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PostPosted: July 16th, 2016, 3:47 am 
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Duke

Joined: July 7th, 2015, 9:01 pm
Posts: 596
Location: Maryland
Greetings,

Please list unique things such as holidays, foods, songs, superstitions, attitudes towards certain things (such as government types, religion, marriage, children, etc), performances and other things that may classify as cultural practices by your people. There really isn't a strict format, but there is an optional one below; as always be free to suggest changes to the format if you think you have a better idea! Most of the data collected will be featured in future editions of the Imperial Tome of Culture.

Realm(s) Name(s):
Culture/People:
Domestic Practices/Beliefs (Marriage, children, government views, etc):
Foreign Practices/Beliefs(government views, outsider views, interactions, etc):

_________________
Hasan 'Darius V' Stark

Protector of the Vahnic Exploration Company
Ilkhan of Greater Karastan-Laghima


Last edited by Darius V on July 16th, 2016, 5:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: July 16th, 2016, 4:07 am 
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Joined: April 28th, 2016, 6:15 pm
Posts: 2001
Location: California
I for one do feel that formats would help with organization of this.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice


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PostPosted: July 16th, 2016, 5:06 am 
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Duke

Joined: July 7th, 2015, 9:01 pm
Posts: 596
Location: Maryland
Updated the original post with an optional format, be free to suggest changes/additions to it.

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Hasan 'Darius V' Stark

Protector of the Vahnic Exploration Company
Ilkhan of Greater Karastan-Laghima


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PostPosted: July 16th, 2016, 2:40 pm 
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King

Joined: May 30th, 2015, 10:17 am
Posts: 3862
Location: Stirling - Scotland
Remind me to get on this when I have a moment between work and eating.

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Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil


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PostPosted: July 16th, 2016, 6:04 pm 
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King

Joined: May 30th, 2015, 7:09 pm
Posts: 1086
Realm(s) Name(s): Kingdom of Pyrencia

Culture/People: The people of Pyrencia are varied, due to the relative importance of their bloodlines. As a whole, they are very community oriented, rather than individual oriented with very little emphasis on individual success, but rather focused on pushing the group forward.

Domestic Practices/Beliefs (Marriage, children, government views, etc): Pyrencian marriage is a heavily religious custom, involving the exchange of treated blood from the bride/grooms in specailly prepared glass amulets called Tears of Cerscanna. There are also special practices for each bloodline, both are performed before the exchanging of Tears and Vows. Divorce is uncommon, but not unheard of in Pyrencia, perhaps due to the shortness of life.
Pyrencians generally have 3-4 children per couple, children are raised communally to the point where the children often spend the day and sleep at other houses without their parents worrying much.
The government of Pyrencia involves itself with the populace on strictly legal/criminal matters. If the activities the people engage in are not under the jurisdiction of the law, the law stands aside.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs(government views, outsider views, interactions, etc): Pyrencia is oft welcoming of foreigners, making efforts to speak in the common tongue around them, and in rare cases their own native language. However, friendliness is not the same as traditional politeness, as pyrencians by nature are very sarcastic and insulting. They act the same around outsiders, not as a rudeness, but rather they view it as making the outsider feel as if they are one of them, rather than being seperate.

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By the will of Azarn
-Erastil
-King of Pyrencia
-The Hydra
For a full list of titles, please see enclosed document.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=741


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PostPosted: July 25th, 2016, 10:11 pm 
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Duke

Joined: June 1st, 2015, 12:47 am
Posts: 725
Realm(s) Name(s): The Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH), general presence throughout the Empire

Realm(s) Name(s): The Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH), general presence throughout the Empire

Culture/People: The Gathered

Domestic Practices/Beliefs:

Festivals celebrated by the Gathered in the GRHH include:

-Tidewater Day / Chairman’s Day (anniversary of the founding of their first settlement). Marked by feasts and parties. This day has an air of jubilance and patriotism. Some people wear sheep masks or fake ram’s horns. A few people (usually younger) are known to head-butt each other.

-Independence Day / County Day (anniversary of their independence from Ertian rule). A day of rest and relaxation. Some feasts, but festivities are far less energetic than on Chairman’s Day. Ertian flags flown as a show of appreciation and lowered ceremonially and replaced by GRHH flags at sundown.

-Dax Day (anniversary of the birthday of Dax Chairmanson). A day of reflection and service. Community leaders will often meet with citizens and/or give speeches. People will clean the streets, host potlucks, and perform acts of charity.

Other festivals are culture dependent, but commonly include solstice and harvest festivals.

Practices surrounding marriage are specific to the culture, religion, and values of the individuals involved. Divorce is legal, but is often disruptive when it occurs due to the close nature of communities. Not all couples have children and many adopt the children of others who cannot care for them. Children are seen somewhat as a community responsibility.

Most Gathered identify first as being one of “the Gathered” and second as their culture of origin. The Gathered from tight-knit, family-like connections with each other, and it is not unusual for neighbors to eat meals or celebrate festivals with each other’s families. Newcomers are often heavily encouraged to integrate into their community and a desire to remain separate is often seen as mere discomfort that can be overcome or haughtiness. The Gathered are very open-minded when it comes to other people’s culture.

Many Gathered ascribe to the “Philosophy of the Three Paths” which places emphasis on being steadfast, harmonious, and morally balanced. Many Gathered also hold animistic beliefs that are not necessarily exclusive to other religious convictions.

The basis for their attitudes toward death is twofold. First, it is believed that death is absolute; there is no reversing it, no continuation of life beyond it (at least not in a way that life is understood), and no way to communicate with the dead. It is the cessation of existence as we know it. Second, death is not an end, it is a transformation. One’s consciousness, body, and spirit are converted into other things through natural processes. These two ideas lead the Gathered to have peculiar practices surrounding death. There is little, if any, reverence for the dead or corpses; the primary concerns are the prevention of disease and quick acceptance of the loss. Most bodies are either discarded in the wilderness, burned, or buried. Important people are sometimes buried with a tree or flower planted above them, and their body becomes fertilizer. Embalming, purposeful mummification, or any other attempt to preserve a body is seen as unhealthy fixation, for the body is not the person who once lived in it. Wills are used only to avoid conflict in the allocation of the deceased’s assets, and have little power beyond that. Condolences are expected to be provided to survivors by close friends and family, but are not offered by strangers because they are believed to prolong mourning. The Gathered do mourn death, but it is not formal and is seen as something to be moved past rather than practiced. The Gathered do not honor the dead, but do construct memorials; they are meant to use past people as examples of virtuous behavior.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs:

The Gathered are often wary of foreign authority, though this feeling has faded over time. They are quite liberal, having been a force for more democratic governance in the Empire.

The Gathered are generally accepting of foreign cultures and races, but there is a minor dislike of Kairatites and Minervans. Their isolation from most other peoples in New Hermertia has stifled cross-cultural interactions to an extent. However, they have a close relationship with Casadians, with many of the Gathered being Unburnt.

_________________
Ulrik Gunnarson
Duke of the Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH)
The Chairman of the GRHH Co.


Last edited by The Chairman on August 8th, 2016, 4:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: July 27th, 2016, 7:34 am 
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Count

Joined: August 3rd, 2015, 7:58 pm
Posts: 44
Realm(s) Name(s): Currently settled in Galios.

Culture/People: The Sephorim are a nomadic group that wandered the new world before Hermertians settled. When the Hermertians settled, their numbers dwindled. What they lost in numbers, they gained in wealth. The Hermertians were fascinated by the trinkets and cloths of the Sephorim, and so the Sephorim eventually came to be a sort of group of travelling merchants, moving from city to city, just barely getting by, selling trinkets to historians and curators. Typical physical traits include fair skin, blonde hair, and green or hazel eyes.

Domestic Practices/Beliefs (Marriage, children, government views, etc): The Sephorim were a nomadic group heavily centered around their religion. So much so, that the name of the group is the name of the religion. The Sephorim is a polytheistic religion, where the divine beings are seperated into three seperate classes:

The Sephirot

The Sephirot rank the highest in the Sephorim. These are the closest things the Sephorim have to Gods. Ein Sof, or The Tree of Life, is the supreme being, but has no sense of consciousness or awareness. It exists for the sake of existing, and yet gives meaning to life. Ein Sof is regarded as one of the most mysterious figures in the Sephorim. The Sephirot are monumental beings, with bodies the size of mountains. Each Sephirot represents an intrinsic value of reality that helps form the world. For example, the Sephirot Keter (meaning Crown), is the stream from which Ein Sof is channeled. It is a singularity, in which the other Sephirot are created from. The Sephirot Hesed is love, kindness, and understanding. It heals all with her gentle embrace. The Sephirot Gevurah is the left hand of Ein Sof and is the harsh judge and the curator of action. There are more Sephirot, but together they form the basis for reality, and act as divine constants for the Seraphim to hold themselves to. The Sephorim rarely pray to Sephirots. Instead, they view them as the air that fills their lungs. It will always be there, but is uncontrollable and unaware.

The Seraphim

The Seraphim are a group of divine Angels that serve their purpose perfectly. They are impartial and are true to their nature, but do not ignore the mortal world like the Sephirot do. The Seraphim often encapsulate certain elements of reality, such as rain, snow, or death. The Sephorim often pray to these Angels for aid in aspects of their life that they cannot control, whether it be practical aid or spiritual aid.

The Grigori or The Watchers

The Grigori were once members of the Seraphim but are essentially fallen angels due to personal blights that stained their perfectness. The Grigori are forced to watch the Seraphim and hope to return to their former perfectness. The stories of the Grigori are often cautionary tales that aid the Sephorim in making decisions in either their day to day life, or the fate of the group.

The Sephorim themselves are a very open people, and generally do not believe in monogamous relationships. It is very common for members to share lovers and have children by different men. Because of the nomadic nature of the group, the Sephorim see each other as what is best described as a point between family and tribe.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs(government views, outsider views, interactions, etc): The Seraphim view Hermertians as both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they granted them great wealth, but on the other, the expansive territory claiming and vast cities forced them to move to areas they've never seen, causing their numbers to dwindle. None the less, the Seraphim do not hold the Hermertians responsible, and generally regard them as kind hearted people. As a nomadic religious group, the Sephorim are lead by a High Priest or Priestess, who interprets their scripture, the Tome of Ein Sof, in order to decide what is best for the group.

(I need to do another one for the Geistreich Clan but this was easier. I'd also LOVE one of these for Valyrians *COUGHKYNCOUGHSCRIOS*)

_________________
Jakon Vaegar
Count of Valtoros
Cariad of Valyria


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PostPosted: August 7th, 2016, 1:52 am 
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Duke

Joined: July 7th, 2015, 9:01 pm
Posts: 596
Location: Maryland
Realm(s) Name(s): Laghima

Culture/People: Vulcite Elves (Southern Dry Elves)

Domestic Practices/Beliefs: Vulcites are married at young ages, ranging from 14-16. Children are born at least four years into marriage and it is usually looked down upon if they are not born within that frame. From a young age, usually as soon as they can talk, walk, and think independently, children are drilled to be incredibly stoic, conservative, and well behaved in their manner. Society and other individuals are highly respected and treated hospitably. Vulcites believe in a community oriented government where individuals earn a whole new level of respect by committing themselves to years worth of dedication to government and the needs of the community as a whole.

There are several significant holidays/festivals within the Vulcite culture:

-Lofri Tasä: A holiday in which one's ancestors are honored by the burning of sacred material. This is a day where family is usually together for long periods of times and celebrations can last for weeks at a time depending on the family's discretion and heritage.

-Alcola: A festival that happens once every thirty years, built upon the nature of disregarding conservative behavior and acting entirely free willed. In this festival alcohol is permitted, as well as free 'intermingling'.

-Lofri Nyar: A holiday celebrating the start of a new year in the Vulcite calendar.

- Lofri Taja: A holiday celebrating the ascension of a new leader.

Ancestor worship is a strong belief among nearly all Vulcites. Dating back to when the Vulcites settled in savanna lands, worship is ritually practiced in order to keep an a bond with ancestral spirits that have blessed the lands the Vulcites settled in.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs: Outsiders are treated with incredible uncertainty and are generally untrusted by Vulcites. Individuals outside of Vulcite cultures must earn their trust within the community, and no individual outside of the Elven species has done so. There is a slight prejudice from older individuals towards any other species, but other than that, Vulcites are generally tolerant, but still wary of other beings.

_________________
Hasan 'Darius V' Stark

Protector of the Vahnic Exploration Company
Ilkhan of Greater Karastan-Laghima


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PostPosted: August 13th, 2016, 12:19 am 
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Count

Joined: December 5th, 2015, 1:47 am
Posts: 111
Dakdakrok - The Disciples

Notice: This information was compiled by members of a recent expedition to the construction site at the Isle of Mists. Please do keep in mind that this expedition was organized by the Hierophant of their order and that access to the buffer zone surrounding the isle is not recommended without specific permission.

Realm(s) Name(s):

Headquartered in the Petty Duchy of Trismegistus, Kingdom of Minerva.

Culture/People:

The ranks of the Disciples are mostly composed of scholarly nobles from across the Empire. A significant portion of the current Dakdakrok roster is descended from early Hrynjandi migrants to New Hermertia.

Domestic Practices/Beliefs:

A misconception that occasionally rears its head among historians upon hearing of the close connection the Disciples have to the parent culture of the Hrynjandi (read: Þingr) is that the two are comparable in some way. In truth, the practices of the Dakdakrok are in some ways almost the complete inverse of common Hrynjandi traditions.

Unlike their northern "cousins" the Disciples place little value on superstition and the divine. In place of such practices are an almost fanatical outlook on the facts of the material and immaterial parts of our world. Utilizing strictly standardized practices, the Dakdakrok catalogue natural and unnatural phenomena to be stored in archives unknown. It is assumed that the knowledge gathered by the members of this enigmatic order is available to its members, but efforts to access it by the academic community have thus far been unsuccessful.

Yet the Disciples are not without their own rituals. The most striking of which holds great value to their order according to our hosts. The expedition was fortuitous enough to witness this event that takes place thrice per mercannum. During the third new moon of the mercannum all members of the Dakdakrok must convene at the location currently housing the so called Bird-Priests in full ritual wear to prepare for The Communion. Missing this event is grounds for dismission from the order.

Once all the Disciples have gathered and formed circles around the supposed entrance to the Bird-Priest's lair they begin a low chant. The intensity and tempo increases the Hierophant makes his way towards the solid carved metal slab covering the entrance. It is at that point when the chanting ceases with the exception of the Hierophant and a single "chosen" Disciple that follows him.

Eventually the chanting becomes inaudible as the two descend below the isle. What transpires during their visit to the Bird-Priests isn't clear to us, but it was implied that the Hierophant receives and interprets the guidance of the order's "true leaders". Eventually the Hierophant emerges from the cavern alone and the congregation disperses without ceremony. When we inquired into the location of the accompanying Disciple we were assured that no harm had come to him/her.

---

Aside from dedicating themselves to the scholarly arts, members of the Dakdakrok also place great value on physical improvement and in cultivating their bodies. Most full members of the order practice an ancient Þingr martial art known as Favur-uld which aside from being useful in combat is looked at as an opportunity for new members to gain the focus and discipline needed to become a fully fledged Disciple.

Disciples that have migrated to the Isle of Mists to assist in the construction of their sanctuary have been observed to follow strict schedules engineered by their direct superiors. Full members, wearing their traditional red robes, carve queer shapes and lines into the groundwork of the construction while apprentices assist with manual labour. At noon they all cease their work and gather for rest and nourishment.

It is interesting to note that no work is done on the structure on the day preceding a new moon. We can only speculate on the reason for this oddity as our hosts refused to comment or even refer to this eccentricity in their calendar.

Aside from these practices observed by the expedition, the Disciples themselves seem entirely ordinary denizens of the Empire when spoken to person to person. There is no suppression of personality among the rank and file of the Dakdakrok to the same degree as is seen with its leaders, instead they embrace their diversity as a quality worth celebrating. Indeed it is known that many Disciples lead almost entirely ordinary lives as minor nobles before migrating to the Isle of Mists to fully embrace their order.

Thus it seems strange at first when their leadership seems entirely different in spirit when compared to their "lesser" brothers. The Gradients speak in dull tones and hide their features behind flowing hoods and robes, not a drop of personality to be heard. According to Disciples interviewed by the expedition all Gradients that came before the current group embraced the same lack of colour, so to speak. Unfortunately little information was gathered on the Hierophant himself. Both the refusal to comment by interviewees and the busy schedule of the order's leader has lead to little but assumptions being made on that particular subject by the expedition.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs:

It is through ages of persecution by various groups that the Dakdakrok have grown mistrustful of outsiders. Interactions with groups outside their own are only common among those Disciples that live their lives outside the central communion or through third parties. Recently this has started to change with increasing acceptance of Dakdakrok business in Minerva.

The story is entirely different when one is personally invited by their leadership to visit the Isle and learn about them their customs. The expedition was received well enough and had little trouble making inquiries with the Disciples. However, it is clear that some subjects are off limits to outsiders or perhaps even among themselves.

_________________
The Hierophant of the Disciples || Halad adho Dakdakrok
-Count of the Isle
-Champion of the Games


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PostPosted: August 15th, 2016, 9:11 am 
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Joined: April 28th, 2016, 6:15 pm
Posts: 2001
Location: California
Realm(s) Name(s): Östlaed, Eastland

Culture/People: Östron

Domestic Practices/Beliefs (Marriage, children, government views, etc):

Marriage: Monogamous heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage in Östlaed. Homosexual relationships rarely exist, at least in public. Marriage typically occurs between the ages of 16 and 19. The marriage ceremony is short and sweet, and is conducted by the Thane of a village or the Brother of the local Creopbaina Sanctum. The reception is the real event, with enormous amounts of community contributed ale, smoked pork, smoked mooshroom, smoked fish, and smoked mutton. Divorce is not common, and in smaller communities unheard of. Family life is incredibly important to the Östron people, thus they do not take marriages lightly. Violating the marriage via infidelity is punishable by death.

Children: Kids are raised by two parents, and typically move out on their own once they have married. They go to a unified school until they are 12, when their educational path splits into three: religious, military, or trade. Typical family size is 3-5 children.

Government Views: Östron governments have typically been controlled by a local powerful Thane that taxes are paid to. In return, the Thane ensures that the local militia is armed and that infrastructure is taken care of. In some areas, multiple Thanes will band together to form a Farthing or even a Shire to protect against other Östron villages, and in some cases, other tribes of sapient species. Local groups of Thanes conduct regular assemblies that discuss common projects and military ventures. These assemblies are called a "Thanesmoot." Östrons universally accept this system as it has a built in check to the power of a Thane: the local militia. When the realm of Östlaed was founded, Östrons embraced this additional layer of government. The reasons most commonly cited for this support include increase trade, superior security, and improved cultural unity. The combination of the Eorl, then Anwealda over all the Thanes with the Order of Sanct Creopbaina functioning together created a unified religious and political entity that finally solved the long issue of Östron unity.

Religion
Creeperism, a monotheistic-animistic religion common throughout the Empire is the primary religion of the Östron people. Their official religious state religious organization is the Order of Sanct Creopbaina. The Order has an official capacity within the government of Östlaed. There are no known religions to be practiced by the Östron people. Other Creeper worshipping peoples are typically considered close allies.

Holidays and Festivals

There are festivals and/or holidays for nearly every weekend in Östron society. All involve mass quantities of ale and food, in particular smoked meats. Some holidays are religious in nature, others are to celebrate various elements of the harvest season. Astrological holidays exist as well.

Foreign Practices/Beliefs(government views, outsider views, interactions, etc):
Östrons are not the most open people. Foreigners are typically not common in Östron villages. There is a trading class that has no qualms with foreign interactions. Östron goods common a high value on the international market, therefore, the traditional xenophobia is quick to disappear. Most Östrons are happy to be in the Mercurian Empire because of the increased economic opportunities available to the Östron people.

Östrons are not know to mingle with other tribes in terms of marriage or creating children.

_________________
Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice


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