Hestark

The Imperial

History

The Hestarks were one of the newest racial classifications of humans, though they do have a history that stretched far back into that of the lost continent of Bannesiel and the provinces. The Hestark people are a hardy sort however, born mainly from Bannesielan mines and their surrounding towns where they labored for their former King day and night, producing the goods for the continent to survive on trade and commerce. The work was highly dangerous and often succumbed to collapse, with the miners having relatively poor treatment and conditions. This continued for a great many years, with the miners receiving no reprieve from those who stood above them in their oppressive and ancient government which controlled and presided over the frigid lands of Bannesiel.

Yet, hope did come with a new ruler. A simple man by the name of Conrad von Einar came to reconquer what was lost and overthrow the profane Bannesielan lords. It was in this time that Conrad spread the word of the fallen divine Sol and gave power back to the people. In reality, what had happened was a simple shift in power by the oppressed. Conrad was but a simple miner, one who was from the capital city of Einar. Conrad was able to pool together most of the lower classes in Bannesiel, primarily being other Hestark humans and other downtrodden races on the continent. The Hestark people from this rebelled against the nobility, not entirely overthrowing it but in a near holy crusade purging any of the ones who had managed to unnatural extend their life or were cursed. Having nearly replaced all the corrupted nobility, the new government of Bannesiel acted as a more righteous and aggressive force, continued their campaigns against Aestatia to their South East and looking to expand Sol's light across the realms. Because of this, the Vallah residing within their society are tolerated to live, but are severely oppressed, being hardly viewed as people at all, a mirror to how they treated the ones who were once beneath them.

Physical Description

Hestark people are perhaps one of the more pale peoples out of the human species, only being rivaled by their Avaltan and Aestatian cousins. Hestarks have naturally more oval-shaped faces, thick brows and light-colored hair. Hestark eyes also tend to be blue or green primarily with brown following closely behind. Hestarks do not tend to be particularly taller or shorter than other humans, falling right in the mean of all the races.

Hestark clothing tends to be rather simple compared to the former rulers of Bannesiel and other races like the Valois. Hestark clothes tend to be rather simple, though some noble women opt to show their wealth with color rather than frills or anything extensive. Hestark men are more common to show their wealth with a fine pelt rather than excessive embroidery, taking from their simple and honest roots. The colors which exemplify wealth in this culture are blues, reds, and purples primarily, being some of the hardest colors to produce pigment for.

• Common Height:
  • Male: 5'7" - 5'11"
  • Female: 5'4"- 5'8"
• Common Build: Ectomorph, Mesomorph, Endomorph
• Common Eyes: Blue, Green, Brown, Grey, Hazel
• Common Hair: Brown, Blonde, Ginger
• Common Skin Tone: Full Human Spectrum, Mainly Peachy

Culture

The Hestarks like many other humans adhered to a monarchical system of government. However, unlike most humans, Hestarks relied heavily upon the lower echelons of their leadership for support, as lower lords such as Dukes and Counts had much more sway in the government. Because of this, if it were not for Conrad in charge, many of the Hestarks would find their own personal rulers stronger than a national identity, breaking down into their individual Duchies, Counties, etc. There is a strong regional diversity of beliefs among the Hestark people, but there are a handful of things which remain as clear markers between most of their people and groups. Hestarks tended to have a high sense of loyalty, punctuality, and honesty. There is some hypocrisy in this, as it was still seen as vastly disrespectful to speak out against higher nobility. Scars are something looked at with particular reverence within Hestark culture. Scars received from dueling are seen as particularly of note while scars received as punishment or from stupid actions are generally looked down upon, as they all signified ones life experience, as opposed to their age.

Settlements of Hestarks varied vastly, most being small farming communities throughout the continents. Like most other races, they do converge in population centers for trading goods and having specialized services, however the vast majority of Hestarks lived in rural areas, laboring as either farmers, miners, or other harvesters of raw goods. Their cities were primarily built in what is considered a "Gothic" style, having features such as flying buttresses on their cathedrals, high stained glass windows depicting features of their religions and daily lives as well as sharp and jagged architecture. Stone carvings and statues paying memorial to their deceased or "protecting" their cities are also quite common among these superstitious people.

Religion for the Hestarks tended to fall into one of three different lost divines. The primary divine which Hestarks are known to worship is that of Sol. Sol is seen as a liberator among their people, having freed them from their lower pursuits into a higher task with the goal of purifying others. Domm was held in high regard too, the god of forging, mines, and honest work is a welcome sight among Hestark worship, many of the older Hestarks can be found with worship to this divine. Finally, there are those Hestarks who worshipped the god Veltes, preferring their strict social structure, sense of justice, and honor. Those who worshipped Veltes tend to be some of the more honorable Hestarks of the bunch, adhering to the divine's code very strictly until he split into his constituent parts, Dahriim and Belek. Just as this divide between the single divine formed, so too did their religion, with many Hestarks choosing one or the other, and some simply remaining in prayer to the original instead.

Hestarks had a rather simple diet, primarily being of fish and breads with the occasional greens if it is the season for them to be grown. It is more common that they eat roots such as potatoes for vegetables which were able to sustain in their harsh soils much easier. Because of their environment, many greens had to be fermented to be preserved, so Saurkraut is a commonplace use for cabbage which would otherwise go rotten before being able to have full use of it. Sausage is another popular way of being able to eat meat and preserve it before it would go stale. Kartoffelpuffer and Kartoffelkloesse are common uses for potatoes in dishes as well which provide more sustenance for the Hestark people. Split pea soups and Stroopwafel are also foods which the common Hestark can eat, though usually these are reserved for more special occasions.

Mechanics

• Lifespan: 75-90 years old on average.
• Hestarks due to their history in the mines have a natural sense of direction, even while underground. This does not prevent them from getting lost, only allowing them to easier orient themselves.
• Hestarks are, like most other humans, incredibly adaptable, able to fit in almost any humane environment that is not considered uninhabitable.

The Realm of Ephimoria • Beyond the Fracture