The Harushkans

"There is no greater ally than one who was once your greatest enemy" - General Reznir, the Redeemed, 468 PGS

Hobgoblins, Harushkans, or Heibtrots were once the greatest threat to Ordia since the Great Storm. Under the command of Emperor Kovakalo, the Stonehearted, Legions of Harushkans would invade the shores of what is now Gentrov for over 200 years varying in severity. For the first few decades, it seemed to be an endless war. Slowly and mercilessly, it flowed into skirmishes from Gentrov to the Heartlands, but Taelor's Bulwark fought valiantly and did all they could to keep the rest of Ordia safe from such an innumerable force from the north. As the war reached its head and many feared for the loss of their God-King and his heirs, something miraculous occurred. In the year 239 PGS, a battalion of pyromancers and battlemages from the Harushkan front defected, warning the humans of the possible invasion of great "Lords of Ruin". This force was fronted by the Archmagus Bholitov, the Harbinger. From here, the battalion continued to battle or convert the remnants of Kovakalo's Legions. The Emperor was furious and considered anyone who died or defected within the Ordia front a failure and a traitor to their country. 
In truth, there was no official declaration or treaty that ended the war which leads many to believe that the Harushkan Legion plans to attack again someday. Year by year, this belief dwindles further away from the truth, for no conflict has been spurned by Hobgoblins since the year 376 PGS in the Battle for Joricha, a small town just east of the Dhavish border.
The Harushkans that currently live within Ordia have long since abandoned the worship of the "Lords of Ruin" believing that their once proud Legions were simply the slaves to their God's whim. Many such Harushkans have taken up residence in the city of Freemund at the bend of the River Duln. Just as many live within other cities, villages, and their own steads. Converting to a simpler life, many even agreed to give up their use of magic in compliance with the wishes of the Church of Progress, for they too believed that their magics of old would only be wrought for destruction. Of course, many Harushkans practice their magics in secrecy, but those that do grow fewer in number as the years roll on.
Many of the Hobgoblins have sworn off religion or fealty to Gods, but some secretly worship the Progenitors alongside other Gentrovians and Florestinians in secret. Even fewer worship dark entities.

"...I haven't any sort of issue with Harushkan's in my ranks. If anything, I prefer them over human soldiers. They hardly ever lack respect or discipline" -Lieutenant Fhorin Rokeild of Taelor's Buwark, 312 PGS

Humans weren't exactly comfortable with the idea of their former enemy living amongst them, and many stereotypes and other racist remarks are still commonly thrown at Hobgoblins by hateful or resentful humans.  
Hobgoblins tend to range from gray to red, to orange in color with thick, dark hair and prominent facial hair. They tend to have thicker skin and narrow, almond, triangular, slant, prominent, or deep-set eyes flanking a flatter, more flared nose that is sometimes tipped bluish, reddish, or gray in color. One of their more notable features, however, are the horns that jut from their heads. Normally quite small, males tend to have bovine-like horns that protrude from their temples sometimes accompanied by smaller spine-like horns that run down the jaw whilst females most commonly have only the spines from their temples down their jaws. Hobgoblins also have very thick tails that can measure between 2-4 feet in length. They usually have spines. On rare occasions, they can be hairy. Moreover, Hobgoblins vary greatly in height due to the dozens of different kingdoms that were once absorbed by the Emperor's Harushkan Legion long ago. Males can range from 5'7" all the way to 6'5" and females range from 5"4 to 6'2".
The personality of Hobgoblins can vary just as much as humans, for they are known for being just as resourceful and skillful as their Brish counterpart. However, due to many Hobgoblins being naturally large and strong, it isn't exactly uncommon for one to take up with the Bulwark, the local guard, or even one of the mercenary groups of Gentrov. Harushkans, however, avoid Florestal for fear that they might be killed on sight for being associated so greatly with Gentrov. Despite this, some Hobgoblins live the simple lives of farmers in the Heartlands. Most have declared neutrality in the Son's War conflict, leaving them isolated and left to their own devices.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

All Hobgoblin names are unisex: Olanghed, Erifogg, Verstig, Rovald, Sariben, Kavolov, Dorsaton

Family names

Hobgoblins almost never have surnames. The suffix of their given name is their family name. For example, the name Reznir has the familial suffix of nir. Most commonly, hobgoblins inherit their father's suffix.

Other names

Hobgoblins earn a title after accomplishing a great deed or after performing a task so sinister that they are forever remembered by it. The Redeemed, the Harbinger, the Jester, the Kindhearted, and the Warrior are examples of good titles. The Damned, the Bane, the Blackhearted, the Witch, and the Traitor are examples of evil titles.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Harushkan is still the dominant language of the hobgoblins, but a vast majority are bilingual and speak both Harushkan and Brish (Northern Common). On occasion, some even speak Ordian.

Culture and cultural heritage

Harushkans believe that honor and loyalty are far more important than material wealth or power. Having respect and keeping to your word is seen as a virtue. If you were to bring shame, disrespect, or a bad name to your family, they have the right to disown you. 
Once faithful to the God of Courage whom they call Dokmolir, Harushkans believe in standing up for what is right and not what is believed to be right.

Shared customary codes and values

Some Haruskans tie a braid in their hair for each time they've slain a mortal in their lifetime.

Average technological level

Harushkans introduced gunpowder to the humans of Ordia via fireworks: great displays of light that would often be used against their enemies to start fires. The humans then made the first firearms and bombs with it.

Common Etiquette rules

It is rude to have any hair in your face whilst you are eating. Many still exchange bows rather than hand or arm-shakes. It is incredibly rude to wear any sort of footwear within their homes. It is seen as polite to belch after a meal to show that the meal served was satisfactory.

Art & Architecture

Harushkans are renowned for having some of the most durable architecture in the world. Through ancient techniques not shared with anyone, they can erect edifices several stories tall without using nails or wood. Harushkans are also famous for their music, dancing, and ink paintings. They introduced the Okadir, an instrument strangely reminiscent of a violin with an incredibly unique sound.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Harushkans celebrate a holiday known as Jakaliv, the Day of the Damned. Between the 25th and 30th of Zhan, they dance, sing, drink and give gifts to one another to revel in the fires of those who are burned for their terrible sins against mortal kind. This Holiday is banned within the city of Taelburg by the Church of Progress for being heretical due to its religious nature. 
Harushkans also celebrate birthdays by giving gifts and cooking for them their favorite meals.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a hobgoblin is born, the ancient tradition is to smear the blood from the child onto the mother's forehead and onto the baby's. The one to smear said blood is usually the father or a close friend or family member of the mother. It is seen as a right of passage into mother and fatherhood to wear the blood of your child for a week after they are born.

Coming of Age Rites

At the age of 12, a hobgoblin is considered to be an adult. As such, they are given their first taste of alcohol and spend the rest of their evening learning of their familial history after opening gifts and eating their favorite meal with a hearty helping of spruce or pine beer.
A hobgoblin is truly considered to be worthy of their family's name after accomplishing a great feat that earns them their title. Some, however, perform terrible deeds and are forever branded with a title appropriate for what they've done.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Hobgoblins typically cremate their dead and combine the ashes of the dead with that of their father, mother, or grandparents. It isn't rare, but is often considered taboo for one to request to have their ashes separate from their family's urn when they are cremated.

Common Taboos

Insulting your family is considered a great insult. Some hobgoblins partake in the new tradition of having multiple wives, but it is considered taboo to have multiple spouses amongst their people.

Historical figures

Emperor Kovakalo, the Stonehearted Reznir, the Redeemed Archmagus Bholitov, the Harbinger

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Male tend to keep and groom their facial hair. Women tend to not wear makeup, but keep their facial spines polished and shiny. Both genders enjoy intricately braiding their long and thick hair. The Harushkan styles have began blending with Gentrov, so it is more and more common to spot a Harushkan with a waistcoat, high-cuff boots, dresses, long-skirts, and hats.

Courtship Ideals

Harushkans still keep the weddings tradition alive of having their cherished family recipes cooked for dinner every night for five days.

Related Organizations

• The Amcharags

Related Locations

• Ordia