Northern Kingdoms
The kingdoms of northern Uldar are a cultural mix of the eastern feudalism as well as the northern clans. Therefore, they have kings who rule over wide areas, which in turn are divided into clan territories. Traditionally, after the death of a king, his successor is elected, with the most powerful clan usually providing the most promising candidate. If there is disagreement, disputes can break out, even clan wars, and in the worst case the empire falls apart.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Female names of northern Kingdoms are composed of words like:
Ald-, Bien-. Berg-, Dann-, Drog-, Edl-, Fan-, Grod-, Gud-, Heim-, Ils-, Jun-, Greem-, Loung-, Meid-, Nord-, Rasd-, Sond-, Shon-, Tild-, Uld-, or Wiem-
As well as the endings:
-frigg, -ga, -grun, -heid, -hild, -hin or -maid
If the prefix ends with the same letter as the ending begins, a doubling is usually not used.
Example: Aldgrun, Ilsfrigg, Gudmaid, Rasdhild
Ald-, Bien-. Berg-, Dann-, Drog-, Edl-, Fan-, Grod-, Gud-, Heim-, Ils-, Jun-, Greem-, Loung-, Meid-, Nord-, Rasd-, Sond-, Shon-, Tild-, Uld-, or Wiem-
As well as the endings:
-frigg, -ga, -grun, -heid, -hild, -hin or -maid
If the prefix ends with the same letter as the ending begins, a doubling is usually not used.
Example: Aldgrun, Ilsfrigg, Gudmaid, Rasdhild
Masculine names
Male names of northern kingdoms are composed of words like:
Ald-, Benn-. Berg-, Drogg-, Eld-, Fang-, Grodd-, Gud-, Heim-, Johr-, Jun-, Kord-, Lefd-, Mar-, Nord-, Rasd-, Sond-, Tann-, Uld-, or Wiedo-
As well as the endings:
-berd, -berg, -dal, -gen, -rem, -weid, -fried, -kin, -mund, -nar or -gar
If the prefix ends with the same letter as the ending begins, a doubling is usually not used.
Example: Benndal, Fangberd, Johrmund, Wiedokin
Ald-, Benn-. Berg-, Drogg-, Eld-, Fang-, Grodd-, Gud-, Heim-, Johr-, Jun-, Kord-, Lefd-, Mar-, Nord-, Rasd-, Sond-, Tann-, Uld-, or Wiedo-
As well as the endings:
-berd, -berg, -dal, -gen, -rem, -weid, -fried, -kin, -mund, -nar or -gar
If the prefix ends with the same letter as the ending begins, a doubling is usually not used.
Example: Benndal, Fangberd, Johrmund, Wiedokin
Family names
In the northern kingdoms, family names are a symbol of nobility, as they are also the name of the clan to which their owner belongs. These clan names very often start with the prefix Kill, which is supplemented by the name of the clan founder.
The common people usually have their father's or mother's name as a surname, as it is common in the northern clans, or in special cases, surnames that refer to their origin or special deeds.
The common people usually have their father's or mother's name as a surname, as it is common in the northern clans, or in special cases, surnames that refer to their origin or special deeds.
Other names
In special cases, the surname may be extended or completely replaced by elements that indicate special deeds or the origin of its owner.
Excample:
Eldgar fon Kulterberg
Heimgrun KillMarren de Waiise
Excample:
Eldgar fon Kulterberg
Heimgrun KillMarren de Waiise
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
The northern kingdoms are descended from the clans of the north. Although the tribal clans seem to have little in common with the clan family of the kingdoms.
The clans of the kingdoms are family alliances and lineages that descend from the clan founders, individuals of such great merit that the society allows their names to live on in the clans.
These families can best be compared to the nobility of Eastern feudalism.
Nevertheless, fighting skills and a certain warrior cult are still highly respected and widespread in the eastern kingdoms. Victory and honour are highly valued, just like in the ancient clans.
In the clan families, however, the welfare and honour of the clan is higher than the personal interests, especially since every member can profit from the success of the clan.
Shamans, however, have largely disappeared from the culture of the kingdoms. Only in the northern regions do they still have some value among the common people or even access to the ruling families. Further south they rely more on doctors, mages or trusted confidants as advisors in various situations.
The clans of the kingdoms are family alliances and lineages that descend from the clan founders, individuals of such great merit that the society allows their names to live on in the clans.
These families can best be compared to the nobility of Eastern feudalism.
Nevertheless, fighting skills and a certain warrior cult are still highly respected and widespread in the eastern kingdoms. Victory and honour are highly valued, just like in the ancient clans.
In the clan families, however, the welfare and honour of the clan is higher than the personal interests, especially since every member can profit from the success of the clan.
Shamans, however, have largely disappeared from the culture of the kingdoms. Only in the northern regions do they still have some value among the common people or even access to the ruling families. Further south they rely more on doctors, mages or trusted confidants as advisors in various situations.
Common Dress code
The common people rarely wear more than simple clothing made of cheap and robust fabrics, in the northern regions even fur clothing is still common among farmers and in small villages.
It is quite different with clan families or rich merchants. There they dress in nobler fabrics from the kingdom of Thiriza or the eastern kingdoms. Wide, airy dresses in bright colours or fur coats for the cold days. Lace, bows and ruffles are particularly popular with the ladies.
Bows in particular have taken on a special place in women's fashion, modelled on the Eastern Kingdoms. For girls, they are usually white or beige or made of undyed fabric for the common people.
In adult women's dresses, on the other hand, white or undyed bows are rare and coloured bows are common.
The colours blue, red, black and yellow are particularly significant when worn on the shoulder or upper arm.
Blue stands for married women, black for widows. Yellow bows, often in combination with bells on the wrist or ankle, are common for prostitutes.
Red ribbons, on the other hand, stand for marriageable but still single women.
It is quite different with clan families or rich merchants. There they dress in nobler fabrics from the kingdom of Thiriza or the eastern kingdoms. Wide, airy dresses in bright colours or fur coats for the cold days. Lace, bows and ruffles are particularly popular with the ladies.
Bows in particular have taken on a special place in women's fashion, modelled on the Eastern Kingdoms. For girls, they are usually white or beige or made of undyed fabric for the common people.
In adult women's dresses, on the other hand, white or undyed bows are rare and coloured bows are common.
The colours blue, red, black and yellow are particularly significant when worn on the shoulder or upper arm.
Blue stands for married women, black for widows. Yellow bows, often in combination with bells on the wrist or ankle, are common for prostitutes.
Red ribbons, on the other hand, stand for marriageable but still single women.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Although there are no real birth rituals, it is common for the women of the family or female neighbours and friends to gather when a birth is imminent to support the pregnant woman. In smaller families, the father must also be present. In larger families or in aristocratic circles, the man is excluded from the room and often spends the waiting time with male friends and relatives until the child is born.
In aristocratic families, the birth of the holder of the family line is celebrated according to the wealth and importance of the family.
In the northern regions this applies to the first-born offspring, in many southern families to the first son.
In aristocratic families, the birth of the holder of the family line is celebrated according to the wealth and importance of the family.
In the northern regions this applies to the first-born offspring, in many southern families to the first son.
Coming of Age Rites
By tradition, girls are considered adults and ready for marriage when they have their first menstruation.
Officially, this is announced with a ceremony or feast where she wears a white dress with red ribbons and from that day onwards she replaces the colourless ribbons of childhood with the red ribbons of an adult but still unmarried woman.
Boys go through two rituals on their way to becoming men. At 14, they are introduced to the art of love with the ritual of initiation.
In simple families, the son is often taken by the father to the brothel for this purpose, or a prostitute is hired.
In nobler families, this task sometimes falls to servants, usually the nanny who has looked after the boy until then and is now supposed to raise him to manhood.
During this time, a more intimate relationship can also be continued, which is seen as training for marriage.
After the first night, on the day after the initiation, a feast is given for the boy in which he is officially accepted into the circles of adults. From then on he is officially considered a youth, no longer a boy. However, he is not yet considered a man.
The second ritual takes place at 16, when the youth is awarded with the tools of his profession by his father during the celebration of his elevation.
This often takes into account the father's profession, which the son usually continues. In rarer cases, when the son learns another profession, the tools of that profession may also be used.
Examples include a mortar and pestle for apothecaries, a scythe for the farmer, a scale for merchants and other money trades.
In the nobility, as for warriors and mercenaries, swords are common, and for noble families a shield with the family crest is also common.
Civil servants are an exception. Although it is not uncommon for them to give their seal ring to their sons as a sign of their profession, this is purely symbolic and the son returns the ring after the ceremony, as he is not taking over his father's office.
However, they often work as assistants and lords like to hire these sons as successors, which is why this symbolic handover is common.
Officially, this is announced with a ceremony or feast where she wears a white dress with red ribbons and from that day onwards she replaces the colourless ribbons of childhood with the red ribbons of an adult but still unmarried woman.
Boys go through two rituals on their way to becoming men. At 14, they are introduced to the art of love with the ritual of initiation.
In simple families, the son is often taken by the father to the brothel for this purpose, or a prostitute is hired.
In nobler families, this task sometimes falls to servants, usually the nanny who has looked after the boy until then and is now supposed to raise him to manhood.
During this time, a more intimate relationship can also be continued, which is seen as training for marriage.
After the first night, on the day after the initiation, a feast is given for the boy in which he is officially accepted into the circles of adults. From then on he is officially considered a youth, no longer a boy. However, he is not yet considered a man.
The second ritual takes place at 16, when the youth is awarded with the tools of his profession by his father during the celebration of his elevation.
This often takes into account the father's profession, which the son usually continues. In rarer cases, when the son learns another profession, the tools of that profession may also be used.
Examples include a mortar and pestle for apothecaries, a scythe for the farmer, a scale for merchants and other money trades.
In the nobility, as for warriors and mercenaries, swords are common, and for noble families a shield with the family crest is also common.
Civil servants are an exception. Although it is not uncommon for them to give their seal ring to their sons as a sign of their profession, this is purely symbolic and the son returns the ring after the ceremony, as he is not taking over his father's office.
However, they often work as assistants and lords like to hire these sons as successors, which is why this symbolic handover is common.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
As cultural descendants of the northern Calns, the honour and victories of a person are also highly valued in the northern kingdoms. However, the cultural influences of eastern feudalism and the Thriza also make themselves noticeable. Jewellery made of gold, silver or pearls plays an important role in the upper class and especially on the western coast body painting and tattoos are popular.
Among the common people a well-fed or trained body is considered attractive, among the upper class, where there is seldom a shortage of food, a person who is seen to be fit and trained is highly desirable.
Among the common people a well-fed or trained body is considered attractive, among the upper class, where there is seldom a shortage of food, a person who is seen to be fit and trained is highly desirable.
Gender Ideals
Men are seen as protectors of the family or even as soldiers and warriors and must therefore be strong. Intelligence is not despised either, but it has a lower status in society.
Women run the household and bring up the children. For this they must be intelligent, and large breasts and a childbearing pelvis are popular with men.
Women warriors are also known from northern culture, but they are less numerous in the northern kingdoms than in the tribal societies of the northern clans.
Another commonality with the northern clans is a certain sexual freedom.
Although marriage is known and customary as in the eastern kingdoms, abstinence is not compulsory before it.
At least that is the case for the common people.
In the nobility, abstinence is not expected of men either. On the contrary, they are supposed to practise for marriage. But the daughters of high families are expected to be of a certain nobility and modesty and, following the example of the eastern kingdoms, it is considered proper for them to enter into marriage as virgins.
Women run the household and bring up the children. For this they must be intelligent, and large breasts and a childbearing pelvis are popular with men.
Women warriors are also known from northern culture, but they are less numerous in the northern kingdoms than in the tribal societies of the northern clans.
Another commonality with the northern clans is a certain sexual freedom.
Although marriage is known and customary as in the eastern kingdoms, abstinence is not compulsory before it.
At least that is the case for the common people.
In the nobility, abstinence is not expected of men either. On the contrary, they are supposed to practise for marriage. But the daughters of high families are expected to be of a certain nobility and modesty and, following the example of the eastern kingdoms, it is considered proper for them to enter into marriage as virgins.
Courtship Ideals
In the upper classes courtship is rather rare, as marriages are usually arranged by the parents. Here, clan interests and political considerations are the primary considerations.
Only a few children of upper-class families reach an age where they can choose a partner themselves. In that case, they would probably resort to intermediaries. Servants who deliver gifts and letters on their behalf. Only when this form of exchange leads to common interests and a certain affection will meetings take place. At such meetings, however, at least one other friend or family member of both persons is always present
. Finally, it is up to the man to propose marriage to the woman. But even after the marriage vows, it is not appreciated to meet alone as a couple until the marriage is officially consummated.
Among the common people, things are kept simpler. Here, too, courtship tends to be done by the man, but since there is also not the ideal of the immaculate bride as in the nobility, no chaperones are necessary at meetings.
Thus, it is not uncommon for intimate contacts to occur before the wedding. The weddings themselves range from simple promises in the circle of the two families to ceremonies to which families, neighbours, guild members or even the whole village are invited. The size of the ceremony usually depends on the wealth of the families.
Marriages in the Northern Kingdoms do not require formal officials or representatives of the faith, as the marriages are officially recognised but no registration or other official record or even state or divine blessing is required.
Only a few children of upper-class families reach an age where they can choose a partner themselves. In that case, they would probably resort to intermediaries. Servants who deliver gifts and letters on their behalf. Only when this form of exchange leads to common interests and a certain affection will meetings take place. At such meetings, however, at least one other friend or family member of both persons is always present
. Finally, it is up to the man to propose marriage to the woman. But even after the marriage vows, it is not appreciated to meet alone as a couple until the marriage is officially consummated.
Among the common people, things are kept simpler. Here, too, courtship tends to be done by the man, but since there is also not the ideal of the immaculate bride as in the nobility, no chaperones are necessary at meetings.
Thus, it is not uncommon for intimate contacts to occur before the wedding. The weddings themselves range from simple promises in the circle of the two families to ceremonies to which families, neighbours, guild members or even the whole village are invited. The size of the ceremony usually depends on the wealth of the families.
Marriages in the Northern Kingdoms do not require formal officials or representatives of the faith, as the marriages are officially recognised but no registration or other official record or even state or divine blessing is required.
Relationship Ideals
Officially the man is usually the head of the family, administrator and protector of the family. The woman, on the other hand, looks after the house and the offspring.
But the reality is not always like this.
In clan families, it is usually the partner from the more influential clan who has the authority, unless both partners are equal. It is not uncommon for the partner to be accepted into the ranks of the more powerful clan.
In the common people the views are similar, but since the husband is the one who has to feed the family with work and thus spends a lot of time in the workshop or on the fields, while the wife takes care of the household and children, it is often the wife who also takes over the administration of the property.
Spouses also may swear fidelity to each other, but infidelity is still not something that would be condemned. It only becomes problematic if a child results from it and the husband can doubt paternity or the mother is unmarried.
In clan families, it is usually the partner from the more influential clan who has the authority, unless both partners are equal. It is not uncommon for the partner to be accepted into the ranks of the more powerful clan.
In the common people the views are similar, but since the husband is the one who has to feed the family with work and thus spends a lot of time in the workshop or on the fields, while the wife takes care of the household and children, it is often the wife who also takes over the administration of the property.
Spouses also may swear fidelity to each other, but infidelity is still not something that would be condemned. It only becomes problematic if a child results from it and the husband can doubt paternity or the mother is unmarried.
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species
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