This is a draft; the eventual version appearing in Mythic Russia may well differ in concept or detail. Please also note that the treatment of real religions in game form is merely a representation of how medieval people thought of their faiths and their beliefs in magical powers. This is a game for mature individuals able to distinguish between fact and fantasy.

Homeland: Lithuania

Lithuania is a young country, unified by patriotism, divided by faith. After all, it was only formed 150 years ago, when Grand Duke Mindaugas brought together its various peoples to resist the encroachments of the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.

It is still largely a confederation of tribes, each with its own customs, dialect and characteristics, but there is already a strong sense of Lithuanian national identity. This also holds together a predominantly Christianised nobility and a population largely clinging to its traditions, the form of Baltic paganism known as Romuva. However, the commoners also face conversion, a conversion by decree, owing more to political than spiritual reasons. Facing constant pressure from the Germans and often Poles, the Lithuanians have survived thanks to the cunning use of their territorial advantages (many a crusading war party has disappeared amidst the forests and swamps) and also their pragmatic and inventive willingness to adapt to new challenges and technologies. However, these qualities also sometimes lend themselves to a brittleness of morale and a tendency towards division. Even the present Grand Duke, Jogaila, was prepared to forge a temporary alliance with the Teutonic Knights to regain his throne when it was usurped by his uncle Kestutis.

Lithuanian Homeland Keyword

Occupations Available: Cavalry Soldier (Regular, Skirmish), Crafter (any), Entertainer (Kanklès [traditional zither] player, Singer, Storyteller), Farmer, Foot Soldier (Archer, Regular, Skirmish, Artificer), Healer, Hunter, Merchant, Noble, Priest (Christian only), Sailor (Sea or River), Scholar, Thief.

Native Abilities: Lithuanian Customs, [Home City or Region] Geography, [Home City or Region] Politics, Forest Lore, Speak Lithuanian, Rural or Urban Survival.

Typical Personality Traits: Argumentative, Practical, Reserved, Stubborn.

Typical Relationships: to Family; to Lord.

Magic: Most of the nobility and some urban professionals are Christians (Roman Church), while the countryside and the urban commons cling to their pagan Romuva traditions.

Common Names: Most Lithuanians have but a single name, with a nickname or ‘son/daughter of…’ suffix, but surnames are increasingly in use among the Christianised population. Men – Andrius, Antanas, Aras, Giedrius, Gintaras, Henrikas, Jonas, Jurgis, Karolis, Kazimeras, Mykolas, Petras, Steponas, Tomas, Vytautas; Women – Agné, Aušra, Daina, Giedre, Jadvyga, Laima, Liudvika, Ona, Ruta, Vitalija.

Reasons to have Left Home: While fiercely attached to their homeland, there are Lithuanians curious about life beyond their native forests or eager to learn about the ways of their neighbours precisely to help defend Lithuania. Pagans may also leave rather than face forcible conversion: this is especially the case of the people of Zemaitija (Samogitia), which has been ceded to the Teutonic Order (see page xx).

Primary Faith: the Roman Church

This is the faith of the nobility and the bulk of the educated and urban populations. Lithuanians do not practice Russian-style dvoeverie in that they follow either Christianity or paganism, but nonetheless there is a relatively high level of tolerance among Lithuanian Catholics of their pagan brethren. Rather than considering them heretics, they regard them as uneducated, and confidently look forward to the day when the sacred trees will be cut down and even these benighted peasants will be baptised into the true Church. Chapter xx provides more details on the saints commonly worshipped in Lithuania.

Roman Church Keyword

Abilities: Doctrine of the Roman Church, Sing Hymns, Worship God.

Virtues: Hard Working, Staunch, Patronise Pagans.

Relationships: to Congregation; to Priest.

Primary Faith: Romuva

Lithuania’s traditional faith, Romuva, is one of gods and nature spirits who are never far from them, and is at once life-affirming and yet at the same time emphasises that mortal man is but a single raindrop in the storm. After all, Man was created when Dievas, the greatest god, spat accidentally, and thus is at once of divine origin and yet also of little intrinsic worth. Instead, what is important is the landscape and spirit: better to die loudly than live quietly. Even suicide is a way of affirming your mastery of your own life. Chapter xx provides more details on the gods commonly worshipped in Lithuania.

Romuva Keyword

Abilities: Mythology of Romuva, Worship Romuva Pantheon. Mythology of Romuva may be used as Rus’ Mythology with a -10 penalty.

Virtues: Live Life Fully, Love Lithuania.

All content throughout this site relating to the Mythic Russia game and setting is copyright © Mark Galeotti 2004-6.
Last modified: May 26, 2006