Gallegan
The Gallegan people, formed as a distinct ethnic group after several migrations into the region from other groups, are a distinctive ethnic group that dominates most of the Kingdom of Gallaca, as well as having minority presence throughout the rest of southwest Galisea. Poweris somewhat decentralized among the Gallegan peoples, though with many identifying more with local warlords than with the central authority of the Gallacan king.
Gallegan people were historically inhabitors of the Elleryc plains and the Nabari plateau before the War of Frozen Scales caused a migration of peoples into Gallaca. They were influenced culturally by the territories they passed through, with many becoming Ashevites. Later cultural influences came from Aeilla, as its empire expanded into the territories that would become Gallaca, adopting the Aeillan alphabet, and over time Pandroi, for the majority of the peoples.
The Gellegan peoples have, as a result of relatively decentralized authority, and high rate of internal societal violence throughout most of their history, fostered a fairly competitive culture with a strong sense of individualism and personal responsibility, and a comparatively weak sense of civic duty or tight nit family structure. Gallegans have historically however viewed acts of charity as demonstrating as befitting the strong and successful, tempering competitive instincts.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Gallegan family names, particularly those of lower class peoples are often based on profession, such as Herrero, Albañil, and Trillador, they might also be based on location, such as ton Rebudenia de Galacia, or Ponderosero. Upper class names however, rely on ancient clan names that have been passed down over the centuries, and retained largely by those families exclusively. Family names are often two part, with each part being donated from a parent of the child, with more prestigious names being selected over less prestigious names to be passed down.
Other names
Names are usuaully assigned by a parent (most often the mother) at birth, with relatively few uniquely masculine or feminine root names. Masculine names typically end in o, n, or s (Marcos, Francisco, Carran). Feminine names typically end in e, l, or a (Isabel, Ana, or Sabine). Many people frequently adopt a second name as they approach adulthood.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Gallegan people primarily speak Gallegan, a language that borrows influences from Cyrenic, Aeillan, and Meridan. Gallega is highly regionalized with divergent dialects often been seen as nearly seperate languages. Some Gallegans, particularly minority communities in Aeilla, learn Aeillan as a primary language as well, and those in the Tierra Lanternas sometimes speak the local tongue alongside Gallega as a maternal languages.
Shared customary codes and values
The Gallegan peoples are generally fairly competitive, with the expectations mostly being placed on the individual. It is customarily expected for people to stand on their own two feet, and work for their own benefit. Charity is to be seen as an act of magnanimity and not to be expected by the listless and the incapable. Dominance is to be maintained, as one cannot expect the obedience of those below them, which means that those on top favor the division of those beneath them to keep them down (and of course to foster competition).
Average technological level
The Gallegan peoples have attained a relatively advanced technological level, though not nearly to the same extent as its neighbors, having benefitted from trade from Aeilla, and to a lesser extent Cyrenica. They do have access to gunpowder weaponry, and some of the metallurgy and yield management technologies that have been instrumental in those societies. The have however, developed a unique shipbuilding technique that allowed them to create some the finest galleys in the known world.
Common Etiquette rules
Gallegan etiquette generally favors certain temperings of the competitive spirt, it is generally seen as rude to use underhanded tactics to eliminate competitors, at least if caught, and it is a serious faux pas under most circumstances to kill people to gain an advantage in something. Generally as well, competitive behavior is not expected among family members, who are supposed to largely work together as a unit in most aspects of societal life.
Common Dress code
Gallegan society's dress code is generally oriented around simultaneously covering, yet emphasizing sexualized areas. Erogenous areas, especially the genitals expected to be covered up, but the clothing itself should emphasize those same areas, examples include large codpieces for men, and bulky upper skirts (emphasizing the hips) for women. Additionally, there is a strange emphasis on narrowing the waist for both men and women. Aside from these however, Gallegan dress codes are fairly lax.
Art & Architecture
The Gallegan tradition is very musically and dance oriented, with numerous styles of music having been developed by Gallacans (and many more derived from Gallegan), and with Gallegan people being renowned as some of the finest crafters of instruments in, certainly the human world. Strong emphasis too is placed on group dances, and indeed going to them is seen as a major part of becoming an adult. Gallegans typically follow the Aeillan tradition in the decorative arts and in architecture, with some modifications of their own, and don't place a particularly strong emphasis on other visual artforms.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Gallacan cultural traditions are centered primarily on religious festivals and upon seasonal festivals. Each deity has a specific religious festival, and these festivals typically result in much of society shutting down temporarily in celebration. Seasonal festivals occur at the start of each season, with the spring festival marking the beginning of a new year. Other major traditions include coming of age rituals, and funerary rituals.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birthing rites are generally very low key in Gallegan societies. As infant mortality rates are usually quite high, emphasis is generally placed on the third birthday. During this landmark, there is a more joyous celebration of the child surviving the worst of infancy and becoming a proper member of the family. During the three year birthday, family members, including distant relations are generally expected to make a pilgrimage to participate in the celebration.
Coming of Age Rites
The most common rite of passage, is the "first dance" wherein the soon to be adult is taken to an ongoing festival, and for the first time, is invited to join the dance that is going on, this is meant to signal eligibility for marriage for the young adult, and a start to their romantic life. Other coming of age rites are more limited in scope, being tied to region or profession.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Similar to Aeillain funerary traditions are generally conducted in two parts. The first part known as the malmor, is a supposed to be a melancholic affair as people mourn the loss of the dead, the malmor continues through a brief and symbolic religious ceremony. The second phase the cordanzia, signalled for at the midpoint of the funerary ceremony is a more joyous celebration of the life of the deceased, to honor the fallen's life and, to send off the dead on a happy note.
Common Taboos
For those most part, Gallegan society is a fairly libertine "everything goes" sort of society. However, there are some strangeness in what is considered taboo. Generally speaking, public drunkeness is seen as gauche at best, and dangerous at worst. Though, homosexual relationships are generally freely allowed in society, it is deemed "unmasculine" to be the receiving partner in a sexual relationship, and "unfeminine" to be the giving partner in a relationship, with negative connotations for those acting "out of line". Lastly, it is considered rude to been seen as unnecessarily aggressive or brash towards your lessers, as competitive instincts are to be directed at real rivals.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Idealized masculine beauty in the Gallegan tradition emphasizes the importance of strength, with powerful athletic builds, and particularly broad shoulders, and a strong jawline being seen as the idealized forms of masculinity. Virility is generally expressed through relatively thick, but well groomed body and facial hair. The most sexualized parts of masculine bodies include the genitals, chest, and thighs.
Idealized feminine beauty in the Gallegan tradition has a strong emphasis on wide strong hips, a graceful, if ever so slightly chubby build (except at the waist) and, comparatively at least, fair skin. Body hair expected to be trimmed, and well maintained but not shaved off. The most sexualized parts of feminine bodies are the genitals, hips, and thighs.
Gender Ideals
Ideal Gallegan masculinity favors strength, self-reliance, and passion, with Gallegan men generally expected to stand on their own two feet, provide for their families, and protect what's "theirs". Those who are deemed as too "weak" to perform those tasks are seen as undesirable. Gallegan men are not however, expected to face challenges with stoicism, and are very much allowed to express their emotions.
Ideal Gallegan femininity favors passion, sensuality, and to a certain extent self reliance. While Gallegan women are not generally held to the same standards of strength and competitiveness of men, they are generally expected to be seen as reasonably independent and capable of agency in their own right. Women are also allowed, and expected even to be strong emotional actors, with logic heavily de-emphasized as a "good thing", and stoicism being outright considered a negative.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship is usually expected to be a drawn out affair in the Gallegan culture, as Gallegans are often granted a great deal of autonomy in who they choose to become involved with. Generally, during the courtship process, a prospective couple goes to many dances together, to learn of compatibility with each other. In more economically driven families, there is also a trend towards examining possible financial benefit as well. Typically the process lasts a year or two
Relationship Ideals
Gallegans are generally far more accepting of polyamorous relationships than most other settled cultures in southwestern Galisea, and as a result it is seen as natural for those in relationships to pick up others. However, there must always be a "primary" relationship that is the basis of a relatively strong family unit. Generally, relationships are expected to be relatively egalitarian, at least in terms of roles in the relationship to the point where it would otherwise contradicted.
Major organizations
The Gallegan people are dominant in the Kingdom of Gallaca, with influential minorities extant in certain parts of the Aeillan Successor States, in Elleryca, and Merida. The majority of Gallacans are Pandroi faithful, with an entire sect of the faith, the Gallaco-Meridan tradition being centered on Gallaca. There are also a fair number of mercenary bands dominated by Gallacan soldiers and officers.
Gallegan Man and Woman by Javak
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Recommended DnD (5e) Traits:
Note: These are rough guidelines, and not strict rules for those wishing to roleplay as Gallegans.If using Getninia Human
• +1 to Charisma, +1 to Strength• Proficiency in Deception, Insight, or Athletics
• Recommended Feats: Actor, Keen Mind, Observant, Piercer, Polearm Master, Prodigy, Skill Expert, or Tough
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