Aracian

Aracians hail from the lands in and around the sovereign nation of Aracia. They are most often human, though as a culture of diverse ancestries, there are many elves, dwarves, halflings, and others that would consider themselves Aracian. Fierce defenders of their own freedom, they prioritize expression and choice over all else. Aracians from different regions are very competitive and at times, those rivalries threaten the health of the nation as a whole. But when they come together, few nations are more unified behind a cause.
Frontiersmen
For most of modern history, the halfling villages of the Frontier went unclaimed by the greater nations of Sheanora, living blissfully unaware of the outside world, protected by their brethren in the Aldermarch caravan that patrolled to the north.
However, in 5502 AGC, the vampiric armies of Malvec began their invasion of the western continent and the Frontier became the first major territory to succumb. With a vicious enemy at their doorstep, Aracia and Torcest banded together to aid the halflings and repel the invaders.
While Aracia and Torcest both claim the Frontier as their own, only Aracia has shown any interest in actually governing there. Even then, their touch is light, as most of the villages are remote enough to be inconsequential.
Apart from more humans and elves migrating to the area, little has changed culturally. The Frontier is slow-paced and quiet, made up of ranchers, homesteaders and malcontents. They consider themselves to be independent from the rest of Aracia and apart from the occasional tax collection, have little reason to believe otherwise. Frontiersmen are tough, self-reliant and practical.
Westerners
West Aracia is the most densely populated region in the country, with three major cities lining the banks of the Maktiga River and the spine of the Estrevalla Mountains. While its population is predominantly human, it is one of the most diverse regions in the whole of the Merchant Sea, containing sizeable groups of elves, dwarves, halflings, orcs, tieflings and even dragonborn.
Westerners have a reputation as aloof and pretentious, which is largely because of the centralized wealth in the region. This wealth is used to feed the Aracian hunger for art, fashion and theater. Creativity is a deeply embedded value, to the nobility of Aracia, but also to its people. Many scholars trace this cultural obsession to the earliest years' of the nation, when its initial settlers were former citizens of Arcenveld. Exhausted with the myriad of laws around magic, early Aracians strove to create in new and interesting ways. This led to an explosion in clerical, sorceric and druidic magic, but it also led to a philosophical movement called The Grounding. Followers contended that while magical study had practical uses, the act of creation with simple tools - such as a pen or a paint brush - would bring truth to the world.
"Magic is servitude. Art is freedom," is a common phrase that every Aracian, especially in the West, learns from birth.
As such, individual expression has enormous culture cache in Aracia. Everyone attempts to stand out with a unique piece of fashion on their body or decoration in their home. Even the fishmongers paint and write poetry.
Easterners
East Aracia is a sparse, arid landscape populated primarily by humans. Though they are proud Aracians, Easteners are often more conservative than their western brethren, as their lives are simpler and harsher. This has been especially true since the end of the Infernal Wars. 
The East shares a long border with the Battlehaunt and suffers from frequent incursions by leftover fiends and aberrations who remain from the wars that were fought there. As such, forts and castles line the countryside. Many of the towns and cities in the region remain in disrepair. There is a constant state of threat. For this reason, nearly every Eastener has some form of combat training and many have served in the Aracian military.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Sciosa, Mena, Emiania, Endelli, Addana, Elvita, Estel, Eulia, Teodia, Servani, Abella, Adalina, Adriana, Basilia, Bonita, Camila, Carmen,  Catalina, Elena, Esmerelda, Gabrila, Ines, Isabel, Leocadia, Leonor, Lucinda, Maresol, Maricela, Monica, Rafaela, Rosario, Teresa, Ynes

Masculine names

Arcias, Cesco, Vastial, Liano, Beyz, Abaius, Aston, Gildeon, Entius, Aublas, Vicio, Maurbaio, Pasca, Alonso, Anthon, Arturo, Benito,   Damian, Domingo, Francisco, Gabriel, Gaspar, Miguel, Ramiro, Ramon, Salvador, Tristan, Ynigo

Family names

Abanto, Algora, Arabolaza, Basurto, Batanero, Cacharro, Calzacorta, Estribera, Fogandez, Gorricho,  Labandeira, Longarela, Maisanaba, Moratonas, Nuevalos, Salanueva

Culture

Art & Architecture

National Colors: Purple, Yellow, Black
National Symbols: Buffalo, Lunaquartz Crystal, Yellow Sun, The Flash of Hammer Striking Iron, The Golden Rose of Aracia

Historical figures

Marianela Salemanco (Founder), Bartolome Salemanco (Former King)

Major organizations

Aracia