Highlander

Highlanders are Humans descended from communities accustomed to mountains, cold hills and harsh upland environments. Even after arriving in Aldoria, many naturally gravitate toward high ground, defensible valleys and rugged regions that other settlers find difficult to inhabit. They are known for resilience, strong family ties and an unwillingness to abandon their people when circumstances become difficult.

Highlanders have no single physical appearance, though their traditional clothing favours heavy wool, leather, fur and layered fabrics suited to cold or unpredictable weather. Cloaks, sturdy boots, hunting gear and practical armour are common. Family colours, patterned cloth and small inherited tokens may be worn to preserve fragments of older cultural identity.

Highlanders are often proud, determined and strongly self-reliant. They may seem stubborn to outsiders, particularly when told how they should manage their own communities. Hospitality is important, but trust is usually earned gradually. Once accepted as a friend or ally, loyalty is taken seriously.

Highlanders favour hunting, livestock keeping, small-scale farming and gathering resources from difficult terrain. In Aldoria, they are among those most willing to establish camps in mountains and elevated regions where natural defences compensate for limited manpower.

Family, hospitality and endurance sit at the heart of Highlander culture. Stories of difficult journeys and survival are passed between generations even when their original locations and historical context have been forgotten. Shared meals, fireside storytelling and remembrance of ancestors remain important traditions.

Highlander communities favour mountain valleys, rocky hills and naturally defensible locations. Early settlements tend to use stone, timber and palisades, with watch points overlooking the surrounding landscape. Livestock areas and communal halls often form the centre of larger communities.

Farmer, Breeder, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith and Beast Master fit Highlander communities particularly well. Hunters, guards, scouts and livestock keepers are also common.

Highlanders often find common ground with Mountain Dwarves, Mountain Fawns and Snow Elves because of their shared familiarity with difficult terrain. They may respect Giants who value strength and honesty, while remaining cautious of Troll territories near mountain settlements.