Phurzic (ethnicity)

The core culture of Phurzia and by extension, The Phurzic Dominion, the Phurzic people date their origins to the nomadic Philharts, who once roamed the plains of eastern Tzunar long before the Jazyarts who roam there nowadays. In time, they came westward and settled within the lands of Olm, developing into the modern Phurzic people. As the years went by, the Phurzics were innovators in a number of new ways, such as the development of advanced polearms, windmills and most importantly of all, crop rotations. This latter trait allowed them of all the Olmese successor states to survive the Empire's collapse the strongest, and gave them the transition that allowed them to become the Dominion in time. Generally a lighter skinned people than those of the northern deserts, but more tanned than those of the southern forests, the Phurzic people could bear be described as somewhat ‘peach skinned’, tending to be tall and strong in build. While by no means universal, Phurzic people more often than other ethnicities have features such as blue or green eyes and dark blonde, ginger or red hair, a trait that distinguished them from other more northern people’s of the Isles. Phurzic culture has local variations, but there are also more consistent features. The number ten is considered sacred in many of the religious texts of Phurzic culture, and it was ten men and women who led the Phurzic people through the crises of the Fire, which grew into the inspiration behind the Decarchy. Sometimes known as ‘Griffs’ by other nations for shorthand, the Griffin is also considered a symbol of the god Krokotzyl, and therefore is given significant importance in the heraldry of Phurzic military and political institutions.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Desha, Margoret, Lanora, Septuala, Alyce, Kaira, Juniper, Tanzelle

Masculine names

Norrik, Orek, Robeth, Gueorge, Antony, Jackarae, Tonnik, Lewys, Duran, Matthias, Bengar, Johnothor, Dunyill

Unisex names

Guame, Hish.

Family names

Major families include the Slints, Gennets, Selunys, Keptimas, Decimas, Archa and the Juvinia.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

High Phurzic, Low Phurzic, Slithian and Krekno are major dialects of Phurzic, and related seperate languages are Zcarothian, Voscic and Haazic.

Art & Architecture

Houses of the lower class tend to be rectangular with brick roofs, though elaborate houses of the aristocrats have increasingly rounded buildings, with the highest having houses that from above are decahedrons, akin to the sacred number of ten in the Phurzic religion.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Upon birth, children of Phurzic culture are given a small figure of an animal or mythological figure in order to be a ‘guardian’ over them in their childhood. It is often predicted these ‘small guardians’ reflect on the later personality of the individual as they grow up.

Funerary and Memorial customs

In traditional Phurzic society, burial in the ground as a transition from one life to another in the subterranean is expected, though other methods such as cremation may also be put in place depending on the wishes of loved ones or if it is in the will of the deceased. Criminals who have committed particularly nasty crimes are left out as warning signs, usually in pieces.

Common Taboos

Taboos in Phurzic society include;

Assassination of democratically elected officials, especially Decarchs.

The enslavement of beings considered to be ‘sapient’ by the measures of the Phurzic faith. This includes humans, centaurs, Yamachai, Vrain and the swamptaurs of the east. Other ‘semi-sapient’ races though are a more debatable topic.

The violation of priestly vows, whatever the deity said vows are toward.

The fathering of children out of wedlock or concubines, though polygamy is permissible within certain limitations.

The desecration of burial grounds.

Rape.

Theft.

The insulting of one’s parents without express consent of the involved party.

cannibalism of a sapient.

Common Myths and Legends

According to Phurzic religion, which derives significantly from the ancient Olmese Faith, the world was built by the gods from the ashes of the dead god Vitoa, which strongly resembles the Olmese word for ‘breath’, following the Primordial War against Those who Dwell. Upon this foundation, with their enemies chained, or exiled beyond creation, the gods built a world for the two great founding races, the Forefathers or Ancient Ones, a race of great golden men and women who shone like the sun, and the N’Krai, a squid like race, with the latter appearing to be an original contribution not present in Olmese beliefs. Vitoa’s eyes were the two great crystals, one red and one blue, from which the Forefathers and N’Krai were respectively allowed to draw from and harness their great power. The two races were allowed to use magic to shape the world to their liking upon determined boundaries, even evolving lesser races to form servants for them, from which, the humans, centaurs, Vrain, scythebeasts and many others came and went. The gods themselves directly oversaw the creation of man, to serve as seconds for the Forefathers, and to teach them humility. However, both races, despite their great lifespans and power, fell to hubris, and became greedy. In the War of the Crystals, the two races pushed the once great world to the brink of destruction, and for their punishment, the gods destroyed the crystals, creating eternal exile, and sealed magic from the world. They then let the humans have an population that would be free from the influence of magic and live in service of the gods themselves, without a medium.

Historical figures

The Ten original Decarchs.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Status is determined partly by clothing worn and partly by scents. The rich members of Phurzic societies often perfume themselves to show their distinct status from the poor.