CULTURE AND SOCIETY
Concerning MagicLike the Connlaothians, Faustethens have a sincere distrust of magic. Seeing as many were present for the aftereffects of Fell's Curse, they tend to be highly wary of any such use. However, because they need as much firepower as they can get to keep the mindless undead at bay, magic is not outlawed in Fausteth. So long as mages are actively working for the protection of Fausteth, they are welcome within its borders.
Concerning GenderLike many things, traditional gender roles in what was once a very patriarchal society have gone completely by the wayside. No longer able to afford something such as strict gender roles, Faustethens have instead adopted a merit-based society, where it only matters how much work you put out into the world. However, some things have remained over the years, such as difference in dress, and one might still find some of the older citizens sporting ornate dresses or jewelry.
Concerning SexualityFor many, many of the citizens of Fausteth, sex is no longer a 'thing'. However, romantic relationships continue to progress, and while not usually consummated, marriages still happen. Like gender roles, Faustethens have done away with more traditional ideas of what is "proper" in a relationship, and are open to non-heteronormative facets. Sexual orientation, like many things, have been placed under a "no one's business but your own" label.
Concerning FoodAt one time, the main staple of Fausteth was the grains it grew in the center of the barony, with some amount of meat from farm animals or the occasional hunt into the woods. However, since the plague hit, many Faustethens are on a meat-only diet. While needing to feed is far rarer than when they were living, they do need to consume flesh in order to keep themselves tethered to the living world. This is sustained by sending out hunting parties into the woods and surrounding mountains, beyond the wall, and bringing the carcasses back to be distributed. Given this often involves crossing into the Deadlands or other infested areas, being a hunter in Fausteth is a highly dangerous job, and many often run in pairs to keep safe.
Concerning Various States of AfflictionBecause of the chaotic nature of the magic that created the Fell, the plague that destroyed Fausteth is just as multi-faceted. Each individual is different, depending on how much negative energy they were steeped in, as well as their own individual makeups. It's not uncommon for one member of a family to be raised as a simple shambling corpse, while yet another member of that same family to be raised as something incorporeal like a banshee. (TL;DR: It's up to the player. Have fun with your undeadness.)
Concerning IndustryEverything in Fausteth is geared towards their constant war with the mindless undead. As such, they have learned to be masters of war-machinery, of smithing more and more potent weapons, and crafting better armor. Without a need to farm or even eat all that often, most of the citizens have instead fallen to more supportive roles for the soldiers that fight. Many have taken on the study of necromantic magics in order to help bolster their defences, or in many cases, piece people back together. Those uncomfortable with such pursuits instead work to keep their soldiers supplies, whether by scavenging abandoned towns or slowly cultivating old food crops into fabric-related ones.
Concerning UndeathThe plague is multifaceted, and has many different effects on the people of Fausteth. That being said, there's a few commonalities, primarily in terms of weaknesses. Faustethens as a whole are weak to iron and salt, though they regularly handle these in order to better attack their undead foes. As such, a Faustethen handling iron or salt must wear thick leather gloves in order to avoid being burnt by them.
Hot weather is another weakness, but mostly in terms of the corporeal undead. Let's face it, sunlight and heat are not a dead body's best friend.
Many Faustethens would love to look for a cure to their undeath, seeing it as a curse or illness, which it is. That being said, very few are willing to trust the living enough to go looking for a cure, as they fear bringing too much attention to themselves will result in a more 'final' cure than the one they're looking for.
LAWS
Fausteth is a land born of necessity. What they need are standing soldiers, and as such, there are very little in the ways of laws. So long as one's actions are not inflicting harm on others, or the barony as a whole, it is largely kept to a "mind your own business" basis. That being said, there are a few things that no one is allowed, except by special circumstance.
-No one may leave the barony except by the Baroness' leave. This is to prevent any possible residual contagion from spreading, though no one is quite sure if contact with the undead is, in fact, contagious. This is filed under "better safe than sorry."
-Anyone seeking asylum in Fausteth (for example, outside undead or other "monstrosities") is granted citizenship, with the express condition that they work just the same to keep the Faustethen warmachine going. You will either pull your weight or you will help 'grease the engines'. (Author's note: Not undead and not working? They will eat you.)
-Whenever possible, no citizen is to make contact with living, unafflicted persons outside the barony. This includes letters or other written contact, and was in place to keep other neighbouring countries from marching on them and obliterating them all, or worse, doing so and accidentally spreading their plague. However, with their forces dwindling, there have been more and more instances of the Baroness attempting to make contact with outsider non-humans to help bolster their forces.
