Citérenne

CW: This article contains mentions of human trafficking and medical abuse and malpractice. Please avoid the final section of the Food & Cuisine section of this article if these topics will cause discomfort.

The people of Citérielle were once part of the most isolationist nations in the world. Occupying a small area of land in central Adis, the Siljak Mountains formed a barrier on their duskward side, and ancient stone walls standing twenty feet high discouraged visitors from the dawn. Most Citérenne believed this was for the best; there were no large trade highways that passed through, nor was there much of a tourism industry, and even if they had tried investing in building one, most tourists would've been unlikely to be interested in the blood-based drinks their taverns served.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Since vampires are made rather than born, the Citérenne traditionally used house names to denote the heritage of the individual who turned them, assuming that the relationship was positive. House names were also occasionally bestowed upon highly favored sustainers.
The seven major houses among the Citérenne were: Alarie, Archambeau, Bonfils, De la Cour, Fortin, Thibaut, and Vieux. There were a number of minor houses within each house (and sometimes even minor houses within minor houses) to further specify an individual's pedigree. The names of minor houses would typically appended to the end of a name, after the major house. Historically, there were instances of minor houses breaking off from their major houses entirely, dropping the major house name and using only the name of their own house. Such houses include Baudelaire and Roche of Archambeau; Petit of Bonfils; and LeRoy and Gagnon of Thibaut.
Those who are "directly related" would be referred to as kindred; those who are part of the same major house but aren't kindred are referred to as consanguineous.

Given names

There was a fairly even split of Citérenne who would choose to retain their given names from before they were turned, and those who would adopt entirely new ones. Those who chose new ones would often choose ones with positive meanings, either relating to positive traits or luxury items.
Feminine names may include: Adette, Angéle, Beline, Cadeau, Chimène, Délice, Fleurie
Masculine names may include: Antoine, Aurélien, Basile, Doré, Maël, Pacome, Renard

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Citérenne bobbin lace was desired by dressmakers the world over, and dresses made with it are often precious family heirlooms, or can be sold for exorbitant amounts of money. It was traditionally made of natural, undyed silk, and is known for its elaborate borders and intricate detail which often required at least hundreds, if not thousands of hours for a single piece. There is only one Citérenne lacemaker left, Madame Avaline Verne, having fled her homeland near the start of the Sanguine Revolution in mid-AE 602 to live a quiet life in Vriddasa, and by all measures seems content to let the art die with her.

Average technological level

Citérenne medical researchers were well known for their contributions to within the field of medical technology, neurology, and early vascular, spinal, and neurosurgery, selling their research to medical institutions throughout the Adis.

Foods & Cuisine

Not all vampiric diets are alike. Passed down between kindred, the three largest major houses, Alarie, Bonfils, and Thibaut, all drink blood as vampires are classically associated with. Archambeau consumes dreams, De la Cour drinks cerebrospinal fluid, Fortin absorbs psychic energy, and Vieux, the smallest house, sustains themselves directly off of mortals' life forces.
The mortals that the Citérenne feed off of are referred to as sustainers. It was said to be a term of reverence, meant to show respect to those who provide them with sustenance, and there certainly were reports of sustainers receiving royal treatment. Those whose blood described as ambrosial or dreams that felt strikingly alive could wield power akin to a king's favorite courtesan.
Please see content warning at the top of the article before proceeding.

There were just as many reports of nightmarish treatment. "Care centers" run by the De la Cour, Fortin, and Vieux which would pay families for the pleasure of taking care of their loved ones. A few of the families genuinely bought into it.
When Citérielle was overthrown and most Citérennes either run out of the nation or beheaded, the leaders of the independence movement that would later become the Commonwealth of Aigua said that all facilities were shut down. This has not been independently verified.

Occupied nation(s)
Citérielle

Related Locations

• Adis
• Jardonnes