Chondathan

Chondathans were one of the more common human ethnicities, found in great numbers throughout the Western and Eastern Heartlands. They were hardy, risk-taking folk who were apt to travel or take on new endeavors to better their lives and those of their loved ones. Their prominence throughout the Realms was due in large part to the extensive trade routes they established, rather than military conquest.
The Chondathans of Faerûn were known for their affinity for the mercantile life. They were skilled and cunning traders, who judged the people they met in their many travels based on the wealth and influence they had acquired. Despite their proclivity for commerce, they were a people of their word, if only for their reputation's sake rather than any moral reasoning.
They were slender, tawny, or fair-skinned people with brown hair that ranged from light, almost-blond hue to a darker color that could be mistaken for black. Chondathans were often somewhat taller than other humans, though not in all instances, and often had green or brown eyes. Those living north and west of the Inner Sea tended to resemble the lighter-skinned Illuskans while those who inhabited the lands south of the body of water had the darker skin that was common of the Netherese-descended ethnic groups.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The widest-recognized trade language of Faerûn, Common, was a sign of the widespread Chondathan culture. In addition, they spoke the closely related Chondathan dialect, which shared usage of the Thorass alphabet with the common language.

Culture and cultural heritage

Because of their widespread distribution across the Realms, Chondathan society varied greatly from between nations, and even between cities. As a people, however, they had a shared emphasis on trade, exploration, and freedom as opposed to the draconian structure that often accompanied a life of religious or arcane devotion. Considering the diverse lands in which they had settled, the Chondathan people were not overly proud of their ethnic heritage and often identified themselves by the nation or kingdom in which they lived. Their most commonly shared cultural value was their focus on garnering wealth, power, and prestige for their own.
The Chondathan people were fiercely competitive and extremely self-reliant. They looked upon acts of altruism and selflessness with bemusement and surprise. Those Chondathans who took on the life of adventure were attracted by the potential riches and fame they could claim for their own.

Average technological level

Literacy and knowledge were highly valued in Chondathan societies, and children were educated whenever possible. Most children began serving as apprentices by the age of 12, expected to learn a trade and hold their own within the family and society as a whole. Literacy was much more prevalent among Chondathan-dominant lands.

Related Organizations

• Waterdeep