Clan: Padan

Culture

Padans are giant humanoids who have long served the Imperium as both elite shocktroopers as well the Emperor’s personal Praetorian Guard. Their ancestry in Gaulantis extends back many hundreds of years before Jashon or Gaulantis clans arrived. They are known for their unnaturally even tempers, cool heads, and incredible, near supernatural strength. The steady temperament of Padans has long made them ideal defenders and sound advisors to good rulers, though they use few words. 

The Padans believe strongly in a code of ethics that is known as the Way of the Mountain or the Way of the Meek. They believe first and foremost that diligence and steadfastness to duty, to both land and king, is necessary for stability and peace. They have many peculiar practices such as the recording of major life events upon large stone tablets that assist in keeping their minds focused on helping keep themselves accountable to nature’s balance. Though they are physically large and imposing, they will always give both friends and enemies ample chance before attacking or declaring war on a faction.

Padans, for religious reasons, have sworn to not eat meat or to wear the skin of an animal.

They currently serve the Jerrick King, Lion Jerrick, who they assisted in taking the throne from a cursed coupe attempt made by the Gaulantiss during the Civil War 14 years ago. 

Economically, all metal for the kingdom comes from Padan mines.

Physical Descriptions

Padans are by the far the largest clan or people in the Kingdom of Gaulantis. The average Padan man stands with the physique of a demi-god at 6’9 and the average Padan woman stand with the physique of a demi-goddess at 6’3. Both genders are very physically capable. They’re both strong and almost all muscle.

Padans possess bronze, golden, or caramel brown skin. They have light blonde, gold, or sandy blonde hair. Their eyes beam with an intense hazel, green, or gold coloration. 

They have thick, curly hair, but isn’t coarse. Men tend to keep their hair short, usually keeping the sides of their head shaved close and the top of the head medium and curly. Women tend to let their hair grow as long as peace holds upon the land, but cut it to shoulder length during times of war.

During times of peace, men spend most of their waking hours within the iron mines or at the ancient smelter upon the slope of one mountain near where they live. While women work in the fields, preparing the crops for harvest. Children are given labor and responsibility at the young age of ten. Before this time, they spend their days at the feet of a Padan shaman learning the traditions of their people while their parent’s labor. Men tend to labor with light white shirts or no shirt at all during warm seasons with pants of cotton and fur shoes. Women wear a sleeveless dress which is worn over field trousers and boots. During the hot and smeltering months and when parties are out of eyeshot of the other gender, Padan men and women will oftentimes simply wear undergirding. During cold months, men continue their labor in the mines while the women spend much of their time in forestry. During this time of year, men and women wear thick wool coats, pants, and shoes.

Padans do not possess casual attire, however the men possess silk vestments and pants with reed sandals while women possess a ceremonial silk toga and reed sandals. The sandals have silk bindings. These are worn when special religious ceremonies are initiated and when visiting areas of greater formality or a greater formal occasion. The silk for this attire is obtained through silk worms given to them as a gift by the Emperor for their service. They do not sell their silk. 

Weapons and Armor

Even though Padan men and women don’t serve together in military practice, they wear the same military attire and have the same military attire and training. While on military duty and traveling, because Padan’s are sworn from wearing the skins of an animal, instead of leather they wear their breastplates, studded girdle/skirt and shin guards while the rest is contained in a bundle on their backs or on horses, if there’s one big enough to carry the Padan and their equipment. Over the armor, Padans wear a cotton toga in the summer and a wool toga in the winter of the ruling entity (Red for the Jerrick rulers). The toga is kept in place with a sash. Under their armor, they wear a cotton or wool long shirt.

An Padan carries four things with them: a dagger, known as the tip, a staff, a chosen or preferred weapon. Lastly, while within their own borders, they carry a 51/2 foot round shield that they use with other Padans in a phalanx formation, however while they’re in the service of their king they typically do not bring their shield with them. As often as occasion permits, an Padan will use their staff to batter enemies that are in over their heads; however, during times of conflict, they will typically use the weapon of their choice. The dagger or tip is never to be used for fighting unless it is placed on the end of the staff in a phalanx formation, acting as a reminder of their commitment to meekness.

When a battle is known beforehand, an Padan puts their full armor on which includes a chestplate, shoulder guards, backplate, abdominal armor, a second row of studded girding, forearm guards, shin guards, hand plates. All of this is set over a wool padding with their colored toga over the armor. They may choose to wear a secondary cape over the toga which is a symbol that they are not exercising the restraint of meekness.

Lastly, a crest of horse hair is placed through a slot on the top of their helmet. The horse hair being dyed to the color of their sworn lord.