Aethaloatl

The Aethaloatl are the descendants of the enslaved groups that revolted from the Banaethlin Empire in the early centuries. Since then, they have grown to become a versatile & handy group facing the adversity of the wilds, the harsh weather of the jungle and widespread. They prefer the comforts of the jungles and the homes they have made within them. However, it would be a mistake to assume that they are simply 'savage jungle barbarians', a perception that has persisted among many that have not ventured deep within its great jungles of Dredjericho. The Aethaloatl are a diverse and sophisticated people who use a mixture of technology, spiritualism and ancient knowledge to overcome the many dangers of the jungle and to make multitudes of profit from the unique creatures, flora, fauna and terrain of their lands. The Aethaloatl are predominantly the largest ethnic group within the Bronzimm Concord.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Feminine names tended to have more '-a' and '-e' vowels at the end of the names. But it is also notable for feminine names to include the place of residence or birth into account. Most names were taken after ancestors and given a new blend of the time, from both heroes and notable legends of the Revolt:
For instance.

Masculine names

Most names were taken after ancestors and given a new blend of the time, from both heroes and notable legends of the Revolt:
For instance.

Family names

Family names have developed and branched significantly over time due to the history of the Aethaloatl, first as the singular named slaves of the Banaethlin Empire - then granted new names by the Serpents Sublime, then new collectives named by common shared goals or achievements of the slave's revolution against the Hobgoblins, or the early tribal collectives that have survived into ancestral titles.
The Serpents Sublime granted family titles to their earliest followers (sometimes referred to as Sublime Families), usually ending in -itl, -aca, -tla, -hua, -tzin -zol:
Tlanextli, Paquetzal, Mazacotzin, Chicanoch, Eloxochitl, Teiquetzal, Axalel, Tenoch, Tezohuani, Coatonqui.
The family names derived from the early and bickering collectives of Goblins or other slaves shared the Goblin tongue or High-Goblin influences that changed over time - they tended to develop names after groups of united or common traits in their efforts to seek freedom. These were more guttural sounding than other names, ranging from long to short.
Vebrekcheni, Cheyngnaw, Bakstarbir, Vreebrud, Bounonghir, Klimetrunk, Worglutch, Thyrelung, Bonkrakkur, Rhunkilza, Wypskarrur, Eyardundun, Neekrunchra, Stabludshtab, Howllaha, Skhollbawl.
The family names that became inherent, or made after the revolt, were more in tune with the lands, animals and activities they partook in - but were usually spoken in guttural and loud Goblin:
Vishshtab, Junguljak, Viinsvingor, Frootchomp, Compykeep, Purdysnuff, Bugzwatta, Gatorgulpa, Baitbajaz, Noyt'Ayez, Jawfishaz, Hoornryda, Napperclubs, Maulaskalur, Urrowwarn, Skyeshrike, Edbuttroks, Nimbulwadur, Rowdhuntaz.

Other names

When an Aethaloatl comes of age, individuals claim a middle name that is more of a personal nickname or cognomen (a name representing an individual attribute or specific branch of a person's family). This usually is a physical feature, trait or skill, and tends to be derogatory rather than complimentary or flattering. They can replace these derogatory 'nicknames' or cognomen when they have done something of great value, become respected, or become elders.
Derogative names:
Grottling, Knoblin, Hobgrott, Dribbler, Snotcrotch, Leaflicker, Twang, Fumbleclimb, Splinterkisser, Hussy, Stooler, Wetnapper, Stumper, Wimpsqueal, Bowbumbler, Jellybones, Muckherder, Chunger, Pissdrinker, Biteless, Flowerspine, Ticktongue, Wortlover, Bentback, Whipscar, Shadechaser, Flintfart, Splintspear...
Complimentary names:
Rex, Whitehair, Bronzed, Bronzer, Scarproud, Highcloud, Ringshine...

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Aethaloatl spoke many different dialects originating in a delineation of Low and High Goblin from their time in Banaethlin enslavement, but has since taken in their own lingual tongue of Aethalassar over the centuries through interactions with different cultures as well as the Serpents Sublime, known as Aethlin.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Aethaloatl share their distant cultural heritage (and ancestry) with the Hobgoblins of Banaethlin, though the two groups parted ways both politically and ethnically after the Three Great Revolutions. Though the Aethaloatl acknowledges their ties to this society, they have shed all ties to the Empire and have adopted and founded their own culture. The two groups have very little resemblance to each other in modern times.
Through their spiritual connections, they have developed and began to reclaim what is believed to be their true culture - connecting more with the spiritual Loa of the Primordial Green, and alongside nature. However, their civilisation and enveloping culture has developed dramatically in response to the natural dangers of the jungle that they face. Particularly the warm dry season & the cooler wet seasons of the jungle. Due to the natural flooding season, culture has sprung in order to adapt to travelling through the flood basin and traversing the great canopies of the Dredjericho Jungle.

Shared customary codes and values

Generally speaking, the Aethaloatl trend more toward a neutral or chaotic good alignment and outlook on the world. Their main cultural focus, particularly of the deep-jungle tribes who spend the vast majority of their lives in the wilderness, is on their interconnectedness to the natural world, self-reliance and survival. They place immense sentimental value on being able to trace back their ancestry to the revolutionaries and heroes of their groups, but are amenable to the fact that nothing is static and eventually everything changes whether they attempt to resist or not. They will discard even long-standing traditions that no longer serve them, if it becomes a matter of survival.
The Aethaloatl also have no concept of honour, and thus their focus on survival has also led to particularly ruthless and pragmatic battle tactics, during their history. They are extremely willing to fight 'dirty', if they have to, and will starve farmland of sufficient hydration to starve out their opponents or attack any vessel that strays into their waters by sinking the ship.
Those more willing to break laws for harmful reasons often espouse the view that they are not interested in concepts like 'fairness' or justice, because nature itself is not fair - only cyclical. Others will go the other way, in that they view the natural world is not fair by itself, so it is the duty of sentient creatures capable of choosing to make things fair on purpose, but generally speaking balance is sought in all aspects of life.

Common Etiquette rules

The Aethaloatl do not believe in handshakes or hugging, as they are suspicious of one another. Typically, through their treatment in the past as slaves, they actively avoid being surprised or walking up to someone from behind - as this is deemed a threatening act. Therefore, when giving or taking things, both hands are shown to transfer things and they never turn their backs on others if they can help it - otherwise one may think that they might do something behind their back. They announce themselves to others before entering rooms, otherwise, they intend to enter with ill intent. When walking across the street or in crowded areas, it is typical that they announce their intent, or when someone is approaching them they always look at their hands, keeping their hands visible and empty whilst travelling - keeping hands concealed is seen as threatening.
Greetings between the Aethaloatl are done with a strange hand-gesture, where they clench their fists and connect their knuckles, elbows raised in the air. This is a show that they do not hold anything in their hands, as well as not hiding anything in their clothes, as well as displaying anything worn by their sides. It is meant to make others aware of what you hold, and there is no ill intent between others.
Children tend to hold the skirt of their parents or siblings whilst walking alongside with them, never holding hands.

Common Dress code

Aethaloatl dress styles tend to vary extremely depending on the geography of their chosen home. Those who live within the swampland of the Everglades tend to dress less extravagantly and choose to blend in with their environment and the waters.
Coastal Aethaloatl wears simple homemade garments that are a single layer or two at most, which are designed to dry off quickly, and blend in with the natural colour palettes of their living spaces both by the coast and the flood basin.
Northern Aethaloatl wear...
The Eastern Aethaloatl, closest to the desert of Duat'tera, wear...

Art & Architecture

Aethaloatl architecture had evolved after the revolutionary period - taking most inspiration from the immediate and invasive fortress-building methods of the Banaethlin Hobgoblins, their former masters, but had moved away from the practical concerns and adopted architectural construction based on their environment. Matching the jungle terrain of the Dredjericho Jungle. But, after discovering the ancient ruins of both ancient Ophidian and Macioran civilisations - they began adopting the structural architecture of the Ophidian limestone ziggurats, palaces and temple or shrine structures but did not realise the importance of their structure based upon ancient Ophidian cosmic orientation with their buildings, merely adopting their aesthetic. Thus, they did not achieve the design to achieve special lighting effects on particular days that were deemed important to the Ophidian cosmovision. What they did develop, however, was an adoption of the use of creating stone reliefs to tell stories to last the ages, and use their historic figures represented as different spiritual Loa on their reliefs and frescoes over time. Also, they planned their architecture to integrate a great deal of natural features - some places where cities or towns were built on tiered limestone plains, on hills that utilized the topography to raise their towers and their temples to impressive heights. Most cities had access to available natural resources like fresh-water wells (cenotes), in great plazas. Following in Ophidian style, the layouts evolved as nature dictated, paying careful attention to the directional orientations of temples and observatories as they observed the orbits of stars. Immediately outside these ritual centres were structures of lesser nobles, smaller temples and individual shrines - with less religious or sacred emphasis on the Aethaloatl part, offering greater degrees of privacy. Meanwhile the outer urban cores were the less permanent and more modest homes of the common people.
The greatest adopted architectural construction the Aethaloatl developed were the great public plazas. Large impressive spaces, surrounded by tall pyramids, temples, and other important buildings. Activities that would take place in these plazas would include private rituals, periodic markets, mass spectator ceremonies, participatory public ceremonies, feasts, and other popular celebrations.
The ancient ruins of Athlass was built on a lake island, consisting of an elaborate system of canals, aqueducts and causeways allowing the city to supply its residents. The region was found to be enlarged several times, with many additional facades, keeping intact the dualistic symbolism of the Yuan-Ti deities. The Aethaloatl adopted these structures to manage the flood seasons through the year, and develop a similar 'seasonal' city landscape.
There were also large and often highly decorated residential quarters or palaces, with palaces sitting close to the centre of the city and housed the population's elite. Any exceedingly large royal palace, or one consisting of many chambers on different levels might by referred to as an acropolis. These structures were usually one-story, consisting of small chambers and typically had at least one interior courtyard; these structures appear to take into account the needed functionality required of a residence, as well as the decoration required for their inhabitant's stature.
The building materials were made less so by the use of metallic tools (in terms of the Yuan-Ti Ophidian ruins), rather it required great manpower. Beyond the enormous requirement, the remaining materials were readily available. They most often utilized limestone, which remained pliable enough to be worked with stone tools while being quarried, and only hardened once when removed from its bed. Most cities were built nearby limestone quarries for them to have easy access to their materials, but other materials like sandstone or adobe bricks were utilised. In addition to the structural use of limestone, much of their mortar consisted of crushed, burnt, and mixed limestone that mimicked the properties of cement and was used just as widely for stucco finishing as it was for mortar. However, later improvements in quarrying techniques reduced the necessity for this limestone-stucco as their stones began to fit quite perfectly, yet it remained a crucial element in some post and lintel roofs.
One common building material was tezontle (a light volcanic rock). It was common for palaces and monumental structures to be made of this rough stone and then covered with stucco or with a cantera veneer (non-load bearing decorative stone facing material). Very large and ornate architectural ornaments were fashioned from a very enduring stucco (kalk), where a type of hydraulic limestone cement or concrete was also used. In the case of common houses, wooden framing, adobe, and thatch were used to build homes over stone foundations. Buildings were typically finished with high slanted roofs usually built of wood or thatch although stone roofs in these high slant fashions are also used rarely.
A notable construction adopted from the Ophidian temples were the ceremonial platforms the Aethaloatl refer to as the "Shkollrack" - a series of raised stakes used to display the heads of the victims or defeated opponents of the Bronzimm Concord. Most particularly, enemies, traitors, slavers, Hobgoblins.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Aethaloatl take pride in the use of vivid colours in their dress and clothing.
The Aethaloatl are all about natural beauty, with natural, greasy or messy hair.
Also, the epitome of beauty is being larger or fatter - seen as a sign of higher class and status, wealth, gregarious lifestyle and having been fulfilled in life. The appearance of scars and stretch marks are also embraced to symbolised as courageous, and to appeal the opposite sex.

Gender Ideals

Females are those who own the lands and the home, are usually farmers, gatherers and artisans or craftsmen. 
Males are those who become hunters, warriors and merchants.
These roles are not necessarily set in stone and can vary by tribe and the individual wishes of the people.