Demographics and Culture
The Principalities of Glantri are a patchwork of diverse peoples, cultures, and languages, each with a unique history of migration to Mystara.
| Principality | Dominant People/Origin | Cultural Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Klantyre | Scots/Scotti (from Laterre) | Maintain Scottish traditions; nobility speaks Sylaire/Averoignian. |
| Boldavia | Traldar & Flaemish outcasts | Fled Thyatian enslavement; developed unique mixed culture. |
| Bergdhoven | Flaemish/Alphatian descent | Noted for bright red hair, amber eyes, and shared rectangular pupils. |
| Aalban | Mix of Thyatian, Hattian, Flaemish, and Alphatian | The ruling prince represents a marriage between Hattian and Alphatian houses. |
| Blackhill | Pure-blooded Alphatians | Characterized by dark hair, bluish skin, and oddly shaped pupils. |
| Krondahar | Ethengarian & Flaemish mix | Culturally Ethengarian but adopted modern arcane traditions. |
| Caurenze | Thyatian settlers | Highly animated people who use extensive hand gestures and facial expressions. |
| New Averoigne | French (from Laterre) | Language (Sylaire) evolved from Old French and mixed with Caurenze. |
| Belcadiz | Elves (from southern continent) | Caused the “Second Great Rain of Fire,” settled in Ylaruam before moving to Glantri. |
| Erewan | Elves (from Alfheim) | Speak the Sylvan Elvish language. |
Languages of Glantri
Glantri has a complex linguistic history, with three past official languages: Flaemish, Alphatian, and Thyatian. While each principality has its own tongue, communication relies on several common languages and a standard writing system.
Official and Common Tongues
- Thyatian Proper: The current official language used by government officials, considered more Thyatian than the Thyatian spoken in Thyatis.
- Caurenze Dialect: The common language used for trade and inter-principality dealings.
- Flaemish: A common second language among the commoner classes (with the exception of the elven principalities).
- Klantyre: Speaks Kaelic; nobility also speaks Sylaire (Averoignian).
- Script: Regardless of the spoken language, all Glantrians use the Thyatian script for writing.
Linguistic Commonality Highlights
Many Glantrians are bilingual. The languages show interesting commonalities:
- Boldavian: A blend of Flaemish and Traldar (30% commonality to both).
- Bergdhoven: A dialect of Alphatian (50% commonality to each other’s dialects).
- Caurenze: 60% commonality to Thyatian; also shares commonality with Espa (30%), Blecadiz Elvish (20%), Verdan (10%), and Sylaire (10%).
- Belcadiz: Shares commonality with Espa (30%), Sylvan Elvish (20%), Caurenze (20%), Ylari (20%), Verdan (20%), and Kerrendian (10%).
