The Wanderers
Overview: A people with no homeland nor any desire for one. The Wanderers travel from place to place constantly seeking previously unknown stories or knowledge. Consummate performers, the Wanderers are welcome everywhere and can seemingly travel anywhere.
Player Characters: High Bard characters must have a significant amount of Wanderer heritage. Wanderers may also be rogues, especially ones who explore old ruins. Other character classes would be difficult for a character with significant Wanderer heritage. Also, players need to be prepared for the seeming Wanderer contradiction of being obsessed with stories of the past while being just concerned with living in the moment.
Appearance: Wanderers generally have olive skin and long flowing dark or even black hair. Their eyes can be slightly almond shaped and are generally brown or green in colour.
Locations: Wanderers are found everywhere. They may travel individually or in small groups. Wanderers meet twice per year in large groups - no one but a Wanderer understands how the dates are chosen. Most large towns and cities have a small Wanderer section of town.
Known Characteristics: Recollections by older elves say they taught the Wanderers songs and dances in what is now Aarenis well before Old Aare fell. The Wanderers generally have their large gatherings around the Eveners (beginning of spring and beginning of fall). The exact date each year and location are only known to Wanderers (until they appear). Marriages, apprenticeships, and other business is conducted at the same time as a large festival. Outsiders are welcome during the daylight hours only. It is widely believed the killer of a Wanderer will meet his/her own death within a year. While it seems more of a rumour, it is not only a firm belief but also is borne out by a limited number of examples (limited only by the small number of Wanderers that meet a violent death at the hand of another person). It is thought that killing a Wanderer invokes a curse or disfavour from the Gods... Since Wanderers keep very little wealth on them, they are rarely robbed. Wanderers do not belong to any kingdom nor any organized religion but their own (worship of the High Lord and Alyana the Lady of Peace - though with their own interpretation). Wanderers wear a bracelet or necklace with little sculptures of key events or items in their lives. Wanderers rarely wear or use weapons. However, they are quite proficient with weapons that require dexterity and will readily use them in defense of family or friends. While there are other bards and performers, a Wanderer performance is usually so good that it seems magical....
Rumoured Characteristics: It is rumoured older elves have said they met the Wanderers long before the recorded encounter in the lands that became Aarenis. Wanderers possess their own magic skills that are not understood by any other kind of magic user or cleric. It is believed that the Wanderers keep a vast record of knowledge stretching back thousands of years. Others believe if such a record existed, it is now lost or destroyed. Some point to the Wanderers' seeming immunity to any government interference and believe it is due to secrets and scandals about all the governments/royal families that are known to the Wanderers and are potential blackmail. Opponents point to the Wanderers firm policy not 'to take sides' and the unpopularity of persecuting the public's entertainers (entertainers who could launch a potent propaganda campaign against a hostile government). Besides collecting information, it is believed that all Wanderers send part of their earnings to a Wanderer Council - this Council uses the funds to look after Wanderers with no other means of support. Finally, there are the wild rumours - Wanderers are the most talented lovers, Wanderers steal people's children and make them part of the band, Wanderers secretly run the kingdoms, Wanderers do not believe in any God but Knowledge, there is a secret group of Wanderer assassins that kill anyone who murders a Wanderer.... Add in any other rumour that could be generated by a colourful group with somewhat scandalous dress styles and a lifestyle that generates envy but very little understanding...
Human Genetic Groups (Overviews)
Player Characters: High Bard characters must have a significant amount of Wanderer heritage. Wanderers may also be rogues, especially ones who explore old ruins. Other character classes would be difficult for a character with significant Wanderer heritage. Also, players need to be prepared for the seeming Wanderer contradiction of being obsessed with stories of the past while being just concerned with living in the moment.
Appearance: Wanderers generally have olive skin and long flowing dark or even black hair. Their eyes can be slightly almond shaped and are generally brown or green in colour.
Locations: Wanderers are found everywhere. They may travel individually or in small groups. Wanderers meet twice per year in large groups - no one but a Wanderer understands how the dates are chosen. Most large towns and cities have a small Wanderer section of town.
Known Characteristics: Recollections by older elves say they taught the Wanderers songs and dances in what is now Aarenis well before Old Aare fell. The Wanderers generally have their large gatherings around the Eveners (beginning of spring and beginning of fall). The exact date each year and location are only known to Wanderers (until they appear). Marriages, apprenticeships, and other business is conducted at the same time as a large festival. Outsiders are welcome during the daylight hours only. It is widely believed the killer of a Wanderer will meet his/her own death within a year. While it seems more of a rumour, it is not only a firm belief but also is borne out by a limited number of examples (limited only by the small number of Wanderers that meet a violent death at the hand of another person). It is thought that killing a Wanderer invokes a curse or disfavour from the Gods... Since Wanderers keep very little wealth on them, they are rarely robbed. Wanderers do not belong to any kingdom nor any organized religion but their own (worship of the High Lord and Alyana the Lady of Peace - though with their own interpretation). Wanderers wear a bracelet or necklace with little sculptures of key events or items in their lives. Wanderers rarely wear or use weapons. However, they are quite proficient with weapons that require dexterity and will readily use them in defense of family or friends. While there are other bards and performers, a Wanderer performance is usually so good that it seems magical....
Rumoured Characteristics: It is rumoured older elves have said they met the Wanderers long before the recorded encounter in the lands that became Aarenis. Wanderers possess their own magic skills that are not understood by any other kind of magic user or cleric. It is believed that the Wanderers keep a vast record of knowledge stretching back thousands of years. Others believe if such a record existed, it is now lost or destroyed. Some point to the Wanderers' seeming immunity to any government interference and believe it is due to secrets and scandals about all the governments/royal families that are known to the Wanderers and are potential blackmail. Opponents point to the Wanderers firm policy not 'to take sides' and the unpopularity of persecuting the public's entertainers (entertainers who could launch a potent propaganda campaign against a hostile government). Besides collecting information, it is believed that all Wanderers send part of their earnings to a Wanderer Council - this Council uses the funds to look after Wanderers with no other means of support. Finally, there are the wild rumours - Wanderers are the most talented lovers, Wanderers steal people's children and make them part of the band, Wanderers secretly run the kingdoms, Wanderers do not believe in any God but Knowledge, there is a secret group of Wanderer assassins that kill anyone who murders a Wanderer.... Add in any other rumour that could be generated by a colourful group with somewhat scandalous dress styles and a lifestyle that generates envy but very little understanding...
Human Genetic Groups (Overviews)