Sapphrians
Basic Information
Anatomy
Sapphrians are descended from the same ancient race as the Suthermen, but they diverged from that people long ago, the result of a magical mutation. The first Sapphrians were identical to their Suthermen brethren, until a mutation of unknown origin imbued them with Chaos Fire, or Ignicera. These Sapphrians had this magical energy flowing through their very veins, and altered their appearance. They had pale skin, black hair, and their eyes and blood were purple, tinged by the Chaos Flame within them. Also as a result of this mutation, they had a natural propensity for magic, and were renowned for being superb sorcerers. Today, Sapphrians who retain these traits are called Purebloods. Over time, the mutation would become diluted, with some Sapphrians being only partial mutants called Firebloods, and others completely lacking the mutation. These latter Sapphrians, called Redbloods, still differed in appearance from their Sutherman relatives, having darker skin and hair, which was generally black. Their eyes are often either brown, blue, or green.
Biological Traits
Ability Score Increase: Your Cha score increases by 2 points, and your Int increases by 1.
Chaos Legacy: You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast Chaos Bolt as a second-level spell once. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once. You must take a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Natural Luck: On any ability check for which you don't already have proficiency, you may add your proficiency bonus to that roll. Alternatively, you may choose to have advantage on any roll for which you already do have proficiency. You may use this ability only once per long rest.
Speed: Your Base Walking Speed is 30 feet.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Male: Martin, Cyrus, Kaelion Female: Lucilia, Octavia, Dione
Beauty Ideals
Beauty ideals vary widely throughout Sapphria. In Sacarra, especially among locals of the city, wealth and social status are important because many of these people are of the social elite themselves. Sacarra and Caellos both value women with fair skin and slender builds. Veliccian men seem to prefer curvier women. People in both Aglios and Plutoria value men with tanned skin, muscular builds, and calloused hands. In Melitia, appearance isn't as important as educational pedigree. Peasants in most parts of Sapphria attempt to imitate the ideals of the noble class, with the exceptions of Plutoria and Aglios, where the nobility is not very well liked.
Gender Ideals
Gender ideals also vary a bit throughout Sapphria. Throughout Sapphria, gender equality is the norm, although Caellos values traditional gender roles and ideals of chivalry more than the other Sapphrian regions, as it is the preferred home of the older, more established and conservative families. Veliccia has a matriarchal tinge to its gender roles. Because Veliccian men often spend weeks or even months at sea, women typically run most aspects of Veliccian life. Women have a prominent role in Aglios, Veliccia, and Melitia more so than in any other region.
Courtship Ideals
Arranged marriage is actually extremely common in much of Sapphria, especially the upper classes. Arranged marriage is significantly less common in Veliccia and somewhat less common in Melitia that it is in the rest of Sapphria. Arranged marriage is less common among the peasantry than it is among the nobility, although it still fairly common.
Relationship Ideals
Prostitution is legal is Sapphria, with the recent exception of Sacarra and Caellos. In fact, prior to being outlawed, temple prostitutes served an important function in Sacarra. Sexual relationships are farily open and unregulated, again with the exception of Sacarra and Caellos. Incest is illegal in all of Sapphria. Marital infidelity is not a crime, but is considered a civil offense. Among the upper classes, marriage to non-Sapphrians is sometimes considered taboo. In Melitia, marriage between pureblood and non-pureblood Sapphrians is actually illegal.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Sapphrian, Common
Common Etiquette Rules
Ettiquette, like many other aspects of Sapphrian culture, varies widely from region to region. In Sacarra and Caellos, politeness and chivalry is valued. Especially in Sacarra, people may act with a niceness that seems forced or rehearsed to outsiders. Upper class Sapphrians in much of Sapphria tend to act like this. Melitians often come off as aloof and condescending. The people of Aglios are rough and tumble, honest, and blunt people with no respect for weakness. People in Plutoria value hard work above all else. Most lack formal ettiquette, but they respect other people. People in Veliccia are known for being a jovial, happy, and more often than not, drunken lot.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Sapphria was initially not a single sovereign nation, but a collection of many tribal peoples, who would later be conquered and unitied under an empire. To this day, the six main regions of Sapphria maintain both strong cultural identity, and a large portion of their own sovereignty. These provinces are: Aglios, a warrior culture stemming from the northwest, Caellos, a wealthy agricultural society from the north, Veliccia, a hub of trade along the coast of the Glass Sea to the east, Melitia, the scholarly capital of Sapphria to the southeast, Plutoria, the industrial heart of Sapphria to the west, and Sacarra, the political and cultural heartland of the nation.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Customs and traditions vary widely throughout Sapphria. What is commonplace in one region may be bizarre or even taboo in another.
Common Myths and Legends
Sapphrians follow the Deretil Pantheon, with a special reverence for the family line of Sarthu, god of Chaos. Recently, a new religion has sprung up within Sacarra itself, called the Temple of the Flame. They worship the Chaos Fire in the heart of Sacarra as the physical manifestation of Sarthu himself. This religious practice has rapidly gained traction in Sapphria, and has created some tension with temples and followers of the Deretil Pantheon.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Sapphrians have a positive reputation among most peoples as being traders and diplomats. Their central location in the continent has made them a wealthy people and has them deal with almost every Forgosian culture regularly. They are a common sight throughout the continent, and are generally well-accepted.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Human
Lifespan
90 years
Average Height
5'5"-6'
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin color: Pale (Purebloods or Firebloods), Tan (Firebloods or Redbloods)