Ursandian

The people of Ursand are hearty and more often than not above average in terms of size and strength for the average human. The dangers of Ursand cause most to hone their bodies to its peak to be able to provide as much help as they can. The core principle of Ursand is that everyone must work together if they are to survive this has led to the people of Ursand being very willing to help others with their problems. At the same time the brutal lifestyle of Ursand makes it common for Ursandians to be very pessimistic and even fatalistic, the backbone of the society is those who can look into that adversity and laugh and make others laugh. Ursandians have strong Norse and Celtic influences in name and design, their architecture has the benefit of dwarven help including primitive steam heating systems.
A sad part of life in Ursand is that if you can't keep up you will either die or be sent away, should someone be unable to help due to a physical or mental limitation the community can't keep them there, for the good of the community and the persons own good their family will gather up coin and supplies and send them out with the next shipment of lumber. It is rare for any community to want to send someone away like that but they know it is for their own good for it is the way of Ursand that the strong thrive and the weak perish.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

You work for the benefit of everyone, if you need something you ask for it, if you have something to give, give it. Community is crucial to Ursandians, people have been exiled for even petty thefts because of this code.

Common Dress code

Furs of varying weight depending on the season and the role, if someone will be indoors often as part of their work kilts and loose-fitting shirts are common. Those who work outside will have large bundles of fur to cover themselves as much as possible.

Coming of Age Rites

The First Hunt is an important ritual for Ursandian children it marks their first time leading a hunting party, they will have been on many learning from a parent or Huntmaster. This is the first time they lead the party which is often made up of family and friends. The goal is to press in the need to think of others, as well as a bragging right depending on what is caught during the hunt.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a member of the community dies they put the body on a pyre near the center of the town as far away from predators as possible, family and friends give a somber speech during the day. That night a ceremonial brazier will be lit in the longhouse of the Jarl and a large feast is held where the person is celebrated as if they are still there, the brazier symbolizing the spirit of the person lingering for one last goodbye. At midnight the Jarl will extinguish a ceremonial brazier that signifies their final passing into the next life.

Common Taboos

Theft or acts against the community are heavily punished often by exile.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

If you are alive you are helping the community, they don't care about gender. That said there are usually only a couple of females that go with hunting parties usually as healers or other supporting roles. The reason being is rather simple, the males are just stronger and 'small game' has a very different meaning in Ursand and it can take many men to haul back a kill.