Endolians
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Masculine names
Unisex names
Family names
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Culture and cultural heritage
Shared customary codes and values
- It is customary to repay good deeds done to you
- Being an adventurer is a noble cause
- You should respect and strive to be like your ancestors
- ...
Average technological level
Common Etiquette rules
Men interacting with other men are allowed to act less formally with one and other, unless one of them has a high status, in which case, they would treat each other accordingly to that. Men must always act cordial to women. If a nobleman is speaking with a common woman, then the nobleman can flex some of his authority over her due to the difference in class, but he cannot abuse this else he will likely be arrested and despised by all. When a nobleman is interacting with a noblewoman, then he is expected to act beneath them, but not in a way that would make him seem less loyal to his Matrona Familia. When interacting with the Emperor, the High Inquisitor, the Grand Beacon, or their families, unless told otherwise by them, everyone, no matter the gender, is expected to revere them and prostrate before them, but not in a way that would disrespect the Goddess Alyna.
Common Dress code
Upper-class citizens and people belonging to the nobility are expected to wear lavish clothes made by the greatest seamsters and weavers; however, they are not allowed to outshine the Emperor, High Inquisitor, or Grand Beacon. Those serving the nobility aren't supposed to outshine the nobility, but they can't look like commoners are someone working at a tavern. When a commoner goes to speak with a noble about something, after going through the proper protocol, of course, they are meant to wear the finest clothes they can muster that won't offend the noble. On top of all of that, women are meant to look the greatest out of their household when appearing in public with their family. This logic applies to all levels of an Endolians life.
Art & Architecture
In the big cities around Endol, masonry work and stone carvings are common. Most buildings built for the common folk in urban environments are meant to conserve space rather make living there comfortable. The closer to the town halls in urban settings, the more likely you'll find more lavish buildings as the nobility tend to congregate towards the city centers. Almost every big city in Endol has walls for protection.
Outside the big cities, small farming villages dot the Endolian countryside. While some of them are somewhat modeled after the apartment buildings in the big cities, especially inns, most small village houses are made for one family in mind. They are also usually made out of wood.
Endolian art and music is usually either dedicating to The Church of Alyna, in order to honor the Goddess Alyna and the holy saints of the past; however, there have been plays and poems about the nobility, chivalry, and about heroes of the Empire. These can range anywhere from tragic love stories, to epic poems spanning hundreds of pages.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a child is borne, the gender is identified, and the baby cleaned, the present priest from The Church of Alyna will take them outside in front of the sun and bathe them in a bowl filled with holy water in front of the sun. This is to bless the baby and wash away any evil trying to attach itself to the baby and to gain the favor of Alyna.
This has led to many superstitions surrounding birth, such as, if the baby reaches for the sun, they might grow up to be vain and prideful or devout and humble. If the baby cries when it sees the sun, it is sometimes suspected that Alyna is testing the baby by shining her rays down the baby with more fervor.
However, if the baby is borne at night, then one of two things might happen. The first being the baby is left on the street by the family because they fear the baby might contain evil inside of its soul. Or the family might call upon the Creed of Soth, the Angle of Darkness, in order to see if the baby would be better-taken care by the Creed, or if the family may still keep it. If the family is allowed to keep it, then a Paladin of Soth is used for the baptism instead of a Priest of Alyna.
Coming of Age Rites
Funerary and Memorial customs
If the High Inquisitor dies then the Creed of Soth will conduct a secret burial rite for them and a statue will be erected of the late High Inquisitor at the Creed of Soth's home. If the Grand Beacon dies, then a massive ceremony will take place all over Endol, where everyone will pray to Alyna and revere the achievements of the Grand Beacon. This last for about five to four days, where people express their piety through festivals, prayer, art, music, and ritualistic combat.
If the Emperor dies, then for a whole week a ceremony similar to the one for the Grand Beacon takes place. For the first half of the week, festivals celebrating the life of the late Emperor happen all over Endol. During the later half of the week, the ceremonies continue as the new Emperor or Emperess prepares to take over the The Great and Holy Empire of Endolia. During this time, the nobility will hold lavish balls and will commission artists to increase their status in order to make themselves seem like better allies to the new Emperor or Emperess than the other noble houses. The week will end with the Coronation of the new Emperor or Emperess.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
A handsome Endolian man is usually depicted as someone with short hair and strong bodies; meanwhile, Endolian beautiful Endolian women have been depicted as many things such as hardened warriors to gentle songstresses. Bold hair and blue eyes in either gender are seen as a sign of great beauty, as it is believed that the Goddess Alyna also has blonde hair and blue eyes. This also means that those with black or darker colored hair are seen as bringers of bad luck to those around them and aren't expected to attract spouses.
Gender Ideals
An Endolian man is meant to be strong ad handsome, someone, with confidence and swagger. Meanwhile, Endolian women have more freedom in how everyone perceives them. They can be like men, strong, confident, or they can be household ladies or even diplomats.
Courtship Ideals
Endolian men are expected to be searching for a wife after they have achieved some sort of life goal, whether that be starring a business or serving in the military for some time. Men, during this time in searching for some sort of achievement, are not to partake in anything that would make them seem unbecoming, like adultery or drinking. Men that do these things are seen as bad choices for husbands, as disgraces by their family, especially if they come from a noble line.
No such expectations are put on women, except that they must make themselves seem as attractive as possible in order to attract the most suitors. Women that fail to flaunt their attractiveness aren't necessarily looked down upon, but usually not expected to get a good husband and are expected to have bad luck in the future because they have a bad husband.
Relationship Ideals
In a marriage, the Pater Familias, the husband, or the most male figure of the couple, is expected to be the face of the family. He is expected to always seem well off despite what economic problems they are having, to be able to discipline his children and raise them to be smart, attractive, and strong, to never raise his voice against his Matrona Familias, his wife, or the most feminine figure of the couple, and to be strong enough to protect his family at all costs.
The Matrona Familias is the true one in charge of the family. She assigns what jobs the servants are to do, which Wet Nurses and Pedagogi are to be employed for her children's education and upbringing, how the household should conduct themselves in public, and when she should have children.
Major organizations
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