Hanese

The Unscathed

History

The Hanese are an ancient, peaceful folk from the far east. Their homeland being even further east than that of Aestatia. What was once a relatively lush set of island chains, the most northern of them being frosted mountains, while the most southern being lush with tropical forests. This area was created from high volcanic activity, and through the ages has emerged from the seas, and has since come to sport rivers, lakes, and a large area of land, suited for the habitation of people. A more primitive version of the Hanese, sometimes referred to as the 'Cheoum' inhabited the land. Their lives were marked by peace and prosperity. They were notably backwater in terms of technology, and foreign scholars of the time note them to be markedly without metal-forging.

From the sky, a large catastrophe loomed, sometimes referred to as the 'Seglyo'. This large extraterrestrial rock nearly collided with the realm. Decisions had to be made quick, and thus the Cheoum gathered their most powerful of 'shamans' to come to the aid of this disaster. Sacrificing themselves to present the devastation of the realm, they were able to halt the Seglyo to remain forever in the sky. From there, the first dynasty was founded, and continues to rule to this day. The duty of the Empress is to keep the balance of the realm, and promote the general prosperity. Some scholars have attributed to the growth of technology in their society to this space mound, but others find this ludicrous.

Physical Description

The Hanese people remain a relatively diverse people, but most notably is the shape of their face, and color of their hair. They tend to have rounded faces with almond shaped eyes, with dark hair and eyes. Their hair most commonly parts towards the center, but some chose to style it otherwise. With this, their garbs tend to be rather colorful in nature, even commoner's clothes tend to be bright if the occasion is formal enough. Pinks, reds, and greens are perhaps the most common colors in this way for attire.

Females formally wear something referred to as a 'Hanbok'. It is akin to that of a dress, with a high-waisted skirt that billows out almost conically from the waist, with a simple and usually long-sleeved top to the gown, being made from two separate pieces. Men too tend to wear more skirted clothing, a 'Yakata' being rather common. In western views, it is similar in appearance to a bathrobe, and fastened around the waist with a belt. Both of these tend to be rather free flowing and elegant. Clothing for the peasantry tends to be more rigid and skirted, but pants are not too uncommon.

• Common Height:
  • Male: 5'3" - 5'9"
  • Female: 5'1" - 5'6"
• Common Build: Ectomorph, Mesomorph, Endomorph
• Common Eyes: Black, Brown, Green, Gold, Red, Lavender
• Common Hair: Black, Brown, White, Red
• Common Skin Tone: Pale, Yellowed, Tan

Culture

There are two sects of Hanese people mainly. The majority of the Hanese live as they always have; in relative peace and understanding. Almost all Hanese value community, family, order, and knowledge. Literacy rate for the Hanese is higher than in most other human cultures, and heavy emphasis is placed on it for the nobility of the Hanese. A more younger, newer generation of these Hanese have taken a more war-like path. Seeing enemies to the west, they have found themselves in conflict with Aestatia, and other races which wish to conquer their lands. The Hanese have built very advanced sea-faring ships, and vast temples across their land where the 'Munshi' are known to store archaic and ancient knowledge. Progress is sometimes feared, and tradition is revered over all else.

Hanese housing is odd, and most notably is built without properly hinged doors. In some more wealthy homes, there are sliding doors, but for the most part there are none. This promotes a neighborly and trusting environment as homes are open to all who might find themselves wanting. They are often built elevated above the ground with wooden pillars placed in. The floor is to be made of wood, and the walls either of wood or hard paper or reed. The roofs are often shingled or made of thatch, with high central slopes to prevent rain or snow from staying atop them. These homes are relatively warm feeling, and lack many rooms. Their most common features are a dining room, with a low table which has mats placed about it for seating. Beds are usually not elevated and are merely rolls laid upon the ground of thick fabric. Information is usually kept in a scroll rack and stored carefully within. Cooking was usually done outside, and storage usually kept underground to help try and preserve meats and other product. Homes were also equipped with an 'ondol', a sort of hollow space beneath the home where fire was stoked and used to heat up the flooring and the home in the winter time. The smoke from the ondol would be carried out through a chimney behind the home. These feudal villages normally preside over small farms with mainly cattle, or by the ocean for fishing. The capital city of 'Jalok' remains atop the meteor and is said to be a wonder to behold. A beautiful and ancient city founded after the sacrifice of the Cheoum; the Jalok is home to not only some of the most beautiful art and architecture, but ancient tombs. Within these tombs, it is not uncommon that the Empress is buried with her attendants, surrounded by standing clay statues for each person under their domain. These statues represent soldiers, scholars, and workers from throughout the Empire. Some cruel Empresses even buried their people alive with them. Peasants without the means to be buried in elaborate tombs often bury themselves beneath the cherry trees, some family trees spanning back centuries.

The Hanese afterlife is a vague and rather interpretative thing to many people. Some view it as reincarnation, becoming the embodiment of whatever the person was most in life: a plant, an animal, perhaps even a person or a piece of land. Those who committed great evil are cast off to 'Jiob' a cold and desolate place where one feels as if they are constantly freezing, forever tormented by not only their sins but their worst fears. It is said that the physical location of Jiob might be able to be accessed by the northern mountains of the continent.

The Hanese have a high reverence for their ancestors, and those who came before them. The 'Munshi' act as spiritual leaders and guiding hands for each respective god. They are sometimes called upon to tell the future, or other such practices, in bids of good luck and offerings to the gods. They are said to be nigh prophetic in nature, yet this is not fully confirmed if they are truly blessed by their deities. Once a year during the winter, as the leaves off the trees fall, a feast for the dead is held referred to as 'Shilhi'. The Munshi offer these to their deceased ancestors on a well presented table, bowing and offering respectful prayers and words. This ceremony often takes place outside, under the barren cherry trees in hope that their beauty, or the ancestor's grace will come in spring. Munshi hold a high role in society and can act as advisers to the feudal lords. Their selection and connection to the gods is said to be through ancient blood lineage, some being able to trace back direct heritage to the Cheoum who initially prevented the end. Munshi sometimes claim that they more commonly have 'cerise' colored eyes, but this is not proven to be necessary or exclusive to those of their trade.

The religion of the Hanese people is a more practical one. While they worship the entire pantheon, their faith is centered around Dahriim, who they see embodied 'in the flesh' in their Empress. The Empress is to keep constant and careful rule, ensuring that judgement is properly carried out and fairness is rewarded throughout the lands. Her job is to promote prosperity, and she is said to have an ominous and godly glow about her at all times. Her voice is rarely used, and is said to be not only frail, but angelic in nature. The Hanese people tend to be a more peaceful sort, and her influence on the lands is certainly noted.

The diet of the Hanese tends to be a much healthier one than some of the other places. Being a more island-centric nation, the people tend to dine on fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables. It would not be common for them to utilize forks as utensils, instead utilizing chop sticks to eat majority of their food. A heavy emphasis is placed on seafood, as the more mountainous parts of the land made it difficult to create proper agriculture. Hanese fisherman are renowned for their large and exotic catches and tastes. A certain kind of fermented rice alcohol called 'Makgeolli' is often drink by the common folk, being compared to that of wine.

Mechanics

• Lifespan: 115 - 125 years old on average.
• The Hanese people due to their natural abilities to climb have a more sure grip, and are usually more lithe or agile. This makes them perhaps the swiftest of the Human races, yet not matching Elves.
• The Hanese have perhaps the largest lung capacity of any race due to their mountain-climate living. This makes them more natural athletes and increases their stamina to be above that of the average man.
• The Hanese have more attuned muscles, this allows for them to take pressure and blunt trauma much more easily. In this way it is more difficult for them to break bones, and feel negative vibrations in their body [from either falling, or from blunt damage].
• The Hanese have a passive magical 'six sense'. A sensation overcomes them as they enter magically rich areas, or near magically intense artifacts. While not inherently able to tell what, or even what direction in which the presence comes from; they do know of its existence as long as it is within 10 meters (blocks).

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier