Overview
Humans hailing from Arcadia are business-minded, innovative problem-solvers. As an individualistic, proud, organized people, they are a formidable force to be reckoned with. Despite their lands being ripe for conquest they have never been brought to heel under an Empire.
The Kingdom of Arcadia is the place Arcadians call home. Because their home is a mixing pot of various cultures, religions, and ideas, Arcadians are quite tolerant of other species and customs. They often speak multiple languages.
Appearance
Arcadians are physically diverse. Paler Arcadians are more closely related to their Berunic ancestors, while tan or earthy tones indicate Mani or Okunan blood. Their hair comes in every color and style, although it is fashionable to wear braids and pin long hair back. Men wear neatly trimmed beards and do not grow long facial hair.
Humans from Arcadia wear practical wool and linen clothing. Tailored suits, vests, and traditional feudal clothing is reserved for lords and businessmen. Arcadian knights favor laminar armor, but less-flexible full plate is not unheard of. Women wear breeches and blouses, or tasteful sweaters and scarves. It rains frequently in Arcadia and is cloudy most of the year, so moderate cold weather clothing is worn for comfort.
Society
Arcadian Values
Arcadians prize entrepreneurship, innovation, and strict order among all else. Their settlements are well-planned and well-supplied by the bountiful lands they live in. Arcadians tend to be welcoming to outsiders and curious about faiths, magics, and science. Magic is rare in their society. Some rural towns view it as witchcraft while large, bustling centers of commerce and industry have monetized it. Arcadia is a broad realm encompassing many viewpoints. It is possible to find humans of all sorts in its lands.
Arcadians, unlike their Mani neighbors, do not have concubines and strictly support monogamous marriages. Men are slightly favored in their society. Long ago in their tribal upbringing, women served as the caretakers of children and homes. Men were hunters and warriors. This dichotomy is viewed as old-fashioned, but prejudice still exists in business-owners and especially the slums and red-light districts of Arcadian cities.
Religion
Rural Arcadians still cling to the pagan beliefs of the Berunic pantheon, while city-dwellers are less likely to be religious at all. Many science-minded Arcadians believe that gods are either a myth, simply very-powerful mortals, or too far detached from the world to matter.
Verunist missionaries have made some progress in converting Arcadians to their faith. An appearance by Veladriel herself in a rural Arcadian town (Harvestown) has given rise to many rumors and fanciful stories about gods and goddesses in Ilisara.
History
Long ago, humans evolved in the frigid northern reaches of Beruna. These people formed tribes, and roamed the wasteland hunting, fishing, and evading frost giants as best they could. They discovered an ice bridge that formed once every seven years that led to another continent: Arcadia. Early settlers in Arcadia found a land rich with resources and a forgiving climate. They slowly formed lordships and a basic feudal society, while the tribes in Beruna continued to migrate around the snowy north.
Both people are Arcadian. Beruna’s people have always been allies with the now-Kingdom of Arcadia, whose development shot leagues beyond their tribal ancestors. Arcadia makes every effort to protect Beruna due to their heritage. They wish to preserve their ancient culture and allow it to flourish. Beruna’s people still worship the old gods of the Berunic Pantheon, while most Arcadians are pragmatic and serve/worship no gods. They believe power can be acquired by any mortal to become a god; so true deities are not worth exalting as perfect ideals.
Long ago, the Azure Empire invaded Arcadia and tried to colonize it. Due to the guerrilla tactics inherited from their ancestors in Beruna, the Arcadians were able to put up a great fight. Their military innovations and strategic city-planning allowed them to stave off the Azure Empress’ attempts to usurp the kingdom. The greatest example of this is their capital city, Castalla. Castalla was once a humble temple-town established by Paolu monks. The Arcadians recognized its strategic significance in the vassalization war and built it into their capital city. Their soldiers were uniquely experienced in fighting in the snow, cold, and surviving winter. The mild and warm territory the Azure Empire’s troops trained in did not prepare them for Arcadian winters.
Eventually, the Azure Empire — despite slowly winning with superior numbers — faced too much domestic pressure to continue the war for Arcadia’s fealty. They signed a peace with the Arcadian people. The Arcadians are proud of their resilience and sovereignty. They often reference their “unsiegable and unconquerable” capital of Castalla. Though the war is hundreds of years in the past, Arcadians still smugly reference it whenever possible.
Since the war, many Mani and Arcadians have made families together. The two cultures are intertwined, particularly on the border of the Azure Empire and Arcadia. The two people are friendly with one another in modern days.
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