Homebrew Bhinra Highlander (IA) Species Details
And in the days of yore, the northmen came. First they scouted their surroundings for potential danger and threats. Then they hunted the native wildlife to see what fought and what fled. Next they traveled south from the forested shores and met the largest mountains that they had ever seen. Their spires shot skywards towards the heavens in the cold gray sky to unforeseen heights. Then they named the mountains the Keld mountains. For Keld meant cold in their foreign and ancient tongue. Then the men with little other choice began to scale the peaks. It is believed that it was this act that tempered the men on the north yet I believe that these men were already sturdy and strong.
Most men today do not even remember the men of the West. They live so far away from any native civilized places and seldom travel from their homelands, that I cannot blame others for their forgetfulness. However I offer a word of caution. If you mean to travel within the dangerous Western Marches and meet these forgotten men, do not run, do not fight. Simply drop to your knees and pray to your own gods that these fickle mountaineers see you as either weak or worthless. If they do not then expect a cruel and savage end.
While the other human races of Iar Ambar are playing at court intrigue or even fancy themselves as just knights in armor, the Highlanders of the Western Reach live simple lives far removed from these pretenders.
Men of the North
Bhinra Highlanders descend from a group of refugees from the land of Kaldinor in the north. These men were somewhat barbaric yet keen. They were hunters and gatherers first of all and were excellent trackers. As they landed on the northern shores of Iar Ambar they were met with the Kald Mountains which they named so. With nowhere else to go these men decided to go the only routh they could see before them, Up. The Highlanders are not bothered by the strong cold northern winds and can forage for anything in the most frozen of lands.
Once the men descended the mountains the other side they were met with green plains with flowers and rolling hills. They called this land Verudlund or "The Realm of Plenty" and settled it. Over the years when the noble men of the East met the Highlanders their cultures mixed and the Highlanders of Marnahn were no more. Some of the more untrusting Highlanders left their home before such an act could occur. In face the Highlanders feared such and traveled the through the realm of Lagafel and eventually not without loss or injury founded the lands in the northern plains of Glymheim as the Gold Dwarves called it. The Highlanders named it Jordnjr or "The New Lands. These lands today are often called the Tribe Lands.
Symbiotic Relationship
The Bhinra Highlanders had to fight for what they have and have struggled greatly to keep it. They fought the Dwarves for some of the lands they occupied. They fought the dreaded Green Elves of Lagafel to even get to those lands.
With a history full of strife the Highlanders had to adapt and overcome. They forged truces and even friendships with the Gold Dwarves and learned of smithing, tanning, weaving, etc. As all humans, the Highlanders are skilled at many things, however removed that they may be. They offered the Gold Dwarves men and women to fight for them and to work for them. They even offered to teach the Dwarves how to plant and harvest which the Dwarves were loathe to do and were terrible at. Some of these workers even worked Gold Dwarf farms. The Gold Dwarves in return offered to teach the men valuable skills and trades which the traveling folk had little skill before with. They even offered to build their homes and shelters.
Without the Gold Dwarves, the Highlanders would not be where they are today and many of the tribes today remember that.
EVERYONE’S SECOND-BEST FRIENDS
Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. With the exception of Gold Dwarves.
Black Dwarves. “They’re stout folk and good at all that mining. Their strange faith is something left to be desired however their strong ties to their ancestors is admirable. Shame they aren't kinder to their Golden cousins.”
Gold Dwarves. "They’re also a stout folk like their cousins. They make stalwart friends, and are true to their words. We would not be as prosperous or as peaceful today without their help in the past and even today without their friendship."Green Elves. “It’s best not to wander into elven woods. They don’t like intruders, and you’ll as likely be bewitched as peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned racial pride and actually treat you like an equal, you can learn a lot from them.”
Fimblewood Halflings. “It’s hard to beat a meal in a halfling home, as long as you don’t crack your head on the ceiling—good food and good stories in front of a nice, warm fire. If halflings had a shred of ambition, they might really amount to something.”
Tribesmen
The Highlanders are a tightly knit group of people. They keep a closed circles of friends and do not often stray far from their homeland. Many of their family units consist of an extended family. The men are usually the warriors, hunters, and fighters while the women are usually the gatherers, foragers, caretakers and home protectors. The elders are often the family wise ones and offer sage advice to their youngers. They even teach their grandchildren when the mother cannot.
Each household sees the other within the clan also as family and if they two families are very close, they may even marry into another. Along with such love, they will also fight doggedly for one another. If a clan's home is threatened, usually all of it's members will burn down the entire country side than see their home destroyed.
Although some Highlander clans can be xenophobic, in general their clans are inclusive. Most Highlander Clan lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands. Although these nonhumans rarely stay.
When Highlander youngsters come of age, usually at the age of fifteen, they embark on an epic challenge to prove themselves a valuable member to the clan. These challenges are as follows. Rite of Strength, Rite of Mind, Rite of Family, and Rite of the Clan. In the Rite of Strength the youngster must compete in a trail of strength which can vary from wrestling a wild animal, to besting a peer in combat. The Rite of Mind, one must complete a trial which their sharpness and intuition are tested. Rite of Family is where they youngster must prove themselves to their family. This challenge is usually offered by the father. The Rite of the Clan is where the Youngster must use all three previous trial's experience and must travel alone to the Clan's sacred land where they must commune with the Clan's Bhinra or Clan Spirit. When all challenges are completed the youngling is marked by the clan Elder and is given a new name from the wisdom of the Bhinra. If one fails these challenges they are given 1 year to prepare and meditate on their failure and are given one more chance to complete the challenges. If they fail a second time, the youngling is exiled from the clan and must journey outward marked ever as a Vinar or Failure and can never return to their home clan.
Exemplars of Ambition
Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. This is also true of the Highlanders. To become a valued member of a tribe is widely desired but to be marked by an elder as a Heima Eir or Wanderer. Wanderers are the folklore heroes to the Highlanders aside from the war heroes and Bhinra. Wanderers are tasked with gathering exciting information and stories on their travels and are asked to do great and heroic acts so they may one day come back to their clan and retire as the most wise elders for they have seen much in their own home and outside.
Highlander Names and Ethnicities
The Bhinra Highlanders often name their children after heroic people in their many tales and also after the individual family's ancestors. To name one's own child after their parents is viewed as a great honor. Some tribes do not name their children directly after their ancestors. Some may change the name to a more feminine form if their child is a girl or may wish to start a new naming scheme all together.
The material culture and physical characteristics of Bhinra Highlanders is typically the same from Clan to Clan. They love music and war stories. They wear animal skins and even some Dwarvish woven clothing. They are laborers and hunters and value important roles in their societies. They abhor wearing armor for it is seen as cowardice in many clans.
In Iar Ambar, seven Highlander ethnic groups are widely recognized. These groups, and the typical names of their members, can be used as inspiration no matter which world your human is in.
Dire Wolf Clan
Shorter and slighter in build than most other Highlanders. They are the most populous of the clans are share a strong bond of loyalty to one another beyond other clans. The Dire Wolf Clan lives near the riverside where the Gold River branches South-west to the Halfling Lake and South-east towards the outsider settlement of Verdhaven.
Dire Wolf Names: (Male) Alvi, Benjam, Hannes, Karri, Miko, Taloc, Unto; (female) Aili, Cretta, Hellin, Johanna, Marja, Soiliki, Tuuli, Valpuri; (surnames) Ahola, Harju, Jarvella, Kekkonen, Martilla, Peltola, Rantala
Dire Boar Clan
Short, squat and strong. The Dire Boar Clan loves to fight and crack skulls. Many clans see them as troublemakers and loudmouthed. Despite that the Dire Boar are as fierce as they are prone to trouble and they love to goad their opponents to throw them off guard. The Dire Boar clan lives north of the Dire Wolf and find their backs against the Glym Hills to the north.
Dire Boar Names: (Male) Ante, Bent, Egil, Goran, Grag, Halvard, Mads, Marcus, Reidar, Svein; (female) Ana, Ellhen, Jannicke, Krist, Lill, Malin, Ronnaug, Sigrun, Tanja; (surnames) Arntzen, Bronstad, Devold, Espe, Gudrun, Torvik
Field Lion
Found primarily in the South-west most region nearest the Halfling settlement of Fimblewood. The Field Lion Clan is smart, calculated and cunning if not somewhat selfish. They view themselves the sole inheritors of the Tribelands and often boast of their own self importance. Despite their boasting and arrogance, the Field Lion Clan make for fine tacticians.
Field Lion Clan Names: (Male) Bjor, Faje, Gertorn, Gjohl, Ingmar, Ivor, Kimer, Magnus, Orvar, Pavel, Stefan; (female) Anita, Kara, Kerstin, Marija, Natali, Olma, Tana, Zora; (surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov, Marsk, Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag
Owlbear Clan
The Owlbear Clan members are tall and broad chested. Many are very intimidating looking. The Owlbear members are secretive with outsiders as well as the other clans. They view the other clans as enemies and as such are often looked at as either mad, evil, or even as monsters. Owl Bear clan members live North-west of the Field Lion Clan and have their backs to the mountains.
Owlbear Clan Names: (Male) Anton, Bjarne, Bran, Friz, Geth, Lander, Luth, Marg, Stor, Taman, Urth; (female) Agnes, Bian, Cefreja, Krene, Mara, Olga, Silifrej, Westra; (surnames) Brethelsen, Henningsen, Holst, Lorenzen, Skov, Westergaard.
Roc Clan
Living in the North-western mountains north of the Owlbear Clan, the Roc Clan members are strong willed and only help those that can help themselves. In their society, if you are of no use to them or you are aid to their own, they exile you form their lands. The Roc Clan value their somewhat secluded position as they value the quiet. They mostly keep to themselves.
Roc Names: (Male) Andreas, Bedwyr, Eudav, Kynwyl, Medwyn, Rhain, Siams, Tudur, Gwynlais; (female) Arwydd, Catti, Nerys, Nulara, Morlais, Saith, Tewdyr, Wynn, Zolwyr; (surnames) Alwyn, Anyon, Fezim, Haf, Ninian, Siofra, Uthwyn
Moss Elk Clan
Found in the Northmost region at the base of the Orndar Mountains and within the Briset Grove, the Moss Elk tribe lives a very peaceful existence in tandem with the nature around them. The tribe has never been to war with any other tribe in the past and live as pacifists. However if their lives are threatened, like any regal stag, they will use their powerful horns to defend themselves.
Moss Elk Clan Names: (Male) Ailpean, Finnogh, Filib, Grannd, Maolruibh, Risteard, Sandaidh, Tomachan; (female) Floireans, Hoilma, Isebail, Moire, Milread, Sile, Seonaid, Una; (surnames) Bhasa, Donaidh, Iliya, MacMhorgain, Sionar,
Auroch Clan
The Auroch clan are the fewest populated clan of the Bhinra Highlanders and live in the most remote place across the Orndar Mountains in the Conchur Forest. There they commune with the spirits and are believed to be the most spiritually connected of all the Clans. They also consume psychedelic mushrooms and powders to enhance this spiritual connection. Some of the other clans think they are drunk/high idiots that know nothing of the Bhinra.
Auroch Clan Names: (Male) Ailin, Caerul, Cathair, Failghe, Glassan, Iarlaith, Lochan, Luithiarn, Mocholla, Noise, Shan, Saidal, Stiofan; (female) Boinn, Caitlin, Dairin, Gormfhlaith, Moinait, Murgiel, Nora, Uaine; (surnames) Consaidin, Daibheid, Eachaidh, Hathairne, Leanachain, Luasaigh, Mhic Ceitinn, Ni Broithe, O Conallain.
Bhinra Highlander (IA) Traits
Due to their northern ruggedness and history of survival, these are Highlander Traits.Ability Score Increase
Choose 1 ability score to increase by 2, and another by 1.
Age
Highlanders reach adulthood usually at 15 if they pass their rites and do not often live past the age of 60 due to their cultural beliefs, disease, and frequent battles. Those that do live longer are considered village Elders.
Northborn Resistance
You resist cold damage. Additionally, You’re also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet.
Size
Highlanders sizes vary widely like most humans but most stand between 5'6" and 6'6" feet tall and are often powerfully built.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Bhinrish (The language of the Highlanders) and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.
Size Does Matter
You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Dwarvish Learning
You are proficient with an Artisan's Tool of your choice.
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