Commonly known as "Highlanders," the Vaas are one of the largest human ethnic groups found on Corwyn.
The largest Vaas populations are located within the Kingdoms of Erindar, Elyria, and Derianor, followed by the Isle of Cynara, the Wildlands, and the Vast. Substantial Vaas minorities also exist in northern Serathyr and western Alveron.
Ethnically, the Vaas people are divided into nine ethnic groups called "Clans," each of which has distinct customs and languages;
- the Cynarans; who founded the Kingdom of Urland.
- the Doradans; who founded the stronghold of Dorada
- the Eldir; who dwelt in several valleys along the Eldir Vaas River and and founded the cities of Chelstad and Gresham
- the Harlochs; who populated the central regions, and founded the kingdom of Harloch
- the Nolar; who dwelt in the Mountains of "Kor's Twins". The Ten-Tribes of the Nolar became known as the "Wildfolk"
- the Thessalans; who populated the northeast Wildlands and founded the Freeholds of Lakewood and Rhest, the Barony of Brindol, and the city of Redmark.
- the Varda; who dwelt in the northern foothills of the Purple Mountains and founded the city of Karthis
- the Vesten; who populated the far-western coastal regions and founded the city of Pike's Ferry
- the Vryne; who dwelt in the western foothills of the Crumbling Mountains and founded the stronghold of Irondale, as well as the cities of Cymereth and Rilsavar
Appearance
Vaas men and women are usually tall and stocky, with soft features. Vaas people have varying shades of yellow-blond, copper, or red hair, pale ruddy skin, and bright eyes of blue, green, or hazel.
Outlook
Other races sometimes feel that the Vaas are lazy and self-centered, for so many of them are free-spirited and carefree.
But in actuality, most Vaas folk are modest, hard-working people, with a penchant for strong religious devotion, and a strong sense of freedom and independence. Vaas folk also love spirituality and freedom of expression.
There are strongly held class and gender divisions set up within Vaas society, with a person's station at birth playing a crucial role in how he or she is measured by Vaas society.
Although few Vaas speak openly about a strict class based system in their society; most Vaas men and women live out their lives according to their station, risking social expulsion or even imprisonment if they do not adhere to societal norms.
The Vaas dwelling in the Theocracy of Derianor view themselves as superior to all other other humans races; even to those Vaas men and women who dwell outside the nation's borders.
Another aspect of Vaas culture is their fierce independence and spirituality. Losing faith in the Gods is considered the worst of cultural sins, and most Vaas folk would do anything to avoid such.
Saving face demands that all Vaas treat others as they present themselves, regardless whether such facades bear any resemblance to the truth.
Once a person or family loses face, they often lose their status and can be relegated to a lower social class within Vaas 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.
Vaas 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 Vaas 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 larger Vaas culture.
Vaas Characters
Many Vaas are drawn to adventuring in hopes of serving their Gods, while others seek out the free-spirit sense of adventure that lies outside their own lands.
Other human races view the Vaas as quick to anger, short-tempered, and arrogant. In truth most Vaas seek nothing more than a lifestyle of comfort and obedience to the Gods. Vaas men and women can easily become characters of any player class, but most prefer to become clerics, druids, barbarians and rangers.
Languages
The Vaas people speak Vaasi as well as common, and there are nine different dialects.
Vaasi is one of the seven original dialects of western men, and the language of the Vaas people of the Highlands region of Corwyn.
This language is most commonly spoken throughout the realms of Derianor, Elyria, and Erindar, western Alveron, and throughout the Wildlands.
Today, Vaasi is the one of the most widespread languages in common usage on the continent of Corwyn.
In addition to Vaasi, many higher-educated Vaas speak Khurylan; the language of the dwarves of Corwyn.
Vaas Names
Common male Vaas names include: Althorn, Hanlon, Harwin, Haryld, Hastafar, Heremmer, Hernled, Hommen, Hrothgar, Hullen, Keldorn, and Kelthorn.
Common female Vaas names include: Ariana, Arwyn, Elwyn, Eriadne, Olena, Hama, and Helena.
