The peninsula of Hellea (pronounced ha-LAY-ah) sits at the western edge of the Chaska Sea. An ancient land of heroes and hero-gods, many diverse peoples and nations have risen and fallen over the course of Hellea's long history.
The states and people of Hellea share many aspects of their culture and history. This page is intended to cover many of the common aspects of the region. The details here apply to Eretrebus, Alyma, the Ersas city-states, Ephardia, the Halakran League, Iaramnae, Kyamita, Magnia, and the Machaian League. See the page for each nation for more specific regional information.
Geography, flora, and fauna
Hellea's geography varies greatly, from the rocky islands of Ten Thousand Islands to the ancient forests of the Thunderlands, from the warm beaches of the coast of the Alyma Archipelago to the cold foothills of the Sentinel Peaks. The climate of the peninsula, while generally Chaskan in nature with warm summers and mild winters, differs significantly across the region as well, with some places like the northern Greenwall seeing much more distinct seasonality.
A number of magical creatures are known to have originated in Hellea, in particular the pegasus, harpy, hydra, medusa, and chimera.
History
Cyclopean city-states
In the most ancient times, the Hellean peninsula was the site of wondrous cities built by the cyclops, the ruins of which now litter the landscape. By around Y3000* these cities reached their zenith, as increasing contact with smaller folk slowly but inexorably carved out territory away from the cyclops. It was not until Y6500* that humans and others fully supplanted the great civilizations of the cyclops, however.
Grand Empire of Hellea
See also: Grand Empire of Hellea
The histories of the peoples of Hellea have long been closely intertwined, but the peninsula has only been unified briefly in its long history, under the reign of Eurykrates from Y6580* to Y6592*.
Demographics
The population of Hellea is predominantly human, but this varies by specific nation and region. Dwarves, half-elves, half-orcs, undine, sylph, tengu, and others are all relatively widespread as well. There are also smaller populations of cyclops, minotaurs, and centaurs. Many centaurs consider the Hellean peninsula to be their motherland, yet most now live only in the Thunderlands as other peoples have encroached into what they once called their fields and forests.
Culture
Religion
Hero-gods occupy a central role in the religion of those in Hellea. However, while these hero-gods are an important aspect of Hellean religious life, they do not usurp the position of the pantheonic deities. Hemera, Triteia, and Khalkeus are all widely worshiped, with churches, temples, and devout priests throughout the lands. Other gods are also venerated, mostly others in the Hellean pantheon but also some of their aspects in the Dwarven and Chaskan pantheons. Khapeshan religion also has some influence in Hellea, particularly in the city states around the Sea of Ersas.
Helleans generally have a somewhat unique conception of deities compared to the rest of the world. They tend to view gods not as unknowable and inscrutable cosmic forces, but rather as individuals who, while unfathomably powerful, still retain strongly mortal-like virtues and failings. Some believe this view to be tied to the disproportionate prevalence of hero-gods in Hellea, who, despite their divinity, also clearly are not above mortal flaws.
Traditions
Hellea has a long tradition of oration in multiple forms. Most larger settlements feature amphitheaters in which public debates and speeches are held, open, at least theoretically, to any who wish to attend. The debates can last for days, weeks, or even longer - the end is marked by either one side conceding, or a neutral judge, agreed to by both sides, declaring a winner. Epic poems are also a prized cultural tradition of Hellea, recounting legendary tales of hero-gods, great figures, and past tragedies. These poems are passed through generations through memorization - while some are written down, the written forms are viewed as pale imitations to hearing the tale as recounted by a skilled storyteller.
Hospitality is extremely important to the people of Hellea, and giving a meal or lodging to a traveling stranger is seen as a social duty. Many rules and norms govern this practice. Utmost courteousness is expected of both hosts and guests, with different guidelines for each. Hosts are expected to provide food, drinks, medicine, and aid with safe passage if possible, while guests are expected to tell tales and news from places they have been. Excessive questioning, especially of guests by their hosts, is seen as incredibly rude, especially if they have yet to finish their meal. Despite all the formality, these practices are undertaken enthusiastically and followed to the letter, as all know that such hospitality will be available to them in turn should they require it.
Miasma theory, the idea that diseases and ailments are caused by bad air, is widely upheld by Hellean doctors and alchemists.
Society
While many aspects of Hellean culture are shared by the peoples of the peninsula, they have chosen to organize their societies in several markedly different ways. Most widespread are the city-states, split between autocracies and democracies, that are especially prevalent in the eastern islands of the Ersas and in central Hellea. The northern tribes of Magnia, meanwhile, have kept their ancient social lines even as they have settled into large permanent communities. In Iaramnae, the triarchs have kept a military-led system of governance roughly similar to that of the Grand Empire of Hellea. Some places, especially the cyclopean villages of the Alyma Archipelago, reject such notions of leadership entirely.
Languages
The dominant language of the inhabitants of the peninsula is Hellean, although a number of others are often heard as well. It is not uncommon to be bilingual in Thadrian, Common, or Telan. Travelers are also likely to hear Dwarven, Elven, and Tengu, depending on who they are talking to and where they are located.
Hellean itself has multiple distinct dialects, though they are generally understandable without excessive difficulty by all native speakers of the language. Modern use of the language has mostly coalesced around what is referred to as Standard Hellean, a semi-constructed language designed to pull influences from a number of regional dialects and vocabularies. Those living in smaller communities in the islands of the Ersas, however, have long been resistant to adopt these modifications to their language, and instead staunchly maintain their own version of Ersas Hellean. Only used in academic contexts these days, Old Hellean is an archaic form of the language.
Trials of Koroibos
See also: Trials of Koroibos
The various squabbling nations of Hellea put aside their differences every four years for the Trials of Koroibos. Even ongoing wars will be paused for this month-long event. The Trials are an opportunity for athletes and adventurers from across Hellea to test their skills against their peers.
Cyclops
See also: Cyclops
The prophecies of Hellea are the creations of the cyclopean far-seers, who in the modern day mostly reside in isolated caves and villages on the islands of the Alyma Archipelago. Most cyclops are not born with the boon of far-seeing but rather a much simpler and less powerful ability to gain glimpses of the future. Those that do usually live isolated, ascetic lives in order to focus on their gift. These prophecies are byzantine and inscrutable, and frequently only understood once they have already come to pass. Prophecies tend to go unheard or unwritten, but those that are told to others can grant hero-god status to those who fulfill them.
Aside from their role as far-seers, cyclops generally hold esteemed positions within Hellean society. Viewed as wise and blessed with the gifts of past ages, it not altogether too unusual to find cyclops serving as judges, teachers, or orators. Despite their importance to Hellea, the cyclops population has been in continual slow decline, and some worry how many ancient Hellean traditions will be lost in their absence.
Magic
As with most regions of the world, magic of many forms is practiced in Hellea. However, oracles as well as wizards and sorcerers who focus on divination are particularly prevalent.
Architecture and urbanization
Hellean architecture takes a variety of forms, depending on the purpose of the building. Most immediately striking are the palaces and temples of the region, with their tall marble columns, grand arches, gabled roofs, and detailed reliefs carved in the walls. More mundane buildings are usually built of stone, brick, and stucco. Whether buildings are ceremonial or domestic, Hellean architecture emphasizes open space - tall hallways, paths, and courtyards are all common. Floors are usually made of polished stone or mosaics. These mosaics generally depict something related to the purpose of the building. An apothecary's shop, for example, might have a mosaic showing plants sold there or the owner of the shop tending to them.
Many Hellean cities are built upon much older settlements. In some of the larger cities of the peninsula and major islands, complex labyrinths can be found underneath the streets. Treacherous to navigate, it is very easy to become lost in these underground mazes, and even if one knows their bearing encounters with dangerous beasts are still probable. However, those who survive the labyrinths and become skilled in traversing them can reap great rewards, as these frequently connect via secret passageways to the older structures in a city, including temples, palaces, and prisons.
Art
The art of Hellea takes many forms, but of particular emphasis are the statues carved of stone. Hellean artists are famous for their extremely lifelike statues, carved into highly realistic depictions of their subjects. For statues of famous individuals or hero-gods, creating a work with a great resemblance to reality is seen as an immense sign of respect or worship. Some artists even work with local mages (or are mages themselves) in order to animate their statues and increase the realism further.
Occupations
Guilds are central to Hellean society. Guilds exist for most skilled trades, though guilds generally only have loose affiliations with their counterparts in neighboring cities. These organizations are highly influential in the day to day governance in much of Hellea, and exert influence to attempt to particularly favor the interests of the guild members.
Food and cuisine
Hellean cuisine encompasses a wide variety of ingredients native to the region, and through the centuries has incorporated many influences from elsewhere as well. Lamb and goat are the primary livestock raised in Hellea, and are supplemented with rabbit and poultry. Olives are central to the diet of the inhabitants of the peninsula, whether eaten fresh, preserved, or made into oil. Other common ingredients include rice, wheat, lemon, cheese, grapes, lentils, nuts, and fish. A variety of herbs are also used, such as mint, oregano, sage, dill, and thyme. Class divides in Hellean cuisine are relatively low - while those that can afford it are likely to eat ingredients of a better quality, they are unlikely to eat food completely unavailable to poorer people.