The Serpéans

On the continent of Serpé live a people who, after thousands of years of constant warfare, have become as harsh as the land that they call home. The Serpéans spend their lives training for and then fighting and dying in a war seemingly without end. All in the hope and belief that, one day, the war will come to an end with the rise of the Serpent King.
Before the war began, the people of Serpé were just as divided, but not by war, prophecised Kings or factions, but by their disparate cultures and nations. There were over a hundred different nations, some peaceful, some less so. They each had their own language, history, art and culture. As the prophecy came into being, however, this changed as the nations began to draw their battle lines and old alliances became relevant once more as war inevitably broke out.
Over the millennia, the culture of the Serpéans has been diluted. Today, each faction is unrecognisable from any other beyond the flag that they fly and the slight variation in their uniforms. They all speak and write the same language, read the same literature, follow the same laws and live the same lifestyles, yet they have never been more divided.
Every Serpéan is born to be a soldier. They are trained as such from birth, whether male or female. Should they show an aptitude for leadership, they will be sent to the Officer's Academy. Here they will be trained to become the next leaders, either in the field or in their faction's capital. Should any girl be seen as lacking in their training, either in Bootcamp or in the Officer's Academy, they will be removed and sent to the Kinderfabrik, where they will be expected to produce more children where the cycle begins again.
The Serpéan adults spend much of their time on the battlefield or, for the higher-ranking officers, in meetings discussing strategy and schmoozing with the First General to gain their favour. They each have an incredibly strong sense of duty to their faction and the war effort, meaning that it is almost unheard of for any soldier to go A.W.O.L.
On the rare days that a Serpéan does have leave, they often return to the capital to enjoy the few luxuries that the people of Serpé still produce. One such luxury is their love for baked goods. Juxtaposed against their hostile temperament, the Serpéans are exceedingly good at baking all kinds of sweets and treats. The Gebrochen on baking duty are usually responsible for baking the bread that makes up part of a soldiers rations. However, due to the fact that Black Root is more than sufficient on its own to fill the soldiers, the bakers find themselves with enough time to indulge in the creation of these delicacies.
So exquisite are these baked goods that they are highly sought after by foreign merchants and have become one of their main exports alongside the ore that they mine. Despite the quality of these treats and the benefits that they have had on their trade with the Bastique merchants, the Serpéans still treat the Gebrochen as second-class citizens at best, and complete pariahs at worst.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Gloria, Adalia, Inga, Petra, Zilla

Masculine names

Arnolf, Dedric, Jaeger, Morgen, Rafael

Family names

Eismeister, Schneedame, Polarkönig, Frostlaus, Gefrorenaur

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

All Serpéans, regardless of faction, speak the same language (Serpéan) and with the same dialect. Serpéan is as harsh a language as the people who speak it, and many a foreigner has mistaken a friendly stranger for an aggressive thug by their words alone. A very guttural language, Serpéan contains many words that sound and are spelt the same, but change in meaning depending on the volume and tone in which it is said.
For example, a word that means 'Love' when spoken in a normal speaking tone would refer to familial or friendly love. Whereas, when said in a softer, almost whisper-like tone, the word would refer to romantic love. Finally, should someone shout the word aggressively, they are referring to the kind of love that one would feel towards an act of violence or for one's enemy before they meet their end at your hands.

Shared customary codes and values

All Serpéan believe in a code of honour and duty, putting the needs of their faction above their own. It is considered the greatest of rewards to be able to serve your faction to the best of your abilities in whatever way you are able.

Average technological level

The Serpéans are much more technologically advanced than the other nations, having created gunpowder that they now use in their muskets and cannons. They still make use of swords when in close combat, however, the soldiers are only trained in the basics of swordplay. Soldiers are expected to have killed their enemies long before they get that close.
With the opening of trade with the Native of Persifon, the Serpéans have been able to add the use of mana stones to their arsenal, which has propelled their technology forward exponentially. Using these mana stones as a kind of ammunition for their rifles, the Serpéans were able to create the first bolt action, magazine-fed repeating rifle which is expected to change the face of the war forever.
Along with the rifle, the Serpéans have also used the mana stones to devise a new breed of explosive. Small enough to be carried by the soldiers, all they would need to do is attach a mana stone to the ignition charge and throw it in the direction of the enemy. These explosives are called "Eislutscher" by the troops, due to them having a similar appearance to the icy treats on sticks that they sometimes receive in their ration packs.

Common Dress code

All Serpéans, whether soldier, Kinderfabrik worker or Gebrochen are required to wear the same uniform. Its appearance is similar across all of the factions, only the colours change to match the colours of their factions flag. The uniform consists of hard, leather boots, plain cotton trousers, and a dolman tunic. A cloth sash is worn around the waist, the colour of which denotes the regiment that the wearer belongs to. Officer's are adorned with a cavalier shoulder cape, the amount of gold thread stitched into their uniform and cloak signifying their exact rank. The First General must also wear a tall shako, with a badge made out of gold, that shows their factions flag, clipped onto the front.

Art & Architecture

Serpéans do not have time to practice frivolous hobbies such as art. Instead, they have battles to fight and wars to win. The only art that can be found on the continent will have been created by the Gebrochen. Their art tends to steer towards the morbid as they make their peace with their lot in life through their craft. In a similar fashion, Serpéan buildings, those not in ruins from the war at least, are uniform and fit for purpose. They do not make use of any fancy designs as this is seen as another waste of time. Especially when that building might be blown up at any moment by the enemies cannons.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Due to the cost of funerals for the sheer amount of troops that die in combat, most are simply left on the battlefield where they fell. If their body is deemed suitable, however, they are removed from the field and taken to a Friedhof, where they are then used to supply parts for Necrotic Prosthesis.

Common Myths and Legends

Only one legend has survived the Great Serpéan War, and it is the legend that is believed to have started it in the first place. The prophecy of the Serpent King is one told to all and is what drives all Serpéans to continue their war They believe that they, or their children, might grow up to be the King that the prophecy spoke of.

Historical figures

There are many First Generals from the various factions who have appeared in one history book or another. Their deeds are taught to the next generation of students at the Officer's Academy as a means to inspire them into going above and beyond what their forebears accomplished.
Other notable figures in history are used more as warnings, such as Arnolf Fuhrung. Students are taught that those who don't fall in line and do their duty for their faction will end up with the same, grisly fate as those who appear in these stories.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Serpéans are infatuated with the idea of producing the perfect soldier and potentially parenting the Serpent King. As such, the most desirable traits in a partner or mate are those that might aid their offspring. Traits such as clear skin, natural athleticism, quick-wittedness, charisma and skill with a weapon are all features and traits that are appealing to the opposite or same sex.

Gender Ideals

Despite the fact that there is no rule against women fighting as a soldier, and they are trained as such, there are many women that end up being pushed into a different career. Due to the ever-growing need for more "reinforcements", many women are pushed into the Kinderfabrik, factories where they are inseminated by the male soldiers on leave in order to continuously produce more children. The men, on the other hand, are always expected to fight. Although, the most fertile of men are given the most leave so that they are able to attend the Kinderfabrik more often.

Relationship Ideals

The people of Serpé have developed a rather cynical outlook on relationships. As their chosen partner is likely to die in battle at any moment, most Serpéans move from one partner to the next with ease. Despite this, they insist on practising monogamy, as the most important part of a relationship with a chosen partner is companionship. Most Serpéan relationships will consist of little to no sexual intercourse.
The reason for this is because, to Serpéans, sex and procreation is a job. It is something that is required of them by law. Regardless of what their sexuality may be or who they choose to be with, all Serpéans are required to produce children in order to ensure that the next generation of reinforcements can be born. This is one of the main reasons why soldiers are allowed to take leave away from the battlefield, so they can take a trip to the nearest Kinderfabrik and do their duty.

Major organizations

The Serpéans fall into one of five factions. North Serpé, South Serpé, East Serpé, West Serpé or Central Serpé. These factions have been trapped in a stalemate in the war for over two millennia. The last time that there appeared to be any kind of shift in the balance of power between these five factions occurred 200 years ago, when Central Serpé was almost wiped out but was able to return from the brink of collapse and reinstate itself as a major power in the war.

Related Locations

• Serpé