Hemetrean Eridian
As indicated by their name, Hemetrean Eridians are the inhabitants of the city of Hemetrea, and by extension many of the Eridians living in an Imperial City. They are the descendants of the slaves who in 3 500 BA founded the kingdom of Myr, after the fall of the Elven Realm of Numensari, and established the first nation ruled by humans. Following in the footprints of their once elven masters, Hemetreans have established themselves as masters of commerce and continued the slave trade that for millenniums has made their city rich. Having taken the place of their once masters, they have managed to integrate themselves almost seamlessly into the Kaladean Empire while still keeping to their roots and traditions thanks to compromises and keen diplomatic sense.
Naming Traditions
Family names
As a remnant of their traditional societal structure in clans, Hemetrean nobles often add "of the House" before the surname to put further emphasis on their loyalty to their family.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Above everything, Hemetrean culture encourages competitiveness and social climbing. With their deeply rooted meritocratic ideals, proving one's worth to their family or house, often through material gain, is the goal of many Hemetreans. Showing one's status is very important for every Hemetrean, and they know they are judged by their peers at all times. From childhood, they learn to navigate the complex social etiquette of Hemetrea, in fear of embarrassing one's self and by extension one's family. This societal pressure to strive for greatness is a heavy weight to bear, and such moments away from it, such as the privacy of one's home, can see Hemetrean letting loose. As such, it is a common saying that Hemetreans have two faces, one for society and one for family. This is also the reason why Hemetreans can seem somewhat stuck up or hard to approach for other races and cultures, due to the seemingly endless list of rules that codify their social interactions.
Another reason that Hemetrean can be seen as standoffish is that their families still operate in tightly knit clans, now called Houses, with multiple branches organized in a strict hierarchy based on wealth, social status, and ancestry. Loyalty to one's house is paramount to every Hemetrean, with members expected to put aside internal competitions when confronted with an external threat. Attacks against a member of a house are often met with a response from the entire branch or even the entire house, which, combined with the competitive nature of Hemetreans, has led to many family rivalries amongst houses.
Beyond affairs of public status, wealth and family, most Hemetrean are also deeply spiritual. Even with the adoption of the Kaladean pantheon, many Hemetrean still favors the original twin divinity of their city and the philosophy of balance that its cult carries. Maintaining a balanced life is extremely important for Hemetreans, seen as necessary to live a prosperous and fulfilling life. The idea that every action has a lasting positive or negative impact, which can add up to influence one's life positively or negatively, greatly influences Hemetreans' daily life. Philosophers and priestesses are sought by many in search of guidance, delivering advice on how to restore the equilibrium of one life in the face of hardship. This spirituality can even be found in their art, specifically in weaving which is considered a sacred art, one they have mastered.
Common Dress code
Hemetrean fashion is complex and often based on minutiae, just like their social etiquette. Yet, the broad strokes of Hemetrean dress code are easy to discern, starting with color and materials. White wool or linen is universally worn, serving as the basis in every Hemetrean getup. It is often complemented with colors, preferably from jewelry and precious cloth such as silk. Clothing is cut sharply, with geometric patterns often incorporated in their designs. Protected by the tall walls of Hemetrea, the need for full cover has been partially replaced with the desire to show skin and ventilate the body, with most city wear cut above the knee and with no sleeve. Even veils and capes serve as accessories, lessening the traditional meaning of the vestment in favour of subtle ostentation.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Hemetrean beauty standards are mostly centered around the face, and especially the eyes. Big and wide eyes combined with light-colored irises are seen as extremely desirable, leading to both men and women applying heavy make-up to this area to exaggerate those features. Colored eyeliner and eyeshadow, as well as khôl, were widely used especially amongst the nobility. Aquiline features, as well as smooth and unmarred skin are also considered beautifull. Finally, ostentatious signs of wealth greatly impacts one's attractiveness amongst Hemetreans, with silk vestments and jewelry seen just as important as thin waists and long legs.
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