The Thaldain are one of Corwyn's largest human ethnic groups.
Today, the largest Thaldain population is located within the Kingdom of Marundi, followed by the Khorlann Steppes, and the Northern Wastes. Significant Thaldain minorities also exist in the Borderlands, Drakhara, and northern Ammarind.
Thousands of years ago, the Thaldain founded the lost Kingdom of Thalar, and the ruins of its greatest city still exist, deep within the Northern Wastes.
The Thaldain people are made up of three ethnic subgroups, each with distinct customs and languages;
- the Sköda; who founded the kingdom of Thalar
- the Khor-lann; who founded the city of Khorlanis
- the Ruendi; who founded the kingdom of Marundi
Appearance
Thaldain men and women are usually short, with round, freckled features. Thaldain men and women have either black or yellow-blond hair, stark white skin and bright eyes of bright blue, grey, or even white.
Outlook
Other races sometimes feel that Thaldain folk are arrogant and greedy, for they see themselves as the chosen people because so many ancient cultures originated from this ethnic group. Unfortunately, this is largely true. Both Thalari men and women are extremely proud, quick tempered, and slow to forget even a perceived slight. Many Thaldain are great merchants and traders
There are strongly held class and gender divisions set up in Thaldain society, with a person's station at birth playing a crucial role in how he or she is measured by Thaldain society. Although few Thaldain speak openly about a strict class based system in their society; most live out their lives according to their station, risking social expulsion or even imprisonment if they do not adhere to societal norms. Thaldain dwelling in the Kingdom of Marundi view themselves as superior to all other other humans races; even to their kin who dwell outside the kingdoms' borders.
Another aspect of Thaldain culture is maintaining family honor and pride. Losing face is considered the worst of cultural sins, and most Thaldain would do anything to avoid such. Saving face demands that all Thaldain treat others as they present themselves, regardless whether such facades bear any resemblance to the truth. One a person or family loses face, they often lose their status and can be relegated to a lower social class within society. Privacy is therefore a precious commodity, for it allows individuals to act as they wish without outside scrutiny, which could result in such social punishment. Thaldain also place great importance on hospitality and manners. There are strictly defined rules and benefits for both guests and hosts. Guests cannot inflict harm on their guests, and are protected by a sacred tradition of guest right under the roof of their hosts once invited in.
The social classes of Thaldain society are in order from highest to lowest; The Ruling Class, the Advisers, the Military, the Clergy, the Merchants, the Artisans, the Laborers, the Farmers, and lowest, the Servant class. Only women are are allowed to marry above their social class and all such arrangements are strictly scrutinized within the Thaldain culture.
Thaldain Characters
Some Thaldain are drawn to adventuring in hopes of finding quick wealth that will allow them to return to a life of luxury, and thereby improve their social station. Other human races view them as avaricious, lazy, pampered, and arrogant. In truth most Thaldain seek nothing more than a lifestyle of comfort and obedience to the Gods. Thaldain men and women can easily become characters of any player class, but most prefer to become rogues, fighters, and clerics.
Languages
The Thaldain people speak Thalari as well as Common, and there are three major dialects. Thalari is the language most commonly spoken throughout the kingdom of Marundi; as well as northern Ammarind, the Khorlann Steppes, and the City-State of Khorlanis.
In addition to Thalari, many higher-educated people of Thaldain descent speak Rynnish
Thaldain Names
Common male names include: Algerd, Arland, Beren, Berland, Briand, Cerland, Cyrond, Durand, Edgerd, Eldard, Kren, Kressen, Morland, Noland, Nyrond, Roland, Tymond, and Weyand.
Common female names include: Alana, Ariana, Arwyn, Elwyn, Eriadne, Maribel, Markessa, Olena, Ravenna, Ravinia, Rowyn, and Valora.
Role-Playing Guidelines: +1 constitution, -1 Dexterity, +2 bonus against cold and cold-weather effects, suffer -2 penalty in warm or hot climates on all ability\skill checks\attacks.
Thaldain Ethnic Groups
The Thaldain race is divided into three ethnic subgroups:
the Khor-lann; who founded the cities of Khorlanis and Sirilath.
the Ruendi; who founded the city of Derilath.
the Sköda, who founded the city of Al-Enoth.
