Baobu
The Baobu are Halflings native to the Whispering Madness, though after the Sylvan War moved to Giant's Leap, and after the Sevenstones war now primarily reside in Kuasta. They physically resemble Jianro humans, though they have the traditional oversized Halfling feet, covered in crocodilian scales rather than fur like other Halflings. Religiously, they hold to the Cult of the Fifteen, and Baobu culture teaches that the favored weapons of the gods are as holy symbols and are to be treated with the utmost respect. They are renowned as master weaponsmiths, as each Baobu must create their own weapon in order to be considered a full adult. Not tied to any particular deity, they are a superstitious people that place great emphasis on respecting the beliefs of others lest their own culture be stripped away in turn.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Akara, Chankrisna, Devi, Makara, Vithu
Masculine names
Da, Heng, Mao, Ponlok, Vithara
Family names
Sok, Chan, Sam, Phan, Kang
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
While primarily speaking a dialect of Chorapar, the Halfling tongue, Baobu language has elements of Kelbo influence and Xienga loan words. Just like the Jianro they once shared a home with, Baobu traditionally speak Kelbo for religious ceremonies.
Shared customary codes and values
All Baobu are taught that weapons are of religious significance. To this end, they are generally respectful of all warriors. A martial challenge issued must be respected regardless of culture, but the Baobu look with disfavor on those who issue challenges to those weaker than oneself. They follow a general warrior's code they call Lifun, which states that a pointless fight should never be pursued and that one should only fight for safety, honor, or to respect the culture of another. Still, when a fight is had, it is almost always expected to be to the death except when training or making a point.
Common Dress code
Even in their new home of Kuasta, the Baobu dress in the manner they always have. Plant fibers and animal skins are woven together to create layers of wrappings about the arms and legs, covered with a skirted tunic of woven plants. In places where more modesty is expected or when it is too cold, a second, longer skirt of furs is worn over the waist of the tunic. Decorations of natural materials such as flowers and bones are often incorporated into every day clothing. Leaders of the community wear cloaks of feathers and helmets made from large animal skulls to identify themselves. When traditional dress is impractical or not allowed, such as service with the Imperial Legion or Kuastan fleets, Baobu are usually allowed to wear necklaces and bracelets of leather cords with the same natural decorations. While exceptions are made for such military service or other extraordinary circumstances, the Baobu generally believe that they must only wear clothing made directly from nature, preferably by one's own hands, a practice that is meant to keep them connected to their Kelbo ancestors.
Coming of Age Rites
The Baobu believe that one's choice of deity is personal, deeply sacred, and the most important choice one can make. When a Baobu youth turns twenty years old, they must visit a temple of their chosen god, locking them into that choice forever. After emerging from the temple schooled in their path, they must forge a weapon sacred to the deity, and they carry that weapon with them forever.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
To the Baobu, the smaller a person is the more attractive they are. Stories of great beauties in their society also tend to describe luxurious white hair, to the point that a Baobu story mentioning "close-cut hair of snow" indicates that you're about to listen to a romance.
Gender Ideals
Among the Baobu, gender is a fluidity that is not inherent to an individual and is generally expected to change throughout a lifetime, though of course those who remain steadfast in one presentation are not treated with any less respect. Generally speaking, it is rare for a Baobu to identify fully as one thing at any point, and identity is expressed through the hair. Short hair is associated with femininity, long hair with masculinity, and braiding traditionally signifies some in between or other status.
Courtship Ideals
To signify that one is seeking a romantic relationship, Baobu place a colorful object in the right side of their hair, traditionally a flower or feather. At this point, either potential partner approaches the other and presents the hair ornament as a gift. If all goes well, the ornaments are traded and tied into the left side of the hair. If the individual does not accept, they keep the token and wear it on a special necklace. The more decorations on a necklace, the more desireable an individual appears to be. From the point of acceptance, the couple is expected to spend time together for a period of a few years before committing to a family if one is desired- there is no formal concept of marriage among the Baobu. While couples are most common, it is not unheard of for groups of three or four Baobu to be bonded in such a fashion.
Relationship Ideals
Once a couple has accepted that they are likely to be a long-term relationship, they move in to a common dwelling which is most often newly constructed or purchased. They acquire matching hair tokens to signify a partnership, worn symetrically on both sides of the head. The door of the home or entryway is decorated with the necklaces from when both were seeking partners. A bonded Baobu is accepted to act on their partner's behalf in all matters that they are not present for, and it is a great source of shame and humiliation to not be aware of what the partner would do or to make the wrong choice. Children are generally expected by society at this point.
In the event that any involved wish to break off the partnership, the necklaces are simply removed from the door and a court of Baobu elders splits all shared property in a hearing.
Encompassed species
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