The peninsula of Hellea (pronounced ha-LAY-ah) sits at the western edge of the Chaska Sea. The region is home to a diverse group of people with a 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, Ersas, Ephardia, Halakros, Iaramnae, Kyamita, Magnia, Metrya, and the Philiraki peninsula. See the page for each nation for more specific regional information.
Geography, flora, and fauna
Though rare, some sightings have been reported over the centuries of cerynitis in Hellea. Despite their intelligence, some hunt these magical beasts for their extremely valuable horns and golden pelt. Others view these animals as worthy of respect and even seek them out for advice, sometimes leading to conflict with those who hunt them.
A number of magical creatures are known to have originated in Hellea, in particular the pegasus, harpy, hydra, medusa, and chimera.
History
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 around the year Y4580* to Y4592*.
Demographics
Broadly speaking, the population of Hellea is predominantly human, but this varies by specific sub-region. Dwarves, half elves, half orcs, undine, sylph, aasimar, tieflings, tengu, and others are all relatively widespread as well. There is also a much smaller population of cyclops.
Hellea is the motherland of the centaurs, though today they mostly live around the margins of the peninsula as other races have encroached into what was once their land.
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 Common pantheons. Khapesh 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. Helleans 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.
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 rare to be bilingual in Thadrian, Common, or Telan. Travellers are also likely to hear Dwarven, Elven, Sylvan, Aquan, Gnomish, Tengu, Celestial, and Infernal, 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 states 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
The prophecies of Hellea are the creations of the cyclopean myth-speakers, who mostly reside in isolated caves and villages on the islands of the Alyma Archipelago. Though most cyclopes are not born with the boon of myth-speaking, 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. These prophecies usually grant hero-god status to those who fulfill them, though this isn’t always the case.
Aside from their role as myth-speakers, cyclopes generally hold esteemed positions within Hellean society. Viewed as wise and blessed with the gifts of past ages, it is fairly common to find cyclopes 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 in 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.
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.
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, at least for those who can afford them, 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 basil, 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.