These are humans who have either immigrated from Thyatis, or are born of Thyatian parentage.
To Thyatians, Karameikos is a land of opportunity. It offers the promise of property, adventure, and glory. There are monsters and savage tribes to be conquered, merchant routes to be won, and strange mysteries to be uncovered. This darkly haunted forest land holds much promise.
The Thyatians have a long and proud military tradition. This is not surprising when you consider that Thyatis has been THE military power of the Known World for nearly 1000 years! If there is one trait that ALL Thyatians admire, it is fighting ability. Even the magicians and scholars must be good at fighting to be respected.
Warfare dominates the culture of Thyatis, and this attitude has been brought to Karameikos. Thyatian art and entertainment is centered around martial themes. There are many songs and marches of a martial nature. Military and combative themes are also present in the operas, plays, and literature.
This does not mean that Thyatians are bloodthirsty. On the contrary, they know well the cost in blood and resources that a war requires. True Thyatians pick their fights carefully.
Thyatians pride themselves on their discipline. Self-control is admired almost as much as fighting ability, and they are often complimentary. All levels of Thyatian society, from the schools and military units to the lowly street gangs, are well organized and disciplined.
The Thyatians recognize that such discipline has its limitations. In fact, the greatest heroes of the Thyatians are those who have gone out on their own and achieved greatness without anyone's help. Thyatians adore those who preserve their traditions and their state, but who also refuse to allow it to rule their lives.
Another significant word in the Thyatian lexicon is efficiency. If there are two ways of doing something a Thyatian will always try to do it in the most efficient way possible. If something is not efficient a Thyatian will attempt to offer a cold, unemotional alternative. This will be done until it is apparent that the idea is going to be rejected, at which point the Thyatian will shut up, not wanting to alienate any allies.
Thyatians love to embrace new cultures and peoples. The Thyatians always study new peoples and their ways as soon as they meet. In this way the Thyatians are not a race, since races and cultures tend to be absorbed into the Empire over a couple of generations.
The martial focus is not meant to imply that Thyatians do not appreciate magic. Magic can help in warfare. Magic is efficient.
Women can also become warriors. There is something of a stigma about them. Once they have proven themselves any bias falls away completely.
One reason that many of the Thyatians decided to come here was the increasing decadence of the Empire and the perceived irresponsibility of the actions of the Empire of Thyatis. It was hoped that this new land and its new opprotunities would breed new vigor. This has only been partly successful; there are a few Thyatian nobles who still show the trend towards decadence, mostly by persecuting the Traladarans. This is somewhat tolerated, since the Traladarans attempted to rebel against the Thyatians and those who sided with them twenty years ago, and most Thyatians do not trust them even today.
One Thyatian tradition that has survived completely intact in Karameikos is running away from home as a child. A child will thwart their parents' plans be leaving. Often such runaways will take their belongings and go, adopting a false name and claiming to be an orphan in need of work. This is not considered a crime.
Traditionally, the Thyatians are hospitable. They offer a variety of foods: Apples, asparagus, barley, beef, biscuits, butter, cabbage, celery, cheese, egges, figs, fish, grapes, fowl, ham, honey, melons, mutton, olives, peas, pork, and wheat.
Thyatian men wear their hair close cut. They sometimes wear finger rings or medallions. Common dress is ankle-length trousers, a belt, and a sleeveless vest (in winter this is worn over a long-sleeved shirt). Those with the money have boots or shoes. Fighter-types often wear leather wrist-bracers. Formal dress consists of dark boots, trousers, and long-sleeved tunics (often embroidered and made with dark colors).
Thyatian women wear their hair long and braided, loose, or up. They wear finger rings, small ear rings, and long necklaces. Common dress is a skirt (calf-length in summer, floor-length in winter) a sleeveless buttoned vest over a long-sleeved V-necked blouse along with sandals or shoes. Formal dress consists of flowing gowns and a full-length skirt with low shoes or slippers. Adornments include narrow leather or cloth belts, jewelry, and animal fur cloaks.
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