Sirean

Culture

Art & Architecture

Despite their ancestors coming from Sinaes, a city entirely underground, the Sirean only work with stone sparingly, mostly building their homes from wood and clay bricks. Most of these buildings are built half submerged into the ground, and have sloped edges on the surface that keep water from seeping in.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

For the Sirean, much like the Amrish, serving as a mercenary in foreign fields is a common practice done to keep a population of veteran warriors, though unlike the Amrish, the Sirean don't do it to calm down hot headed youths, but in order to honour their ancestors and the Gnarled Guardian. These Fian are trained as great bowmen that wield the Sirean Bowstaff, a weapon made of mithril that can be used in melee and at range.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

After birth, the family of the child gather at the nearest shrine of the Guardian, a stone building with small ponds around its base. Here they are bathed in the protective waters of the shrine and named, while the Fian members of the family recite a protective blessing.

Coming of Age Rites

When a child comes of age, they most prove to the community that they are worthy of the Azure Star, which usually is a task set by their trade master or a senior Fian. One can never truly fail this test, as they keep on going until they pass, but it is meant more to show their dedication to their town and people rather than of their own skill. Once they pass, the now adult is tattooed with the Azure Star on their left shoulder and granted all the rights of adults, such as marriage and child bearing, service as a Fian, the owning of property etc.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a Sirean dies, they are laid to rest upon a funeral pyre, so that their soul can be freed from any mortal connection and pass on. This tradition started as a hygienic practice in the refugee camps to prevent the spread of diseases.

Common Myths and Legends

The Crescent King
The Gnarled Guardian

Historical figures

Alejandro

Considered one of the founders of the Sirean, Alejandro spent his life after Sinaes aiding his people in finding new homes and building up a new culture. When he was struck down and entombed so that his wounds could heal via magic, his people began to think of him as a sleeping king of legend more than a mortal man who tried to help them.

Gnarl

Friend of Alejandro and long time protector of the Sirean, Gnarl spent many of his years after Sinaes wandering the lands of the Sirean, fighting off threats and healing the sick, keeping the people he now cared for safe. As the years went by he began to become known as the Gnarled Guardian, and after two centuries, has become something of a local guardian spirit or god.