Non-humans & festivals
Hi,
Good questions from Evilhalfling and Leif! Some notes on the non-humans:
Dwarves
Parsantium' dwarves are going to be like the dwarves of Eberron (a setting I've never used but own). They are natural miners and smiths as in core D&D, but mint coinage, operate banks, issue letters of credit, hold loans and collect debts. Their homeland is a mountainous area several hundred miles to the west of Parsantium but they live throughout the city-states and towns of the fallen Batiaran Empire. There is a dwarven district in the Imperial Quarter.
Half-Orcs
Definitely third-class citizens, forming an underclass. However, Parsantium's half-orcs have formed their own community and are trying their hardest to become accepted by the rest of the city. Unlike their warlike orcish ancestors, they are typically honest, clean-living, hard-working and peaceful. They perform manual labour and do the "unclean" jobs that the Sahasrans can't do. Orcish is never spoken (although most know the language) and orcish writings are kept out of half-orc homes. Half-orcs worship the gods of the Akhrani Pantheon.
Gnolls
Gnolls are also part of the city's underclass but whereas the half-orcs strive to become respectable, the gnolls stay true to their savage heritage, finding employment as hired enforcers, bodyguards, bouncers and thugs, becoming involved in crime or both. Parsantium's gnolls are neutral evil, rather than chaotic evil in alignment.
As for festivals, I need to come up with some so any suggestions gratefully received! There will definitely be a celebration on the anniversary of Corandias the Stubborn's successful Crusade and this will be marked with the biggest chariot race of the year, but I think some of the other festivals should be different.
Haven't nailed down the gods yet either. Pelor is the dominant Batiaran god, but Bahamut is also worshipped widely, particularly among knights and paladins. Which other 3.5 core/4e gods would fit?
In the Old Quarter, the Sahasrans follow the Indian/Vedic gods. The Akhrani (Arabian) Pantheon will also have adherents here -- I'm planning on using the Al-Qadim gods for these. There will also be one or two temples to the god(s) of Tingao. What do you think?
Richard