Perspective: How they see Themselves

COMMON NAMES: Masculine > Rhemaxos, Sodasa, Hagamasha, Madyes; Feminine> Artimpasa, Tirgatao, Tabiti, Zarinaea

Common Cultural Perspectives of the Character Concept

• Behaviors/Mannerisms/Traits:
• Values/Principles/Ideals:
• Motivations/Goals/Bonds:
• Faults/Weaknesses/Flaws:

Prevalent Cultural Themes of the Character Concept

Reiverdanian vs. Easterling: The folk of The Riverdans are aware of their ancestry from The Fallen East, but have made a very acute and specific distinction of their culture from their ancestors. One is anchored in the past, the other is looking to the future. They know their deep (but mostly forgotten) ties to the conquering of Dunstrand Vale; And resolved to find their own modern way forward that does not rely on the weight of their people’s past accomplishments. In this, they are similar to the Cultural Experience of The Saelish.

Independence and Honor:
Their legacy faith of Osten-Paullus (brought from The Fallen East and a slowly vanishing part of the Faith of the Riverdans) yet persists in many places here, though tempered with the powerful feminine free spirited Elemental Consorts and Gaia of the Wyld Faith.

Family Honor and Loyalty:

Purity of Bloodline:

Perspective: How Outsiders see Them

Insular, quick to anger, prideful, passionate; Traditions are strong in The Riverdans. They rise to the occasion of combat and defense of the innocent and are brave to a lethal fault. Diehard traditionalists do not venerate the Lightbringers – they feel they failed them when the east fell to darkness, and are not generally orderly enough for the Green Church. Their strange ancient faith of Osten-Paullus (brought from The Fallen East) is seen as heretical by outsiders who are devout to the current major churches.

Races: The Riverdans are VERY human-centric in the sense that there are no non-human leaders because bloodline purity descends from human only, though many other races are welcome (especially because the population levels are barely staying current). Although the elves live in forests, they are wild elves and not Ynthian; They are a bit xenophobic and chaotic, and viewed with distrust and not generally tolerated in positions of leadership as are most of their kind in the Steel Realms by other humanoids. Any of faerie ancestry are seen this way, and half-bloods are outsiders. There are no local halfling settlements, although isolated families may exist they are generally outside the main cultural experience. The Ancient Hatred prevents Orrish ancestry characters (goblin, ork, etc.) from participating in the cultural experience. The alien Ducateon have no enclaves in the Riverdans. Grollen and Dwarves are welcome and are seen as sharing of the same independent spirit of the region. There are a couple Dwarven settlements in the Riverdans. The Grollen have a few smaller settlements in the region – trying to escape their bloodlust and population decline through remoteness.

Perspective: How they see Outsiders

Ancient Hatred: Individuals of Orrish (goblin/ork) ancestry is going to have a hard time of it (negative reactions). The Riverdan bloodlines and culture come from The Fallen East – where the Orrish drove them from and is now claimed as The Dark Lands.

Perspective: How Outsiders see Them

Insular, stand-off-ish, sneaky, distrustful, secretive; They are viewed with suspicion and the general preference is simply to not even acknowledge they exist (easy with the issues that come with the Sun Bane). Despite many lost while fishing, or along the foggy Black Shore being rescued by them, the inhabitants of Dunstrand prefer to not acknowledge it. There are a few who try and encourage trade with them, but through strictly filtered and guarded access. In recent decades, the war with Gwinn has revealed many a strange bedfellow as allies to Dunstrand, paving the way for better relations. All characters outside of the Dwindor Orrish settlements will suffer Cultural Stigma.

Perspective: How they see Outsiders

While their leaders encourage some interaction, it is through very select channels. Most are seen as absolutely not to be trusted, and all Goblins are suspicious. That said, they have been taught from a young age to be receptive to outside overtures and shaking of the violence and worst of their reactive natures. The Sun-Bane means they mostly do not interact with the “Sunlanders”. Some are trained as “emissaries” – knowledgeable of local human culture and history. There have been a few cases where either an Off-Spawn or pure Goblin emissary have been sent on missions or out into the world. By default, all outsiders are seen as a potential threat to their culture and way of life, and must overcome this.

• Trusted Outsiders: The Druids of Pranin, and the servants of the Witch of Dwindor are generally regarded with trust. Generally, folk from Dogwood Flats are seen more positive than any others due to recent events.
• A History of Discord: There are always younger elements among the tribes that feel violence and battle are the appropriate response to perceived transgressions. The long game the tribal elders play sometimes comes in conflict with this group and encounters with them are few but reminiscent of their Dark Land brethren.

iCore Cultural Experience of Dwindor Goblin Details