Tandrean

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Tandreans speak the Trade Tongue, although Old Tandrean is not an uncommon language to be heard in the aristocracy and wealthy.

Shared customary codes and values

Tandrean culture places heavy emphasis on individual freedom and traditional values. People are taught from a young age to value themselves, their families, and those close to them above others, and many have a strong sense of independence. However, traditional values still reign strong among the Tandreans, with most of the population devoted to worshiping their ancestors, showing respect and patriotism for the Tandrean Empire, and holding the honor of themselves and their family high in their minds.

Average technological level

Tandrean society is among the most advanced across Idua, having attained steel technology on a widespread basis by 300 AFE. They also possess watermills, less common windmills, the ability to navigate deep water, books, stonemasonry, a basic grasp of metallurgy, and extensive abilities to produce weapons and tools in vast quantities.

Common Etiquette rules

Despite the emphasis on individual freedoms, there is a rather rigid hierarchy in Tandrean society. At the top of this hierarchy are the Emperors, the representatives in the Tandrean Imperial government, and the spirits of the former Emperors. Below this are ones' own ancestors, as well as other aristocrats. Below this is everyone else, both living and dead.

Common Dress code

Dress differs dramatically across the Tandrean Empire. The Tandreans themselves, along with the Cerilic people, have taken up a rather extensive dress style, with buttoned shirts and pants being common throughout these regions, made in whatever material the wearer can afford. The people who live in Ahtharia, however, generally wear thicker clothing to protect them from the region's considerably colder weather. In Piro, people tend to dress between the two extremes, with wool being the predominant material for clothing in the region.

Art & Architecture

The Tandreans have developed one of the most widespread architectural types, wattle and daub buildings. As well as this, they also use stone in a significant portion of their buildings, specifically large buildings owned either by the government or the wealthy elite. As for art, the Tandreans have multiple forms- weaving from Piro and Cerilia, pottery from Aviolia, metalworking from Ahtharia, and panel painting from the Heartland.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a child is born, the parents take the infant to the family tomb (if they can afford one), take a small amount of their most recently deceased ancestor's ashes, and spread it on the baby's forehead, thus welcoming it into their family. If they do not have access to their family's tomb (either because of family issues or because they cannot afford one), they make do using a mixture of powdered clay and sand, to effectively the same effect. It is, however, considered dishonorable to use this mixture if one can access their family's tomb and use the ashes instead.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Upon a person's death, the family goes into a ten-day period of mourning, in which no member of the family, save small children, the exceptionally old, and weak and sick members of the family, eats or drinks anything during the day. During this time, the body of the deceased person is placed on the floor of the family tomb. After this period is ended, the body is burned inside of the family tomb, and the ashes are collected into a jar and put inside the tomb. In the case that a person in the family has done anything notable, their body is instead buried outside of the tomb, with an epitaph reading a list of their accomplishments and deeds in life. If a man dies in battle, his body is taken to the Tomb of the Fallen in Tandrea, where it is given the same treatment, except that it is placed inside of the soldiers' shared tomb, symbolizing that the soldier is a member of the family of soldiers before their own family. Emperors, aristocracy, and other exceptionally wealthy people often dedicate individual tombs, where they are placed in a coffin upon their death.

Common Taboos

The greatest taboo in Tandrean culture is that surrounding slavery. Slavery is seen as the worst possible punishment for anyone, and as such to enslave someone is considered the worst act one can commit to another person short of murder. Other than this, other taboos include:

murder

rape

changing one's sex

spitting in public

cursing or using obscene language

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Within Tandrean society, males are viewed as strong physically and mentally, while women are perceived as strong intellectually. As such, men generally tend to take up jobs that require either manual labor, combat, or leadership roles, while women generally take advisory positions to male positions of power or work as artists, scholars, or other jobs requiring a great amount of intelligence. However, these roles are not strictly enforced, and as such it is not uncommon for men to work as artists or for women to work as manual laborers, although the Tandrean Army prevents any and all women from joining in combat roles.

Courtship Ideals

When married, the men of the household are looked upon to protect the household, perform physical labor, and make decisions regarding the house overall. Women, meanwhile, are looked upon to cook, raise and teach children, and manage the finances of the house.

Major organizations

Tandrean culture is predominant in the Tandrean Empire, with ethnic enclaves located across Aviolia.

Related Locations

• Tandrea
• The Heartland