Post by Dread Gnat on Jun 15, 2012 21:22:14 GMT -5
Common Opinions: (Cestral)
Ad Decimum
~Nobility: They live in a fairyland, where all that's dangerous is simply hypothetical. They're never done a real day's work in their life.
~Peasantry: They seem like a good enough people, but I hear they do dark magic too. You can't trust wizards.
~Military: We desperately need wizards and wardens to help defend against the Vicaul. They could be a useful ally should they ever agree to send us scrolls.
~Druid: They know things, yet they are not wise. They are of little concern to us.
~Academic: Even the "Decimals" know how good our school is. It's the pride of our nation, and they're no doubt jealous.
~Bards: Few tales ring from the halls of Ad Decimum, yet stories of lunacy and madness echo from their basement libraries.
Amalgamation
~Nobility: They're are greatest ally. Many of the other nations promise help, or make small gestures, but the Amalgamation's actions have helped almost everyone on the whole of Cestral. They deserve our respect.
~Peasantry: They sure like to tell us what to do. I may be simple, but I'm not stupid. But that's another culture for you, always thinking they're better.
~Military: Our finest ally. They're helping to build us up, to become great again. The Vicaul are a constant threat and with the Amalgamation, we can hopefully drive them back once and for all.
~Druid: Our greatest ally? Ha! They're our greatest enemy, and the people don't know it. They come with their new religion and the people think they ask for nothing. With ever person that converts from the old ways, a piece of our culture dies.
~Academic: Many nobles send their children to be educated in our school "Alexander," but if their Church had its way, it would be burnt to the ground and the knowledge forever lost. We've seen it done in the past, entire cultures of societies lost. I'd hate to see that happen to us.
~Bards: Long ago, the legends say, that they were cursed. Cursed to forever war and always thirst for more land, and more power. Whether this is true or false, the Amalgamation has conquered every nation that they have so far been able to. They are a thirsty beast.
Celestial
~Nobility: I grew up on some of the tales, but truthfully have little time for them anymore.
~Peasantry: I heard that they were the stars in the sky. Before the crusades there never was night, and the skies were full of light. Personally, I'd have trouble sleeping.
~Military: Whether real or a fantasy, I've never seen them. Don't much care one way or the other for something I've never seen.
~Druid: So long as there is a day and a night, demons and celestials will always war. It is for them to rule the heavens, and for us to tend to the land.
~Academic: I wonder what knowledge a creature that can live to be thousands of years old might hold. Would that cause them to love the world, or despise it.
~Bards: And then the star fell, taking with her the great lord of the night. It was at that moment that both the heavens and the moon fell silent. Both sides had lost their great champions.
Celestine Empire
~Nobility: Great people, just ones who live too far away. They periodically send aid, but it's never very much. It's unfortunate that we require help to begin with.
~Peasantry: It's pretty rare that we see any of their kind here on Cestral. Led by a beautiful queen I hear.
~Military: I've seen them fight at a tournament or two. They're skilled, but so are we. They'd make a great ally if they were closer to us.
~Druid: They worship many gods, but they are still caught in the chains of pride and society.
~Academic: They're a well educated people that value philosophy and art. Long ago, it was actually a gift from their people to ours, the school of Alexander. We've done much with it since then, but this if nothing else shows how much they value and appreciate knowledge.
~Bards: Their Silver Queen avenged her father with the blood of the elves who slew him. When the battle settled however, their nation was in shambles. They were weak, and the Silver Queen knew that it was up to her to make them strong again.
Cestral
~Nobility: We're a hard working people, and everyone, from the wealthy to the poor, does their part. We mustn't ever forget that it is our people that make us strong.
~Peasantry: The heart of a nation is in its people, but the heart of the people is in the drink!
~Military: We've been through a lot, that's no secret, but we've survived, and we're stronger for it.
~Druid: We're a people bound to the land. Without it, we're nothing. So long as Cestral is ours, the people will be strong. We have a connection to the land and animals on it that none can deny.
~Academic: We have the finest university in all of the known world. It is our nation's pride. Noble children come from all over to be educated at Alexander.
~Bards: Give me another pint and I'll tell you another story for why we're amazing. There are two types of people in this world; those who are from Cestral, and those who wish they were!
Coatl
~Nobility: They're a savage people, but they do love their animals. We trade with them on occasion, but whenever we do its always a tense ordeal.
~Peasantry: I hear that they pour molten silver in the eyes of criminals, and worship demons. Glad that they don't use boats.
~Military: They're clever, fast, and brutal. It's no wonder they long ago claimed half of the expanse. Too bad they never adapted with the times and learned how to fight heavily armored soldiers.
~Druid: Some claim that they follow the old ways, in truth they have merged dark magics with faith. This creates something worse that forbidden magics or false faith by itself. It is for this reason, that they are lost.
~Academic: We have no reason to dislike the Coatl. They're a close nation, and one that has no ability to attack us. If anything we should be grateful for that region as a buffer of defense.
~Bards: You've never heard the term "Clever as a Coatl"? It's said for a reason. The moment you think they're defeated and press an attack you find that you're in an ambush, and now you're dead.
Cole
~Nobility: They're often called "The Cestral of the Sea" but really I think that they're just free spirits. Too bad that they're so far west.
~Peasantry: A lot of tavern games that we play were invented by the Cole. Gambling is their way of life, which is great.... Just don't lose your shirt.
~Military: The Cole are unreliable and too far distant to be considered even the remotest friend or ally. They aren't an enemy either, so I guess that's good.
~Druid: They have little respect for the land, wisdom, or the knowledge of their elders. It is unfortunate.
~Academic: For purely..... academic reasons, we traveled there, and we must say... They have some of the finest imported ales, meads, and wine that we've ever tasted!
~Bards: The Cole have the adventurer's spirit. They're bold, brave, and daring! On occasion, they even leave the tavern.
Dace
~Nobility: They're bastards, each and every one of them. The Dacians are the cause of our poverty. Every time that we try and expand trade, Dace undercuts us, or negotiates us out of the deal.
~Peasantry: What do you mean? No, I enjoy eating potatoes..... all the time.......
~Military: Dacians have no respect for our waters. They sail their fleet where they want, when they want. On more than one occasion our fishing ships were forced on the rocks to avoid their fleet just passing by.
~Druid: The Dacians value what they see as beauty, yet they do not see the beauty all around them, in the land, sea, and air.
~Academic: Dacian's know full well what they're doing. They use wealth as a weapon, and for what? To spend a fortune on a theatre or statue? People starve because they can't be satisfied.
~Bards: I don't know why everyone hates Dacians so much. Whenever I see one I'm always a little bit richer.
Demon
~Nobility: We've all heard the stories. Hells, we tell the stories! Thank the gods that the Demons are locked away on Breach.
~Peasantry: They've got red eyes and long tails! They breath fire, and can kill a man with a glance!
~Military: Occasionally we find ourselves battling a demon. They like taking the forms of little girls or beautiful women, whatever it takes to lure someone away from a group or catch someone off guard.
~Druid: They poison the land, and tempt humanity with lies and false promises.
~Academic: For every truth about the Abyssal, there are 10 lies. Many of the so called 'Demons' we find in Cestral aren't demons at all, but are evil fae. In that regard, I'm not sure which are worse.
~Bards: People say that Cestral is blessed. Demons have all but rarely left the Isle alone.
Elves
~Nobility: From the what we've heard, the elves never did harm to anyone until after the war had started. The world is filled with many mysteries, and many beautiful obscurities. It is a shame to lose any of them.
~Peasantry: I've been called an elf myself a time or two. A bit foolish, if you know what I mean! Follow the rainbow!!!
~Military: Thankfully the purification never came to Cestral. Scouts long ago looked around, but with no elves here to hunt, the armies never arrived.
~Druid: The Druids and Effendal have always had an alliance. We are both Stewards of a sort, maintaining the balance.
~Academic: It's a shame that even the abundant lore of the elves was burnt by the amalgamation. We could have learned so much from one another.
~Bards: They say that the elves turned into beasts and birds. Some turned into wind and air. Others into smoke. Regardless of their form though, their presence remains, and that is why Cestral is so green today.
Fae
~Nobility: The Fae are tricksters. They're as dangerous as they are helpful, but rarely do you ever see one. They do most of their work when no one is looking, or in the span of time it takes to blink.
~Peasantry: Fae will steal your children if they can. They'll replace them with changelings who look like your child, but who are actually monsters!
~Military: From what I've heard, Fae have been mostly wiped out. They say that Iron hurts them, and fortunately just about every weapon we use is iron.
~Druid: The Fae are a needed part in the balance of nature, and Cestral is blessed to have many such fae aloof in our land. They keep the hills green, and do much to rid our lands of the evil spirits that plague other nations.
~Academic: The Fae were all but driven extinct during the Crusades. They're sent to frequent places of magic, and though some consider Cestral Fae blessed, I've seen no evidence of it.
~Bards: For every good fae, there is one that is wicked, but each are bound by rules and bans which can trap and trick the trickster.
Gael
~Nobility: The Gael are another nation that has been unable to adapt with the times. Unless their culture changes, the people will gradually fade into nothingness.
~Peasantry: From what I hear, they're like the Coatl....so savages...But without horses. So Slower. And more furry.
~Military: The Gael are like a cornered beast. It has nowhere to go, and nothing to do but fight.
~Druid: The Gael are some of the last true defenders of the Old Ways. In many ways, they are heroes.
~Academic: The Gael follow an oral tradition and are lost to superstition. It's no wonder that their society is on the decline.
~Bards: The fury of a Gael is the thing of legend. What they don't have in terms of magic, walls, or weaponry, they have in rage. They're strong, fit, and can cut a man in half with a club. At least that's what they say.....
Drir
~Nobility: They're the descendants of those necromancers and blood mages who fled west during the purification. After years of eating snakes and living in swamps and deserted islands, well... I imagine that they're a little cranky.
~Peasantry: Glad they're on the other side of the world from us. Warlocks and Witches all of them!
~Military: They say that the waters by their isle are filled with undead sailors who have travelled too close. If you get too near, the undead will pull you under too. Maybe even your ship.
~Druid: The Drir are servants of the Crow, they destroy what they touch, and are masters only of death.
~Academic: The Drir have suffered a hard life. They've known nothing but hardship, and in their society, morality is a weakness. I'd hate to be around them.
~Bards: They say that these men have black eyes and are filled with pure evil.
Mandala
~Nobility: They're as beautiful as they are deadly. Cunning ladies killing with not a shout, but a whisper.
~Peasantry: I've never heard one thing about them. They're over with all the other city-states. What they do is no concern to me.
~Military: I hear that in Mandala they love two things; Tea, and Poison.
~Druid: They do not follow our ways, but they do not object to them either. Like so many others, they simply.....are.
~Academic: The people of Mandala are well educated, polite, and seemingly kind. Even so, why do I get the feeling that they're plotting something when they smile.
~Bards: Mandala was the former home of the Blood Knights before their execution. The Blood Knights would paint themselves in blood runes and march into battle against other blood mages. They did a world of good in the purification until the Amalgamation considered them too dangerous and had them all killed.
Nadine Empire
~Nobility: They're dangerous. They're also one of the main threats to our greatest ally, the Amalgamation. If the Empire wanted us destroyed, we would have been. That still doesn't help me sleep at night.
~Peasantry: They might not be the largest nation, but they're the nastiest. They use anything and everything to get ahead. For them, every day is war.
~Military: They might be impressive to most people, but a lot of it is just their legend. In a real fight I bet they'd be a lot more manageable than their reputation makes them out to be.
~Druid: They like any servant of the Crow, follow death. They are a warrior people and as such respect only strength.
~Academic: During the crusade, and subsequent purification, a lot of knowledge was lost...Yet the one place the Amalgamation couldn't go was the Nadine Empire.
~Bards: The black knights of the empire always have been, and always will be. They come from the abyss itself, and the armor is not painted, but made of ash.
Saek
~Nobility: The Saek are part legend, part truth. They're a people who have nothing else to live for but each other. They have no ties to wealth, politics, or possession. All they have is family.
~Peasantry: You'd have to be half crazy and all stubborn to live in breach and not be a demon... That's them!
~Military: The Saek aren't soldiers by choice, they're born fighters. They have to in order to survive, but they'd never even consider raising an army. What would be the point?
~Druid: The Saek are blessed and cursed. They are blessed to live, and cursed to struggle. But trial is can also be seen as a blessing. It makes one better. So too have they survived.
~Academic: The Saek are the ancestors of slaves that were freed from demon kind. Since then they have been forced to survive in desert and wasteland. If you were born into that environment, it would be hard to ever know anything else.
~Bards: Some say that the Saek are much like demons themselves, their fury is much like the Gael's. It is wild, and uncontrollable.
Castle Thorn
~Nobility: Castle Thorn does the world a great deal of good. Though we aren't helped directly, they keep the demons at bay, and that is something that we can respect.
~Peasantry: I hear that they don't even grow their own food! Can't, the entire area is dead from all the battles. I wonder how they eat...
~Military: They're stubborn warriors. Why else would you choose to live there? All the same, I respect them for it.
~Druid: They fight the imbalance at the cost of themselves. They are not friends of nature, but they are warriors on its behalf all the same.
~Academic: Castle thorn was constructed on the spot of the great ritual that caused the great chasm between the southern regions of the western expanse, and what is now known as "Breach."
~Bards: They say that the warriors of Castle Thorn are the descendants of the same great men and women who fought in the crusade.
Vein
~Nobility: They've joined with the Amalgamation and fight the Vicaul. What's not to respect?
~Peasantry: They're giants! They're huge men and women wielding huge swords, and wearing thick armor. I'd hate to even be standing next.
~Military: The Vein are responsible for guarding their region against the Vicaul. They've constructed huge walls and the Vicaul are no match against the Vein in a siege. It's just unfortunate that any time we try building something similar, the Vicaul just burn it down before we finish.
~Druid: The Vein's fate is what is fast becoming ours. The Vein turned their back on the Old Ways and joined the Amalgamation. The Daoine Cestral seem to be eager to embrace the Amalgamation, but they do not understand the cost...
~Academic: The Vein are another example of a society that cannot adapt to the times. Magic in their society was a crime with the strict exceptions. It created peace and stability. They were fierce warriors with excellent walls and technology.... But against the Amalgamation it wasn't enough.
~Bards: They say that the King Vercrux bested their king in single combat. It was on that day that the Vein surrendered. They are a people of honor.
Vicaul
~Nobility: There are no words that I can speak that are not filled with hate for them. They have killed countless people, destroyed our lands, burnt our fields, and taken our women and children. They are monsters.
~Peasantry: If you see a ship, hear the town bells... just run. Your home, your field. It can all be rebuilt.
~Military: We do what we can, and have a very mobile army. Our villages are so spread out that it's the only way that we can defend our Isle. The Vicaul are tough though. They're hearty and savage warriors.
~Druid: Cestral's greatest enemy, yet they too follow the Old Ways. We should be friends, yet they seem to only want to prey on the weak.
~Academic: There is a reason why Alexander is in the middle of the island, far away from the sea....
~Bards: The Vicaul come in the mists, destroy, and are gone just as fast. They're like a savage phantom.
Ad Decimum
~Nobility: They live in a fairyland, where all that's dangerous is simply hypothetical. They're never done a real day's work in their life.
~Peasantry: They seem like a good enough people, but I hear they do dark magic too. You can't trust wizards.
~Military: We desperately need wizards and wardens to help defend against the Vicaul. They could be a useful ally should they ever agree to send us scrolls.
~Druid: They know things, yet they are not wise. They are of little concern to us.
~Academic: Even the "Decimals" know how good our school is. It's the pride of our nation, and they're no doubt jealous.
~Bards: Few tales ring from the halls of Ad Decimum, yet stories of lunacy and madness echo from their basement libraries.
Amalgamation
~Nobility: They're are greatest ally. Many of the other nations promise help, or make small gestures, but the Amalgamation's actions have helped almost everyone on the whole of Cestral. They deserve our respect.
~Peasantry: They sure like to tell us what to do. I may be simple, but I'm not stupid. But that's another culture for you, always thinking they're better.
~Military: Our finest ally. They're helping to build us up, to become great again. The Vicaul are a constant threat and with the Amalgamation, we can hopefully drive them back once and for all.
~Druid: Our greatest ally? Ha! They're our greatest enemy, and the people don't know it. They come with their new religion and the people think they ask for nothing. With ever person that converts from the old ways, a piece of our culture dies.
~Academic: Many nobles send their children to be educated in our school "Alexander," but if their Church had its way, it would be burnt to the ground and the knowledge forever lost. We've seen it done in the past, entire cultures of societies lost. I'd hate to see that happen to us.
~Bards: Long ago, the legends say, that they were cursed. Cursed to forever war and always thirst for more land, and more power. Whether this is true or false, the Amalgamation has conquered every nation that they have so far been able to. They are a thirsty beast.
Celestial
~Nobility: I grew up on some of the tales, but truthfully have little time for them anymore.
~Peasantry: I heard that they were the stars in the sky. Before the crusades there never was night, and the skies were full of light. Personally, I'd have trouble sleeping.
~Military: Whether real or a fantasy, I've never seen them. Don't much care one way or the other for something I've never seen.
~Druid: So long as there is a day and a night, demons and celestials will always war. It is for them to rule the heavens, and for us to tend to the land.
~Academic: I wonder what knowledge a creature that can live to be thousands of years old might hold. Would that cause them to love the world, or despise it.
~Bards: And then the star fell, taking with her the great lord of the night. It was at that moment that both the heavens and the moon fell silent. Both sides had lost their great champions.
Celestine Empire
~Nobility: Great people, just ones who live too far away. They periodically send aid, but it's never very much. It's unfortunate that we require help to begin with.
~Peasantry: It's pretty rare that we see any of their kind here on Cestral. Led by a beautiful queen I hear.
~Military: I've seen them fight at a tournament or two. They're skilled, but so are we. They'd make a great ally if they were closer to us.
~Druid: They worship many gods, but they are still caught in the chains of pride and society.
~Academic: They're a well educated people that value philosophy and art. Long ago, it was actually a gift from their people to ours, the school of Alexander. We've done much with it since then, but this if nothing else shows how much they value and appreciate knowledge.
~Bards: Their Silver Queen avenged her father with the blood of the elves who slew him. When the battle settled however, their nation was in shambles. They were weak, and the Silver Queen knew that it was up to her to make them strong again.
Cestral
~Nobility: We're a hard working people, and everyone, from the wealthy to the poor, does their part. We mustn't ever forget that it is our people that make us strong.
~Peasantry: The heart of a nation is in its people, but the heart of the people is in the drink!
~Military: We've been through a lot, that's no secret, but we've survived, and we're stronger for it.
~Druid: We're a people bound to the land. Without it, we're nothing. So long as Cestral is ours, the people will be strong. We have a connection to the land and animals on it that none can deny.
~Academic: We have the finest university in all of the known world. It is our nation's pride. Noble children come from all over to be educated at Alexander.
~Bards: Give me another pint and I'll tell you another story for why we're amazing. There are two types of people in this world; those who are from Cestral, and those who wish they were!
Coatl
~Nobility: They're a savage people, but they do love their animals. We trade with them on occasion, but whenever we do its always a tense ordeal.
~Peasantry: I hear that they pour molten silver in the eyes of criminals, and worship demons. Glad that they don't use boats.
~Military: They're clever, fast, and brutal. It's no wonder they long ago claimed half of the expanse. Too bad they never adapted with the times and learned how to fight heavily armored soldiers.
~Druid: Some claim that they follow the old ways, in truth they have merged dark magics with faith. This creates something worse that forbidden magics or false faith by itself. It is for this reason, that they are lost.
~Academic: We have no reason to dislike the Coatl. They're a close nation, and one that has no ability to attack us. If anything we should be grateful for that region as a buffer of defense.
~Bards: You've never heard the term "Clever as a Coatl"? It's said for a reason. The moment you think they're defeated and press an attack you find that you're in an ambush, and now you're dead.
Cole
~Nobility: They're often called "The Cestral of the Sea" but really I think that they're just free spirits. Too bad that they're so far west.
~Peasantry: A lot of tavern games that we play were invented by the Cole. Gambling is their way of life, which is great.... Just don't lose your shirt.
~Military: The Cole are unreliable and too far distant to be considered even the remotest friend or ally. They aren't an enemy either, so I guess that's good.
~Druid: They have little respect for the land, wisdom, or the knowledge of their elders. It is unfortunate.
~Academic: For purely..... academic reasons, we traveled there, and we must say... They have some of the finest imported ales, meads, and wine that we've ever tasted!
~Bards: The Cole have the adventurer's spirit. They're bold, brave, and daring! On occasion, they even leave the tavern.
Dace
~Nobility: They're bastards, each and every one of them. The Dacians are the cause of our poverty. Every time that we try and expand trade, Dace undercuts us, or negotiates us out of the deal.
~Peasantry: What do you mean? No, I enjoy eating potatoes..... all the time.......
~Military: Dacians have no respect for our waters. They sail their fleet where they want, when they want. On more than one occasion our fishing ships were forced on the rocks to avoid their fleet just passing by.
~Druid: The Dacians value what they see as beauty, yet they do not see the beauty all around them, in the land, sea, and air.
~Academic: Dacian's know full well what they're doing. They use wealth as a weapon, and for what? To spend a fortune on a theatre or statue? People starve because they can't be satisfied.
~Bards: I don't know why everyone hates Dacians so much. Whenever I see one I'm always a little bit richer.
Demon
~Nobility: We've all heard the stories. Hells, we tell the stories! Thank the gods that the Demons are locked away on Breach.
~Peasantry: They've got red eyes and long tails! They breath fire, and can kill a man with a glance!
~Military: Occasionally we find ourselves battling a demon. They like taking the forms of little girls or beautiful women, whatever it takes to lure someone away from a group or catch someone off guard.
~Druid: They poison the land, and tempt humanity with lies and false promises.
~Academic: For every truth about the Abyssal, there are 10 lies. Many of the so called 'Demons' we find in Cestral aren't demons at all, but are evil fae. In that regard, I'm not sure which are worse.
~Bards: People say that Cestral is blessed. Demons have all but rarely left the Isle alone.
Elves
~Nobility: From the what we've heard, the elves never did harm to anyone until after the war had started. The world is filled with many mysteries, and many beautiful obscurities. It is a shame to lose any of them.
~Peasantry: I've been called an elf myself a time or two. A bit foolish, if you know what I mean! Follow the rainbow!!!
~Military: Thankfully the purification never came to Cestral. Scouts long ago looked around, but with no elves here to hunt, the armies never arrived.
~Druid: The Druids and Effendal have always had an alliance. We are both Stewards of a sort, maintaining the balance.
~Academic: It's a shame that even the abundant lore of the elves was burnt by the amalgamation. We could have learned so much from one another.
~Bards: They say that the elves turned into beasts and birds. Some turned into wind and air. Others into smoke. Regardless of their form though, their presence remains, and that is why Cestral is so green today.
Fae
~Nobility: The Fae are tricksters. They're as dangerous as they are helpful, but rarely do you ever see one. They do most of their work when no one is looking, or in the span of time it takes to blink.
~Peasantry: Fae will steal your children if they can. They'll replace them with changelings who look like your child, but who are actually monsters!
~Military: From what I've heard, Fae have been mostly wiped out. They say that Iron hurts them, and fortunately just about every weapon we use is iron.
~Druid: The Fae are a needed part in the balance of nature, and Cestral is blessed to have many such fae aloof in our land. They keep the hills green, and do much to rid our lands of the evil spirits that plague other nations.
~Academic: The Fae were all but driven extinct during the Crusades. They're sent to frequent places of magic, and though some consider Cestral Fae blessed, I've seen no evidence of it.
~Bards: For every good fae, there is one that is wicked, but each are bound by rules and bans which can trap and trick the trickster.
Gael
~Nobility: The Gael are another nation that has been unable to adapt with the times. Unless their culture changes, the people will gradually fade into nothingness.
~Peasantry: From what I hear, they're like the Coatl....so savages...But without horses. So Slower. And more furry.
~Military: The Gael are like a cornered beast. It has nowhere to go, and nothing to do but fight.
~Druid: The Gael are some of the last true defenders of the Old Ways. In many ways, they are heroes.
~Academic: The Gael follow an oral tradition and are lost to superstition. It's no wonder that their society is on the decline.
~Bards: The fury of a Gael is the thing of legend. What they don't have in terms of magic, walls, or weaponry, they have in rage. They're strong, fit, and can cut a man in half with a club. At least that's what they say.....
Drir
~Nobility: They're the descendants of those necromancers and blood mages who fled west during the purification. After years of eating snakes and living in swamps and deserted islands, well... I imagine that they're a little cranky.
~Peasantry: Glad they're on the other side of the world from us. Warlocks and Witches all of them!
~Military: They say that the waters by their isle are filled with undead sailors who have travelled too close. If you get too near, the undead will pull you under too. Maybe even your ship.
~Druid: The Drir are servants of the Crow, they destroy what they touch, and are masters only of death.
~Academic: The Drir have suffered a hard life. They've known nothing but hardship, and in their society, morality is a weakness. I'd hate to be around them.
~Bards: They say that these men have black eyes and are filled with pure evil.
Mandala
~Nobility: They're as beautiful as they are deadly. Cunning ladies killing with not a shout, but a whisper.
~Peasantry: I've never heard one thing about them. They're over with all the other city-states. What they do is no concern to me.
~Military: I hear that in Mandala they love two things; Tea, and Poison.
~Druid: They do not follow our ways, but they do not object to them either. Like so many others, they simply.....are.
~Academic: The people of Mandala are well educated, polite, and seemingly kind. Even so, why do I get the feeling that they're plotting something when they smile.
~Bards: Mandala was the former home of the Blood Knights before their execution. The Blood Knights would paint themselves in blood runes and march into battle against other blood mages. They did a world of good in the purification until the Amalgamation considered them too dangerous and had them all killed.
Nadine Empire
~Nobility: They're dangerous. They're also one of the main threats to our greatest ally, the Amalgamation. If the Empire wanted us destroyed, we would have been. That still doesn't help me sleep at night.
~Peasantry: They might not be the largest nation, but they're the nastiest. They use anything and everything to get ahead. For them, every day is war.
~Military: They might be impressive to most people, but a lot of it is just their legend. In a real fight I bet they'd be a lot more manageable than their reputation makes them out to be.
~Druid: They like any servant of the Crow, follow death. They are a warrior people and as such respect only strength.
~Academic: During the crusade, and subsequent purification, a lot of knowledge was lost...Yet the one place the Amalgamation couldn't go was the Nadine Empire.
~Bards: The black knights of the empire always have been, and always will be. They come from the abyss itself, and the armor is not painted, but made of ash.
Saek
~Nobility: The Saek are part legend, part truth. They're a people who have nothing else to live for but each other. They have no ties to wealth, politics, or possession. All they have is family.
~Peasantry: You'd have to be half crazy and all stubborn to live in breach and not be a demon... That's them!
~Military: The Saek aren't soldiers by choice, they're born fighters. They have to in order to survive, but they'd never even consider raising an army. What would be the point?
~Druid: The Saek are blessed and cursed. They are blessed to live, and cursed to struggle. But trial is can also be seen as a blessing. It makes one better. So too have they survived.
~Academic: The Saek are the ancestors of slaves that were freed from demon kind. Since then they have been forced to survive in desert and wasteland. If you were born into that environment, it would be hard to ever know anything else.
~Bards: Some say that the Saek are much like demons themselves, their fury is much like the Gael's. It is wild, and uncontrollable.
Castle Thorn
~Nobility: Castle Thorn does the world a great deal of good. Though we aren't helped directly, they keep the demons at bay, and that is something that we can respect.
~Peasantry: I hear that they don't even grow their own food! Can't, the entire area is dead from all the battles. I wonder how they eat...
~Military: They're stubborn warriors. Why else would you choose to live there? All the same, I respect them for it.
~Druid: They fight the imbalance at the cost of themselves. They are not friends of nature, but they are warriors on its behalf all the same.
~Academic: Castle thorn was constructed on the spot of the great ritual that caused the great chasm between the southern regions of the western expanse, and what is now known as "Breach."
~Bards: They say that the warriors of Castle Thorn are the descendants of the same great men and women who fought in the crusade.
Vein
~Nobility: They've joined with the Amalgamation and fight the Vicaul. What's not to respect?
~Peasantry: They're giants! They're huge men and women wielding huge swords, and wearing thick armor. I'd hate to even be standing next.
~Military: The Vein are responsible for guarding their region against the Vicaul. They've constructed huge walls and the Vicaul are no match against the Vein in a siege. It's just unfortunate that any time we try building something similar, the Vicaul just burn it down before we finish.
~Druid: The Vein's fate is what is fast becoming ours. The Vein turned their back on the Old Ways and joined the Amalgamation. The Daoine Cestral seem to be eager to embrace the Amalgamation, but they do not understand the cost...
~Academic: The Vein are another example of a society that cannot adapt to the times. Magic in their society was a crime with the strict exceptions. It created peace and stability. They were fierce warriors with excellent walls and technology.... But against the Amalgamation it wasn't enough.
~Bards: They say that the King Vercrux bested their king in single combat. It was on that day that the Vein surrendered. They are a people of honor.
Vicaul
~Nobility: There are no words that I can speak that are not filled with hate for them. They have killed countless people, destroyed our lands, burnt our fields, and taken our women and children. They are monsters.
~Peasantry: If you see a ship, hear the town bells... just run. Your home, your field. It can all be rebuilt.
~Military: We do what we can, and have a very mobile army. Our villages are so spread out that it's the only way that we can defend our Isle. The Vicaul are tough though. They're hearty and savage warriors.
~Druid: Cestral's greatest enemy, yet they too follow the Old Ways. We should be friends, yet they seem to only want to prey on the weak.
~Academic: There is a reason why Alexander is in the middle of the island, far away from the sea....
~Bards: The Vicaul come in the mists, destroy, and are gone just as fast. They're like a savage phantom.