The Vanks
Evil only speaks the language of cruelty. -- The Belrose family motto.Steeped in superstition, the Vanks are a race of people that have always been warily approached with steady and cautious steps. Their kind has always been discriminated against, long before vampirism had sullied the name of the noble houses. While the Torman and Villish kingdoms rose through power with conquering armies, the Vanks primarily won their battles through unorthodox methods that, in time, lead to magic becoming a widely known subject across the world. While feudal lords brought forth swords, the Vanks shot them down with shaft and spell. The Vanks are a deeply superstitious culture; omens and portents hold a lot of meaning to them. Further more, crimes and sin are known to be frowned upon greatly in Vank culture, as it risks not only damnation, but execution from their exceptionally harsh laws. Vank laws are known for dolling out very harsh punishments towards people, no matter the crime; while this made criminals rare, their brutality, combined with their practice of darker magic, has long lead to the other human lords giving them wide berth. Despite most of humanity eschewing nobility, the Vanks still remain loyal to the Belrose; the only noble house to escape the inquisition laid out by the Church.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Prudence, Suzette, Karine, Sara, Vivienne, Marion, Jacqueline, Maisie, Sergine, Flore, Floriane, Virginia
Masculine names
Simon, Samson, Anatole, Jean, Hadrien, Lucien, Laurentin, Geoffrey, Marcel, Armel, Tybalt, Kilian, Pierrick, Cyril, Marius
Unisex names
Josselyn, Celeste, Lou, Candide, Claude, Dominique, Benoit, Gaelle
Family names
Paget, Courtemanche, Labelle, Fournier, Dennel, Gauthier, Rey, Germain
Notable Houses
Belrose: Of all the noble houses, the Belrose have still managed to maintain their hold since the unification of humanity. While the Vilisturm and the Torman have long lost their original house, the Belrose stand as a testament of their people. They are known for being masters of blade and spell. Lambert: House Lambert maintains hold on the very edge of Vank territory, sitting nearby the southern wall of Mordencrast. Once beginning with the simple role of a diplomat, the Lamberts soon rose to power by amassing wealth through trade. To this day, the Lamberts still seat themselves just below Mordencrast. Durant: Living close towards the Dreglands, House Durant maintains its hold on the Black River. They station men to guard and tax those that would travel pass their land. Those that refuse are simply told to head around the river, forcing them to wade through the Dreglands without protection. Gehrmain: The Gehrmain are what (very loosely) binds the Vanks with the Church; they are the lawmakers, and often considered second to the Red King in Vank royalty. Unbeknownst to the Church, the Gehrmain practice the dangerous act of Devilbinding; that is, forging powerful contracts with The Abyss. These contracts provide great power towards the user in question, but at the price of damnation.Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Vank: The Vank language died upon the kingdoms being unified by the Church.
Common: As with many humans, the Vanks speak the common tongue. Their dialect is known for rolling r's and blending 'th' into a z sound.
Culture and cultural heritage
Vank culture is built upon the ideology that man will not misbehave if under a firm and strict rule. If every thief were to wind out without hands, they would not only find it hard to steal in the first place, but every thief thereafter would know of the consequence that their sticky fingers may bring them to. This comes from the war-torn ways of the feudal era, which had frequent acts of murder, banditry, and worse. Hector Belrose amassed his following based upon the ideology of abolishing all crime and putting those that would defy peace to the sword. End violence with fear and oppression, while rewarding those that were willing to follow. Although conflict often bred conflict, the Belrose's strength, combined with their unorthodox and grisly methods, lead to them staking out one of the largest kingdoms in Tregaron.
These methods worked, so they kept at it. Beheading was the merciful way out; criminals that dared defy them were frequently tortured or publicly humiliated, until everyone grew to understand that those criminals could easily be them should they chose to repeat their actions.
Common Etiquette rules
The Vanks are known for having an entire 'language' based around the placement of silverware. To cross the fork and spoon is to say the food was terrible, to stab the knife into the meal is to threaten the cook, while leaving them apart is to compliment the chef.
Honesty is important to the Vanks; while it is common etiquette for any man, they take this to a whole new level. To lie, is to sin, and to sin, is to suffer horrible consequences. The truth is very important to the Vanks, and upholding the honour of remaining a truthful, upstanding citizen is important to the Vank people.
To stare at someone is very rude, and often met with confrontation. Bowing the head after being caught staring is enough to dissuade this, serving as a silent apology.
Common Dress code
Vank men are quite fond of wearing ruffled shirts beneath clothing, along with wide sleeves for formal occasions. The women on the other hand, are often known to wear rather revealing outfits for formal occasions; cloth that leaves the sides or midriff bare. The legs are to at least covered beyond the kneecaps, while the arms are often exposed or uncovered by sleeves.
Yellow priestesses are renown; they are women that wear exceptionally bright, almost garish yellow robes that sting the eyes. Despite that, their sermons are known for captivating thousands of ears. Their bright robes are to symbolize the burning wrath of Hell, a fate that waits for those foolish enough to commit sin.
Art & Architecture
The Vanks are known for being practical yet effective with their building; they are fond of wide, square or circular rooms that provide plenty of space to decorate the interior. It is not the house's outsides that matters to the Vank, but the interior. Windows are squared and expected to be placed for most of the non-private rooms.
The Vanks partake in sculpting and etching. While their homes may look odd, large, wide and circular, they make up for this by using decorations on the courtyard and surroundings. Wealthy Vank men and women enjoy crafting statues of their accomplished family members, setting them out into their yard, which is often spacious as well.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Thief Trees: To steal is to end up missing hands. It is a simple concept, but the Vanks are very macabre with their methods of dissuading thievery. They are known to dismember the hands of the thieves, suspending them from a willow tree as a warning to other would-be felons.
Public Torture & Execution: A very important part of Vank culture is the public humiliation of criminals. Those who are convicted of life or those who must suffer for their crimes are dealt with in the general public, for all to see their shame.
Penance Day: An annual holiday, Penance day occurs at the turn of a new year. It is also called 'The Forbearance'. It is celebrated through a 24-hour fast beginning at noon. Penance Day is a holiday that prays for the safety of sinful souls, and for others to remain just and true. At midnight, the church bells ring loudly to alert every man in the locale to gather into town square. Everyone is expected to make their presence known at that time, to do otherwise is often considered shameful or disrespectful, though it isn't punished or completely frowned upon. Those that arrive at town square spend a moment of prayer, while the local priest begins to state the current issues plaguing their home.
At noon, the church bells will ring again. This time, the community will be greeted by an enormous feast provided by the Church; a reward given to those who have remained clean of sin.
Devil Binding: Taboo in all other reaches of the world, the art of Devil Binding is quite simply, calling upon the forces of The Abyss to do one's bidding. This is not considered sinful to the Vanks, and is instead justified by the concept that Devil Binders are imprisoning and enslaving demons -- a fitting punishment for the infernal tormentors. It is still known to be very dangerous, however, and is seldom practiced outside of noble houses.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Baptizing: It is customary for a baby to be taken in by the priest to be baptized in holy water. To do so is said to 'ward off' sinful urges that the child may experience later in life.
Coming of Age Rites
Branding: A recent development set by Lady Morrigan; this expectation is reserved only for those wishing to learn infernal rites. While the Vanks have long been criticized for their use of magic derived from these realms, Morrigan boldly began the tradition of shedding away the secrecy. Those who are partaking in learning the arts of Devil binding are branded with special Vank glyphs that are not only to show their nature as a Devil binder, but to also act as conduits that allow for easier use of magic. It is a painful process; the brands are placed based on the preference of the Devil binder.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Thousand-Man Stand: The Vanks have a specially cleared field nearby Castle Belrose; trees are frequently razed to expand the area as it grows. Whenever someone of importance within a noble house passes, their body is taken to the 'Thousand-Man Stand'; a special burial grounds where a stone soldier is made in their image. These stone soldiers are said to carry the spirits of those who passed, and watch over Castle Belrose, ready to defend it should it ever come under siege. This area is constantly surveyed and watched by guardsmen, whom patrol the area for any potential interlopers.
Funeral Pyres: With necromancy not being considered a taboo to the Vanks, bodies are generally burnt at a pyre to prevent raising. The ashes are then collected and distributed among relatives and close friends of the deceased.
Common Taboos
Wrongful Resurrection: Necromancy may not be outlawed, but the Vanks use special licenses called 'Raising Licenses' to determine whether or not one is allowed to raise a specific corpse. Those seated in Castle Belrose (the King, Queen, and relatives) are exempt from this rule, and allowed to raise the dead any way they please, so long as it's for the purpose of defending their country. That said, raising a corpse without permission results in a death penalty.
That person in question is bound, gagged, and buried in the spot they exhumed the corpse. If the corpse was raised from a bandit or on the battlefield from an unburied body, then it is automatically within their rights to be resurrected, and no license is needed.
Adultery: Adultery, whoring, or multiple relationships outside of one that was already binding, is considered taboo. Those committing this crime are traditionally mutilated at the face as punishment. Additional offenses never lead to death, but will result in a public flailing. Mutilation of the face is enough to brand one as an adulterer for life.
Common Myths and Legends
The Laughing Hag: The Laughing Hag is a feared creature said to haunt the 'Laughing Woods'; a deep forest known for being populated by a race of beastmen. The Laughing Hag is said to kidnap children at night, replacing them with one of her own so that they may be raised by their unsuspecting parents until they come of age. Once the replaced orphan reaches maturity, they inevitably leave -- and potentially kill their 'parents', so that they may join their true mother.
Wraiths: The Darkness is said to carry what is called a wraith; a wrathful, dark spirit of an executed criminal. Wraiths are weak to the light but are nigh-unkillable in the dark, and are said to possess the power to create weaker, lesser wraiths from the bodies of those they slay. A wraith's touch is said to be scalding and hot, enough to boil the blood in one's veins. Their bodies are composed of wispy smoke that causes all life to choke, wither, and suffocate nearby, while they flow and move seamless with the shadows.
Historical figures
Verres Belrose: The current Red King of the Vanks is known to be as great a warrior as he was a tactician. His leadership over the Vanks is often credited to have won them their stand against the Crusades. Not only did his people manage to create enough of a diversion for the Elves to flee to the Chain of Fire, but through various military tactics, he managed to lead the Vanks into enough of a stall that gave them, what they consider, victory over the supposed 'False Church'. Most famously, Verres' armies fled into the Laughing Woods and purposefully razed and aggravated the Gnolls, before retreating further inland to Castle Belrose. When the Crusaders rushed into the woods after them, they found the agitated beasts unable to discern any man from their assailants. This quickly broke out into a small battle that forced the Crusaders to retreat, and with that victory, the Beast Curse later began to spread shortly after.
This lead to the Crusades coming to a close, and for humanity to band under the Hunters, whom chose to forsake the Church (much to the Vank's glee), in favor of fighting against a common enemy.
Morrigan Belrose (née; Durant): Morrigan Belrose, or 'Lady Twinface' as some boldly call her, is the current Queen of the Vanks. The Vanks were among the few races to stand alongside the Elves during the crusades, and when Morrigan was captured, her face was pressed upon hot embers as punishment for her 'crime' of serving the Elven people, rather than her fellow man. Verres, now King of the Vanks, rescued her from her execution and lead the Vanks into the first war since the feudal era. This diversion lead to the Elves escaping from Tregaron while war broke out among their people. In time, humanity settled peacefully when the Beast Curse rose to prominence, with the Vanks retreating back to their ancestral home to the south.
Morrigan became a very powerful Devil binder after these events, and some even say pioneered its usage in the Vank armies. She began establishing special laws and rules that helped keep the otherwise dangerous art safe, and is widely seen as one of the greatest rulers the Vank people have ever seen.
Vespasian Belrose: The former Belrose King, or 'Pale Arm', was renown for his terrifying magical prowess. He lost an arm at a very young age, which was later repaired through a necromantic process that fused a skeletal arm in its place, earning him the nickname of 'Pale Arm'. Vespasian lead the Vanks to victory by raising slain enemies under his command, when the Vanks expanded their territory enough, Vespasian shattered his own arm and caused every raised zombie, skeleton, or corpse to crumble to fertile ash.
Lionel Gehrmain: A Saint to the Vanks, a blasphemer to many others. Saint Gehrmain became a preacher that grew far too disgusted with the practices of the Church, calling out its vile corruption, mistreatment of non-humans, and blatant disregard for Aine's tenants. He was also known for his extremist views, believing that those who sin are stained for life, and must atone through flagellant methods. Lionel's doctrines still carry through the Vank's faith to this day, and yet, the Church still despises the ideologies he carried.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Vanks are notably fond of tanned or 'fire kissed' skin. This fondness develops not only from the exotic nature of the skin tone, but also their association of it belonging to someone who was close to fire or flame, something the Vanks have a very strong reverence for. Vanks are known for preferring slimmer frames over large ones.
Short people are considered attractive or cute, while tall people are considered powerful or intimidating. Due to their heavy focus on arcane magic, many Vanks are generally scrawnier than others; they view muscular people as brutes or savages, as magic has a tendency to atrophy or thin those that practice it. Similarly, they dislike exceptionally skinny people because it shows irresponsibility in handling magic.
The Vanks are known for their fondness of revealing clothing; especially pertaining towards women.
Gender Ideals
Vank women are usually the sorcerers, the artists, and the writers; they're the people that handle the roles based around handling diplomacy, and are frequently appointed as priests. 'Yellow Priestesses' are renown through the world for their powerful sermons. They also handle most contracts, and are known to be lawmakers. The 'ideal' Vank woman is a powerful sorceress, well-versed in the use of binding contracts and infernal magic.
The men are the protectors. They're generally soldiers, guards, or fighters that carry out the physical tasks. While a Vank man might learn magic, it's only used to serve as a compliment to their daily needs as a soldier. A wizard is generally considered very strange for a Vank man.
Relationship Ideals
The Vanks are known to be rather weary with friendship, but are quick to befriend after building the relationship up with trust. Trust is everything to a Vank. To lie or betray trust is considered to be one of the greatest taboos to a Vank, once trust is broken once, it may never be forgiven.
Love is binding. To love someone is to bind with them, much like a contract. To the Vanks, love is meant to be shared between only two people; any more than that is considered sinful. Relationships between the Vanks made with the intention of lasting until death, and are often very close and intimate after weeks, months, or even years of building trust.
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