Often depicted as raiders, unncessarily violent, and savages, the truth is that noth is more rewarding to a Vipling than the feel of mountain air on their face, the whole world at their disposal, and total freedom to do what they will, when they will. These are men and woman who enjoy the thrill of risk and the glory and reward that can come along with it. Passionate, they form strong ties that can last multiple generations; nobles and commoners sharing all that they have with those that defend them.
At a Glance
Cultural Touchstones
Warlike, raiders, pragmatic, independent
Who is Strong?
A free man
Who is Family?
People who've fought alongside
Common Characteristics
Descriptions
Honorable, Commanding
Convictions
Freedom is worth any price
Relationships
All humans have a Relationship to their family (whatever that means for their culture; See the Who is Family? section above).
Preferred Loadout
Vipling prefer light armor, typically Leather, and medium slashing weapons. Composite bows are common. Medium trauma weapons are common closer to the
Hiewia and
Meedt border.
Beast-faced Helms
It is a very common tradition for Vipling warriors to craft their helms to look like beasts and monsters as a way of channeling their power and skill.
Highlander Beanies
The Vipling are also known for their comfy, knitted beanies with ear flaps. Typically, these are stripped with colors.
Drooping Mustaches
Vipling are also known for their big, drooping mustaches.
Other Things to Note
Blood Brothers & Sisters
While there is a difference between nobles and commoners, like in any fuedal state, the lines are blurred in the Summer Peaks because nobles and commoners often go on long raids together, becoming family by shedding blood and defending one another. It is said that the greatest glory that a Warlord can have is to have many brothers and sisters.
Those that have defended and shed their blood with their lord are adopted into his family as blood brothers and sisters. This has created a more fuzzy divid between lord and commoner than other areas of the Middle Realm.
Every Warrior a Warlord
There are no official hereditary titles in the Summer Peak. There is no Barony except the one that is elected by the Elector Warlords in times of crisis.
But being an Elector is tied to owning a Stronghold and pressing that claim. While the ownership of Strongholds are typically handed down from parent to child, taking a Stronghold confers its rights on you.
This has led to many petty warriors calling themselves "Warlords" in hopes of attracting enough soldiers and power to their banners to allow them to take or establish one of these Strongholds.
Children & Soldiery
Once a Vipling has a child that can handle a weapon, they're expected to devote their whole life to warfare and fighting. The handling of a weapon has become more ceremonial, marking the transition to adulthood, especially among the lower classes.
People who can't or won't have children are seen as cowards for not wanting to devote their lives to fighting. In reality it's not so clear-cut because there's still a lot of responsibilities and only noble families or particularly rich ones are able to actually honor this tradition purely.
Some other lords have implemented this tradition in their hierarchy: 1 person out of every 10 family members takes this honor but the family is expected to support that soldier.
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