Northern Kotak
General
Tribal, cold, isolate.
Situated mostly in the three lakes and north Kotak mountainous region this culture often speaks an older more anachronistic dialect of Kotak, smaller and more rural in scale and adapted to the colder climate.
Social structure
Often larger households in which three generations of a family will live together, with the mothers’ parents often living with the couple. It is customary for the sons to move away to their wives’ households. Tribal leaders and chiefs exist but largely control little and only settle disputes.
Beliefs and religion
Holding to the belief in Sharatav primarily of Kotak dualism, both out of respect for his hard nature but also out of fear for natural disaster. They also place value on nature, that nothing should be wasted. All of the animal is used, and the few parts that are not are returned back to the earth. Things are reused and repaired. They also believe in the strength of the family, that family has many meanings and practices but one should not abandon or betray family.
Art and ascetics
Architecture is lager long house styles but in the modern day takes wooden designs and carpets, with detached single houses being quite uncommon. Communal kitchens and meals and shared spaces are common, bedrooms often have couples or children togther.
Often using blues and pale colors with distinctive black lines and patterns. They dress in many layers and it is often subtle meaning that the less layers or clothing someone is wearing the more conferrable/safe they feel, thus to take off a jacket is seen as respect, to take off a shirt is seen as deep, and to take off everything is seen as love.
Music, for men and for women it is very different as some instruments like a singing bowl, a harp or flute are seen as for women, and drums, guitar and xylophone are seen for men. Both are allowed to sing, but this creates a distinct sound for each, it is also smaller in scale and performances are not very common.
Diet and cuisine
A blend of sea food from the north cost, freshwater fish from the three lakes and hardy root vegetables grown. Often hot soups or mashed paste are had. A favorite would be seal soup, a homely meal would be grilled elk or moose, and a delicacy would be fish egg on picked vegetables.
Customs and etiquette
Because they follow a family based society it is traditional for titles to be used first, bowing to elders is common, and when you enter a house, you are often offered a cup of water with the phrase “it must have been a long journey, please come rest”.
Courting is sometimes arranged but more often large gatherings are held in which eligible sons and daughters are introduced in a large pool, at a dance or social style event and expected to find and communicate to others, sort of a large group first date.
Death is done with taking the bones and making into beads for the family and friends to wear, then the rest of the body is often burned, and ashes used to plant a garden or a tree, in that life is given back.
Taboos, some things are perceived as bad, having cold or iced drinks is seen as invoking sickness or bad luck from Sharatav. Also worshiping inside is seen as inviting bad weather into your home, so the house often has no religious imagery. When putting a new ship in water for the first time it should be done at night, during the day means it will face harsh weather.
Distinctive expression
Known for facial tattoos, the most prominent is a circle around the eye for having a child, a band of coloring across the nose when married. Other tattoos are often decorative, such as animals of patterns across the body.
Scene
You enter the house of your clan leader, you think that your daughter may be worthy to marry his son. He is dawned in a large fur cloak from an alpine moose, you sit down and begin the long night of introductions and talking while your two children talk in turn.
Southern Kotak
General
City, oceanic, mineral.
Situated at the main river and its forks and along the shattered peaks mountains, a more mild costal climate with distinct but reasonable seasons. this culture speaks a more modern dialect of Kotak, first adopting and modifying the script from Sirinal for writing. They are traders and craftsmen.
Social structure
Smaller family units of a couple and children, with the parents often leaving the house an moving once their child gets married, with the son bringing his wife to live in now his house. The people often elect or select representatives who are young men and women which become part of a Nobel court, with one lucky man/women marring the current king/queen. This sort of elected aristocracy creates a system in which citizens feel connected to those in power.
Beliefs and religion
Following Oparis of Kotak Dualism but some also follow the Unified Church or the Broken Faith, a more city and trade based life style leads to more intermixing. They hold fast in a firm and fair deal, that both sides of a trade should feel good, and will often give gifts or do kind gestures to make trade go well. They trade mostly with Sirinal and Estia, but on rare occasion with Hinga.
Art and ascetics
Buildings are wooden and plaster, ornamentation is done with small colorful chains or painted artwork on the outside. A more vertical nature with two or three story homes and shops being common. Wearing woven textiles with bright orange and red colors into brown natural tones, they believe that dressing in warm colors keeps one warm. Jewelry such as rings and earrings are important, but more knowing the craftsmen’s and the story rather than strict beauty standards, couples often make each other’s wedding earrings. Music still follows the traditional gender norms but many believe that imported instruments and foreigners don’t follow these rules so musicians from Estia and Sirinal are more common. Textiles and minerals are common to trade, with extensive mining of precious metals and gems that are exported, a large number of sheep and other furs are exported for clothes making.
Diet and cuisine
Grains and farmed animals like chickens and pigs are more common here plus ocean fish and imported spices. Fusion cuisine can be seen in cities. A favorite would be spiced bread, which is bread baked with Estian spices and spread with sheep’s butter or cheese. A home cooked meal would be a mixed vegetable medley of carrots, cucumbers, green beans, with meatballs and gravy. A delicacy would be fresh Romel melon from Estia, cut and spiced with sugar.
Customs and etiquette
It is said that all people need to taste the sea air, which means going on a boat, for some this is a casual thing such as those living close to the sea, for others in the countryside this may be a pilgrimage of sorts with it being a milestone in their life. Also it is common for those who are selling to bear paper marks or certificates from the maker of the goods.
Courting, it is expected that one finds their own partner, and be it from Kotak or another country, but it is known that Kotak blood is “dominant” and so one is expected to bring their partner back and raise kids in Korea, but that Kotak is more defined by language and where you were raised and not strictly looks. In courting the women will often make a decorative/ceremonial sash for her partner with intricate patterns and work, this could be from fabric or woven. The man will make the women a set of silverware, to symbolize ability to provide.
Death rites are often related to the persons profession, for a farmer they will be burned and buried in the field. For a fisher, placed in the lake. For a jeweler they will be made final jewelry and buried in an elaborate coffin. For a miner they are burned and the ashes used in making of steel for future tools. Both men and women are expected to wear black for a period of time if a loved one has died.
Some cultural taboos that are common, selling on the first day of the month is seen as bad luck and if so could lead to a bad rest of the month. Whenever you start a fire or light a lamp or the like you should also say “thank you for the fire” as an honoring to Oparis, even if you don’t believe it is seen as necessary. Other thing is that you always enter a building with your right foot & hand first, its just seen as proper, and you exit a place with your left foot & hand.
Distinctive expression
A sailor is highly respected, often when leaving port people will give small gifts or Goodluck charms, people will send off letters or trust them with valuable cargo, and when coming back free drinks are very common. This creates a sort of unwritten code for sailors and set of morals that they follow. Because they are seen in such high regard those who break the rules are harshly punished, often with public and violent executions, whipping until death being common, those who commit minor crimes often are maimed so no longer able to sail like a hand cut off or leg broken. This unusual violence contrast the caring and kind culture but shows the strength of values.
Scene
A long stretch of markets and houses, lined with bright orange fabrics, people coming in from the mornings arrival of fishers and traders.
Northern Sirinal
General
Rebellious, distinct, conquered
Centered around the upper river and south of the shattered peaks mountains with a colder climate but still mild, also centered around lake Nahes. This group of people speaks Si’irin but some accent and words are taken from Kotak. They are a distinct cultural group from main Sirinal but have been semi successfully assimilated over the years.
Social structure
Comprising of a central family and kids the family unit is strong, often people stay closer to where they were raised such as the city but moving further happens. People meet locals more often regardless of profession. Service is required as well but more commonly people stay near their local area. The government follows the same structure as Main Sirinal, but some cities have a mayor who served little but is raised up for other qualities.
Beliefs and religion
Believing also in the unified church, for in fact the Rin-Tal Sirus Vi’ironus came from a town along the shattered peaks, they however center on the importance of the elemental gods, preferring their philosophical justification of bad things happening to the reason of necessary development. They are slightly more individualistic, or communal on a smaller scale, wishing their city or village before the nation.
Art and ascetics
Their buildings are much like the south with stone work being common. Clothing here also favors darker colors but wool is used more and cloaks are common, longer sleeves and layers. Shoe culture is highly important here, getting good lasting and specialized shoes matters greatly. Jewelry, also like the south where it is minimal, a cape broach or pin is seen as fashionable. Music takes some from the Kotak style but without gender roles.
Diet and cuisine
Much like main sirinal with Rilas being a staple, barley and wheat are also common. A sourdough with cheeses, meats and butter is always great. The best kind of homecooked meal is pickled vegetables served with a hard boiled egg. A delicacy would be a southern wine paired with steak. Drinking culture is much stronger in the north and beer is common.
Customs and etiquette
A solid amount of cultural superiority is felt, that those of main sirinal being too city like and too focused on their jobs, and the feeling that the best parts of their culture have been adopted by the south. They also feel that they lack the weird traditions of Kotak and are more refined than those across the mountains.
It is a strange practice but a man buys a women a chicken when they move in together as a gift, this is seen to provide eggs and help support the family, and after a year the chicken is butchered and eaten as a symbol of promise of successful marriage, if however the chicken dies it is seen as an ill omen and one should placate to the gods for remedy. A women will often make a man a hat as a gift of appreciation and caring.
When someone dies, they are often buried in the churches cemetery, and an offertory service is held, often favorite songs are sung and prayers prayed.
Some things to avoid in north sirinal. Only knocking on a door once, it should be done at least three times before giving up or leaving. One should never eat without something to drink, even if just water it is seen as strange to not have something else in case of choking. You want to always leave the house with a knife, not doing so invites danger.
Distinctive expression
Deep in the shattered peaks lie small towns that are hidden in the caves and cervices, often for mining and gathering, these places also often hold very old ruins and artifacts from before the collapse, they are revered and hidden and little known about them. This caused the belief in mountain stone being protective and so people often have a large stone in their home from the mountains believed to bring protection. These mountain secrets also explain why trade passes built between Sirinal and Kotak are such a divisive topic.
Scene
You look out at your field of grazing sheep, your daughter, wearing a longer green gray dress, is out tending to a new born lamb, the mountains stretch in the distance.
Main Sirinal
General
Militaristic, dominant, rigid
Sirinal is a vast, main sirinal being the east and west branch of the Si’i until it flows to the Rinvel sea, centered on a number of cities the country exists around the river with a mild climate with a wet and dry season. They speak Si’irin which in large part has been standardized around the kind that is in the Irinshrad, the holy book of the unified church. They are organized using their military as way to organize and control society, a focus on military does not mean they are war like or violent, it is simply the dominant social structure.
Social structure
The family is formed when a couple meets and declares themselves they are able to live together, and later get married if they wish to have children. People often meet in their profession or in their military service. Children often move out once they go into service, and grandparents do little raise the children. Also sons take their mothers last name and daughters take their fathers last name as tradition. Government is done with upwardly appointed military officials, and highly rank based, with the highest title and leader of the government being the “warmaster general” also elected is the first citizen, which holds less power but does not military things in society, but due to the heavy military focus little is under this umbrella.
Beliefs and religion
Belief in the Unified Church is common, with its eight central gods being highly regarded. Due to the influence and inflict gods’ ideals this often comes down to appeasing the influence gods and blamings the inflict gods. while the elemental gods are also a part of this pantheon they are less worshiped in Main Sirinal. They believe in fairness and equality, smaller class division. They also are very strict about the strength of the nation being above that of the individual.
Art and ascetics
Architecture is long lasting and dependable, brick work and stone is common for important structures, roads are well defined and built. Often using Limestone for building due to its workable nature. Clothing favors darker colored textiles and uses cotton, linen, dark blues, greens, reds or browns are common, often shorter cut pants and dresses are worn for the summer heat. People will adorn themselves with simple jewelry, preferring bracelets and necklaces without stones. In music bow based string instruments and softer percussion sounds are common, music is looked down upon so one must be highly capable to earn respect. Dancing is quite the pastime, often seen as a good way to practice flexibility and keep strength many common cultural dances exist for both men and women.
Diet and cuisine
Cornerstone of the sirinal pallet is Rilas, this is a potato like tuber that exists in a number of dishes, served in soups and stews or mashed and made into bread. Other grains and vegetables take place here. A favorite would be grilled beef strips and carrots. A home cooked meal would be a Rilas stew with pork. A delicacy would be northern apple tarts.
Customs and etiquette
Drinking of “meat tea” or in effect broth is seen as a communal practice of bonding, done between soldier, coworkers and the family it brings people together to talk and socialize.
Courting, often women will color their nails to indicate romantic status, green for single, blue for taken, and shades in-between for varying levels of commitment. They will also paint pink or red to show romantic interest. Men can learn elaborate dances or write/perform poetry for women. Marriage is often done in a church and attended by friends, family, and even employer.
Death is seen as a natural end to life, funerals of remembrance are held to honor their life, different practices for the body are had but never cremation as burning is seen as sacrilege.
Some things considered bad. Making important decisions on a Sunday as the day for the gods and for rest and should be avoided. Keeping flowering plants inside the home is seen as bad luck, and so they are kept outside in planters or used in a wreath on the door at the closest. You shouldn’t sleep with your feet facing towards the west, as you won’t wake up as early and could be surprised.
Distinctive expression
Sirinal has a service requirement that all citizens spend at least a year and a half giving back to their country. This is easiest done by serving in the military, where you are given a post and serve it, this could be a solider but also a builder, a chief, doctor, or one of many other professions. Some may also petition exemption from direct service wherein they will be required to pay a large sum, often that of a few years of work. From this however one can earn a rank, which will be tattooed around you left wrist the number of simple black bands in the rank you are.
Scene
Along the banks of the river with a well made road stands a group of soldiers resting at lunch, a small fire is made to heat food and drink, they still have many miles to go.
Main Estia
General
Artistic, complex, rich
Centered around the Source river and with coastline along the Rinvel sea, the east ocean and the Untili coast. Estian is a highly complex glyph based language with many regional dialects. The people here live with a value of splendor and art in all things.
Social structure
Often Estian parents will wait until later in marriage to have children, wishing to make for them a good life. it is common for siblings to live close to each other in adulthood, aunts and uncles are common to helping raise children. It is noted that same sex couples are not seen as abnormal, but they bear the burden or raising orphans. The government is run by a monarchy but often distant, the smaller scale is my mayors and nobility that will lead towns and cities, who are appointed by the king from suggestion among the people.
Beliefs and religion
Belief in the broken faith is strong and very centralized. With the Kari Seladin being immortal he leads the church and its beliefs, appointing other priests to lead. The belief is that when god shattered and broke into the five pieces which became the five central gods, smaller shards also broke and within each person a very small piece of gods remains, this your soul. This a universal kindness and acceptance is regarded. The concept of evil stemming from an idea around corruption from perfection caused by Anset.
Art and ascetics
Buildings and design are a serious consideration, elaborate ornate exteriors of carved stone, brick patters, shaped wood. No universal style exists but the job of decorator and designer is seen as very noble as it shapes a perception of the world. Clothes too are often fanciful and designed, even work clothes are designed to be sturdy and efficient, beautiful in their purpose. While the rich may have dozens of outfits, lower status people still would have a fin set of clothes, that can be mixed with accessories for different looks. Jewelry culture is huge, imported materials and designs are common but intricate workings and craftsmen ship for all manner of things, head wear like a circlet and tiara are common as well as large necklaces and outfit fasteners. Music is one of the highest forms of art and performance is highly sought out, all manner of instruments are used but wind instruments frequent the most commonly, circular breathing a high skill. Dance and performance alongside this taken in kind.
Diet and cuisine
While possessing vast amount of fertile land, food does not always go to animal raising and it is less common for larger scale farming. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are more common, leading to a quite varied diet. Still fish is quite common and so is chicken and other birds. Alcohol plays a large role with wines and liquors being of great importance. A favorite food would be a balanced salad, one perhaps apple and walnut with a vinaigrette. A home cooked meal would be a simple sandwich, meat, cheese, and fresh greens. A delicacy might be an apple soaked in vanilla.
Customs and etiquette
Body painting is a common sign of display, when one moving past their outfit into decoration of skin, but rarely tattoos for they are permanent and sometimes hard to style. Also during performances clapping should wait until three seconds after the end of the performance just in case they are not done.
When courting it is common for one partner to size up the other but ability, so they will make things together such as clay pots, growing a garden, fabricating jewelry, writing, playing music, the goal not being to best your partner but to teach.
Death in the broken faith is treated as a natural stage but when your soul leaves the body, souls are made small alters as places they can find again and rest in if they are wandering the earth, these alters placed near the body of the dead for a period of around a month. The burial site often is visited and decorated on the anniversary of the persons death.
While a lot is accepted there are some things that are still considered in bad taste. Wearing pure black or pure white is seen as gross, one must incorporate another color in some way into the outfit. Wearing an odd number of bracelets or earrings, they don’t always need to follow balance but should not be singular. You do not drink alcohol to honor or remember the dead.
Distinctive expression
A lot of Estia is distinctive, with flashy appearance and the commonplace of luxury. But even amount these the “bird women” are seen as strange. These are women, both young and old who will dress up with feathers and bright colors and live as public displays, lounging in cities or sometimes under the employ of the upper-class, they often own very little, but it is seen as good luck to invite them into your home to feed and house them. These women also remain celibate and give up many other vices like alcohol or other drugs.
Scene
A bird woman in a rich man’s house, lounging around and eating some grapes, she occasionally looks outside at the nice gardens before drifting in and out of a day sleep.
Jungle Estian
General
Mysterious, hidden, nature
Defined by a humid and costal nature this area has dense jungles, from the mushroom forests of the glow jungle to the heart of the forest of the rain wilds. This has the densest amount of biological diversity on the planet. Speaking a massive number of languages, very few written only in modern times has the area adopted Estian glyphs. A sheltered and secretive people generally.
Social structure
Often organized into small clans or bands of twenty to fifty people, the whole of the group helps in child raising, with the practice of the whole tribe having a shared last name, and one must marry outside of their tribe. Large governments have existed such as in the forgotten city and those on the jungle coast who interact with Hinga. The people have a strong belief in Darwinist thinking and the need to provide for yourself.
Beliefs and religion
Some people follow Arora and the broader broken faith as a whole but they are rare as within the jungle only two smaller cities exist of Lizett and Osest with churches. Many here instead follow Queleshtorin, who is a god of art and creation, many other smaller spirits are believed to exist but it is said that all stem from sung tales and songs of hers. The people have strong ethics around plant and animal life, belief in a oneness of the environment is strong and so great care is taken.
Art and ascetics
Buildings are for the most part temporary, and even those with intent to be long lasting are eroded over time. Many people in smaller shelters that mimic fallen tree trunks or natural shaping of leaves, as to have water flow over them. buildings in the canopy and tree layers are common. clothing is more minimal, with hot climate and frequent rain people may just wear what is needed to cover sensitive area, some clothing for hunting or climbing may be worn for protection. Animal skins of treated woven leaves may exist. Jewelry is made from rare woods, amber is a common materiel used, also decorative scales and animal bones. Music is smaller scale but performed using what instruments they can have, often wooden and reed based are common or drums.
Diet and cuisine
A still mostly hunter gatherer based society with little sustained agriculture, some fishing is done from rivers and in land lakes or the ocean, natural roots are eaten and an abundance of fungus and mushrooms are consumed. A home cooked meal might be booked snake, or one of the many jungle creatures. A favorite would be pickled kelendo root. A delicacy would be panther steaks, a hard beast to catch and often sinful to kill, yet delicious.
Customs and etiquette
Borders and areas of control between tribes are often loosely held, with an idea that only homes belong to someone, and all else is fair game to hunt on in reasonability, however some fruit or rubber trees are labeled and marked, often with a small outpost style home.
In courting young people are often sent on a journey with ample travel supplies, more commonly young men, they will go and travel to other tribes in search of a partner. Sometimes this will happen in settled areas, but if a man and a women, who are both searching meet together it is seen as fate and they are to travel together and help one another.
When a person dies they are returned to the earth, often in a shallow grave far from the village, a ceremony is held with a long walk to this area and the whole village mourns for a day and a night.
It is wrong to leave meat on the bones of a killed animal, organs can be left behind but all the meat should be brought back. You should not mimic the sounds of jungle animals other than birds, for it might draw them close or scare others. if you slip, or fall you say “I was pushed by a money” to cover up your slip up.
Distinctive expression
Because this part of Estia is so different and in many ways far less developed they rarely see themselves as belonging to the broader Estian concept, even the cities are more enclaves into this jungle environment and not really part of civilization. This area is largely seen as still one shrouded in mystery and is sparkly populated. This all leads to the jungle being seen as curious and something to be studied, so exports out of the jungle with rare plants and specimens are renowned, some of the finest dyes can only be found from rare flowers here. Those outside the jungle wish to have the products of it, yet do not wish to live among it.
Scene
A solitary hunter creeps along the muddy ground, long spear in hand stretched out searching for tonight’s meal.
Hinga
General
Merchants, ocean, history
Situated on the island of Hinga off the coast of Estia, primary around its southern more forested region Hinga has large maritime routes along the Untili coast and the Rinvel sea. They speak Ngishga which burrows a lot of words from Velngi, Estian, Si’irin and others. Many people are speak multiple languages.
Social structure
A complex web of barons and lords, governing power is often bought and solid, with towns and land being under the control of an owner or family. The cavoite is that if people area treated unfairly, they are allowed to sell the collectively held land to other more fair buyer, thus land owners are incentivized to act well. The family is often held in high regards, and they have high numbers of children, as children take care of business and are the most loyal workers.
Beliefs and religion
Hinga is not the strictest religiously, some will follow the broken faith of the unified church. Life philosophies or ways of doing business are more common, different schools of thought such as those who strive for longevity, those who seek maximum profits, those who use business to support and empower workers etc. They do believe that those with wealth earned it, and must continue to earn it, so even those who inherit wealth should manage it well.
Art and ascetics
Premade building parts and assembled wooden materials exist to make buildings efficient, stone and other goods exist for larger more fancy building. Clothing is a piece of status and symbol, often certain styles are reserved for different occupations, a fisherman hat, a merchants vest, farmers pants, etc. Jewelry is not just decorative but indicative, people will be awarded pins and medals for various acts, women will be gifted pendants for marriage and children. It is common for a company to give workers badges for milestone years of service at a company. Music is often etheric and strange, wanting to make people feel things they don’t feel otherwise, thus fear and being unnerved are often themes that come up.
Diet and cuisine
Hinga enjoys food from the whole of the east, from Kotak vegetables, Sirinal grains, Estian wines, and Velngi meats. They are a fusional culture, but home grown staples also exist. Rilas grows well here and is mashed and rolled into tortillas, stuffed with various fillings or left open and used for dipping and carrying. A favorite would be Estian spiced Khale bird. A home cooked meal would be cooked flakey fish in tortilla. A delicacy would be something from the west, soybean wine or other Adrean products.
Customs and etiquette
When trading with someone or buying you always count the money allowed to check the value, also one says the phrase “sell well” after a transaction, and if you didn’t buy anything and only looked you say “may your customers be better than me”. For larger purchases one often makes a written contract with price and description of goods, if the goods are in error they can be traced.
Courting, this is the one area in which business cannot be conducted. It is expected that men and women both pay a fair share, and that gifts are gotten in kind until they are married. When married they are bought a venue and other expenses are covered by the families, but no dowery should exist and couple are encouraged to find someone for love.
Death, when someone dies, their awards die with them, some may be kept for memory but never worn the jewelry of a dead person, awards are often burned or buried with the body. Also bodies are ceremonially buried in mausoleums that are located in the highlands.
It is seem as bad practice to sell anything that even resembles things for courting, so prostitution or other forms of paid intimacy are not permitted. Trades and deals should always take place on land, so while boating is quite common, goods are not bought and sold on ships.
Distinctive expression
This large consumerist culture clashes with the long history of Hinga, the land has largely been settled and developed for millennium, changing hands countless times over the years, a deep history exists here that is constantly being added to yet little is cared about this, “who lived here a century ago” doesn’t matter. This leads to a large forgetting and erasure of the past in favor of living in the now. Cheaply manufactured goods, such as clothing and silverware are common yet seen as acceptable.
Scene
An exchange of golden coins across a table, a pointing to large crates of wool cloth freshly unloaded from the ship, the men stand up and walk over to look at them.
Nomadic Velng
General
Nomadic, disunified, Khale
Velng is primarily a grassy step environment with subtle variations in temperature, the coast has a more city based culture. Velng speaks a very high number of languages, comprising three whole language families and within them low mutual interlegibility, a few writing systems developed but primarily it is exclusively oral.
Social structure
The main and often central unit of structure is the clan, around a dozen families that will travel and live together, headed by a clan leader, who in turn will often swear loyalty to a head chief. Within the clan marriage is strictly closed but the raising of children is highly communal and all adults serve as aunts or uncles in function.
Beliefs and religion
Much of Velng reveres and worships spirits, not gods per say but beings that hold influence. Two categories of spirit exist, and this serves as a framework for viewing the world. Spirits of the material world and spirits of the immaterial, the main of these are the white and colored bird spirits but hundreds more exist across Velng. A strong cultural belief of need to earn your keep and prove yourself is held. A culture of might makes right also persists, in that stronger means better. The society is fairly equal in gender, men and women both able to do many roles.
Art and ascetics
Most buildings are made to be transported, large pole structures and cloth construction is common for communal places, decorated skins and patterned design. Most people however have smaller single of family style tents for sleep and then do most living outside. Areas that are marked territory but not being used are outlined with rock plinths and outlines. Clothing is often rather simple, natural colors and comprised of furs and leathers, some people will have textile goods but those are traded and not made, it is common to incorporate feathers as ornaments of practical elements. Music is made with skin stretched drums, loud chanting and rhythmic noises are common. Jewelry is worn but usually a central necklace of importance is had, on it are personal beads of meaning that are made and represent key moments in the person’s life, often a person will have 20 to 40 during their life.
Diet and cuisine
Food is given little choice; you eat what is available. Natural root vegetables grow in the prairie, and at some sites fruit trees exist, but a large part of their diet is Khale bird or other small birds, lizards and the like. A favorite would be Lo’ina, which is quite like hyena. A home cooked meal would be Khale meat and field roots. A delicacy would be Bison.
Customs and etiquette
Hair is grown long for both women and men, and while trimmed and maintained the longer the better. it is considered good luck for your water flasks to be died red.
When clans meet they will occasionally trade sons or daughters, the member will be welcomed into the clan and live with them helping out, and if they find a partner then they will be married and live in either of the clans, if they do not find someone then they are traded away at the next interaction. Also when people get married their Khale are encouraged to breed if able
When a member dies, so too does their Khale and the bird is eaten at their funeral festival, their life memory beads given to those present. The person is burned, and this represents a final sacrifice to the worldly spirits and their transition into the immaterial world.
It is considered rude to have men eat before women, and each woman must eat before the men start eating. One is not ever to drink alcohol while riding on a Khale bird. While not considered bad to visit the cities, one should not step inside the stone circles or temples until a small bit of water is poured inside it to “give the ground a drink”
Distinctive expression
The Khale bird is central to the life of the Velngi People. This is a large bird, around 300kg and can support the weight of a single person or a good amount of gear and are used as beast of burden or riding animals. Unmounted they can travel at speeds up to 50km per hour. They are domesticated and rather friendly compared to other large birds of the world. The males have colorful plumage feathers that are used to attract a mate. The birds live around 15 to 20 years in age. Often a person will have on main Khale bird that they ride and the clan will have a good number for transportation and livestock. A person and their bound Khale are often thought of as one unit. A persons first Khale will match gender but after that is not strictly required. The process of choosing a new Khale is complicated and often ritualized.
Scene
A clan returns back to their winter home rock sprawl, atop majestic Khale, the clan leader nods and his wife disembarks, giving the stones water before the group moves in and starts to set up.
City Velng
General
Small, different, hub
While Velng is largely an inland grassy expanse, the coasts and river do have larger more permanent settlements, the Untili and south coast provide. Speaking often a standard dialect per city, and many people knowing a smattering of other languages these are the most fluent speakers in the world, these dialect do not have their own native writing system but used modified ones, often Kesti or Hinga. This area is colder but closely connect and still communal in nature.
Social structure
A more traditional family structure, the parents will raise children, but it is not uncommon for good friends to help raise children of each other. Clan leaders do not exist but city boards do, those people of higher power, often elders, who serve and manage the city, these people can be petitioned to.
Beliefs and religion
They are often loose in practice of religion, not an outright dislike as in Kest but neutral towards it. but diversity in belief is practiced, both the Unified Church and the Broken Faith have churches here as well some major temples for Velngi gods are located in the cities. Also those people who come from the nomadic tribes are welcomed in, although those who join the tribes are seen as very strange, the dichotomy of “civilized” exists.
Art and ascetics
Buildings take fleeting inspiration for nomadic styles, browns in color and incorporation of cloth into design but only surface level. A strong desire to have green spaces and trees still in cities leads to less dense cities. The buildings are often non-descript but functional homes and businesses. Clothing is fashioned after Hinga and Main Estian styles in shape and material but not in style, well made black dresses, brown shaped robes and heavier clothes for the colder temperature, the incorporation of folding patterns and pleats is common. Music is more performed, some spaces keeping instruments for parishioners to use, larger drum sets or big harps or other stringed instruments.
Diet and cuisine
Food is mostly grown, the outskirts of the cities being transformed into farm land, colder foods like the southern Rilas, radish but also wheat are grown, far less animals are hunted and eaten, food is also often simmered for a long while letting flavor soak in. Alcohol is used mainly to make very weak drinks to make them safe for drinking. A favorite dish would be pickled beef. A homemade dish could be a simple porridge. A delicacy would be many week simmered soup, with a broth of deeply complex flavors.
Customs and etiquette
While not embracing the extent of Hinga and their business style branding, it is customary for important things to have a logo and to possess some small marker of this, so your city has a logo, if you open a business then too a logo, etc. Because they do not have a writing system of their own, they often make document copies in a variety of languages. They are afraid of heights, and so often build shorter buildings, even though they are able to build tall.
Courting, stemming for tradition but now changed a dowery is common, but rather than money the man will give to the women’s family a mark of prestige, he will do some courageous action to prove love, this can also be something promised like a house or job, some way to show his ability to support.
Death, when a person dies it is said that they are to be burned in the custom way, but the ashes spread in a place they enjoyed, often a park or river or port. Grave markers however are still common, but small and are kept in the home.
It is considered bad practice to sail far out enough that you cannot see the shore, for their isn’t anything out there worth it. One should not leave the boundaries of the city alone at night, that is when spirits work to pull people away. One shouldn’t try to appear like the nomadic Velng too much, lest they been see as strange, so Khale feathers are not worn.
Distinctive expression
A culture of not seclusion but of connectedness, ways to pass the longer winter often involve doing things into the evening, and not wanting to use fuel for light a culture of “night games” emerged, in the home where many will come together and play games that use little eye sight like speaking games. Outside youth will often invent games to play amount the city in the dark of the early afternoon. Conversely in the summer when it does not get dark much they will stay out late into the night and enjoy time.
Scene
A family and friends playing a fun dice game in their home during the evening, mother, father, friends, and children alike.
Kest
General
Isolate, rugged, revolutionary
A highly mountainous region, while some of the country enjoys a large grassy plain this area still embodies the more rural and isolate nature from the mountain. A large regional dialect crosses the many areas, but language isolate pockets also exist, no language holds a majority. This area often shows its differences and in many ways is more a broad description of a place than one dominant people.
Social structure
The family structure does exist but often people get married much quicker and more casually, a marriage is not seen as an extremely binding contract, and it is common for people to get divorced after raising children, thus family situations can be complicated. As for governments it is a loose confederacy, often agreements are made over a hand shake and can be revisited often, a central government holds almost no power and acts more as an intermediary between smaller regional powers.
Beliefs and religion
Kest has/had a worship called “old keltain” that rather than worshiping gods they see that vorpal spirits inhabit things and can affect the world, often areas having a regional spirit of some form. This however would fade in prevalence over time to more people being atheists and non-spiritual. Some central myths and ideas exist across the region but regional differences set this area apart. In the philosophical since the grand idea of impermanence is held, that nothing will last forever and that embracing of change is an acceptable and welcome part of life, this often leads to revolutions and drastic political movements.
Art and ascetics
Architecture is an odd contrast of structures that are meant to thwart the change of the world, powerful stone monuments that are repaired and maintained. In contract many temporary structures like houses and shops are made, in many ways the city will have ancient centerpieces and then very modern buildings and systems. Clothing is bright in color and often made out of other pieces of clothes, when one piece breaks it is cut up into usable parts and made to make another, thus colorful pieces and mixed works are common. Physical jewelry is much the same, stones and metals are kept but often remade and reshaped, pieces added to and subtracted from. In music there are common patterns and rhythms but remix and performance on the fly is common, folk songs and dances shine with many places having a slight spin on the classics.
Diet and cuisine
Root vegetables are common here and fermentation of said vegetables, often things are eaten cold and a minimal cooking is done, rather food is made safe with preservation. Animals are often small game or seafood. A favorite meal would be pickled radish and beats. A good home cooked meal might include some light beer, cold noodles and fermented cabbage. A delicacy would be steak, as what cows and large animals do exist are often for farm labor.
Customs and etiquette
The living of life and change means that time is more of a loose concept, you will arrive when you arrive, and things will be done when they get done. it is assumed that things or greater importance will be done faster.
As family is more of a loose term so is courting, often it is assumed that friendliness is flirting, even if that person is married. Small gestures like gifts or showing around their home town are common, a wedding is not a huge event either and those who wish to congratulate are expected to give the couple a simple gift of food or money and to visit on their own time. Even if a couple is married it is not seen as offensive to try and get with another person thus the concept of “cheating” is not seen as existing much.
It is common that a person will be drawn to a particular mountain and choose to be buried there, or at least have their body sky buried in that place. Where death is concerned a funeral is not a grand event but one that each person does on their own, taking time to reflect on the passing of life, this often involves working with the grief and processing in your own way.
It is considered bad luck to wear one color. Guests should never ask to be fed, it is assumed that the host will either provide food when the times comes or because they are not prepared will not accommodate.
Distinctive expression
For a culture in constant change it is always true that traditions are coming and going, new ones being adopted and old ones being rediscovered, while this means that anyone can make an impact it also means that there is no lasting cultural identity, constant change can leave some feeling hopeless around this lack of stability.
Scene
Atop of mountain, a few small objects and worn away pieces from the dead before. The man looks around and thinks “finally, this is the stop I would like to rest”.
Adrean
General
Agricultural, regional, complex
Comprising a broad band of climates, with many rivers and a general fade from costal environment to more dry as moving inwards to the desert. In the north are the glass mountains and the former rainforest of northern Adrea. A central writing system crosses the country but with many regional variations and shortcuts, the languages spoken share a common ancestor but differ highly in vocabulary and even grammar. Adrea is very state focused and nationalistic on a local level.
Social structure
A generational family structure is very common here, with parents and grandparents often living together in larger households. Marriages are often arranged alongside religious matchmakers. A society that holds high equality but also distinguished between societal roles and a recognition of power. Princes rule cities or areas, kings rule the main states and then an emperor is chosen from the kings.
Beliefs and religion
The Geldic pantheon is a religion that believes that by worship and following the individual can gain deific power after death, thus their gods are worshiped elevated hero’s of old. Apotheosis is a common theme and many people dedicate lives to a local patron deity in addition to one of the official gods. Adrea is a recognized unified entity but often more like local kingdoms loosely bound by the emperor. Regional conflicts are common but often short and petty, the local identity is held far stronger than national identity. A focus around nature and living alongside the land rather than pure exploitation or a mindset of resource is also common.
Art and ascetics
Buildings are often dense, multistory and cramped, more urban centers than rural. Walled cities are common, and cities in general exist to separate out humans from nature. Wooden and stone, cities often are not places with a focus of beauty, function is the preferred value over form. Clothing is highly regional, often dependent on climate but also patterns and color preferences. Lace and woven pattern works hold high cultural value, bright colors from natural dyes are common. jewelry tends to not make much use of precious metals but more leans towards stones, jade, obsidian and other shapable stone materials are used, with metal for support. Music often incorporates natural sounds as a motif, songs sometimes blur the lines to performances, bird calls and roars are found often. Dance takes less ordered and organize style, with more personal flair being common.
Diet and cuisine
The soy bean plays a huge part in culinary tradition, other legumes also are central. Fermented soy and bean curd is common. meals are often a group dish with smaller side dishes added for flavor and preference. Slow boiling or baking goods from preservation is common. A favorite food would be spicy fried tofu. A home cooked meal might be a boiled chicken and vegetable soup. A delicacy would be long wine fermented eggs. Regional differences are strong on local level and each town often has “their way” of making common dishes.
Customs and etiquette
Many Adrean practices vary but broadly a strong respect for and care of animals, feeding birds within cities, having roaming cats and dogs, and a harmonistic nature. It is high traditions that people will dedicate them to a specific god, a local spirit, often their city. Trade between the states/kingdoms keeps people connected but still regional in thought.
When courting occurs, often arranged the couple will be gifted a cat, dog or other pet once engaged and so in preparation for marriage the animal will almost be seen as a first child of the couple ( but with less significance ). Often to match couples, the parents will go to an “oracle” or someone who specializes in reading of spirits to conduct match making, while families will do this the couple does get a final say over marriage. It is seen that the families will support much of the new couple, so helping do the wedding and the couple’s first house. Due to the arranged attitude it is understood that a couple may not be perfect, but more be able to work together well.
Death, when someone dies it is common to do a burial in their church as a dedication to their god or closeness, however if the person is very holy people may petition for a shrine to be built in their honor or even a church that is built to try and elevate them.
Some cultural taboos, while it is not supported that you change your godly or regional dedication, if you change it you are very highly scorned if you switch back. Another well considered bad thing is the consumption of smoked drugs, tobacco, marijuana, etc, nicotine can be enjoyed in a oral form but smoking is seen as very distasteful. Lasting a mutual respect for all of the gods, while you may believe that your chosen one is more powerful or better you know that others are not wrong, although other religions are seen as being corrupted in thinking.
Distinctive expression
The large regional distinction means that talking about Adrea as a whole in specific is hard, it’s a large band of shared cultural heritage with many branches. People often think of Adrea as a grand tree, with each person a leaf that connects to branches of tradition and past, a common identity exists but has distinct expression and ways.
Scene
A women is making a green lace veil with unique patterns for a young couple who is to be wed soon, blending the bridge and groom’s sides.
Cosmopolitan Thalian
General
Dense, sophisticated, structured
In the southern area of Thalia with the glass mountains, the peninsula, and the Soln sea to its south, the large rivers feed a dense and compact area that has fertile fields and supports a large population. Speaking an advanced and complicated and sophisticated highly complex language, written in a mix of two scripts and a large literary tradition. This Thalia builds off its past in a continual notion of constant incorporation.
Social structure
A unique family structure that allows polygamy of up to four individuals in a married unit means that the society is not male or female dominated. Children are brought up and raised in tense groups and many complex titles for family members exist. Marriages are also more flexible and contractual rather than a spiritual matter. A legalistic framework dominated society in general and many feel that the law is a moral authority. A nobility class exists and works with the religious class and common class rule in triplicate over the nation.
Beliefs and religion
Following very strictly the luminated pantheon, following gods that embody facets of light and the natural world as natural laws, with gods being worshiped in proper order and time, daily prayers and strict schedules. Brought into a higher and more advanced form, with specialization and building of grand temples, writing of records. Ethics see a stronger value on collective values, and the continuation of the society rather than the individual.
Art and ascetics
Large cities making use of long lasting building techniques, mortared stone and early concrete, tiled roofs and fortified structed, there cities often have walls that serve for organizational purposes rather than defense. Also close network and chains of cities would form a large cosmopolitan area. Clothing was often standardized and rather basic, with individuals tailoring everyday clothing to fit their needs better, robes and simple blouses and pants, a large wool industry. Music is a large scale performance, often something felt and listened to, large scale organs and gongs, bells and mega harps are used, often as a part of temples or large governmental structures, but bell towers are used for religious purposes.
Diet and cuisine
Grain as a central part, barley and wheat, made both into breads and beers, baked goods are also common. A favorite dish might be a mixed loaf, where in break is baked with spices and flavors and dipped in oil or wine. A good home cooked meal would be simple baked meat pie. A delicacy might be preserved fruits or other fancy foods.
Customs and etiquette
Traditions in Thalia are highly layered, with centuries of traditions incorporated, many small gestures and expression come from the deep past. It is highly common to make many documents of even trivial transactions, and record keeping is important. The legalistic framework defines much of daily life and roles in society.
Marriage is highly complicated, with relationships being up to four people, with at least one male and one female being needed for a marriage, but the law does not require a sexual relationship between members. Marriages of business of convince exist, also it is common for women to receive a dowery from men. Double lavender marriages exist, and marriage is not necessary expected to bring about children, but children had outside of marriage is frowned upon.
Death, when someone dies it is common for their bones to be used or gilded and incorporated in the foundations of buildings, believing a spiritual protection for structures. Procession and monuments are held, buildings are grave site rather than dedicated graveyards.
A common taboo is the display of hair, while head hair is permissible, all hair is covered within religious context and so many people cover their hair at all times, so many men and women wear veils or shave their heads. It is seen as bad manners to bring weapons inside a home, and so often even knives are left in the entryway of homes.
Distinctive expression
The triple partition of government, with three blocks being had of the nobility, the religious, and the common people. Nobility will self-select those most worthy to be in government, those in the luminated pantheon’s religious service will also be selected by their peers, the people will elect representatives to sit in the council.
Scene
The royal wedding between four members of different houses in nobility, highly decorative and covered in splendor.
Rural Thalian
General
Ordered, traditional, strict
Comprising the rest of the Thalian region, the nine sisters lake, the upper coast, the world spine and sky spires. More grassy and colder in climate, but with the large lakes supporting an inland costal climate. Speaking more local dialects and using mostly the more simple script. More changing and evolving but with deep roots in the past with traditions. Much more a focus on individual tribes and practices.
Social structure
While the cosmopolitan thalian social structure is permissible it is far less common and monogamy is the vast majority of relationships. Marriage is more of a spiritual matter and much more for raising children. Society tends to be more male dominated but strict gender roles exist. Often simply a single authority struct, be it the highest local priest or noble family or a self-elected leader. Still quite legalistic in nature but laws are more on an individual basic or with president than codified law.
Beliefs and religion
Taking practice of the ancient luminated pantheon, the twenty two gods where long solidified and smaller spirits of less importance, religion acted as a framework and guide for life and daily practice. Originally much more important and followed, in the north, the cosmopolitan part of Thalia would more formally adopt these systems. Much smaller in scale with local people groups and a network of related but scattered tribes.
Art and ascetics
More temporary structures, but making use of the long lasting an ancient buildings scattered across the land. Often old dolmens or large balanced rock structures served as center point areas behind more temporary structures. It is unknown how these ancient structures were built or by whom, but they hold a lasting place. Functional and lasting clothing, made from wool and goat fleece. Larger cloaks and shawls help protect against the elements, fish oils are also used for naturally water resistant clothing. Large instruments that make use of the wind and the land, sounds that are played within a cave.
Diet and cuisine
More foraged goods and root vegetables serve as a basis, but milk and animal products from sheep and goats are quite common. A favorite would be a variety of cheeses served with sausage. A home cooked meal would be cooked goat with light spices and anything available thrown in. A delicacy would be a rare animal such as an alpine moose or mammoth.
Customs and etiquette
Traditions are more fragmented and varied down to individual tribes or groups, a strong basis in fishing and travel is held, while sometimes nomadic they are slow nomadic if at all. A more slower culture of living and working exists, oftentimes simplicity is a virtue.
When it comes to romance it is often a matter of practicality, with smaller groups people marry who they can and children inherit wealth, courting is a rather practical formal matter and romance or attraction is seen as secondary.
Death, the dead are buried and ceremony is had, the practice of holding on to bones and sacred objects is had but not extremely common. It is known that death is not to be feared, as life and death are both part of the natural laws of the universe.
It is taboo to destroy the old structures, if they are to be damaged, let the natural world do it but humanity should not destroy the past. Preservation of tradition is important, but some things are meant to be lost or buried, to be discovered later.
Distinctive expression
Archeology and the study of the past is common, yet there is much less of a recording culture in the present, one should understand the past but this knowledge should be passed down and if it is forgotten then it will be rediscovered.
Scene
An old rock shelter, with a small village surrounding it, a slight smoke fire, upon the gargantuan stones is old writing, but still understood.
Harashi
General
Sparce, small, hidden
The large central desert within the middle of the content, this area is largely defined by the borders of those nations around it, the sky spires in the north, Adrea to the west and Sirinal to the east, Velng to the south. With the exception of an oasis in the middle this area is a large and dry desert. Speaking the Harashin language which does not have a native writing system. Harash is considered empty and largely not thought about.
Social structure
Little societal distinction is held between men and women, with a strong need for participation of all members of the family for survival. Nomadic groups are often only two or three families living together without a leader, only in cities does any larger leadership system form, which is often age based.
Beliefs and religion
Harash had, by necessity, a strong focus on conservation and lack of waste, society is very frugal, and everything serves its purpose. The land also is seen as, on a broad scale being unchanging, sands may change day to day but they will always stay. Harashi Dualism is the main religion with two oppositional gods Mequestala who is good and Oremdansik who is evil, appeasement of Oremdansik is the primary ritual of worship.
Art and ascetics
Buildings need hold design to mitigate heat, so buried structures are common and at the surface designs to capture wind exist. For those nomads tents are common with layered designs for insulation. Often without decoration as the environment will erode them away. Clothes are also highly functional, flowing thick robes are used to create air barriers and reduce heat. Jewelry is often a means of wealth storage, silver and gold is worn as means of exchange rather than purely decorative. Music needs to be small and portable, often a tight string will be stretched between hands of one person and played by another, also singing is a very common element.
Diet and cuisine
Food is not plentiful, and so people often do not get the luxury of preferences of choice. However, some small plants can survive and are cultivated near the oasis. A favorite would be cactus juice freshly cold drank in the morning. A classic food would be small root vegetables cooked with hot sands. A delicacy would be any form of foreign meat such as beef or pork or dried fish.
Customs and etiquette
Traditions holds that during one’s lifetimes they should visit all four points of the desert, that is the top into the mountains, the bottom into the grass bowl, and each send of the trail that crosses. Another tradition holds that
Courting does exist, but often as groups are quite small and population very sparce people will marry and stay with those who they can, thus one does not gain much choice of spouse. Because of a lack of choice, it is known that the period of coming into love may take a long time and so children are had later in life and spread out. Marriage rituals would be that parents of the couples and friends if possible, meet together and hold a ceremony where gifts are given, this often takes place over an entire night from dusk to dawn.
Death is seen as mournful but not sad, and a thing that happens, owing to the fact that little rots and the dryness of the desert often preserves, only the underlayers of the clock will be left with the body but all items will be removed and used. Burial be done in the valley of a sand dune but little other standard practice remains, sometimes songs about their life will be composed and sang about.
Taboos, with a small group of people often many rituals are passed down. One obvious practice is that children are not given names, and instead they choose their own name, it is seen as bad luck to impose a title. Another taboo is speaking other languages that are not Harashin, while it is permitted when trading with foreigners, people still try and avoid it. Another idea is that one should not sleep during a full moon, this is because it is thought that the power of Oremdansik is the most powerful and should be watched for.
Distinctive expression
Harash is a crossroads of trade flowing through the middle passageway between Sirinal and Adrea, this means that many good pass by, yet very few actually stay in Harash, those that do are textiles, metals and outside spices. From this idea money and ownership is not as solid of an idea, one cannot own a piece of land, an animal merely belongs to itself, goods are more burrowed from the earth rather than had. This leads to a very nontemporal or grounded culture.
Scene
A deep canyon valley, carved by an ancient long forgotten river, deep colors in eroded stone. people have not and will not step here for years.