Race: Chamweaddian (Tyrnuedd) (SHAM-weth-ian)

Physical Description and Looks:

Chamweaddians are Caucasians, with an average height of between 5 and 6 foot. Their hair colour ranges from blond to very dark brown.

History:

The Peoples of Chamweadd have had a rich history which began in the woods of the North West of the continent. They were primitive hunter gatherers who had esoteric beliefs. They constructed strange monoliths which brought great magic’s to the lands.

At the time they were a peaceful folk who lived in small tribes.

The elves were to bring an end to this, as they hunted down the humans and forced them into slavery, those that escaped the Elvish whips fled into the less fertile Northern Lands hiding and became known as the Wastelanders.

In 0ar the humans under the leadership of Cunnaedd rebelled against their masters and threw down the mighty Elvish cities all but wiping out the Naladore elves and driving the survivors into the forests.

Under the leadership of Cunnaed settlements arose under the command of clan lords who employed their Warbands (loyal troops) to enforce their laws.

This clan structure was to remain until the reign of King Gefyn ap Cullian who started to remove the governing powers of the city lords and return more countrywide decisions to the crown. The Lord system was finally quashed by Prince Cynas Ap Gefyn after a messy trial. Governorship now comes directly from the crown and the city lords are now just caretakers of their cities and are forbidden to have Warbands although they are allowed to govern their own militia.

In 1030 ar the Cymriians invaded Chamweadd taking control over most of the southlands and some of Horgreth. The Horgrethians allied with the Cymriians against the Chamweaddians. However the Chamweaddians won through with the use of superior tactics and a good helping of luck and adventurer intervention. Over the following years the southlands were re-taken and the country of Horgreth was merged into Chamweadd becoming the land Tyrnuedd (meaning New Land).

Today, Chamweadd is the Birthplace of Heroes; home of the world's largest port, the home of the Dragon Soul Crystal, the most powerful mages guild and the home of free commerce and liberal attitude. From The Great wall in the north to Keladiff in the south, Tyrnuedd is full of customs and traditions. A lot of them have very long histories. Some are funny and some are strange. But they're all interesting and are all part of the Chamweaddian way of life.

Other Psychological Factors:

The Chamweaddians are the most varied of the Human cultures and have an extra 3 exp to spend on any skills.

Society and Everyday life:

Introduced by King Wyan ap Llew the hobby of gardening, and visiting gardens, became regarded as typically Chamweaddian Nobility pursuits. Over the years gardens have become more popular and even the everyday serf can acknowledge a good garden.

In many, usually rural places, people gather for MaimonathDay festivals on the 1st of Maimonath to celebrate "the awakening of the flowers" - the beginning of summer. This traditionally involves the children skipping around a maimonathpole - a large pole erected on the village green (a tree having been specially cut down) - each carrying a coloured ribbon, resulting in a multi-coloured plaited pattern. The festival traditionally features Borris dancing and various festivities, culminating in the crowning of a 'Maimonath Queen'.

Clothing, Weapons and Tools:

Like their culture, the Chamweaddian dress is varied and incorporates fashion throughout history. Fashions change so frequently that almost any style has become acceptable.

Hierarchy and Social Caste:

The Chamweaddians have created a class system:  an upper class, middle class and working class, although the definition of these terms is not so clear.

The king or queen owns all the land, but local control is divided between City Lords, and land Barons.

Upper Class

All members of the Nobility, and high ranking Guild Members are classed as Upper Class.

The Nobility pay taxes and fight for the king, in return for their titles and lands. They live in their own manors or castles. Their income mainly comes from rents and taxes collected from the people living and working on their land.

High Ranking Guild members are treated with the same respect as a member of the Nobility. They hold the power of their guilds, and usually live in mansions owned by the Guild.

Noble titles:

King / Queen,

Prince/Princess,

Duke/Duchess,

Earl,

Viscount,

Marquis,

Count/Countess,

Baron/Baroness,

Knight

Middle Class

All members of the ‘free’ population is counted as middle class.

The Middle class are Freemen that work for a living, either in one of the many city occupations, or as Yeomen farmers, who work for a ruling lord.

Lower Class

All Serfs (peasants) are owned by a lord and have to work for their living. They pay taxes in exchange for their security and are subject to the laws of their ruling lord.

Adventurers

Adventurers are made up from all ranks of society. They are usually people that can’t settle to a constant job, or would rather risk the dangers of adventures than being an encumbrant of a Lord.

Trade Commerce and Crafts:

The main the main trades of Chamwaedd are commerce and shipping; farming, fishing and mercenary work. The city of Baeggwyn has a high concentration of carpenters, masons and builders. Chamwaeddian shipbuilding is the envy of the world .

Currency:

Gelt

Dwellings and Major Cites:

Kings Isle – Originally the Capital city of Chamweadd, this fortified isle is now the main residence of the King and Queen of Tyr Nuedd and the training and mustering point of the Tyr Nueddian military.

Baegwynn – Now the Capital city of Tyr Nuedd. This is the main trading port of the country.

Peldwyn – Southern trade port. Full of nefarious guilds and ‘undesirables’

New Corphadelli – Fortified City on the Easternmost border of Chamweadd. Built to defend the pass through the Iron Backed Hills.

Cluaedd – Heavily fortified city in the south of Chaemwaedd it is ruled by a military elite and is the ancestral seat of the Cunnaedd family. Worship of Warlord the god of war is expected.

Maeddyl – Originally the main Military Port, where the Kings Navy us built. Maeddyl dropped in importance after it was abandoned during the Pakarian war and had to be recovered.

Feurdii – Feurdii's shipyards are as large as Maeddyls and are used as a secondary shipyard after Baeggwyn which is now the primary shipyard. Feurdii is also the ancestral seat of the Breggan family.

Luagg – Originally a Spa Town, which was destroyed by Demons. Now a rundown city, lived in by adventurers and refugees.

Other great structures such as temples are new to Chamweadd but have become in a very few years very Chamweaddian, as has the palatial 'stately home'.

Culture, Festivals and Customs:

The Chamweaddian upper class are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for politeness, self-discipline and especially for their sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank you, excuse me) is expected at all times as is correct title usage.

The other classes

Chamweaddian people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright 'Hello' 'Hi' or 'Good morning'.

Chamweaddians also like to use many different 'affectionate' names, according to which part of the Chamweadd you are visiting. The visitor to Chamweadd should not be offended, this is quite normal. For example, you may be called dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me ducky, mate, guv, son, ma'am, madam, miss, sir, or treacle, according to your sex, age and location.

The Full Chamweaddian breakfast remains an enduring tradition for many.

Tea and beer are typical and rather iconic drinks in Chamweadd, particularly the former. Cider is produced in the South West Country, and the very south of Tyrnuedd has seen the re-introduction of vineyards producing high quality white wine on a comparatively small scale.

Religion and Magic:

Chamweaddian folklore is the folk tradition which has evolved over a number of centuries. Some legends can be traced back to their roots, even as far as before the great slave uprising, while the origin of others is fairly uncertain or disputed.

Chamweadd abounds with folklore, in all forms, from such obvious manifestations as the traditional semi-mystical Dragon King legends and semi-historical tales made by the adventuring heroes and villains to contemporary urban myths and facets of crypto zoology such as the Beast of Baegwynn and the Blackmarsh Bog men.

Religion is new to Chamweadd but its introduction has been embraced by serfs to the monarchy. The religions of Tanarsa and Marnarka are now the official religions of the country, and all members of the country are expected to attend one of these churches each week.

All forms of magic are practiced somewhere in Chamweadd, Necromancy and Daemonolgy have been outlawed by the crown and the Towers of Sorcery. The towers are based in Baeggwyn with safe houses in every major city it is unrivalled anywhere in the world.

 Baegwynn boasts the most powerful mage's guild unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Languages and Scripture:

Chamweaddian people traditionally speak Chamweaddian, a tongue that derives its roots from Cymriian, High Elvish and a smattering of Pakarion.

 

Role Playing Tips:

The richer characters should be played slightly aloof. The Lower classes can played in anyway desired.