Karpathian

"...Dark eyed, proud and noble, the Karpathians strode with lordly hauteur into the court of the Duke. Straight-backed and tall. Their hair black and flowing. Dwarven jewels crafted in the halls of the Mountain Kings glittered upon their arms and armor, Unmatched in ferocity within the whole of the Kingdom of Westphalia. Their lofty, high-peaked mountain fortresses, unassailable, impregnable, indomitable. They stood before the high seat as the highest expression of Westphalian military strength..."

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Brândușa, Cătălina, Constanția, Daciana, Doina, Ecaterina, Gavrila, Ileana, Liliana, Loredana, Mădălina, Minadora, Oaxana

Masculine names

Eberhard, Constantin, Otto, Wolfgang, Rotwang, Ludwig, Helmut, Saxon, Froederick, Jurgen, Hans, Fritz, Freiherr

Unisex names

Valerian,

Family names

Hesse-Kassell, Marburg, Thuringia, Liepzig, Falkenstein, Hanau, Pfluger, Strelsau, Nassau, Tarlenheim, Stonecypher, Bizmark, Lippe-Detmold, Brunswick, Ritter, Schmitt, Wiesbaden, Heydwolff, Drumstadt, Züstande, Reichenbach, Osterhausen

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Common, Karpathian, Dwarven, Giant

Culture and cultural heritage

Karpathia is a proud military culture. A heritage of Westphalia's finest soldiers, knights, chevaliers and mercenaries precedes them. Karpathian Hessian mercenaries are absolutely the most dangerous standing armies of all Westphalia. The crown employs them often in conflicts around the known world and their very way of life is ubiquitously disciplined, martial in tone and ever in the spirit of glory and pride.

Shared customary codes and values

Karpathians value discipline, ferocious skill at arms, dauntless valor, brave daring, indefatigable perseverance, and martial glory on the field of battle.

Their code is one of overcoming adversity through strivent, willful refusal to accept anything less than victory at nearly any cost. The code of military conduct the tenets of chivalry are perhaps most perfectly embodied in this proud and invincible people. Duty, honor, reputation, these are food and drink to a Knight of Karpathia, to be attained as one would pursue food or air.

Average technological level

Clockworks, Gunpowder and Firearms, Rapiers, Cartography, Alchemy, Magic.

Common Etiquette rules

A Karpathian never threatens idly. Never. Karpathian warriors brook no insult unchallenged. To challenge or insult the weak is beneath Karpathian dignity. ( though killing them is not! ) Karpathians always use all appropriate titles and honorifics when addressing one another or others, and expect the same unless simple ignorance prevents. A Karpathian is militarily cordial but not forthcoming with nicety or grandiloquence.

Common Dress code

Class and social status-appropriate clothing, often traditional, or livery, or uniform, are most commonplace among urban and rural Karpathians. Retired and aging soldiers will still be often seen about town and country with their full dress uniform proudly worn despite decades having passed since being discharged from crown's service. Andthe folk will accord them the respect earned in their service while wearing that uniform.

Art & Architecture

Gilded, Baroque, Prussian-style finery. Architectural, sartorial and ornamental. Expect gold-leaf, complex and rich carving and ornamentation, and exacting craftsmanship if anything crafted by Karpathian hands. Wonders seldom seen from the hands of other Westphalian nations are sometimes produced here by dint of their long and mutual friendship with the wonder-working Dwarves that rule under their mountains.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Karpathian men observe the custom of mandatory military service at eighteen summers. It is traditional to gift a lad with his first true-steel sword in his tenth year. There are numerous customary martial parades, with drum corps and trumpets, bugles and horns. At the outset of a campaign and at the return of the conquering heroes. It is an ancient tradition among Karpathians that they return from war with spoils. Any enemy of Karpathian forces may expect a due, disciplined and methodical plundering upon defeat. This is often done without malice or rancor. To the surprise of the vanquished. And rarely if ever involves survival staples such as food or provender, but rather is customarily limited to riches, gold, jewels and art.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Karpathians practice the custom of a Name Day. A child being named in a public or at least, observed ceremony with offerings to the spirits of mountain, nation and family. This often occurs a week or more after the birth of the infant. Giving a chance for it to perish if it will, before being tied to the mortal realm with a name.

Coming of Age Rites

In the tenth year of a boy or girl, they are presented with a truesteel sword or spear, respectively, by gender. And taught or expected to learn its care and upkeep and use by their eighteenth year and the calling of them to the Duke's service.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Respective of present and historical battlefields of yore, Karpathians are a pyre-building people. Their dead are burned away that they may not return to vex the living. Like all the mortals of Gran Albionne, they make annual offerings in memorial to their related dead for one year. That, traditionally being thought of as the period of transmigration before a disembodied spirit is renewed afresh into a new life and vessell.

Historical figures

King Viktor von Falkenstein: The Sable Knight; King of Stars; founder of Karpathia.

Ingébiargë (pronounced "Ing'ga'bee'arr'gee"), also known as Biargë the Beautiful, a potent but peculiar spear-maiden and legenday founder of theSpeardames of Karpathia.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Among maidens, full, waving, luxurious tresses. Dark eyes with mystery and allure. A high chin, tall and proud composure. A war-maidens comportment.

Among lads and men, being tall is considered most fetching, with a dark aspect, especially hair and beard. Or its opposite, for fair hair and countenance is sung of in the ballads of maids and songstresses of Karpathia equally. To have a fierce and intense or blazing gaze is a sure attraction to maidens from court to countryside in the mountains of Karpathia.

Gender Ideals

The ideal Karpathian daughter is fiery and quick, hot-blooded and fearless. Clever, beautiful, lithe and forthright. The model son knows no fear of great heights, is sure footed and agile. Strong of limb, witty with a flashing bladework and heart of gold.

Courtship Ideals

Proud and direct, a man should approach the maiden of his affection with declarations of admiration and intent. First to her, before family.

By tradition, a maiden should hear out a suitor's entreaty fully, before replying. Her heart must and should always be her own to command. She will decide if a suitor is worthy of her affection. If he should be acceptable, her father and brothers must be addressed regarding the suitor's intentions. By ancient tradition they may offer challenge, to determine his worthiness. The suitor must meet any challenger. Even if he is defeated, the maiden may still accept his proposal.

Relationship Ideals

Whether betrothed or wed, a man and maid should cleave true to each other. Endure adversity to prove love and good character. And ever should the man be his woman's shield and spear ( or sword ) arm. Ever should a woman's love be clear in her words and deeds, though men should be of deeds and proofs and fewer words.

Major organizations

The Knights of Karpathia, The Speardames of Karpathia, The Hessian Mercenary League, The Royal Alpine Hussars