Talam

The Talam, also known as the Talamese, are a (mostly) human ethnic group that make up the majority of inhabitants in the Talamur province of Terra Consortium. Their appearance typically ranges from having pale to tan skin, black hair, and brown or, rarely, green or blue eyes. The Talam people have had a rough history, being subjugated by the Carcid Empire with Talamur as a vassal state since early history. Gradually, their practices faded from the public eye, as the Carcids' presence enveloped and converted the old kingdoms. However, the practices of the Talam endured in subterfuge, and a revival of Talam cultural practices occurred in the later years of the Carcid Empire, The Talamese Renaissance; an interest in archeology and anthropology of the Talam was booming among many humans and Carcids, leading to rediscoveries of their past philosophies, art, history, games, and festivities. As a result, they now retain a transformed and diverse identity that is divided between the rural and the city life; but whether they are ranchers, hunters, and pastoralists in the backwaters, or genetic researchers and bio-transmuters in the technological city central of Jakkad, their love and curiosity for natural phenomena remains a cultural cornerstone.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Anur, Echan, Zanida, Rukyal, Zunam, Ezong, Chetra, Jehera, Ossauya, Teziri, Yaumin.

Masculine names

Auddim, Zayat, Sujek, Gara, Teyaj, Isirag, Kuraud, Ofausid, Jorauku, Yaset, Barakim.

Unisex names

To, Zarai, Gin, Kejju

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The language of the Talam is Talamese. The language is spoken in a drawled and tonal dialect in the rural western parts of Talamur.

Culture and cultural heritage

Talamur, in ancient history, was once separated into 5 kingdoms and many tribes, but this changed quickly under Carcid rule. The Talam have mostly lived under Carcid tradition, but their cultural heritage from ancient times was gradually rediscovered and interpreted into what it is now from about 3430-3480 IC in the Talamese Renaissance.

Shared customary codes and values

The idea of ausannoka, which roughly translates to "ways in what is given" is a resounding philosophy in the customs of Talam; this idea essentially means that anything can be optimized to contribute toward happiness and spirituality, as long as wisdom is taken in seeing the possibilities within all things. Overall, the Talam trust in the virtues of nature, prediction, good intention, simple comforts, curiosity, ambition, and the pursuit of knowledge. Education and being proficient in many different things is heavily encouraged, and polymaths earn great respect in Talam culture. The Talam also have a mindset of the "ends justifying the means" to a certain degree, and often take their goals to new heights because of this, even if failure could bring dire consequences.

Average technological level

Jakkad, the provincial capital city of Talamur, is considered a scientific forefront of Terra Consortium, beginning to make breakthroughs in genetic alteration and transmutation that could soon rival Serethia as a technological superpower. Among the city folk, cosmetic alterations through bio-artifice is somewhat common. The rural Talam folk of the west live a much simpler life, only possessing some basic thaetrium-powered tools or single-action thunder-arms at most; they typically ride in canoes or on animals such as the xyhippas for transportation, rarely seeing hover-cars with their own eyes.

Common Etiquette rules

Talam people generally keep their distance from each other and do not make much physical contact. Bowing is a universal greeting. A steeper bow with one arm tucked behind the back and the other making a fist over the chest is a greeting of high respect.

Common Dress code

Traditional clothing contains vibrant contrasts of red, turquoise, and gold, with jade beads, feathers, and even bones of small animals being worn as jewelry. Women of high status often wear veils. Most people wear textiles that are more practical and common to other regions of Terra, though sometimes with robe-like overcoats that are somewhat traditional in appearance. The rural Talam of the western regions wear lots of leather coats, bandoleers, denim riding pants, and fur, straw, or wide-brimmed rawhide hats.

Art & Architecture

Talam artwork often has a naturalistic style, depicting events and natural scenery as they truly appear in stunning detail, with embellishments being only in the color, featuring vibrant contrasts. Traditional Talam architecture often utilizes rammed earth for the foundations, with an emphasis on horizontal structure, and can be shaped circular, rectangular or some combination of both. Traditional rooftops were also clay-tiled, with the corners curving or jutting directly upward. Modern structures tend to be cylindrical and towering in shape, made of glass and concrete. The Talam are fond of building courtyards, canopies, sky-wells, and patios on all their structures, and let flora grow all over; natural greenery abounds even in the dense urban jungles of Jakkad.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Talam are recognized by the interplanetary community for their collectable card game, Paipai Zan, officially produced by the game company Tourney Arboretum. It features depictions of natural phenomena and how different critters adapt and survive, and is played very strategically with many different moves and options. Though the Sethodj are stereotyped as being the best players, people who live in Talamur have the opportunity to get new collectables early, and have access to limited edition cards crafted by expert artisans. The Talam are also known for their wide and dominant production of beer, wine, and sake. They make a special drink called saugai, made from fermented plums or grapes, spiced with ginger, nutmeg, and star anise. A special variant of saugai is aged for nearly a lifetime, served only at funerals.

Coming of Age Rites

Birthdays are incredibly important in Talam culture, and is considered the perfect time for surprises, though not necessarily in the form of gifts; it is common to play practical jokes and gags on the youth celebrating their birthday. The age of maturity is generally considered to be around age 14-17, when "action meets intention." This means that volunteering, making a passionate work of art, or making a practical discovery or method is considered to be a worthy rite of passage in itself, and demonstrates adult willingness and wisdom. This also tends to be the age where piercings and tattoos are received. It is common for a young adult to ride out and meet their love interest at midnight, whether in a hover-car in the city or on a xyhippas in the backwoods, and ride with their willing lover to a quiet place where they can taste a finely aged wine and have a night of romance.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Funerals are generally only attended by close friends, being relatively small. The dead are usually only cremated, or have their bodies donated for scientific research in urban areas. A bottle of saugai aged for nearly their entire lifetime is served at the funeral as a toast to their legacy.

Common Taboos

Willful ignorance, hunting for sport, excessively pruning local flora, drinking a legacy saugai before the funeral, commitment without intention.

Common Myths and Legends

Though the old religion of Talam has long since died out, some mythological figures still persist. One folktale is of a rancher named Zijan, who felt such pity for the brush-oxen he raised, that he sacrificed more and more of his body, disguising it as meat he had harvested; first he gave his arm and his leg to satiate the hunger of others. Then, his eyes, so he could not see the suffering of the natural cycle he was a part of. Finally, he gave his stomach, so he would no longer desire food. Small monuments of Zijan, in a sitting pose with his one hand raised in a royal gesture and a cage where his stomach would be, are displayed all around Talamur.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Lithe builds with chiseled, angular faces are idealized. Monochromatic strips under the lip, on the chin, or on the forehead, as well as eye shadow, are popular among women. Tattoos and piercings are popular. Short or long hair is equally common between different genders. Among the slightly wealthier folk, genetic alterations for cosmetic purposes is common, such as having unnatural skin and eye colors. Aspects of Talam beauty standards have become popular all across Terra Consortium.

Gender Ideals

All genders in current-day Talamur are treated equally. Transgenderism is fully accepted. Historically, the idea of "men who act as women" and "women who act as men" was culturally ingrained, and some were even considered non-binary and androgynous in their social standing, often eunuchs who functioned in a spiritual or intellectual role.