Brythunia is a pastoral kingdom of calloused herders, sunbronzed farmers and wilderness-wise hunters. Vineyards and orchards are plentiful and the rulers of the land prosper.
When Acheron fell, it is likely that tall, white-skinned refugees from that venomous nation began to trickle into Brythunia to hide. Later, when the Æsir attacked Hyperborea, Brythunia again became a home for refugees but this time Hyborian. These Hyborians continued to sweep southward and eventually started trading with and, later, interbreeding with the Zamorans and Nemedians.
The Brythunians are Hyborian, complete with blonde tresses and pale skin, although their blood has been intermingled with the Zamorians and with ancient Acheronians who fled the downfall of their corrupt empire.
Brythunian clothing is Nemedian in style for the most part, sometimes with Zamorian and/or Turanian influences among the wealthy. Over-long sleeves are commonly seen trailing on the ground, often with pockets in them. Turanian caftans are popular among the nobles, although the Brythunians usually line them with fur, especially in the north.
Unmarried women do not wear hats or caps; putting a hat or cap on a bride is part of the wedding ceremony. If married, the women wear a hat or cap of some sort. For both sexes, much of the clothing is lined with fur.
Peasants are forbidden to dress in the fashions of the nobility or to emulate such fashions in any way. Peasants typically dress in simple versions of outdated fashions. Typically, each peasant has a coat of wool or sheepskin in addition to a daily outfit and, if he is well-enough off, a set of nicer clothes for festivals. The men dress in linen shirts, woollen pants, a fur hat and a coat. The women dress in one-piece pullover gowns along with a decorative corset, jacket and an outer gown or two.
Only the largest Brythunian cities have walls. Most of the towns and villages, built against copses of coniferous trees or on mountainous crags, tend to be open to make entry easier for the farmers and herdsmen. Most Brythunian towns have a public bath or sauna for the men.
Important city states
Berthalia has winding and narrow streets crowded with merchants. The city’s biggest attraction is its bazaar, which is described as ‘well-stocked.’
Charnina is a northern Brythunian city-state. The city itself is built around a feudal castle.
Innasfaln is a city in the Karpash mountains, reputed to have the smoothest ale in Brythunia and beautiful blonde Brythunian women who apparently live up to their reputation.
Kelbaza is a Brythunian city-state. Located on the Lema Plains in the north, this walled city has a notorious thieves’ quarter and a well-known tavern known as ‘The Sword and Sky,’ where the lawless can gather upon the roof to fence items and tell tall tales.
Leng is a walled town in the hills of eastern Brythunia. Its walls are made of rough stone and are in disrepair. Even the gates into the town are fallen and gone. Most of the buildings are also built low to protect them from the winds but the warehouses of the rich and wealthy tower four or five stories high. The town is largely lawless.
Brythunians tend to regard rattles as having magical significance, especially when used during funerals. Thus, Brythunians who practice necromancy often have a rattle as part of their sorcerous paraphernalia. Other than in the Mitran religion, human sacrifice is common and is often done via sacrificial pits or drowning in bogs or lakes.
Another hold-over from more ancient religions is the Brythunian practice of feeding the dead at the spring and autumn equinoxes by leaving food or holding picnics in cemeteries.
Bori is still worshipped in some backwoods areas of Brythunia but this is uncommon at best. Bori is a primitive warrior god from early polytheistic Hyborian origins. He requires some sort of blood sacrifice in his worship.