Hessan
Hessens of the Stadts of Wetterau revel in their long tradition of folk tales and beer brewing. Despite being an alliance of Stadts, the Hessens are fiercely loyal to their individual provinces and on a number of occasions Hessens from different provinces have been known to not get along well and pick fights with one another. Constant border skirmishes occur between the varying stadts, much to the chagrin of the Minesterrat.
Despite their differences, the Hessens are known for their martial tradition as well as their universal love for good beer and food. Some of the best cooks and braumeisters hail from one of the Stadts. Many other nobles in other countries can be found with a Hessen in their kitchen. In addition, Hessen generals are known for their brilliant tactics and cunning on the battlefield and their astute observance for the natural world. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers have originated from one of the palatinates of Wetterau’s centers of learning. Taller than their neighbors the Argauns and Frisians, they tend to have strong frames. Their hair tends to be on the lighter side with many Hessens sporting blonde hair.
Subcultures
Vesthessan
Vesthessens inhabit the northwestern areas of the continent. The Vesthessen people have been in a constant state of conflict over the centuries. Located in a very resource rich area, both the neighboring Frisians and Jutans both have made many attempts at settling their area. The constant border tension with Frisia has lead to uneasy skirmishes over territory all the time; most of which have no definitive winner or gain on either side. This has given them a dour attitude, but also superiority in their stature. They are some of the finest and most well disciplined soldiers one will find. This discipline carries over to most other aspects of their culture as well, including craftsmanship and art. Vesthessens are highly independent too, and are even more loyal to their specific Stadt than even other Hessens. Most Vesthessens keep their hair short and their clothes tight. Males sport short beards and are usually more physically fit than their cousins as keeping in shape is one of the Vesthessen mantras.Gestelhesse
The Gestelhesse occupy the wide open agrarial land in the central Stadts of Wetterau. The Gestelhesse are the central population of the Hessen people. They live across vast open plains and rolling meadows with little in the way of inclement weather or any real danger from an outside force due also in part to the natural borders they have. This has led to a more whimsical attitude and care-free lifestyles. The Gestelhesse also enjoy good food and spirits more than their cousins. Many Gestelhesse spend a lot of their free time cooking and most dabble in the creation of ales and liquors. Many outsiders come to one of the many food or drink festivals held year-round in their lands. Horsemanship and rearing is also an almost universal love to the Gestelhesse. Due to the lands they live in as well as their nature, the Gestelhesse are also travelers and do not mind going abroad. The Gestelhesse are similar to their cousins. Many outsiders convey Gestelhesse in imagery as fat and jovial, and while this is many times true, it is definitely not universal. Many Gestelhesse are used to walking and traveling, so have a physical endurance not seen amongst their cousins.Ausbund
The Ausbund populate the densest parts of the stadts near the capital of Haupstadt. The Ausbund condifer themselves the intellectual Hessans. Living in the more cosmopolitan areas of the Stadts, they enjoy philosophy and deep thought. They believe that through seeking knowledge, one can attain peace with the Creator. Some of the best intellectuals in the world were and continue to be Ausbund. The Ausbund like to dresh lavishly (some would say ridiculously). Since their main pursuits are mostly intellectual, they are not as strong or stocky as their neighbors. However, they have a deep stubborn streak which leads to seeming tougher than first glance would assume.Wasserhesse
The Wasserhesse never stray far from the rivers of the Stadts and a majority of them live along Lake Grenze in eastern Wetterau. The Wasserhesse have a strong tradition of being river folk. They ply their barges up and down all of the rivers in the stadts and abroad. They are savvy individuals as well and can spot a sour deal almost immediately. Some say the Wasserhesse can sometimes be too forceful in getting the better end of a deal. Thin and tall, the Wasserhesse are great at wading the shallow waters they live near. A Wasserhessan typically also has great balance and walks with a slow gait. They typically dress in practical clothing and it is high fashion for males to wear waterproof leather waders over top their trousers.Bogmenner
The northeasern stadts along the coast consists of one large swampland. This is where the Bogmenner live. They rarely travel abroad. Outsiders consider the Bogmenner inbred swamp people. This may be partially true, but not to the degree others like to state. The Bogmenner do stick to themselves and rarely leave the swampy lowlands of the north. This harsh environment does make them very good at survival and they are adept at living off of whatever resources are available. Bogmenner have a very odd dialect of Wettan and are easily identified by their cousins. Bogmenner always seem caked in dirt. They rarely bathe as the swamp muck is hard to remove and Bogmenner usually don't deal with the hassle. Their clothes are rarely clean or expensive and their hair is rarely trimmed. They look like wild folk to the more civilized cultures.Weit Hesse
East of the Dunkelwald and Heartwood, the Weit Hesse live in the hills of the easternmost parts of the stadts. The Weit Hesse are considered to have the blood laced with the pale dirt and minerals of the Geldenhugels in which they live. The Weit Hesse themselves seek riches below the earth. Most Weit Hesse know something about mining and precious metals. The Weit Hesse favor those who know how to do a hard day's work and have great disdain for those who are lazy. Despite the name, the Weit Hesse are not in fact naturally pale. They are a population of miners however, so they do spend a lot of time underground leading to their skin being fairer, albeit rougher than normal. Most other Hessan joke about the bad eyesight of the Weit Hesse from living underground, but while the bad eyesight is true, it has more to do with a genetic trait isolated to their kin than anything else.Naming Traditions
Family names
Muller, Schmidt, Schneider, Fischer, Weber, Mayer, Becker, Shulz, Hoffmann, Schafer, Koch, Bauer, Richter, Klein, Wolf, Schroder, Neumann, Schwarz, Zimmermann, Braun, Krugerm Hofmann, Hartmann, Lange, Huber, Konig, Weiss, Jung
Oh I’ve been to many a tavern and feast hall all over Serrus, but I tell you what. No other folk can compare to a Hessen in their love of food, drink, and a rousing tale. In fact, if I hadn’t had the opportunity to see their fine soldiers in action during a campaign, I would assume that they were in a constant state of inebriation…
Encompassed species
