Cultures of the World – Condensed

General:

There have always been various peoples who existed on this continent, however through expansion, many of these peoples were either extinguished or assimilated. Four distinct peoples* birthed our present cultures during the era of pre-history: the olive-skinned Irylians, the tan-skinned Hamudites, the dark-skinned Popaloans, and the fair-skinned Thoronese. Our current cultures are descendants of these peoples, mixed with each other and various named/unnamed lesser cultures.

Marosian

- Major influence on the continent (Language and religion in particular)
- War culture steeped in honour, tradition and respect.
- Very adaptable culture, takes traditions from other cultures and then make them their own.
- Irylian Descent – Share various early cultural aspects with Alyria (medicine)
- Conquered the Faltics (archery, hunting, furs) – Irylian Descent
- Conquered the Elundsih (mining, metalworking) – Thoronese Descent
- Conquered the Haldish after bitter war (warriors) – Thoronese Descent

Alyrian

- Irylian Descent – Close ties with Marosians, Zyelar and Lenosians
- Very artsy culture, built temples, statues, frescos, mosaics, pottery, etc.
- Centre of medicines, poisons, alchemy from marsh herbs
- Alwyn's Eye – Secret Assassin Organization uses Alyrian poisons.
- Language: High Alyrian – Magical can't lie tongue. Low Alyrian – Normal modern tongue

Lenosian

- Irylian Descent – Mixed with ancient unnamed darker skinned peoples from sunken isle/ Close with Istarians, Alyrians
- Incredibly accepting culture, accepts outside culture rather than adapt with it.
- Grapes and wine are incredibly important – make very potent drinks
- Settlement develop around major vineyards

Zyelars

- Irylian Descent – Close ties with the Alyrians
- Religious culture – life and nature very important with a strong belief in karma
- Strong sense of equality between sexes
- Mostly wield pole-type weapons
- Largely mountain dwellers

Istarian

-Irylian Descent – Close ties with Lenosians
- Split culture between the Alais and the Maroquois,
-Alais: Dominant sub-culture, inflict social hierarchy on society. Class is very important.
-Maroquois: Minor sub –culture, classless society, lives in the wilderness. Prejudice against Maroquois exists.
- Both groups masters of animal magics: Alais, are beast tamers. Maroquois are shape-shifters.
- Animals have strong presence in society.

Ellsari

- Irylian Descent – Close ties to Ethaldi and Arelli (Cultural dominance of southern isles)
- Very religious culture – Head of State is reincarnated Oracle
- All aspects of society revolve around Oracle and his/her wishes
- Pacifist, vegetarian, no monetary system.
- Strong sense of collectivism

Ethaldi

- Irylian Descent – Close ties to Ellsari and Arelli
- Scientific culture – Intelligence is valued, practical people, find ingenious means to use ironwood
-Sole producers of ironwood, besides Tosians
- Cities are built with building of many stories going upwards rather than outwards

Arelli

- Popoloan Descent – Close ties with Ellsari, Ethaldi, Wrokokamnee, Shoshoan, Hararan, Istarian
- Merchant culture – Sea travel and trading are very important
- Laidback, superstitious, family is important – often brought to sea
- All are born with capacity for spellsinging wind magic – music is important to society

Wrokokamnee

- Popaloan Descent – Close ties with Arelli, Shoshoan, Tosians
- War culture that conquered much of the south, pushed Shoshoans out from original homes
-Domesticated the wroka – large jungle cat
- Communal ties are stronger than familial ties. Collectivism and equality of the sexes are major.
-Masters of weaving colourful fabrics and making tapestries
- Flowers and plants woven into the hair; parts of the hair dyed in bright colours.
- Story telling and oration are a prized skill.

Tosian

- Popaloan Descent – Close ties with Wrokokamnee and Shoshoans
- Territorial war culture, very protective of their lands, but no interest in going outside of them
- Live volcano is in their territory, they worship a violent and fierce volcano god.
- Have the sole forest of ironwood on the mainland continent, they horde it, forge weapons with it.
- Soldiers are religious servants of the god.
- Women are viewed as inferior.

Shoshoan

- Popaloan Descent – Close ties with Wrokokamnee, Tosians, Hararans, Katyanns, Arelli
- Merchant culture, have the most secure banks in all the lands.
- Respect, reason, and diplomacy are prized in this culture. Names are given honorifics.
- Masters of earth magics, city of Loa – Acadmey of geomancy
- Gems, minerals, and jewelry are of lesser importance and worth, they are worn casually
- Seafood, vegetarian dishes

Hararan

- Hamudite Descent – Close with Shoshoans, Akkadite Arelli, Lenosians
- Matriarchical culture, female dominance within society, men stay home to protect children
- Sexually liberate, wearing of more revealing clothes
- Fire dancing is traditional aspect of region
- Sisters of Lakshana – All-female military unity with specialty in archer and pole-weapons.
- Protected trading routes and oases in the desert.

Akkadite

- Hamudite descent – Cautiously close with Marosians, Hararans
- Agricultural culture – grain production is important, live simple lives
- Communities are settled near each other, producing larger super cities
- Burgeoning military tradition

Pukutehtilikhekehtikuli

- Hamudite Descent – Relatively isolationist
- Stationary horde culture, do not expand territory, but prey on the surrounding area
- Bones of victims made into jewelry worn until death, more bones = more glory
- Every 15 years, 7 major tribes and 4 minor tribes select new leader for horde (Decision made through battle)
- Gender is not seen as an important factor
- Masters of literature, music and dance. They seek the arts from other civilizations as well.

Hing'rmin

- Thoronese Descent – alright-ish ties with Marosians
- Warrior culture, physical strength is of the utmost importance in this society
- Rite of passage at age 14 sent into the tundra; if you come back alive, you are worthy
- Children taught to wield multiple weapons at young age
- Comprised of various tribes

Yarlindish

- Thoronese Descent – close with the Marosians
- Cooking is central to culture for both men and women
- Very family oriented, children live with parents well into adulthood
- Domestication of the white elk: source of milk, fur, jewelry and transportation
- Some cities built into the face of the mountains

Farnese

- Thoronese Descent – largely isolationist
- Self-determinist culture, hostility to outside cultural influences
- Warriors wield specialised weapon called the Vars, very important to Farnese warriors
- Caste system: lords, warriors, peasants
- Mothers largely educated children, though can be called by nobles for combat
- 9 Principles of Lyreoh – <Courage, Integrity, Altruism, Civility, Honor, Loyalty, Righteousness, Consciousness, Balance> - taught in Academy

Katyann

- Thoronese Descent – Largely isolationist, Cellonads have relations with Marosians
- Triple split culture: Cellonads, Serbonads, Belonads
-Cellonads – has greatest connections with other cultures; most advanced military
- Serbonads – least culturally independent, mix of both; small settlements
- Belonads – Depend on the sea; considered backwards in thinking
- Bright coloured traditional clothing, different by sub-culture
- Considered ignorant of the world's affairs