Bolsh
The Bolsh people are the main ethnic group that resides in their native lands of Um Bilaschca and [Cardovia](https://www.worldanvil.com/w/orrus-Androkles/a/cardovia---primer-article). The Bolsh tend to have dark hair and thick frames. Bolsh people are simple and frank. The Bolsh people are closely tied to their families and the immediate family is the most important thing to a Bolsh.
Tradition is also very important to the Bolsh peoples. They hold fast to the “old ways” and it is extremely difficult to convince a Bolsh to adopt new traditions such as science and medicine.
The Bolsh are also highly devoted to their branch of Ametrianism, Bilasch Ametrianism. The constant, and somewhat fanatical devotion to living a humble life in attitude and social poise (not in lack of wealth as some believe) and the ever present need to atone for sins.
The many subcultures of the Bolsh people are very distinct. These distinctions can be drastic at times, and in no other culture on Serrus do you have extremely old tradition of a culture in direct proximity to the modern.
Subcultures
Wysoki Bolsh
The Wysoki are the most modern and progressive of the Bolsh people. Even still, they are traditionalists and ashew much of modern science. The Wysoki are the richest people on the Eastern Continent and the Wysoki merchants wear some of the most lavish jewelry seen anywhere on Serrus. Unlike their cousins, the Nobility, or Boyars, are second in power to the Merchants. Material wealth means more to the Wysoki than the other Bolsh.Carpic Bolsh
Mainly isolated to eastern Cardovia, the Carpic Bolsh are a far more insular that their cousins. Not the richest of folk, they tend to huddle in their small and rustic villages that may seem backwater to the rest of the world. They are a hard working people who spend much of their day hunting, farming, and tending to their Boyar’s land. Not known to be explorers, the Carpic people tend to stick to themselves and rarely trade with outsiders and are even less welcoming to foreign vagabonds, explorers, and ruffians, whom they view as nothing but trouble. Eastern Cardovia is an impoverished land and the Wysoki do not share their wealth with the Carpic people. They typically act as citizen and peasant levy (willingly or not) to fight in the conflicts of their richer neighbors. For some, this is the only way to leave Cardovia and many desert at the first opportunity.Ladisla
These people live around Lake Ladislau in eastern Cardovia. They are similar to their Carpic neighbors in most aspects except for their extreme devotion to a local patron Saint, Ladislau. He supposedly banished a powerful Voidshaper through arms and faith in 800 AC under the lake. His spirit and devotion to the Creator is said to keep the Voidshaper bound at the bottom of the lake. An utter devotion to emulate Ladislau’s life as written in local scripture is what leads the Ladisla people. They are known to be some of the most hospitable people in all of Serrus as Ladislau’s main trait was generosity. Like the other Carpic people, the Ladisla are poor, but they give as much as they can, even if it’s just a place for a weary traveler to rest.Peschneg Bolsh
The various Peschneg people are fabled to originally be offspring of a union with a mythical being known as the Savah and a man, they are some of the most beautiful individuals on Serrus. They almost always have jet-black hair and piercing stares. The other Bolsh fear them believing their fey blood grants them magical powers. This cultural isolation has led to the Peschneg evolving into a sub-culture within Bolsh society. They wander the area as vagabonds in small caravans of Tizsa, or house-wagons. They earn their keep through carnivals and plays and most Peschneg are actors or entertainers of some sort. Given their cultural stereotypes branded by their Carpic cousins, the rest of Serrus tends to believe the tales of them being thieves and liars. This is certainly not universally true, but they do tend to be cynical and only loyal to their current caravan and family. They take family tradition even further and more extreme than the already familiar Bolsh people. Many Peschneg leave their caravans and end up as courtesans and entertainers to high-class nobles in Cardovia and abroad.Doli
The Doli live along the coastline to the southeast of the Wysoki. They share many of the same traits, notably their accumulation of wealth. How the Doli accrue wealth is different as well as what they value. The Doli make some of the best coastal ships on Serrus. Many foreign merchants come to Doli territory to requisition one of their superbly hand-crafted Slitzca’s, small and fast merchant vessels. The Doli value artisanship more than anything. A sign of a wealthy man is one who has well-crafted possessions; a boat, carriage, horse saddle, walking stick; the possessions could be anything. The time and care taken to create these items equates to how wealthy a man is. Due to this, Doli craftsmen are extremely meticulous and take great care to make their wares and goods perfect.Ugryz
The Ugryz began as pirates and marines that would be hired out to other Bolsh to raid and fight their enemies. The Ugryz today are still famed for their martial prowess at sea and on the coasts. The Ugryz also share their neighbors, the Doli’s love for superb craftsmanship, but value well-crafted and engraved weaponry above all else. To the Ugryz, a man’s wealth is in his intricate blade or spear.Radabolsh
The Radabolsh are an interesting mix of Bolsh. Cinneadh, and Brenner. They live in and around the City of Halinow. The city was founded by Brennermen missionaries preaching True Ametrianism hoping to tone down the Bilasch Ametrianism so famous in the area. This has led to an interesting mix of cultures. The Radabolsh are the closest to western culture as those on the eastern lands of Serrus can get. They dress more like Cinneadh than their neighbors as well due to their close proximity and they have less of a need to practice Bilasch Ametrianism.I once rode into a little village in Cardovia called Bolkriev or somethin’. Would ya believe at the first site o’ me I had local stores slam their doors shut and lock their shutters. I even had some ole’ crone of a lady walk past me, mumble something’ in a harsh tone wavin’ her fists, and spit at the ground near me. I’m sure the rash I got a few days later is because of some hex she put on me. Those Carpic Bolsh people are all superstitious and crazy if you ask me….
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
