Aomeni
The Aomeni people are those who settled in the region of Gol-Kasha during and immediately following the first invasion by the Vekhen Empire in 874 BE . The Aomeni have a reputation as being stubborn, sardonic, supertitious, and stoic to outsiders, though they pride themselves on their pragmatism and hardiness.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Culturally, the Aomeni share roots with the Kaharota people of central Syvat, as well as intermingling with both the Borenae people to their south with whom they have historically traded, and the Ihmisii people that they displaced and in some instances assimilated. Despite these roots, the Aomeni have been largely isolationist for decades if not centuries, leading to a culture that shows little surface similarity to its origins and influences.
Foods & Cuisine
The Aomeni palate favours sweet and sour flavours, heavily relying on fruits — raspberries, blueberries, apples, and lemons in particular — honey, and corn. Red meat on the whole is a rarer addition to meals, often being game such as marten or rabbit, with larger animals like cows kept primarily for their milk. Fish and eels are commonly eaten around Lake Dvor, whilst Aomeni in the Plains of Pesht substitute olm meat. Salt and animal fat tends to be scarce within Aomeni cuisine, as neither are found in great abundance, though cow's milk and cheese is very common, and often used to provide richness to dishes. Eggs are another common addition, as chickens are kept by most families. Spinach, garlic, peas, and cabbage factor into most dishes, and many foods are flavoured with rosemary.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Aomeni are a deeply religious people, holding strongly to the dogma of the Church of Eighteen Eyes. Indeed, their reverence for the Church surpasses even that of the Kaharota at times, as where the Kaharotan pursuit of magical sciences after the Time of Turmoil caused theological reforms within the Empire, the Aomeni remained staunch traditionalists. This divide has even seen some Aomeni Vikarii suggesting a formal schism from the wider Church in the effort to establish an "Orthodox Church of Eighteen Eyes."
The Aomeni view on the afterlife is likewise traditionalist, being labelled "Symphonic-Centric." The Aomeni believe that the Gods — in particular the Old Lady Loom and Reaper & Sower — take care of Souls within Symphony after death, forgoing typical models of reincarnation found throughout the rest of Syvat.
Given the safeguarding nature of the Gods towards the Soul, the Aomeni tend to have a much more liberal opinion on the use of undead and necromancy as a practice. Undead servants are often risen in many Aomeni communities to aid with farming, hauling, and other menial jobs, allowing the relatively depopulated lands of Gol-Kasha to remain productive. Though killing to create undead is still a taboo — seen no different to any other murder — the raising of a corpse is largely accepted. That being said, it is considered individually disrespectful to raise a corpse, and few Aomeni would want it done to them or their loved ones. Therefore, it is largely poor serfs who have their bodies risen, with excuses being made by the clergy and aristocracy as to its necessity.
Common Taboos
The Aomeni are considered deeply superstitious — not unsurprising, given the cursed nature of their homelands — and hold to many outlandish and unorthodox beliefs about the world around them. Many of these beliefs focus around taboos, shying away from omens of death and bad luck.
For example, the Aomeni believe that one's shadow is their personal Psychopomp, descended from Symphony at birth. Thus, most Aomeni show great respect for their shadows, going so far as to avoiding places of overbearing light where their shadow would be completely dispelled.
Another example is their belief that one's reflection is actually a doppelgänger from the demiplane of Refrain or Sustain, and that should two such doppelgängers be present at any one time — should one's reflection lock eyes with another reflection of theirs — that the beings will overpower the real person and replace them. For this reason, most Aomeni believe having two reflective surfaces in the same room is inviting evil into your home.
Common Myths and Legends
The Aomeni hold the Saints of the Church of Eighteen Eyes with respect, but strictly not in reverence, believing that they are no more capable of intercession than any other cleric, and being no more divine than any other deceased Soul. However, their deeds upon Harmony are held up as worthy of praise and emulation.
Parent ethnicities
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations
Comments