Enlito-Rustilians are inhabitants of the
Kingdom of Enliten who have embraced the values and quirks of their young homeland, having lost a strong sense of affinity towards
Rustillan, the home of their ancestors. Their distinct sense of identity is a fairly recent development borne from a need or desire to adapt to the societal tranformation taking place in Enliten. What separates the Enlito-Rustilians from their forebears is their love of certain egalitarian and meritocratic ideas, which make their values more aligned with those of the peasants of
Aussel. Instead of seeking a peasants' republic of their own, however, they're devoted to their monarch, with many believing that hard work and ambition can lead to the acquisition of land and titles.
The Enlito-Rustilians speak a dialect unique to their land, one which has enriched its lexicon by borrowing words from both the
Enori who the
Rustilians had vanquished, as well as the other languages of the migrants who settled in the country, such as the
Vivernians and
Yegrians.
Sense of Opportunity
Enliten is a sparsely populated country with plenty of land to develop and exploit and, as such, the lines between the lowborn and the highborn have blurred somewhat. There have been a few notable instances where a commoner has gained the attention of either a powerful lord or the king himself, earning land and titles for their contribution to the development and prosperity of the realm. The elevation of these few men and women into positions of power have enforced a sense of meritocracy into the hearts and minds of the Enlito-Rustilians, leading many of them to believe that they too have a right to ascend should their contributions be significant enough. In reality, these happenstances are relatively rare, and the king prefers to hand land to already established noble families, but at times the deeds of exceptional characters have craved exceptional rewards.
The Old Guard
While the ideals and beliefs of the Enlito-Rustilians have spread over the years, especially among the lower classes in the
Unincorporated Territories of Enliten, other groups, such as the nobles and well-off artisans, haven't been as keen on such views. For many, Rustillan holds a firm grip on their hearts, and they revere it as a near-sacred land, telling tales of its beauty and history to their children and grandchildren. Travel back to the old land of their ancestors isn't always easy—especially as the government of the
Empire of Pallernen, the country in control of Rustillan, views travellers from Enliten with suspicion—but many of those with the means to travel do at least attempt to return to the old country at least once in their lives.
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