Patryvok

Loud, boistrous laughter can be heard throughout the valley, as well as the rustling of fruit trees as their crop is harvested by the tall, golden-furred Devloni, the inhabitants of this valley. The air is cool, almost chilly, and there is a fine mist in the air, but neither bothers the workers as they go about their job, pulling the ripe, red fruits from the trees. Every so often, a younger one, about half grown, would hop down out of the upper branches of the tree where he had been tossing down fruits to his father, the pair of them making a game of catch out of it. He snatches one of the fruits out of the basket when his father turns away, then takes a bite of it, running off giggling, the crunch of the bite alerting his dad to what he just did, getting a soft shake of the head from the older man.
As the child runs back to the sprawling log and stone house, he dashes past two of his cousins in the middle of proving who's strongest via a boxing match, their siblings cheering them on as they block, jab and hook. He then runs past his grandmother, who is carrying a large log to be put on the fire for tonight, and gets a stern waring from the matron before she just rolls her eyes. He finally gets to his destination, the huge living room where his relatives of similar age sit, playing the trading card game "Thaumturgy."

Back outside, the child's eldest sister hefts up a cask of hard cider in a nearby barn, setting it aside with several others to be brought inside. Just as she huffs, stretching out her back, her father and his siblings come inside, each carrying a massive tub of the dark red fruits, setting them down near the machinery that they'll use to turn it into cider and booze later. As the girl tries to heft two casks up onto her shoulders, her father chuckles and grabs one from her, her uncles and aunts grabbing the others before they all make their way inside, joined by the pair of boxing cousins, both now bloodied but smiling and congratulating the other on fighting well.
Soon now everyone in the valley has gathered in the massive house to fight for a place in line to get their food, before being barked at by their grandmother again, telling them there's plenty for everyone. Supper is an entire Auroch from the neighboring farm, roasted and smoked for the past several days by the chef of the family, the grandfather, into a meaty feast fit for the Hierarchs. Not too long after being told to dig in, everyone is crowded into the living room, recounting tales of close calls on mountain cliffs, or thrilling hunts on far off planets, or an epic fight in one of the recent wars. Eventually everyone gets drunk enough that it all devolves into roaring song, old hymns and folk tunes of the mountains, sung by nothing more than the collective voice of the whole family.
Finally, as the raucous atmosphere turns to one of drowsiness and sleep, most find their way back to bed, flopping down in their fur-padded beds, but some fall into slumber right where they are, such as the mischevious fruit-thief and his father, son resting his snoozing head against his father as the whole family finds rest, getting ready to do it all again tomorrow.
(This is a piece of prose, written by Oskur Bergdahl, an Asgardian Skald, after being invited by and spending a few days with an unnamed family of House Patryvok during their harvest festival)

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The Patryvok are the Royal House of Devlon, characterized by their gold fur, royal blue eyes and cocky, almost arrogant air of confidence in everything that they do. While they may seem arrogant, they are quick to admit they've been bested, though take a long time to admit defeat. They live in the mild-climate mountain valleys of the Patryvok Mountain range of Devlon, which was named for them, and are the main source of meat, fruits, and alcohol on the planet.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Ashura, Halle, Save, Yevone

Masculine names

Iveron, Ivan, Haden, Kaden, Kallins, Oster

Family names

Patryvok, Klanderas, Vinthros, Aidan, Bargos

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

They speak Atlani.

Common Dress code

Patryvok dress one of two ways: fur kilts and maybe a chest covering, or clean, professional attire, usually in the form of dress shirts, slacks, and a decorated belt.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Despite how it may seem due to their physical appearance, the Patryvok are a largely agricultural people, producing much of Devlon's fruit, fruit-based alcohol, and meat. Once a year, during the height of the harvest season, they'll hold a four-day long festival to celebrate another year of good fortune and kinship. This is a very important event and Patryvok will do everything they can to make sure that they can attend every year.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Patryvok usually cremate their dead, scattering the ashes on a mountainside.

Common Taboos

Cowardice.

Historical figures

Haden Patryvok Asterson

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Above all else, the Patryvok find confidence and strength, both physical and in courage and bravery, to be beautiful. Being able to tell a good story or sing well is also considered considered desirable.

Gender Ideals

There is not much of a difference between ideals for men and women. Both genders are held to the same standards.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is usually done by impressing the target of one's affection with outrageous stunts of strength and bravery, however composing a song or epic story is also common.

Relationship Ideals

Patryvok expect their partner to be able to stand by their side in a fight and care for their children just as much as they do. Infidelity is not taboo, as long as it is not done behind someone's back.

Major organizations

The College of Skalds

Trivia: The name Patryvok roughly translates to "Mountain Father," referencing both the Devloni cultural focus on parenthood, as well as the currently-held belief that the Patryvok were the first of the Devloni to be created from the demi-atlani.

Parent ethnicities

• Atlani
• Devloni

Related Organizations

• The Atlani United Empire