Gilgarians

The Gilgarians were a semi-nomadic people whose home territory was west of the Arastras Highlands. They were a fierce group of people, proud and honest. The clans fought amongst themselves but each had a strong leader who led them into battle. Mostly, they raided each other's camps for honor. They hunted their food but also cultivated crops that grew in different areas, thus the semi-nomadic lifestyle. Each clan had a region that they called their own, though there were fights over territory. The great red dragon, Agyrrys the Bold, began to fly over their territory. At first, she took their game. Then she started to snatch their horses. A group of Gilgarians got together and traveled to her cave to reason with her. She ate all but one of them and sent the survivor back with a message saying she owned their lands and would be taking "rent" in the form of human sacrifice. When they did not pay the rent, she began to set fire to their encampments. Eventually, she drove them out of their lands. They were never able to claim lands as their own again, always asked to leave when they settled. They never forgave the dragon.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Kenva, Brugma, Nundril, Rhegna, Kithrae, Rhusta

Masculine names

Skovimm, Kaenlurr, Kremm, Tharr, Renn

Unisex names

Leild, Tyirr, Heig, Shonn, Trae, Voth

Family names

Ruthrikr, Rhefrind, Miorgin, Keiflag, Stuth

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

They speak Gilgarian in three different dialects: Oglamuush, Guglamuush, and Singlamuush.

Culture and cultural heritage

Because they are semi-nomadic, they rely heavily on horses. Children learn to ride before they can walk. Expectant mothers ride up until the day they give birth. Horses are more valuable to the Gilgarians than any precious metal or gemstone. They are treated like family and allowed to wander the camp freely. They are given as wedding gifts and traded in treaties between clans. It is taboo to touch another man's horse.

Shared customary codes and values

Bravery in battle is important to the Gilgarian society. Without it, they're just a semi-nomadic people who (they feel) are weak and vulnerable to other societies. Another shared value is family. Gilgarians have strong ties to their families, and they often have large ones, including extended family.

Average technological level

The Gilgarians are skilled leatherworkers. They work with metal they have traded. They are skilled in making knives and weapons. They produce art. They have written words and record events, though most of their tales are handed down orally. They travel by horse or on foot.

Common Dress code

Gilgarians use every part of the animals they kill, so they wear intricate leather clothing, sewn from the skins of their game. They also make and wear hardened leather armor.

Art & Architecture

Gilgarians are famous for their leatherwork. They create intricate designs, which they wear or trade.

Foods & Cuisine

Horsemeat kabobs with potatoes and giant mushrooms; horsemeat stew with savory herbs and potatoes or rice; fermented mare's milk spiced with rosemary and sweetened with honey; venison ribs basted in ale and spices; bison steaks seared and smoked.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

A baby is bathed in the blood of a stallion on the day of its birth, to give it strength and bravery.

Coming of Age Rites

When a child comes of age, it is customary for the young person to take a horse and ride out to where the herd is grazing. The young person then spends several days following the herd. They must be chosen by a horse and bring it back to camp without any rope or other type of harness; it must follow them by its own choice. That horse then becomes their own and they are now an adult. They can now participate in hunts and war parties.

Funerary and Memorial customs

People whose souls have passed on to the next life are given an "open sky" burial. Because the Gilgarians are semi-nomadic, they don't have burial grounds. It is also an honor to return to the earth, where one might honor the horses by turning into the grass that feeds them.

Common Taboos

It is taboo to touch another person's personal horse without permission. It is taboo to injure a personal horse. When one raids, one only takes from the general herd, not a personal horse.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The longer the hair, the more attractive the mate. This is because with each defeat, the person cuts their hair short. So, the longer the hair, the fewer defeats. This is true of both men and women. Another beauty ideal is scars. The more scars the person has, the more attractive they are to a potential mate. This is because bravery in battle is revered. Another beauty ideal is strength, no matter what body shape that takes.

Courtship Ideals

In Gilgarian society, courtship is more like mating rituals. The suitor shows off his or her fighting prowess in games designed to showcase strength and bravery. The person being pursued makes a choice whether the suitor is acceptable, then they go off together and engage in sexual activity. This process takes a few days.

Relationship Ideals

Gilgarian relationships are passionate. There is a secure attachment to one's mate but in Gilgarian society it is also common to have other partners. There are plenty of elders who have been in these types of relationships and who give advice to younger members of the clan. Jealousy is fairly uncommon but it does happen. In these cases, an elder will counsel the members and help them decide the best course of action. For the most part, open relationships work in this society because it's their tradition.