Essillionite

Hailing from the Capital of Essillion, in the Havenguard Chain of the Barrier Guard of Denethen, Essillionites are a warm, welcoming, proud, and religious group that holds true to their traditions and history. They favour long-standing relationships, and take great comfort in the familiar.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Essillionites are very particular in their naming conventions, particularly for major noble families.  Tradition maintains that the family names follow very specific rules. For Essillionites, it is easy to tell the lineage of someone and thus their immediate history by how someone introduces themselves.  Other cultures may find the rules quite confusing and seemingly arbitrary.  To suggest such a thing to an Essillionite is considered rude and may carry repercussions. 
In Essillion there are three major noble families - the Starshields, the Skyshards, and the Stormarms.  These three were the original Dukes of Essillion and their lines have been unbroken since the founding of the city.
The rules are as follows, with very limited exceptions (though they do happen):

• Lesser status nobles change their family name to accommodate the higher status noble.  Therefore, any Starshield, Skyshard, or Stormarm will always retain their family name upon marriage.
• In the rare circumstances of a marriage between a Starshield, a Skyshard or a Stormarm, neither party changes their name.
• Lesser status nobles of equal status will each keep their original family name.
• Children of a marriage with a Starshield will always retain the Starshield name.
• The firstborn Skyshard or Stormarm children take the last name of the mother, the second born of the father, and rotating subsequently for future children.
• Lesser status nobles began to adopt that process, and now all non-Starshield children follow the pattern the major nobles established (as above).
• Commoners do not follow this naming tradition and will take the family name of the one who proposed marriage. Both commoners will then share that name and subsequent children will as well.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Kingspeak (aka Common)

Culture and cultural heritage

Essillionites are typically very religious, though they are limited in the deities they worship. Curceon, Pristell, Vocerix, Gnurich, Mirriam, Morthos, and Tereale are the prime candidates for an Essillionite's worship, though not necessarily the only ones available. Bruges, Dranaden, Josefan, Kleio, and Parfin are less frequently worshipped then the primary Shards, but they still have a good following, particularly depending on where in the city, or surrounding area one is.
Leftis is rarely worshipped openly, though not banned in any way. Most of the adherents of Leftis are a little eccentric and form cults (not necessarily evil ones) that break tradition.
Greegis, on the other hand is never openly worshipped in Essillion by Essillionites. Out of Essillion there may be some that take advantage of being away from the city to worship them, but it is rare. It has only been in the last 75 years that Greegis worshippers were not openly shunned, harrassed, or worse. The memory of Essillionites is long and the two incidents of Greegis throughout their history has sullied the name of Greegis in that city and for most of its citizens.
The attempted seduction of Lyonite Starshield, the first King of Essillion to take the crown for himself, without due dilligence was an affront to Essillionites in the first months of the Fractioning.
Even more heinous, though was the attempt on not only Pristell and Eriken's life, but on Curceon's as well. Luckilly those attempts failed, but it cemented Greegis as the perpetual villain to Essillionites over the last 1000 years.

Shared customary codes and values

Essillion is a heavily traditional city. Having survived The Fractioning mostly intact it retains the oldest and most detailed records and evidence of old Human culture on Starhelm (notwithstanding Forgehome). The ancient ways are kept strong, old promises are maintained, and historical relationships are protected. The people of Essillion are very hardworking, stoic, religious, and fair-minded.

Average technological level

Essillion has attained a high level of proficiency in mining techniques in their well over a thousand years of experience.  They have learned well from the Dwarves, and have been able to maintain their mines exceedingly well.
They do not seek modern conveniences, though they do not shy away from those that find their way to the capital.  Traveling Gnomes from Hollow's Point often bring new gadgets and modern technology, that show some initial interest, but quickly get set aside for more tried and trued methods.

Common Etiquette rules

Essillionites are concerned, though not obsessed with etiquette. They want to maintain solid and long-lasting relationship and that often relies on ensuring both parties are not offended. They like structure and rules, but they do have an ability to go outside of them if it makes things better.
Naming traditions are closely followed, and even if others do not recognize or adhere to them, most Essillionites are very strict in their naming, and heraldry.
Greetings are also important and the acknowledgement of a person or an event is considered proper. Some common and polite forms of greeting for Essillionites include the following:
'Hail and well met!'
'May the echoes of time greet you fondly'
'Bountiful mines to brighten your day'

Common Dress code

Often rugged features and simple clothes mark an Essillionite in the peasantry or the working class, however, the nobles will dress with more style. Clothes of green, brown, red, and orange are favoured by many Essillionites.

Art & Architecture

Essillionites favour classic architecture of stone, wood, and sturdy design.  They like emblems of history, flags, and pennants adorning their houses and buildings.  They like to maintain things for as long as they can, though they are not afraid to discard or give away things that are no longer functioning or might cause harm to others.  Crumbling buildings and uneven streets are not a pleasant site for Essillionites.  If something cannot be repaired or maintained then it is upgraded.
Essillionites are fond of paintings and statues, particularly of ancestors, the Shards they favour, or of grand tales told in art.
They love tales of old heroics, history, or religion, and greatly enjoy seeing good overcome evil.

Foods & Cuisine

Essillionites eat hearty and solid food often, but they love fruits and vegetables as well. Their farms are quite successful and many of their dishes revolve around the bounty of their immediate area. Root vegetables, kale, spinnach, and carrots are among their favourites. Beef, pork, mutton, and fowl are common as well. They love apples, pears, berries, and grapes, particularly in pies or jams.
Essillionites love to sample new foods and are not afraid of new things, but they tend to stick to what they know after trying it. If a new food can establish itself it will become the new tradition and Essillionites will accept it going forward.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Forms of address and introduction are very important to noble Essillionites, as they get to share their history and heritage.
Nobles introduce themselves always in the below way, following a specific set of rules. If the circumstances change, their introduction will need to change also to accommodate the new set of naming rules (as shown below).
Firstborn (or odd birth order subsequently):

• First name
• Family name (of the mother)
• Birth order
• Child of father's first name (father's) family name

Secondborn (or even birth order subsequently):

• First name
• Family name (of the father)
• Birth order
• Child of mother's first name (mother's) family name

Example 1:
Peter Fairfax and Katherine Stoutheart are married and have two children, John, and Susan.

• John would introduce himself this way,
  'I am John Stoutheart, firstborn son of Peter Fairfax.'
• Susan would introduce herself this way,
  'I am Susan Fairfax, secondborn daughter of Katherine Stoutheart.'

Example 2:  
Peter Stoutheart and Katherine Stoutheart are married and have two children, John, and Susan. Peter changed his name to Stoutheart because Katherine was of a higher status.

• John would introduce himself this way,
  'I am John Stoutheart, firstborn son of Peter Stoutheart.'
• Susan would introduce herself this way,
  'I am Susan Stoutheart, secondborn daughter of Katherine Stoutheart.'

Example 3:

Peter Fairfax and Katherine Stoutheart are married and have two children, John, and Susan. John gets disowned by his parents and is no longer considered part of the family. Susan would now have to change the way she traditionally introduced herself to accommodate the new hierarchy. 
'I am Susan Stoutheart, firstborn daughter of Peter Fairfax'.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Family trees are very important to those from Essillion.  They take great pride in their heritage and when a new baby is brought into the world, they are filled with joy and rejoice proudly.  They recite their lineage as far back as they can after the child is born.  Nobles take this practice far more seriously than a commoner might, but that does not mean the poorer folk do not take pride in their heritage.  They just don't have the resources to spend on frivolous displays.  They spend their time honouring their ancestors and ensuring any children are cared for and are part of a solid family.  One tradition however, is to add to the family quilt for every newborn.  Extended families may have their own quilts that grow as cousins, nephews, and nieces come along.  Some just keep it to immediate family, while others embrace a wider connection.
The nobles spend a great deal of pomp and circumstance for their newborns.  They spend a lot of time reciting their lineage, and many commission a work of art to commemorate the new baby.  The family tree is meticulously added to, and some may even request a new family tree be drawn up to include the new baby.  Some nobles have multiple family trees to celebrate the changing and growing of their line.

Coming of Age Rites

For noble children, coming of age typically involves being able to recite their family lineage, and an apprenticeship into the family business.  Around the age of 12-14 these children get mentored and are given smaller tasks to get them accustomed to their future work.
For children of commoners, they might start earlier and do not necessarily have to recite their lineage, though many like to if they can.

Funerary and Memorial customs

As joyful as the birth of a new baby is, the loss of a member of the family is celebrated with introspection, respect, and dignity.  There is little wailing or moaning at a funeral, though softer sobs are certainly accepted.  Any extreme emotion is assumed to take place outside of public view.
The lineage of the deceased is recited again, just as when they were born.

Common Taboos

Actively disregarding tradition without careful consideration or introspection is considered bad form and puts those who do it under careful scrutiny.
Any shrine, or place of worship of Greegis, no matter how small, is considered taboo, and illegal. Only recently has it been accepted to hold any of those in the privacy of your own home, but no public displays or access to Greegis can occur in Essillion.

Common Myths and Legends

The rule of Queen Telaryn is one of great pride for Essillionites.  Her rule began when she was only 16 and it lasted longer than any other ruler in Essillion history.  It was a period of great growth, community, and prosperity.  She was blessed by Pristell's attention and mentorship and secured her place in history as the greatest ruler Essillion has ever had.  Few get compared to her, though the current King, Arndrin has had some successes of his own.

Historical figures

• Duke Colborne Starshield
• King Lyonite Starshield
• Queen Telaryn Starshield
• King Arndrin Starshield

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Being clean shaven, or well-groomed is the mark of many Essillionites, including the lower classes, as that represents order and respect, however, not everyone maintains that level of grooming.

Gender Ideals

Males and females hold equal weight in Essillion society and have done so since its founding.  Its many Kings and Queens attest to their belief that gender does not dictate a person's worth or status.

Courtship Ideals

The Dukes of Essillion rarely marry amongst themselves, preferring to strengthen the lines with outside Essillion houses. They have made several exceptions through the years, but typically they encourage the families to grow from the lesser noble families, or even with some high-minded or successful non-noble families.
Outside of the major noble houses, Essillionites court and marry with a goal of good fits, but they favour tradition and practicality over love.
They prefer matches where the couples will last and be productive and happy.  They are not against matches of love but matches of passion are rarely long-lasting so they do not favour them.

Relationship Ideals

As with much of Essillion mindsets, traditions, and long-lasting relationships are sought after and fought for.  Essillionites do not abandon relationships easily, and they assume that any relationship worth having is worth fighting for.

Major organizations

The Dukes of Essillion, and the Starshield Family are major representatives of the Essillionite character.

Encompassed species

• Human, Starhelm

Related Locations

• Lutien's Vale
• The Barrier Guard of Denethen