Highlanders and Celts live in the upland regions of mountain ranges north of Avalon. These people live simple lives which some call primitive or even barbaric, but they are neither. If you ask a Celt or a Highlander if they are related, they will tell you yes. These tribes of humans were separated a long time ago and have once more been reunited in recent days..

The lower Wolfskael Mountains are the home of the upland peoples known as Highlanders, a people steeped in their own history passed down orally by their Spell Singers – known as Shanahee – and lead by their Druids. They were driven from their homes in the highlands of the mountains by the Bainites, creatures created by the Hierarch Bain and fled to Avalon. Indeed, if it was not for this war a generation ago, Avalon may never have learned of these peoples existence.

Their society is broken down in to large clans – hold outs from generations ago. However, many different clans can be found in one town and as these town relationships grow stronger, the clan loyalties break down. Do not be misguided, the old clan loyalties are very strong still and cause a great amount of friction within the various Highlander settlements.

A clan chief leads a clan, but so does the local leader of a town. How either is chosen is a mystery to any outsider, and maybe even Highlanders themselves. The Shanahee are keepers of history and laws. They are respected and revered within the Highlander society and enjoy a protected and honored status. They are keepers of history and pass this knowledge down orally and through song and prose. Highlanders do not learn to read and write due to the guidance from the Shanahee who teach that writing such things taints and devalues the story.

The other highly influential, and with nearly noble authority, are the Druids. These people are revered and honored and most importantly, obeyed by all Highlanders from any social level. They appear on the surface to maintain a distance from politics but it is obvious to any how strong their influence is over the leaders of the society. Highlanders have Followers of the Light amongst their numbers, and Servants of Darkness as well. Indeed whole clans of Dark Paladins have been rumored to exist.

Found in the upland regions of the Wolfskael Mountains and living throughout the Duchy of Avalon, the Celts now have a nation of their own living along side their Highlander brothers. Arriving late in the last decade from across the ocean as shipwrecked refugees these people have found a home in Avalon. Their old home of Erin was recently destroyed. The survivors, who were saved with the aid of the

Heroes of Avalon, have returned to their ancient home in the Highlands

Many of their old traditions are taking a back seat to the local laws and customs of their new home. However, the old ways die hard and they still cling to their old traditions whenever possible. Chief amongst them is their reverence, respect and obedience to their Druids.

 

However set in the old ways they are, the Celts have adapted themselves to Avalonian society and ways and have made many friends and allies.

Recently, the Celts have been taken in by their Highlander cousins and have found a national identity.

Every Highlander and Celt character must start the game with a Geasa, which is a superstitious code the character has developed during their lives. Some examples of Geasas are given below:

• Must not walk alone at night.
• Never except a drink for free.
• Only accept spells from other Highlanders.
• Do not start conversations with strangers.

Should a character willingly break their Geasa, they will suffer the
following effects:

• Their Body Point total is reduced to half until the character
  atones.
• The character may only use passive or defensive skills.
• The character can only swing their weapon’s Base Damage,
  regardless of any Strength Bonus or Damage Bonus they
  may have.

If a character is compelled by a mind controlling effect, they have not broken their Geasa. The Plot Committee or the Racial Contact will give the player a way to atone for their transgression. This usually takes the character about an hour of in-game roleplaying, but it depends on why the character broke their Geasa and what their Geasa is.

Advantages
Can purchase the Rage skill
Disadvantages
Has a personal Geasa which must be chosen at character creation.
Cannot learn any Literacy skills until Level 5
Costume and Roleplaying Requirements
The player must speak in a Scottish Brogue for Highlanders and a Celtic Accent for Celt characters.
The player must wear any color of Scottish Tartan as either a kilt, skirt, dress or trews
Native Literacy
None. Highlanders and Celts do not have a written language, preferring to pass down their history orally.