickle and often temporary. Long ago they began worshiping the most successful of their own kind in a form of ancestral worship. When their great merchants pass from the world it is only really their flesh that goes to the pigs. Many of the large families have deceased ancestors serving on their boards of directors and their knowledge is of incredible value. Though as more successful members pass, eventually the older ancestors will slowly fade from existence, free to go wherever such beings go.  While strong ancestors are valuable assets, ultimately that is all they are. They cannot persist as head of a family and upon their death their wealth is distributed according to their will. This distribution is highly ritualized and is considered more important than the actual disposal of the body as the wealth and legacy of the ancestor is that which will endure.

### Culture

For The True Folk, every aspect of life has a monetary value and a cost. Life. Love. Happiness. Peace. War. Death. No decision is made without weighing the potential value. This often exemplifies itself in surprising ways within their society.

Slavery is looked down upon, not because it is considered immoral but because it is ineffective. An employee is paid an accountable wage and is expected to take care of himself whereas a slave must be cared for and the options for releasing one without losing the coin already invested in them is limited.  Indentured servitude is common though and a viable option for excess children within a family. Along similar lines, those who spend time in prison are expected to pay back all that was invested in them (food, shelter, etc). Effort and time are not enough to clear a debt, only coins.

The Truefolk see themselves as the only society that really matters. As such their people have intrinsic value which leads to them being incredibly generous and willing to help each other. While a simple monetary value cannot be placed on thankfulness and appreciation, the owing of favors carries a heavy weight on both the offering and accepting of these “gifts.”

Their incredible concern and willingness to help their own kind is only matched by their raw disdain and apathy towards any race other than their own, including The Lesser Folk. They do not ‘hate’ other races, they simply have less value than Truefolk. Cruelty towards the lesser races is viewed as wasteful, like beating a ox or kicking a cat. A non-truefolk with skills and trade are appreciated, though that appreciation does not mean that they will want you seated at their table. They will certainly give you credit and show off the fruits of your labor which they are likely to have paid top coin for.

Marriage and Divorce are both common enough. The traditional Truefolk wedding is normally done in the nude because you are entering into a contract with that person, not their possessions. The prenuptial agreement is not necessary as it is standard for the culture.

The average Truefolk does not engage in physical violence but this has little to do with their willingness to perform such acts. In their opinion, if you are not wealthy enough to pay someone else to bloody their hands then you are not a very successful Truefolk. This is reinforced by their legal system as conspirators are not charged with murder, only those that performed the actual act. Even to protect themselves, only the least fortunate will bear arms to protect themselves. Instead, they hire Fortuneless Cohorts to act as bodyguards when needed. Being able to afford the services of the most ruthless of Pauper Lords can even improve one’s status.

Despite this appearance of a ‘peaceful’ existence, their society is very ruthless and practical while ability is praised in both sexes. Some families and clans are traditionally patriarchal or matriarchal, the head of household is always the one with the most net worth, no matter the sex. Families tend not to be particularly large as additional mouths to feed are not seen as valuable. It is not uncommon for children born 3rd, 4th, or 5th, given to a Fortuneless Cohort.

Fortuneless Cohorts are made of the dredges of society. Led by the Pauper Lords, they are Truefolk who have lost all value besides that of being a conscious individual that will do as they’re told. Debtors, excessive children, idealists, socialists; all find their way to the Cohorts eventually. For most, it is the last place where they can get a meal. Despite their position, Cohorts have value, though It is the final value a failing Truefolk can attain. Those who embrace their Fortuneless tend to thrive as a brutal and cold blooded fighting force. A common saying among the Truefolk denoting how worthless someone or something is, is “A Fortuneless wouldn't pick you up on the way out of the city,” due to their willingness to take anything and everything. Occasionally through extreme and exceptional service, a Pauper Lord may be relieved of their title. They are considered a head of house and their cohort is raised up as either family or employees of their former Lord.

### Slang

Auditors: Assassin, those who take the last coin a person owns.

Lesser Dwarf: The Dwarf Peoples. Both believe the other to be an evolution of their castaways.

### Truefolk Stereotypical views

#### Dwarven Peoples

“A relic of simpler, duller, penniless times. In a few generations they’ll be cousins instead of kin.”

#### First Elves

“Easy to peg, just check what they are wearing. Be wary if they are dressed like you. Always make sure you get a written contract. They are prone to forget.”

#### Wracked Elves

“Their lives are so short it’s hard to tell if they are worth the effort or not. Though, they do make enthusiastic workers. But be careful that they don’t know you wronged them. They value vengeance more than jade.”

#### LizardFolk

“The Humans hate them but they never did us wrong. Sadly, the human markets are so much more profitable.”

#### Tarabuthians

“They trade for booze and coal. They trade ivory and high quality furs for booze and coal. What’s not to like? ”