Gilandrian

For Gilandria!

Isolated from the rest of Aura, the Aurans who survived the Great Calamity inside the Veil had no hope of survival. The Mists were too thick, and the horde of monsters, an endless onslaught. In the face of despair, Gilandria was born out of a sheer stubborn refusal to die. The fractured people rallied together, and said in one single voice; “Just keep going.” Gilandrians had no magic to rely on and no spirit of Aura to protect them. They had each other, they had grit, and they had Gilandrian spirit. Everyone did their part, pooling together resources, even as the Mists backed them up into a corner with nowhere left to run.
At the end of the world, with a wall of monster and Mist at their front, the Gilandrians dug their heels into the ground and held the line. They have held their ground in a desperate stubborn bid to survive ever since. The city of Gilandria was founded, and its people had earned their identity. Gilandrians are gritty, determined, hard workers, who are stuck in their ways. Gilandrians, more than any other race, will rely on their own value and strength to achieve their ambition. Their society is governed by potential.
Distribution: The Veil, Myriad, Cidna, Fortuna

Physical Attributes

Gilandrians are unspectacular Aurans without any unique and central defining trait. They have fair skin due to a lack of sun. They are more physically resilient, if not physically impressive. The lower class are often dirtier, darker-skinned but still white, with rougher skin. The upper-class are distinguished, they may have blonde hair, pure pale skin, smooth almost delicate skin, etc. Often times, its possible to distinguish between a Gilandrian upper class family who have been upper class for generations, and a recently uplifted upper class who was of lesser birth, simply by these differences. Gilandrians have a greater trained affinity towards Neon, and no magical affinity beyond that.
Gilandrians true defining feature is their advanced society, blossoming in the wake of a Neo-tech industrial revolution, transforming Gilandria into a steampunk-like civilization. An influx of wealth has given rise to new weapons, new clothing, new reforms, unlike any other across Aura. Their first airships have taken flight, and new rail-lines are being opened. They may lack distinguishing features, however their technological society and pursuit of advancements is what makes a Gilandrian, Gilandrian.

Culture

Gilandrian culture is strongly derived from its centuries-long struggle to survive in an inhospitable landscape, resulting in not their defeat, but their eventually taming of this impossible landscape. Personal freedoms are put aside for the sake of Gilandrian society and progress. However, this system allowed them to survive with their backs up against the wall, defining two stubborn sayings; “just keep going”, and, “that’s just the way it is”.
A rigid class structure defines Gilandrians by worth, potential, and wealth. The lower class are the labourers, who live by the mantra of; “do your part”. Potential has a strong place in Gilandrian society. Those who exhibit it are uplifted to fulfil that potential in the name of the Queen! In their modern society, those that are discovered to have this potential, are placed into a rigorous and painful test involving Neon Energy, by the Potentquistors, who duty is to discover potential. Those that manage to pass, gain access into the Potentchalice Academy in spite of their lower class.
Gilandrians are rigid, stubborn, gritty, determined, and ambitious. They are quick to uplift progress, seeking any strategical advantage, or technological advancement, as their society was founded on adapt to survive. A Gilandrian knows his part, and will fight to the refusal of even death, in the name of the Queen!
The Neo-tech renaissance has created a competitive atmosphere from the lowest class to the highest class, in an ambitious bid to improve one’s standing with the Queen, while opportunity is afoot!

Nomenclature

Gilandrian surnames first originated from the all important task they were given, when gathering resources during a desperate gradual retreat. Names like; Gatherer, Miner, Baker, Shepherd, Knight, Protector, and so many more. Early nobles in command had more refined names like; Steward, Farthing, or Cunningham. Gilandrian names have a British or French aesthetic; Elizabeth, Charlotte, Alexander, Stewart, Henry, etc.

Dress

The lower class of Gilandria tend to wear more paupers clothes. Dirtied, sullen outfits that are showing considerable wear and tear from the hard toils of work. Their clothes still have some style and design, though it may be washed out. By contrast, the Gilandrian upper class are decorated in more traditional Renaissance-era to industrial-era and Steampunk-inspired attire. Appearance is important to modern-day Gilandrians, it helps separate the poor from the distinguished.
The recent influx of wealth and progress born from Neon Energy has also brought with it a cultural transformation. Appearing appropriate to the modern times is of substantial benefit when upper-classmen are competing for position in this rapidly transforming society. One can’t be left in the dust! Thus, every event, every social gathering marking a new Gilandrian achievement, must be attended. So one’s wardrobe must be updated! Thanks to this ever-growing need to impress, Myriad make-up has become common-place among the upper class. Drill-shaped hair has become a fashion-trend among highborn daughters.