Eskian

The Eskians are a cultural group who inhabit the south-east of Edea and have existed since the late 1st century AT. They comprised people of the druidic kingdoms to the north in Whitecherish and the Wintercrest Peaks, the indigenous people of the south left over from the Schism, and Xedarian imperial settlers who arrived during the waning years of the Wars of Men prior to the formation of the Kingdom of Edea.
The Eskians established the Kingdom of Edea and the modern Edean language, and became the most powerful human population on Edea over the first millennia AT.

Description

Appearance

The Eskian culture is almost entirely routed in human history, with very little external influence from other races or creeds. They are typically tall, athletic and slight, with high dexterity and intelligence. They have lighter hair (which is often kept long), skin and eyes, and often sport short beards. Their clothing is often simple, with leathers and wool being the primary material, and are often found in colours of green and brown.

Diet

Eskian diets are not unique among southern Edean culture, primarily grains, dairy, northern fruits, vegetables and fish. Meat is often consumed, but it is expensive and often only in the form of poultry and lamb. More expensive meats are imported from the north where larger grazing fields are easier to come by. Eskia also has a unique production of pulses and beans in the southern Edea, which is a staple food of this region.

Settlements

Eskian settlements are often sprawling and chaotic, with individuals owning large farms, gardens, shops and houses. To a non-native eye, Eskian cities and towns often seem less like communities and more collections of families and tribes. Families often live close together, in single houses or groups of houses, due to the practice of passing down skills through family from elders to children. A farm may stay within a single family for a dozen generations before an individual may wish to leave, and even then the farm would stay in family hands as the cousins or siblings would wish to stay.
Many Eskian settlements were simple villages and hamlets, with perhaps a dozen or two families connected. However, larger settlements were often found, with small towns - a Burh - being the most common. These were fortified settlements with sprawling farmland and villages surrounding the exterior. As settlements grew, the level of fortification got larger, with some cities having up to 5 layers of walls around the central keep. Those who lived deeper in the city were often richer, which was often tied to political status, land wealth and commerce.

History

The Eskians have one of the most unique historical developments of the Edean human population. The region, known for being most rich in natural flora and fauna, aside only from the southern coast, was inhabited by many indigenous groups left over from the Astral War. Their land, alike much of the southern continent following the exodus of The Whitecherish People was explored by the druidic clans of the north in the early years of the first age.
These clans, under the pressure of the ever changing wilderness, joined together and shared in their knowledge. This was the first advantage of the Eskian people. The indigenous tribes taught the northern druids how to farm the local crop, where to best locate building materials from the rivers and the safest forests to navigate for firewood and supplies. Over these years, the clans grew, developing a shared cultural identity.

Eskian Human by Jon Pintar

Eskian

Race:

Region:

Languages:

Human

Eskia

Common:

• Edean
• Eskian

Features

Skin Colour(s):


Hair Colour(s):


Eye Colour(s):

Typical Build:

Pale, Lightly tanned in the summer

Light Brown, Blond, Ginger

Blue, Green, Hazel

Tall, Slight, Athletic

By the second century AT, around 30 of these clans existed across Eskia. Early villages and hamlets had expanded into small towns, led by farmers and freeman known as Ceorl who defended their villages from outsiders and beasts of the wilderness. The larger clans were ruled by councils of Ceorl and elected leaders known as Brytwaldens or Barons of local townsfolk, who the freemen entrusted the power of the realm to.
During the early years of the second century, the barbarians of the west began to encroach on Eskian land, raiding villages on the borderlands stealing harvests and ransacking homes. Tensions began to emerge among the early cultures, as the proud south-western cultures began to prey upon the free and open societies of the east. The pressure of this early conflict forced many of these clans to unite and coalesce to resist invasion. These were ruled by Æthel, or Earls of the Eskian regions, and commanded Freefolk armies to resist.
During the late second century, explorers from the empires to the south began to make their way over the Moonkeeper pass and arrive on the shores of Edea. This was the first contact with Xedaris since the Schism, and saw the invasion of imperial forces upon many southern lands. However, this was not the case for Eskia. Those warships who made their way along the Brandruin to head north would often stop along the way to pillage and attack local settlements upon the Archipelago, only to be met by the full force of their native populations. This led to many of these explorers to be killed, with only those dedicated to peace and unification left behind.
The filtration effect of the Brandruin meant that by the time these explorers had reached Eskia, they did not suffer similar invasions like their western neighbours. Instead, the Xedarians brought food, spices and weapons from the south to trade with, and knowledge, information and culture unheard of by the Eskian clans. The Eskians were introduced to the philosophies and religions of the militaristic cultures of Duin and Bahram.
The assistance of the Southerners inspired the Eskians to march westward, taking back the land which was stolen by the Unmar people. The Eskian clains combined into a single united kingdom - the Kingdom of Eden, who's capital lay on the highly defensible lake of Bordask. Upon taking back their land, they continued their surge west, taking advantage of the Unmar's now two sided conflict with the Xedarian's from the south and the Eskian's from the east. By the late third century a large portion of southern Edea was taken by the Kingdom of Eden, and in the early fourth century a unity pact was signed with the northern kingdoms of Whitecherish to form a single eastern kingdom dubbed the Kingdom of Edea.
The culture and political system of the Eskian people spread across the land since, and they have remained the jewel in the crown of Edea since the war of men, leading the rest of the northern humans to prosperity.

Culture - Mythos

Identity

Local and extended kin groups is the key aspect of Eskian society. Kinship fuelled social advantages, freedom and the relationship to the elite. One's own freedom, property and community were of most important to the Eskian society, above and beyond wealth, power or fame. Honour and loyalty were also key to Eskian culture, but this was not loyalty to the crown or any title, but the loyalty to your kin and to those who are loyal to you.
Individual agency is paramount in the Eskian culture, with one having the freedom to choose and pursue one's own goals. However, the Eskians were not selfish and saw this as dishonourable, instead promoting charity, free association and loyalty to those who have helped you. Communities were strong because they were freely chosen, rather than held together through fear.
Eskian's are known to the rest of Edea as Horselords, due to the propensity for them to mainstream the use of cavalry on the continent. The barbarian and druidic tribes to the west and north mainly used on foot combat, and the use of horses was a fundamental feature of early Eskian warfare. This was present on much of their cultural iconography, such as tapestry and flags.

Politics

The Eskian culture was a remarkably secular one, despite the religiosity of the population. Unlike many other cultures across Auxis, the desirable relationship between ruler and their subjects was not one of servitude, and loyalty to the ruler was not based upon divine selection, dynastic origin or status in intellectual, physical or magical means. In ancient Eskain society, the ruler was the servant of the people, and could be overthrown if they were not doing their job. In the original settlements, the Baron was always a member of the clan, and so her decisions had an impact upon the population as a whole.
Eskia was the first Edean culture to implement written law, and codified agreements between two parties were crucial to the functioning of society. Trust and honour were paramount, and the agreement between two individuals over trade, land and power was what kept society moving. Disagreements, debts and conflicts were to be settled as close to the individual as possible, overseen by the local ruler - who was to be aware of the local parties' situations and means. Eskian culture puts a great deal of emphasis on compromise and arbitration, and parties were expected to settle their differences where possible. These agreements, in the form of Oaths before the council, were binding. If they could not be reached, the council would arbitrate the dispute after sufficient evidence of one sides' right claim was proposed.
Justice was purely rehabilitative, with mercy and honour being a key aspect of punitive measures. However, capital punishment was reserved for treachery and murder.

Society

In Eskian society there were three distinct classes. The Ceorls were the lowest class, and were the free men and women of the realm. They were farmers, shepherds, crafters and homemakers, and were the backbone of society. In Eskian culture there exists no distinction between a Ceorl and a soldier. Each freeman defends her own property, family, community, clan and country, from beast and man alike. Part of each childs training, beside their apprenticeships and chores, is the training of physical prowess. Athleticism, the ability to defend oneself and those who cannot do so is the most honourable of acts.
Above the Ceorl is the Thane. Thanes are nobles, famous in local regions and owners of large amounts of property. Their title is rarely due to acclamation of the wealth itself, rather what they do with it. Those with large families who provide food to the surrounding regions, master blacksmiths with smithies across the realm, or valiant knights who have defended their settlement often were referred to as Thanes, and were handed extra responsibility due to their competence and skill.
The highest class of the realm is the Witan. These were the class of rulers - the Brytwaldens, Æthel or King of Eskia. These were servants of the local population first and foremost, but also the closest friends of the priests, the thanes and the freemen, and would take their council on matters of law, taxation and defence. The Ceorl are considered the core of Eskian society. One's family, home and kin are the first priority, and many look down upon political life as a waste of time and energy one can be spending being merry and communal, and he need not be concerned with the Thane or Witan's treatment of him until it impedes upon that goal.
Pairing was an important concept in the honing of one's skills. Eskia did not have schools, academies or temples in the same way many other cultures did. They placed importance on the individual relationships between people and the nurturing of their skills, and as such thought it necessary that one child, student apprentice be placed with each teacher, to be taught and guided in their skills. This was seen in all levels of society, with Barons, Earls and even generals taking on apprentices who would shadow and assist them in their deeds. These apprenticeships would often last for a year or two as a student would attempt to attain as much knowledge and skill to be a productive member of Eskian society. This symbol of the pair was a uniquely Eskian symbol, and carried much weight in the treatment of individuals. Tutors were expected to be wise, guiding, firm and stable, while students were seen to be fresh, original, chaotic and testing, the balance of which would produce an adaptive but sensible culture.

Culture - Belief

Religion and Morality

While Eskian culture was mostly secular, the Eskian people were highly spiritual and worshipped many gods of the Aerûn pantheon. Prior to the arrival of the Xedarians in the late second century, the Eskians were a druidic culture, praying to spirits of the earth, air and seas for fortunate harvests and bountiful meals each year. As community was a key aspect of society, one's community was one's temple, and the highest show of worship was willingly and happily fulfilling the obligations to your community. Eskian's saw happiness, plenty and a well functioning community - particularly with many children - as a sign of pleased spirits.
When the imperial forces from the south landed on the shores of the continent they brought with them the religious dogma and ideologies of Xedaris. These structures, built around law, order and structure, were new to the highly spiritual culture and elvish influenced cultures of the north. However, unlike many of the cultures of Edea at the time who strongly retained this tradition and fought back against the invading imperials, Eskia was undergoing a political reformation which predated many of the dynastic and tribal cultures of the north and west. As such, they welcomed much of the knowledge which was brought to the region by the more peaceful imperials, and many of the religious traditions seen in Edea today were born.
There were three primary tenants of Eskian worship following this reformation, exemplified by their culture - Duty, Integrity and Legacy. Much like their attitude towards education, they saw their deities as pairs, a teacher and an apprentice. They saw the master deities as guiding, paternal and figures of tradition. Conversely, they saw the student deities as dynamic, reactive and ever-present to the needs of the people.
In Eskian morality, one's righteousness arises from taking on the responsibility of living in the society who raised you, protecting those who passed on lessons to you and passing them on to others. Eskian's believe that one has duties, and one is judged and rewarded how one's actions meet those duties. Eskia's deities represent all three of these attributes, though some more than others.
The Eskian Duty gods are Torm and The Red Knight. These were primarily worshipped by the Ceorls who fought and defended their settlements in the early years of the culture, but now are primarily worshipped Edean knights, fighters and warriors. In Eskian culture they have a special significance, representing the duty and obligation one has to truth, loyalty and humility, as well as inspiring hope and courage in the people. To this day, many commonfolk continue to worship these gods, specifically Torm, reminding them of their duties to their community. Many pray to Torm for the continued defence and safety of their people, and go out of their way to commit good deeds in his name.

The Eskian Integrity gods are Helm and Lendys. These were the gods of watchfulness and duty, and were often the figureheads of Eskian households. Often leaders - of the household, the community, the region - would be considered Helmites, respected figures who would keep the rest of the community in line and take responsibility for them. This was not an oppressive watch, rather an encouragement and guidance to stay true to the community. Lendys, on the other hand, was often taken up by knights, guards, and monks of the community temples. This was the opposite side of the coin Helm played, and was the sword of justice to which Helm would wield. Eskian's lived by the attitude that one can at any point fall into sin, and it is one's individual responsibility to attain the punishment for one's crimes and return themselves to the right path. They respected Lendys as the figure which pushed them back on the right path, and gave them the opportunity to take Helm's hand.
The Eskian Legacy gods are Kelemvor and The Raven Queen. These were reflective of the Eskian view that death was a natural part of life and death was a fact to be respected and calculated in one's actions. Death, especially in a noble or honourable setting was venerated, though dying on the battlefield for glory or valour was looked down upon. Instead, protecting others, sacrificing oneself for the safety of others, or ending a life full of good deeds was the highest good one could achieve. Whilst these gods were the guardians of the afterlife, they also were responsible for one's reward in life. The followers of Kelemvor and the Raven Queen tended to the last wishes of the dying, set out to cure disease and to defend people from monsters so folk did not die before their time. The legacy that one left behind, stories, tales of valour and one's teachings embodied in their students were sacred parts of one's life, and would carry with them into the afterlife when they were judged by Kelemvor. The Raven Queen, his messenger and undying servant, is often worshipped as the inevitable end of one's life, and is widely respected as much as she is feared. She is not seen as evil, however, and her cold exterior is countered by her warm embrace in Eskian folklore.

The Monastery of Kelemvor, Located in Zeffiel

Eskian Bard by ArtDeepMind

Magic

Magic is and always has been an integral part of Eskian culture. From the outset, druids and rangers were common in both the indigenous and settler populations, and healing and tracking magic were both commonplace in the leaders of tribes. As these populations began to build settlements, rulers and leaders were often those who could wield and utilise magic, and while magistocracy was not the goal, many clans implicitly functioned this way.
When the imperials arrived on the shores, the relationship with divine magic took a back-seat to more supportive roles. Clerics and paladins became commonplace as religion and profession became entwined, while the arcane knowledge shared between the Xedarians and the Eskians introduced wizardry and sorcery into the larger Eskian settlements. In modern Eskian society, magic is simply a profession no different to calligraphy, literature or art. Common magic users such as bards and rangers are found throughout Eskian towns and cities, while alchemists and enchanters operate in shops and markets trading unique artefacts or custom made goods. True wizards - researchers and mages, mostly stick to the big cities and keep themselves away from wider society, and is often looked down upon for its snobbery and lack of dirty labour the way common folk work.
At the end of the day, however, magic is just a tool rather than anything specific. Much Eskian culture surrounding their communities were set by the time magic had came into their lands, and the Eskians quickly adapted to the skill. However, their basic commodities, traditions and customs have not seen much influence from the magic in the realm. It is simply a means to an end for most casters.

Life

The Eskian's believe that our physical bodies are sacred vessels of our individual soul, and our actions have effects on our physical and spiritual presence. Upon death, our bodies are returned to nature as a sacred respect for the worldly spirits, but memories, keepsakes and stories are retained in order to keep the soul of each of us alive. Our heroic deeds are venerated and our sins are recorded as lessons and warnings, and Eskians pray to Kelemvor through his monks in order for the soul to be lifted to Mount Celestia.
The druidic tradition of Eskia has ingrained a tradition of treating nature as a sacred body, and that what is take must be returned in one way or another. Lendys' framework of justice is embodied in the ideal that harm to nature will be returned as harm upon the community, and as such good treatment of nature will result in a good life. Eskian scholars see nature and divinity as being entwined in the centre of reality, and the symbiotic relationship between the physical and the spiritual is present in all Eskian thought and customs. The study and treatment of the mind and the gods is as much importance as the study and treatment of the body and the earth.

Culture - Expression

Appearance

Eskian's valued tidiness, cleanliness and order. Their clothes were well made and clean, and were often kept in a community for years to be fixed and repaired in order to keep them looking new and fresh. They wore greens, browns and greys, which originated from early clans needing to blend in with nature to hunt. They would often wear blues and reds on celebrations and parties as shows of decadence and festivity. They cut their hair short or tied it up to be neat, and ensured their hair and bodies were presentable.
Eskian's loved cloaks, jewels and accessories, and would decorate their outfits and homes in them. They were not displays of riches or wealth, but rather experience, and many ornaments and accessories would have long stories through family lines and communities dating back centuries. Weapons and tools were carved in such a way to have meaning and be unique, and would be passed down and kept in pristine condition. One's ability to keep things in their original condition was a sign of goodness and righteousness.
To the Eskians, your body is the canvss of your story and your property is your art. The way clothes, weapons and houses are designed, coloured and decorated carries weight to you and your community, and long tales can be told simply through the design of your outfit.

Food

Food is the highest expression of community in Eskia. Feasts are communal and common, with large meals being cooked over fires in the centre of a hamlet or village. Each home held a room dedicated to the eating of meals alone, and families, no matter how large, would always eat together, even with neighbours. The primary food Eskians ate was grain, fruit and vegetables, with lots of fresh bread and berries to go around. Stew was one of the most commonly eaten meals by common folk, but was always made well with spices and sweet vegetables.
When meat was available, it was eaten and shared around the town and was always the sign of a feast or celebration. Birthdays, weddings, births and festivities would always call for meat, which would farmed and raised nearby. Fish was also commonly eaten amongst all members of Eskian society, and was a particularly popular meal in the mornings of cold winters.
The upper classes, while having access to more extravagant spices and fruits from across the world, often ate no different to the common folk. The ruling class had always been close to their population, and Barons always lived among normal Ceorls. As such, their meals were just the same. However - when they held feasts, often for celebrations, the settlement would feast on great amounts of food, some up even up to 12 courses.

Architecture

Eskian buildings were generally simple, with basic masonry with timber or thatch roofing. Houses were built in small towns near centres of agriculture, at fords in rivers or near natural ports. IN each town, a main hall was in the centre, where the community would meet. Even the elites had simple buildings, with the largest homes rarely having more than 2 floors. Most were square or rectangular, with simple patterns and structural supports.
What truly mattered was the inside of a home, and the rooms themselves would tell the story. Living quarters, bedrooms, and especially dining halls were decorated to suit the individual tales of those who lived there, and were central to the experience of the residents.
Villages and larger hamlets also exhibited religious architecture, with small temples, churches and cathedrals being common. Most were the site of burial sites, but also acted as the centre-place for weddings, birth rites and prayer. In the monastic growth following the arrival of the imperials, religious buildings became much more common over simple temples and shrines, and were incorporated in the communal aspect of living.

Eskian Hamlet by Nele-Diel

Holidays and Rituals

The communal nature of Eskian society has led to many celebrations and minor festivities being regularly celebrated. The Eskian's love to feast and take any excuse to break open a bottle of mead, and so it is not rare to see them celebrating something minor like a good sale or promotion. Most rituals are held publicly, and are highly frivolous and aspirational. Even funerals are positive, sending loved ones off to be venerated into the afterlife. The below, details the primary celebrations of the Eskian people.

Life Rituals

Birth - In the birth ritual, it is custom for the father to stay beside the mother at all points throughout pregnancy and birth. The protection, guidance and care of the child is paramount, and both parents must be present. When born, the child is laid to the ground by the cleric, where upon it is picked up by the father. The clerics and druids of the village give thanks to the air spirits for granting the child with a mortal soul, and sending it on their path.
Naming - On the ninth day of the child's life, they are named. A prayer is sent to the water spirits, and the local clerics bless the child with holy water. The child is then named in the eyes of Torm, where its title - a child of its community - is granted, and their duty to their community is assigned.
The Closing - Once the child has finished breastfeeding, a "closing" ritual takes place, where village clerics pray to the earth spirits to give the child to the land, and the child's first solid meal is blessed with luck for their childhood. At this celebration, gifts are given to the parents for when the child to receive at their coming of age to assist them with their education and training.
Coming of Age - At age 14, the child leaves basic education under the charge of local monks, and enters an apprenticeship. Boy or girl, the child will accompany a member of the settlement's job for 2 years three times until the age of 20, in which case they will gain the skills to become a productive member of their society. At age 20, the child fully comes of age, and they are expected to begin to use the skills they gained to give back to their society and begin to raise a family.
Marriage - An Eskian is expected to marry between the age of 20 and 30. While some have preferences as to who they wed, there is little cultural pressure as to clan loyalty when it comes to marriage. Loyalty to those who love you, rather than an abstract, is paramount, and as such following your heart is expected. Marriage is a wholly secular ceremony, taking place in the local hall of the settlement. To be wed is to be bonded, not in the eyes of a god but in the eyes of the community, the Eskians believe. Once again, marriage is just one of many celebrations which are used as an excuse for revelry, and a whole town will come to watch two of their own be married. News of the event will flood the hills and brandy and mead will be swiftly spotted.
Death - Death is a solemn but aspirational event, which takes place in the local church to Kelemvor. After death, one's physical body is cleaned and clothed, and the town gathers in the church to mourn and celebrate the life of the lost. The ceremony takes place over a full day, where stories are recounted and tales are read, honouring the life of the deceased. At dusk, the body is blessed and lowered into the ground, where the towns folk pray to Kelemvor to send the lost to a better plane. Meaningful gifts which are reminiscent of the deceased are given to the family members of their loved ones, which are placed in their homes as keepsakes and reminders of their tales.

Societal Rituals

Midsummer - On the turn from Astilabus to Labelas, on the summer solstice, the town celebrates the year and the gifts of the sun with revelry and glee. Townsfolk light bonfires, hold mighty feasts, display magic and fireworks and generally be joyous. Midsummer was seen to be the time in which the mortals were closest to their spirits, and when the realm of nature could be suspended in the place of the worship of the divine. Eskians often hung up banners displaying imagery of the fairie, and many would gather at temples to celebrate the gifts of life. People would wear reds, oranges and blues, and sing songs of the years joyous. That years newborns would be given gifts and shown love and revelry, guiding them into the traditions of their people.
Harvest - The harvest festival was a two-fold festival for the Eskians. Not only would they celebrate a successful harvest with feasts and cheer, they would celebrate the peace that was attained by their ancestors centuries ago. In the early years, each harvest season would see the plundering of villages by the barbarians of the west, and these settlements would send out the bravest Ceorl to defend their homes. To honour them, each harvest celebration holds tournaments, competitions and rallies to allow the townsfolk to compete and show their prowess at various skills - jousting, single combat, archery - and be awarded glory and respect by the community. These are often months in the making, with decorations and preparations set out well before even midsummer.
Raven's Day - Although the Raven Queen is worshipped throughout the Kingdom of Edea due to Eskia's cultural influence, she is worshipped nowhere stronger than in Eskia. The cold winters, often present with thick snow and dark, long nights, is often solemn and harsh for many of the weak of the community. As such, the communities come together to lay special worship to the raven queen, to wish her good health and mercy over the coming winter, especially if the harvest this year was unkind. This solemn day of worship often lies a week before the winter solstice, and is followed by a week of revelry and celebration for the beauty of their gods.
Similar to midsummer, the midwinter festivals are about the divine nature of the world, but emphasise the familial and communal ties of a village. Each day over the period of one to two weeks, families invite their neighbours into their homes to share food, warmth and gifts, and keep each other company over what can be a hard tough winter. This often coincides with new year celebrations at the end of Hyrs, where the clerics and bards sing songs in the great halls and let off fireworks to start a new fresh year.