Middenlanders

Description

While Middenland is home to a variety of species, the 'true historical Middenlanders' were most definitely human. They originated from the south of what is now considered Middenland and some of their cultural values and traditions still persist to this day. There are numerous differences between the people of the different duchies as described in their respective articles, but there are also plenty of common cultural values that will be described here.
In current times, the population is a lot more varied beyond just humans, and some of them have adopted Middenland's culture as they have lived here for most of their lives. These are mostly Varaki, Khalag Orcs and Half-Orcs, but also some Elves and Half-Elves who have lived here long enough have become culturally assimilated.

Culture

Middenlanders are traditionally a collectivist people who prefer tight-knit social bonds within a local community over (social) mobility. They tend to stay in their lane, so to put. The family structure is largely communitarian where all children that get married bring their spouse to one or the other of the family homes and raise the next generation there. Inheritance of land and wealth is divided equally between all children. This has led to originally large plots of land being divided into many smaller pieces that are hard to work, sometimes creating conflict within families as both sides want to buy up the other's piece.

Views on Nobility

One distinct difference between Middenlanders and for example the Sulvari, is that Middenlanders fully expect their nobility to remain in power for a long time. They expect a certain stability from them, even though this has not always been the case in the past. There is a certain truth to this in current times however. After all, with the easy availability of resurrection and healing services those with plenty of money do tend to live long lives. And with the lack of democracy they do not fall from power naturally like Sulvari nobles do.
Due to their long-lived lives, extensive rules and copious amounts of propaganda, the people also tend to look up to nobility in Middenland. What is more they try to emulate the nobility in behavior and fashion, and many noble ladies spend vast amounts of time trying to come up with new ways to set trends.
Their admiration for, and the high value they place on nobility also expresses itself in more peculiar ways. For example, they do not believe in shedding noble blood outside of the battlefield. So in the past during wartime, when they captured enemy nobility they wanted to execute, they would do so by suffocating them in a tight box.

Conduct, Fashion and Food

The people of Middenland do not share the Sulvari's love for flamboyance and quick wit either, instead they prefer plain speaking and hard work. They also have a very romanticized idea of chivalry, where social and moral virtue are idealized despite the potential shortcomings. Protecting the innocent and righteously slaying the maligned may sound good initially, until you start to consider who gets to decide who the righteous and evil are. Usually, it is the victor.

Spinning machines have gradually improved in recent years and led to the mass production of cotton clothes that are affordable even for common workers. A cotton shirt under a sturdy waistcoat, and simple trousers or breeches are quite standard now for men.

Even the day-to-day outfits of the higher classes call back to the worker's clothes, for example the practical skirt-and-jacket style, is popular among women and similar to yet fancier than what the general population would wear. For more formal wear, a cropped dress has replaced larger hooped dresses. Men of wealth keep a simple breeches-and-jacket style for the most part, but often with more expensive leather for the breeches or a tightly cut jacket like a dandy.
The region is home to much arable land and plentiful wheat farms. The most basic food in the region is wheat bread with olives, olive oil and cheese or the occasional piece of meat and fish. Trade has also brought in a variety of foreign spices that have created a mixed cuisine of mild middenlander tastes and heavy foreign spices. There are a great many wine orchards within the region, particularly to the west and south, and wine is the alcoholic beverage of choice within these lands. Farther north, beer and dwarven mead are more commonly drank.

Religion

On the whole, the population of Middenland is rather devout. Nearly everyone worships a God of their choice, even if it is just paying lip service. This sense of obligation is partially a result of the influence of the Iron Arbiters, because being known as a devout worshiper of a certain God is the best protection one can have against accusations of heresy or demon worship.

Statistics

Rather than the normal statistics used for Human characters, those of Middenlander descent can use the following subrace (speed, size and languages remains the same):
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence or Strength ability score increases by 1, and two other ability scores of your choice each increase by 1.
Imperial Pride.
Even in the current day and age, people still take nationalist pride in having belonged to the Celesian Empire, and Rikar Celeste is a national hero. You gain proficiency in the History and Religion skills. You have advantage on any Intelligence (History) checks related to the Celesian Empire.
Religious Skepticism.
The influence of the Arbiters have lead to a people that are naturally distrustful of unknown supernatural influences. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, frightened or possessed by celestials and fiends.
Innovation.
Technology has led to specialization among the people of Middenland. You gain proficiency in one artisan's tool of your choice.
Adaptability.
In a constantly changing industrial environment, you too have learned to adapt in a pinch when needed. When you finish a long or short rest, you gain inspiration (see Player's Handbook p. 125).

Related Organizations

• Duchy of Anthalia
• Duchy of Armastria
• Duchy of Parafiore
• Duchy of Redden
• Duchy of Rosalia
• Duchy of Solland
• Duchy of Vecunia
• The Iron Arbiters

Related Locations

• Middenland