Sargavan
Sargavans are the descendants of Chelaxian colonists from the former nation of Sargava. Most of them stand at an average height with pale to pink skin. They wear vests, tunics, gowns, and armor that were common during the Golden Age of Cheliax, mixed with bits and pieces of fashions and hairstyles from practically every area in the Mwangi Expanse. Reviled by their progenitor nation of Cheliax and thrown down from their position of power in Vidrian, many Sargavans feel they’ve lost their way as a peoplebut their wide perception of themselves as leaders and rulers makes them tenaciously determined to succeed and toil under any circumstances, even if they lack the respect and recognition to their cultural history typically given to denizens of the Mwangi Expanse.
The Sargavan people have been fractured in two by the Vidric Revolution. The majority of them now reside in Bloodcove after fleeing the reckoning of revolution, and they now try to carve out a new place for themselves among pirates and organized crime. Despite the ill-gotten riches they took from Vidrian, most of these exiles found they had difficulties penetrating the area’s power structure. Some Sargavans wound up robbed and left for dead, while others have managed to bribe their way in with pirates or the Aspis Consortium. Regardless of such setbacks, the majority of Sargavans based in Bloodcove pridefully hold to the idea that they, like their colonial ancestors, can take control and become the dominant power.
Relations are more complex in Vidrian. By law, Sargavans who helped the slaves revolt or fight off the Free Captain pirates are official citizens and free from retribution, but these Sargavans continue to have culture clashes and suffer from growing pains. Sargavans are used to being the dominant culture; many who revolted out of disgust for the Sargavan state expected to remain in power or otherwise see themselves in the positions they previously envied. As the reality of the revolution sets in, the Sargavans of Vidrian continue the long adjustment to this paradigm shift. Many former slaves and servants are openly hostile—there’s a heavy level of justified passive aggression with former servants openly talking about and being critical of Sargavans’ randomly mixed fashions from different Mwangi groups or just reminding Sargavans of their new, equal position in life. Those Sargavan people who genuinely opposed slavery and found it abhorrent, and who tended to avoid the prideful and entitled behavior of others, receive a bit more respect and acceptance. Many of these Sargavans work to contribute to Vidric politics in a way that helps unite the disparate peoples. Yet right now, the state of the Sargavan people remains very unsteady, as fractured goals and colonial history greatly complicate anything resembling immediate solidarity between themselves and with indigenous Vidric people.
Sargavans of any origin are largely viewed negatively across the Mwangi Expanse, a perception exacerbated by other, unrelated northern colonial efforts. They’re primarily seen as invaders and slavers, a reputation based on a very real history, and since the Vidric Revolution, many Mwangis would rather take the opportunity to attack Sargavans than help, work, or trade with them. Bekyars in particular hold no love for their former slave trade partners, who have outlived their usefulness. Without economic incentive allying the two groups, Bekyars have no reason to trust Sargavans, who are colonial outsiders with uncertain motives in the wake of the revolution.
Sargavans who hold no real wealth find themselves in the most difficult position of all, as few Mwangis are willing to give them the opportunity to rise up to a higher position in society—many would rather not work with them, and even in places where it’s illegal to bring any harm to them, it’s certainly not illegal to shun them. Yet, Sargavans still find opportunities, as for many people, work is work and money is money.
The Sargavan people have been fractured in two by the Vidric Revolution. The majority of them now reside in Bloodcove after fleeing the reckoning of revolution, and they now try to carve out a new place for themselves among pirates and organized crime. Despite the ill-gotten riches they took from Vidrian, most of these exiles found they had difficulties penetrating the area’s power structure. Some Sargavans wound up robbed and left for dead, while others have managed to bribe their way in with pirates or the Aspis Consortium. Regardless of such setbacks, the majority of Sargavans based in Bloodcove pridefully hold to the idea that they, like their colonial ancestors, can take control and become the dominant power.
Relations are more complex in Vidrian. By law, Sargavans who helped the slaves revolt or fight off the Free Captain pirates are official citizens and free from retribution, but these Sargavans continue to have culture clashes and suffer from growing pains. Sargavans are used to being the dominant culture; many who revolted out of disgust for the Sargavan state expected to remain in power or otherwise see themselves in the positions they previously envied. As the reality of the revolution sets in, the Sargavans of Vidrian continue the long adjustment to this paradigm shift. Many former slaves and servants are openly hostile—there’s a heavy level of justified passive aggression with former servants openly talking about and being critical of Sargavans’ randomly mixed fashions from different Mwangi groups or just reminding Sargavans of their new, equal position in life. Those Sargavan people who genuinely opposed slavery and found it abhorrent, and who tended to avoid the prideful and entitled behavior of others, receive a bit more respect and acceptance. Many of these Sargavans work to contribute to Vidric politics in a way that helps unite the disparate peoples. Yet right now, the state of the Sargavan people remains very unsteady, as fractured goals and colonial history greatly complicate anything resembling immediate solidarity between themselves and with indigenous Vidric people.
Sargavans of any origin are largely viewed negatively across the Mwangi Expanse, a perception exacerbated by other, unrelated northern colonial efforts. They’re primarily seen as invaders and slavers, a reputation based on a very real history, and since the Vidric Revolution, many Mwangis would rather take the opportunity to attack Sargavans than help, work, or trade with them. Bekyars in particular hold no love for their former slave trade partners, who have outlived their usefulness. Without economic incentive allying the two groups, Bekyars have no reason to trust Sargavans, who are colonial outsiders with uncertain motives in the wake of the revolution.
Sargavans who hold no real wealth find themselves in the most difficult position of all, as few Mwangis are willing to give them the opportunity to rise up to a higher position in society—many would rather not work with them, and even in places where it’s illegal to bring any harm to them, it’s certainly not illegal to shun them. Yet, Sargavans still find opportunities, as for many people, work is work and money is money.
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