Danuvian

Danuvian society is characterized by a stark division along gender lines, where females hold all positions of authority and males serve in subservient roles.

Appearance

• Females: Tall (6’2”–6’6”) and bronze-skinned with strong features. They decorate their faces with bold pigments, wear their hair in a stiffly lacquered crest, and dress in martial attire.
• Males: Tend to be smaller, physically weaker, and paler. They dress in robes and sandals, arranging their hair in elaborate coiffures.

History and Origins

Descendants of the ancient Phaedrans, the Danuvians were exiled from the Western Lands during the latter part of the Cult Wars. They settled in the eastern Wilderlands and established the independent city-state of Danuvia in the year 480.

Matriarchal Society

• Authority: Women hold all influence in military and government. Men serve as housecleaners, artists, weavers, and tailors.
• Marriage: Females may take as many husbands as they can support and can divorce a mate at any time.
• Inheritance: Female children are greatly favored, inheriting their mother’s name and status. Women raise daughters, while men raise sons.
• Consorts: While they can only procreate with Danuvian males, females often seek consorts of other races.
• The Conjugal Feast: An annual pageant on the 42nd of Drome where males compete for the affection of the Queen and her ministers.

Danuvian Characters

• Skills (Female): Language (Low Talislan - native), Cultures (Danuvian) +5, Brawling +1.
• Skills (Male): Language (Low Talislan - native), Cultures (Danuvian) +5, Fashion +3, Art or Music +1.
• Equipment: Black iron corselet, hip-high leather boots, red iron earrings, 40 gold lumens. [^1]

Relations and Religion

• Politics: Danuvia is a neutral, independent state but sides with the Seven Kingdoms against the Za tribes and trades heavily with Carantheum.
• Faith: They revere Danu, a female interpretation of a war god.
• Funerals: Females receive a warrior’s funeral with honor, buried with weapons and armor. Males are buried in wooden coffins without great fanfare.

Language and Names

• Tongue: Females speak Low Talislan. Males speak High Talislan exclusively to avoid appearing "aggressive."
• Female Names: Often feature a "U" sound (e.g., Ullu, Ular, Alu, Ozulu).
• Male Names: Examples include Povyn, Daryn, and Bryn.

Adventurers

Danuvian adventurers are almost exclusively female. Danuvian males lack ambition and are raised to be docile; any male exhibiting aggressive behavior is considered "pushy" or disrespectful and disciplined accordingly.

[^1]: Danuvian characters may replace any armor received from Paths with a corselet and bracers.