Atrostvalans

The Atrostvalans are a (mostly) human ethnic group that make up the majority of human inhabitants in the Atrost province of Terra Consortium. In terms of appearance, the Atrostvalans range from having pale to tan skin, blue, green, gray, or brown eyes, and blond, brown, or red hair. The history of the Atrostvalans was largely shaped by the exploitation of their homeland at the hands of the Carcids, both the Carcid Empire and the dissident Carcid warlords over 3000 years ago. Enslaved and forced to mine their sacred volcanic sites by both sides of the Great Carcid Civil War, they believed their gods had punished them when Mount Kjalzieg erupted in 988 IC, burying the great city of Tevra in lava and smothering the entire region in ash. Many Atrostvalans escaped to other regions, but for those who stayed, constant rebellions and reforms upended their status as slaves, yet still bound them to serfdom and poverty in their ruined homeland. As the 4th Insurrection peaked, the Atrostvalans were among the first perpetrators of the Terran conflict against the Carcids, and at the end of the war, the region of Atrost quickly joined Terra Consortium to gain their support for years to come. The Atrostvalans now form the backbone of the Consortium, renowned for their mining and agriculture, harvesting the remaining resources left on Terra.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Tjalasve, Astred, Svolga, Hjalase, Keira, Jorhana, Mergan, Ydhonja, Tana, Esvalge, Aiskel.

Masculine names

Fjolsvin, Kjarhof, Evtofhir, Terselven, Hethsarr, Keigan, Heskig, Jontorhef, Veitov, Renvas, Hugen.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Atrostvalans have almost completely lost their native language, now confined to scholars of history and a few lore-keepers high in the mountains. Atrostvalans ordinarily speak Carcidelic.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Atrostvalans are direct descendants of the proto-Atrostvalans with some Carcid blood, though may be mixed with many other ethnic groups due to their historical emigrations.

Shared customary codes and values

The Atrostvalans are often seen as a dour, stoic people, and while this is true to some extent, the Atrostvalans are also generally hard-working, candid, and appreciative of tongue-in-cheek and dark humor. The Atrostvalans often have an unwavering support for Terra Consortium; they see their labor as a necessary duty for the nation, as they believe the Consortium vastly improved their overall quality-of-life and worker safety.

Common Dress code

The Atrostvalans often wear rugged and practical clothing, sewing and repairing their own coats and trousers, and make protective equipment out of brush-oxen leather and steel. Despite the cold weather of their region, the Atrostvalans often wear only tank tops and cargo pants on a casual basis, but may sometimes wear filtration masks outside due to volcanic gases or ash brought from the wind. The Atrostvalans place little emphasis on dressing for looks, and often conform to Corvirian standards in formal, diplomatic settings.

Art & Architecture

The Atrostvalans are known for their sculpting and stone-carving, a tradition that has endured for millennia, and often incorporate very rigid, geometric designs in their statues, buildings, tools, and so on. The Atrostvalans believe that simplicity and hardy materials are key to an enduring design, hence their fondness of steel and stone. If something is not built to last, it is worthless, and no Atrostvalan cares if something looks old and weathered so long as it works, and keeps working.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Atrostvalans, for all their dedication to hard work and frugality, hold a celebration lasting three days each month to commemorate the dead of Tevra, a tradition held since the eruption of Mount Kjalzieg. The Atrostvalans believe life is too short and unpredictable in their circumstances to shy away from letting loose, and so the monthly celebration is complete with an ample supply of cheap drink, food cooked in geothermal stoves, and relaxation in the many hot springs of their region. The largest festival is held on the Eve of Kjalzieg, where Atrostvalans from across the region gather at the ruins of Tevra. The Atrostvalans have, historically, been wary of the many volcanic sites scattered across their region; though this was mostly based in religion prior to the rise of the Terra Consortium, their outlook has since shifted to a more secular outlook. Volcanoes are now reserved as research sites, or sometimes even personal cenobia, for Apsirasist Fundamentalists, and are only mined under their permission. Apsirasist Fundamentalists in Atrost tend to have a more involved and pragmatic approach compared to those in other regions of the Consortium, often being involved in industrial management and innovation, and may even act as Overseers for legal jurisdiction. As such, Atrost has produced some of the most gifted polymaths in the Consortium.

Coming of Age Rites

Almost all the youth of Atrost undertake some military training after completing Basic Pedagogy. This may be for a number of reasons, though it mostly stems from a sense of loyalty and pride in the Consortium, as well as the discount on Advanced Pedagogy, since Atrost is an economically modest region.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The Atrostvalans, like the Talam and Corvirians, have no concept of inheritance. However, instead of redistributing the savings of the deceased, the Atrostvalans will use their savings to commission their own funerals earlier in life. To the Atrostvalans, it is considered more individually authentic to have an impressionable funeral than to simply leave one's savings for government surplus. Upon death, those who payed for their funerals are often cremated, encased in lava, molten metal, or even have their remains reconstituted into diamonds, tools, or weapons. Funerals are organized and visited by friends and coworkers alike, and are usually seen as an opportunity to celebrate their passing and let loose after the procession.

Common Taboos

Indifference to work and education, trespassing a volcanic site, planned obsolescence, neglecting used items, refusing to use savings for a funeral.

Common Myths and Legends

The Atrostvalans no longer possess any official religion, and even shun any notion of worship. However, their past was rife with superstition and reverence around the many volcanoes of Atrost, with Mount Kjalzieg being seen as a supreme deity that could not be touched by mortals. Tevra in its prime was a sacred site, built to display the limits of humanity when compared to the sheer size of Kjalzieg. When the Carcids enslaved the people of Tevra and forced them to trespass and mine the sacred mountain, the Atrostvalans believed its eruption was the mountain god's punishment for their impudence.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Atrostvalans have the unique concept of "hurhastve", the idea that one can be greatly attractive even in old age or visibly hardened by labor, so long as they are young at heart, and have a unique outlook or sense of style. As such, the Atrostvalans don't place as much importance on looks as the Talam or the Corvirians, though they are fond of fit, athletic builds that are not too lean, and often sport geometric tattoos.

Gender Ideals

There is very little gender division in Atrostvalan society, with both men and women working alongside one another in all professions, and even share bathhouses, washrooms, and so on. Transgenderism is not as common in Atrostvalan culture, but are generally accepting of it anyway.