Tethyrian
Tethyrian culture was a mix of Calishite, Chondathan, Illuskan, and Low Netherese. Because of their diverse heritage and history of enslavement, Tethyrians valued independence and freedom. They were proud of their multi-ethnic heritage and independent life-styles; however, this resulted in them rarely uniting in common cause with others that were not their immediate neighbors.
Due to them being divided into tribes and clans in the past, Tethyrians valued loyalty to friends and family above all else. Without a family to hold dear, a Tethyrian would transfer loyalty to a guild, settlement, company, band, or other similar organization.
Tethryians that take up adventuring tended to do so to right a wrong done to their family, clan, or tribe or to set their own course in life.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Chondathan and Illuskan
Art & Architecture
Buildings constructed close to the Trackless Sea tended to be constructed from stone and brick with tiled roofs that were slanted, because of the heavy rainfall near the coast. Buildings built more inland were more likely to be constructed with adobe walls with flat roofs.
Tethyrian culture features a strong tradition of bardcraft. Master bards preserve and share oral histories and stories.
Craftsmanship is highly valued in Tethyr, particularly in woodworking. Tethyrian-style furniture, chests, and coffers are highly sought after.
Foods & Cuisine
Simple meat and bread dishes are common staples. Perpetual stew, a dish kept simmering for extended periods with ingredients added as needed, is a feature of smaller towns and inns.
Famous dishes
Tethyr is renowned for its pepper cheese, a tangy mixture of goat and cow cheese with a leathery, peppercorn-studded rind. Lastbowl, a fruit salad made with lime, mango, and peaches in syrup, is a popular dessert. Sixroots Salad is another notable dish. Snails, roasted on skewers and dipped in garlic butter, are considered a delicacy.
Beverages
Purple Hills Cider, a strong cider from the Purple Hills orchards, made with apples, cherries, plums, quinces, and gooseberries, is a well-known beverage. Spiced wine, often infused with cinnamon, fennel, anise, nutmeg, and clove, is also enjoyed. Of course ale was found in every tavern; the most famous brewery being <DATA>
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
It was common practice in Tethyr to take both hands of a guest as a form of greeting.
The people of Tethyr rested after lunch for the early afternoon.
Coming of Age Rites
Becoming an apprentice to a skilled artisan or craftsman is a crucial rite of passage, especially for boys from lower and middle classes. These apprenticeships typically began at a young age, with teens learning the trade and contributing to the master's work. Alternatively, children would begin to take over their parents' professions, be it farming, running a coster, or a more traditional craft.
Noble youth would typically undertake their own sort of apprenticeships - joining a knighthood, serving in the army or navy, entering a clergy or arcane academy, being used for political marriages, or just learning more advanced skills to be useful in court.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Burial remained the prevailing practice, typically in public cemetaries maintained by grave or death deities. The wealthy or noble, however, would typically be buried within the church itself, often under the floor or in crypts, with flagstones or elaborate tombs marking their graves.
Common Taboos
Five was considered an unlucky number.
Slavery is the greatest sin for Tethyrians, who value personal freedom above all else.
Class divisions based on heritage are strongly disliked, stemming from centuries of discrimination by the Calishite upper classes.
Worship of deities that promote land destruction is shunned. Worship involving theft, destruction, or human/animal sacrifices is strictly forbidden.
While their culture appreciates noble rebel types of heroes, Tethyrians have gone through many periods of civil war due to issues of succession and rebellion. Talk suggesting a new era of this is strongly frowned upon, even by people who currently do not like the kingdom's policies.
Historical figures
Queen Zaranda Rhindaun & Consort Haedrak III
Queen Anais Rhindaun
Clan Ithal was the source of Tethyr's first line of kings, one of the original seven warrior clans during Tethyr's First Age. King Darrom Ithal unified Tethyr's tribes and was crowned their king in -212 DR.
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