Northerners And Southerons

[everblue2er101 905]

This was posted a while ago and more or less forgotten about. It’s not meant to overhaul Northerners and Southerons but clarify what makes them distinct and provide more of a background to them.

Out of all the Descendent races, the Human bloodlines have perhaps remained the most similar. Due to environment, culture, geography, living conditions and hosts of other factors the sub-races of the Elves, Orcs and Dwarves are distinct and unique. The Halflings have physical and cultural differences from the rest of their Human kin. Looking at the Northerners and Southerons it might appear that they are quite distinct from each other, but many of the differences are only superficial. While the two peoples are not by any means identical, they are more similar than may appear at first glance.

For many Humans, choosing how to identify themselves can be a challenge. Southerons and Northerners have never experienced the same strife and conflict that sub-races from other races have experienced. Because of this, the intermingling of Northerners and Southerons is extremely common. It is not at all rare for a Human to have parents or grandparents of either bloodline. For the majority of Humans, their race is determined by their genetic heritage. Tall, dark Humans will generally be Southerons and pale, stout ones Northerners. For some it is not so easy to determine. Humans may use geography to dictate which sub-race they are. If they are born in warmer climates they call themselves Southerons, and if they hail from cold areas they will be Northerners. Familial history is also important. Noble houses and social standing is critical for Humans, and often certain families will ally specifically with one sub-race. However, for many Humans bloodline can be flexible. The Human sub-races are primarily dictated by geography and physical characteristics, but culture may also play a part for a Human who does not clearly fit into either one. Many Humans do not identify strongly with either sub-race and instead choose to refer to themselves just as Humans.

The terms ‘Northerner’ and ‘Southeron’ emerged in Aegis, when the sub-races first became distinct. The earliest Southerons were those who lived in settlements on the southerly portions of the King’s Road. Northerners inhabited the towns and villages in the frigid north where the Undead stirred. The Mallowyn Woods served to divide and provide distinctions between the two bloodlines and keep them separate, allowing for differences to emerge. In Asulon, this geography was reversed. Instead of having the cold snowy areas in the north, the mountains of Hanseti were in the far south of Asulon. The flat, hot grasslands of Salvus and Renatus were farther north than Hanseti. Despite this, the traditional traits of the Northerners were present among the Hansetians while the Southerons were seen in Renatans and Salvans. This quirk in geography meant that the names no longer made sense, and those born in Hanseti were often called Northerners and the ones from the northern settlements Southerons. It is difficult to erase hundreds of years of history, and so despite the inconsistency in the naming they are still commonly referred to as Northerners and Southerons. To further complicate matters the lands of Hanseti are once again in the north of the Holy Oren Empire in Anthos, and Northerners are once more being born in the north.

History

It is not known when Southerons and Northerners first began to emerge in Aegis. There is evidence that the first Human settlements appeared in flat, grassy areas where water was plentiful and available for irrigation of crops. This would indicate that Southerons were the first to come about, as most Human farmers have Southeron roots. But Humans, always the most populous and curious of the races, must not have stayed in one place for long. It would not have taken much time at all before the Humans began to explore, and move ever further north. Here, the climate began to change dramatically. No longer were there open grasslands well suited for farming. Within the northern forests and snowy lands life was harsh and survival difficult. It is commonly thought that the Humans who successfully moved away from the southern grasslands and survived in the north must have been a hardy, strong group that were successful in adapting to the climate. There were likely many unsuccessful Humans who were unable to adapt and either perished or migrated back south. Over time, more permanent settlements began to emerge in the north.

Northerners and Southerons have not divided themselves as much as other races have into specific settlements. Unlike the Halflings with their burrows, the High Elves and Silver City or Forest Dwarves and their aboveground homes, Northerners and Southerons managed to co-exist in many settlements. War, outright hostility or segregation between the bloodlines has been rare. Some speculate that it is because of this that the Humans managed to create one of the largest nations that was known in Asulon. It is also interesting to note that when the Phoenix Revolution occurred the nations that were created were not delineated by racial lines, but by politics alone. This is a noticeable difference from other races, where many settlements are created by the separateness of bloodlines.

Of course, most settlements had a population that was primarily composed of one bloodline. Al’Khazar, the seat of power for Oren and largest city of the Humans hosted the greatest concentration of Southerons known in Aegis. There politics and charm flowed freely as Humans jostled their way into positions of power. Whisper Isles, the largest southern town of the Humans also hosted a large Southeron population.

The Northerners adapted to the cold, snowy, desolate, isolated northern lands. Winterfell was perhaps the largest and most prosperous of all northern towns, led by successful rulers and providing useful materials to the Oren economy. Before they fell, Alstion and Snowy Fields were also bastions of Northerner strength. The later towns of Crimson Vale, Celestine and New Alstion were primarily made up of Northerners. It would be foolhardy to claim that Southerons avoided these northern places or Northerners stayed away from Al’Khazar. While the native sub-race was always dominant in the geographical area that settlements were located in, the mobility and ambition of the Humans meant that people from either bloodline settled wherever they though opportunity awaited them.

The rise of the Undead around the start of the 14th century gave new meaning to Oren and the Humans. The strongest Undead outposts and strength was located even further north than the Humans. Because of this, it was the settlements of the Northerners that first felt the true brunt of the Undead attacks. Snowy Fields and Alstion both fell to the power of the Undead. The Northerners were both vilified and triumphed at the time. Some claimed that the Northerners were the first line of defense Oren had against the Undead, and they should defend it at all costs. Others stated that the Northerners had already proven highly effective at repelling the Undead. After the first wave of Undead attacks, their power ebbed and an uneasy peace grew in north Oren. This was shattered with the rapid increased of Undead strength, the death of the Wandering Wizard, fall of Al’Khazar and Fall of the North. Critics of the Northerners still existed and claimed that not enough had been done to stop the Undead. More Aegeans argued that all of Oren was to blame, leading in part to the events of the Phoenix Revolution.

In Asulon, some areas had very similar geography to what had been settled in Aegis by the Humans. The relatively flat grasslands of Renatus and Salvus, hot and with many water sources for growing crops, proved to be attractive to Southerons. The snowy, cold mountains of Hanseti beckoned Northerners to migrate. However, for the first time, neither bloodline was as clearly separated as they had been in Aegis. Some settlements were more populated with one sub-race over the other. As the new seat of power, Arethor attracted a considerable number of Southerons. Ildon Hold and the mountains of Hanseti were dominated by Northerners. But mobility was more common than had even been seen in Aegis. As a result, over the six decades in which Asulon was settled by the Descendent races the Northerner and Southeron distinctions became even more blurred. The numbers of Northerners and Southerons dropped as the numbers of those calling themselves Humans rose.

During the chaotic years of Elysium and Kalos there existed almost no physical separation of the peoples, and even more intermingling occurred. In Anthos there was again a divide between the northern lands of Hanseti and the southern plains of the rest of the Humans, but both sub-races continue to live in settlements across the Empire.

In all realms, each bloodline has remained most loyal to Humans. When dealing with other races, Northerners are most likely to join with Dwarves. Both stout, hardy people, the Dwarves and Northerners are used to harsh climates and combat. Ale is commonly shared. Southerons are typically attracted to Elves, with whom they share an affinity for seeking knowledge and eloquent speech. Fine foodstuffs and wines are often used to forge bonds.

Appearances

Southerons are typically tall, lithe and dark-skinned. Southerons usually settle and congregate in areas that are best suited for farming, and are some of the most prolific growers of crops among all peoples. The dark skin of the Southeron is believed to have developed as a result of the harsh sunlight that permeated the southern parts of Oren in Aegis. Some Southerons have very dark skin while others are lighter, but it is rare to find one who is as pale as a Northerner. With an abundance of good crops, the height of the Southeron increased steadily. Many remain fit and lean as a result of eating well. The clothing of Southerons is often loose fitting and light-weight. It is usually dyed with bright colours. Jewelry is common among Southeron women.

Northerners are pale, short and sturdily built. It is commonly believed that when the first Northerners began to enter the snowy lands, the Human bloodlines had not yet split off distinctly. The Northerners therefore emerged from Humans that looked very much like what the child of a modern Northerner and Southeron would appear as. With less food readily available and a diet more focused on meat rather than crops such as wheat, the Northerners size grew smaller and more compact. This suited the combat that Northerners frequently found themselves in, fighting off the many monsters and eventually the Undead that scoured the north. With less access to the sun the skin of the Northerner became pale and gaunter. Northerners are likely to wear simple, warm clothing usually made of sheep wool.

Strengths

The Southerons are excellent at some things. Long a people regarded as farmers, they typically build settlements near large bodies of water that can irrigate crops. Wheat, melon, pumpkins, potatoes, sugarcane and carrots are all grown by Southerons in abundance. In combat, many Southerons prefer to wield a sword or bow and most are adequately skilled with them. For many Southerons, their greatest strength lies in their words. Politics and socializing is important to them, and being eloquent and well-spoken provides a boon in the political scene. Many Southerons are also good writers and entertainers.

Northerners are renowned for their skill in combat. Having lived in harsh environments for centuries, Northerners use their considerable strength to go to battle. Swords are common for Northerners, but many also wield battleaxes. Physical labour is another benefit to the Northerner. They make excellent miners and lumberjacks, well suited to work in cold areas with many natural resources that other races cannot easily work in. Animal breeding is a long-standing tradition for Northerners, who prefer to raise cows, chickens, pigs and sheep for food and materials rather than rely on crops.

Weaknesses

Although most Southerons are able to competently wield a weapon of choice, few match the skill found amongst the Dwarves or Orcs in combat. Many Southerons shy away from physical labour other than farming as they lack the upper body strength to masterfully wield an axe or pickaxe.

Northerners are traditionally hesitant to farm given the harsh environment, as only the hardiest of crops can survive the climate. Because of this many Northerners struggle to maintain farms. Only in recent years have some foodstuffs been discovered that are well suited to the snow and climate that the Northerners live in. Although Northerners do enter politics and can be excellent speakers, many struggle with adapting to the harsh political climate that so often exists in Human lands.

Personality

Southerons are usually outgoing extroverts who enjoy the company of others. They are often found at the centre of attention among large circles of friends and acquaintances. Given the political drive of the Southeron, however, it can be difficult to determine who is truly a friend and who is viewed as a useful pawn. Vanity has often been a trait of the Southeron, as many will subtly compete in their clothing, housing and status. Making plans is often seen as a hindrance by Southerons, who like to live in the moment and go with the flow. They may be viewed as annoying by others, as the Southeron can talk for a long time without stopping, often on topics seen as flippant or trivial.

Northerners are frequently quiet, contemplative figures. They have time to think and have discussions during the long, dark days of the snows. Although they rarely have as many friends and acquaintances as Southerons, the ones they do have are usually closer. Familial ties are generally stronger within Northerner homes. Stubbornness and conservatism is often found in Northerners, who loathe change and prefer to do things according to tradition. Their frequent long silences can be viewed with suspicion by others, who may think they are scheming or plotting something. Living in conditions where making small mistakes can be the difference between life and death, Northerners are more cautious and likely to stick with what is known to work.

Conflict

Although for the most part Southerons and Northerners are able to exist quite peacefully, there lingers old and new divides among them that can cause minor points of conflict. One of these regards the view that Northerners were supposed to be the defenders of the northern reaches of Oren in Aegis against the Undead threat, and failed in that task. In the dying days of Aegis this was a fairly common sentiment among quite a few peoples, not just Southerons. After nearly a century few still hold this belief, but among some Southeron families there remains bitterness against the Northerners as being unable to save Aegis.

Another area of strife is along the choice of weapons. Although swords are the dominant weapon of the Humans, a large proportion of Northerners prefer an axe and many Southerons use a bow. Some of the more elitist Southerons see the use of an axe as barbaric and little more than butchery. Quite a few Northerners see a bow and arrows as cowardly and a way to enter combat without getting ones clothes dirty.

[Samoblivion 531]

Hmm. Ford Vallero would appear to be the last of the Southerons then ^.^

[Acornlad 206]

Uhh, Sam, you forgot Tahjeet Mubdee.

And to your Lore everblue, it looks good and fits well to the characteristics of the races, or at least my character.

[Caln McHarnish/porkchopp2 71]

Very nice lore. Good work.