Madhdine
To the east of the continent of Varris is a vast, largely uncharted sea. The majority of its inhabitable islands form two distinct archipelagos — the Aisone, or eastern islands, or the Madhdine, or southern islands. The Aisone islands are much closer to the coast of Varris and are subsequently better known than the more remote Madhdine islands.
To the people of the continent, the Madhdine are the most mysterious part of the world. Even the distant Aisone are easier for them to reach and have an established Varszi presence as of this last century, mostly in the form of Getarian merchants.
The land and the people
Madhdine is a Varran word meaning "southern ones". The people of Varris use this term because the Varra were the first to "discover" the islands. The people of the Madhdine call their land Matu Karmish and. The people of both the Aisone and the Madhdine are usually collectively referred to as "Islanders" in Varris. Though the people of the continent rarely care to make the distinction, the words "Aisonar" (Easterner) and "Madhdinar" (Southerner) can also be used to describe them, both originating from the Varran language.
The native language of the Madhdinar is Ceheru. It is distantly related to the local languages of the Aisone, but the significant Abyssal influence makes it sound very distinct. Though there are regional dialects of Ceheru, all speakers can generally understand each other regardless of which part of the archipelago they are from.
History
After humans came to Varris about 1700 years ago, one group sailed to the Aisone, then the Madhdine, becoming the islands' first humanoid inhabitants. It is unclear how they achieved this feat given the distance they apparently crossed – some speculate that there may be some yet undiscovered islands along the way. This group of humans eventually settled on all the islands of both archipelagos and their cultures and languages diverged in the centuries that followed.
Though the people of the Aisone and Madhdine differ in many ways, the relative proximity of the two archipelagos means that there has always been trade and migration between them. There are nations in the Aisone whose language and style of dress more closely resemble those of the Madhdine, and vice versa.
Heritage features
Below are the features your character gains after you choose Madhdine Islander as your heritage. Heritage is a mechanic specific to the Varris setting.
Ruleset: 5e
Your heritage determines the languages your character knows. It can also be their background and grant them more features. Check the player primer for a list of available heritages.
Languages
You can speak Ceheru, the language of the Madhdine, and either Abyssal or Common.
Background features
Your character's heritage can double as their background. If you choose the "Madhdine Islander" background, instead of a base game background like Noble, Criminal, etc, you gain the following features:
Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival.
Tool Proficiencies: Navigator's tools, poisoner's tools.
Equipment: A set of common clothes fit for a desert climate, a stone amulet depicting the holy symbol of your tutelary deity or another protective symbol, an acid vial, and a pouch containing 5d4 GP.
Feature: Of the desert. You are naturally adapted to hot climates. You are also immune to the effects of the heat metal spell if it is cast on your equipment, make Constitution saves against the effects of dehydration with advantage and can survive on half a pound of food a day instead of one pound.
Ruleset: Bludgeon
Your Heritage determines your character's first language and additional skill competency options. Your character can learn languages beyond their first one, as explained in the language checks rules. Check the player primer for a list of available Heritages.
Language
Your first language is Ceheru.
Additional skills
When you select the Madhdine heritage for your character, you choose one of the skills below to gain a +1 competency in. This is in addition to the skill competencies you would normally gain.
- Alchemy – You know the subtle magical properties of the bodily fluids and organs of various monsters and can identify and prepare poisons with various effects.
- Field repairs – This skill is from the base Bludgeon rulebook.
- Great recall – This skill is from the base Bludgeon rulebook.
- Storytelling – This skill is from the base Bludgeon rulebook.