Hilraeth

The People

The people of Hilreath prize passion above all else. There is an abundance of artificers, crafters, scholars and mages in Hilreath, they are a people known for crafting, creating and learning. Though the country is not known for military power or strength in arms, they can create some of the best arms and armour in the world. It is said that their love of passion is what helped the seamless combination of two nations into one global superpower. 

They strongly encourage people to follow their passions even from an early age, finding a role in society that fits with your passions is seen as the ultimate goal and is prized very highly. These are a people who will refuse to work in roles that do not ignite those passions and that is not only seen as ordinary, but lauded. 

The military that does exist are no exception to this, they are not conscripted or forced to fight but instead choose it, because it is what they want to do. This makes what little military presence they have uniquely qualified and highly skilled.   

They also value magic and learning, with some of the best mages in the world being taught in the Citadel of Flame - the seat of power for the entire country. History is important to them as a people as Hilraeth is considered to be the actual old Elven homeland from before the fall of the Elven Empire. Crafters seek to understand the things they create as intricately as the mages seek to understand the spells they weave. 

Popular Clothing 

A meshed culture of crafters and mages, they tend to dress in bright, eyecatching colours- each crafter trying to stand out from their competitors, each mage trying to showcase their talents. They dress in what might be considered a classically elven style, with light gauzy or silky fabrics. Though it is not uncommon to see more conservative mage robes. 

Crafters tend towards comfort and practicality over style, with linen and cotton shirts in bold colours, usually wrapped or bound, or tight to the skin at the lower arms and legs to keep their hands free for their crafts and prevent accidents in the workplace. 

All residents tend towards wearing layered clothing, finished with a coat or jacket - with warm sleeves in the winter and sleeveless in the summer. Owning multiple coats and jackets for multiple seasons is common, but some people prefer clothes with detachable sleeves. 

Culture and Customs 

The cultural mainstay of Hilreath is, of course, their passion. People will spend their lives searching for something they are passionate about, something they find fulfilling. If it helps the community or provides them some form of income, all the better. But it can manifest itself in hobbies, sports, crafts, work or areas of study. Finding something that brings you joy is the important part. 

Parents tend to try and get their children involved in as many things as possible while they are young, in the hope of finding something their child is passionate about, but there is a fine line between encouraging the finding of a passion and encouraging a child to fake a passion for the sake of pleasing their parents. The latter is considered bad parenting. 

It is common for young people to travel as they come of age, in an attempt to see the world, experience life outside their culture and maybe find a passion. They often spend several years or more outside of Hilreath and when they return there is a huge celebration thrown where the returning resident is expected to regale everyone with stories of all of the things they saw and did and learned. There is a love of bardic storytelling, and bards in general. 

Their passions also translate to their love lives, with passionate love being the goal for romance. They love fiercely. This can come across as overbearing to people outside of Hilreath, but those who live there know that to be passionately loved is the greatest expression of adoration. 

History

Hilreath was originally the separate countries of Alendria and Alreath. The countries existed in an amicable alliance for centuries. The area where they were built was considered by some to be the true site of the Elven homeland, and much research was done to prove it. 

The alliance kept both countries safe and allowed Alreath to become a hub of crafting and artisands who traded on a global scale, with fire weapons, intricate armour, dazzling jewellery and any other number of fine goods. They answered to an Oligarchical council of Elders. 

Alendria was a magic-focused nation, specialising in elemental magic and bardic magic. They had a monarchy who resided in the Citadel of Flame, their capital city which reportedly had windows to each of the elemental planes within its halls.

The countries combined in late 1124AC due to an external threat from Noria, who had recently taken over their neighbouring country of Baylis. The countries came together officially through a marriage of the King and Queen of Alendria to an Oligarchical Artificer of Alraeth. Since the marriage, the countries have been known as Hilraeth and their cultures have combined - a task made easier by their already close friendship. 

Leadership

Technically ruled by a Monarchy, the country is led by King Wys Hil and his wife, Queen Lenna Hil and their spouse, Artificer Tad Wreath. They are responsible for the running of the country. 

Directly beneath them there is the Council of Elders who used to run Alreath. They advise and weigh in on the decisions of the monarchy. Positions on the council are given to those deemed the most knowledgeable and experienced citizens. 

There are also technically nobles within the country, who own large portions of land and maintain their wealth and good standing, but don’t wield any actual power. 

Religious Beliefs 

No religion is illegal in Hilraeth. Worship of all of the Gods is allowed and encouraged. Crafters and artificers and known to follow the Volcano God or the Aesthetics as the representatives of crafting and perfection. 

Many of the mages in Hilraeth follow Arioch, as they see this as the best way to boost their magical skills. Or they follow Waarheid, as their love of learning and history connects them.