Myshry
Naming Traditions
Family names
Family names are generally reserved for the nobility. That said, most individuals do carry a second name to differentiate them from others with the same given name. These are names that translate as things like "Silver Leaf" or "Glade Walker."
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Shared customary codes and values
The Myshry recognize the following gods (Elvish name in parenthesis, where it differs):
- Creator: X'Rell of the Markarey
- Creator: Roni of the Markarey
- Lore, Song, Poetry, and Peace: Priëtass of the Markarey
- War: Kiseswa (Cisesua)
- New Moon and Darkness: Evinshar of the Unmarkarey
- Night, Secrets, Betrayals, and Domination: Imith of the Unmarkarey
- Deceit, Deception, and Beguiling Speech: Korissin of the Unmarkarey (Corissin)
Art & Architecture
Architecture
The Myshry build almost entirely in magically strengthened alabaster. Their capital, Bveyth features delicate spires of gleaming white traceries. The view of a Myshry building gives the impression that it is impossibly fragile, but due to the enchantments involved in construction, this is not the case.
Art
The Myshry value sculpture, painted and glazed pottery, poetry, and music. Outside of pottery, they don't paint extensively. Themes include historical and semi-historical figures, mythology, and forest landscapes, which often feature fantastical creatures.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Ryghash Crænæ
The eight days beginning on the Autumnal Equinox mark a harvest festival, of sorts, called Ryghash Crænæ ("Berry Press"). The first day, known as Preparation Day (Æghæsîsunuth), is spent washing the berries and grapes harvested from the grape and raspberry arbors high up in the canopy of Rhîghos. The second through fourth days are called the Must Days (Æghæsnu) are spent cleaning and pressing the harvest and preparing the year's must, which is then laid down in their cellars on the sunset of the fourth day in a ceremony called the Wine Funeral (Nodushushua). At dawn on the fifth day, there is a solemn ceremony called the Broaching (Sînîshî) the first barrels of the previous year's vintage are broached and tasted, and the wine masters decide whether further aging is required. On the fifth through eighth days, known as the Merriment (Sînora), feasts and dances are held throughout the forests. In the larger settlements like Bveyth, these feasts and dances are held in the streets and taverns of the city.
Coming of Age Rites
Though Lysælfen youth physically mature at roughly the same rate as humans, Myshry culture does not recognize a youth as an adult until their 100th birthday, at which time they are brought to the temple of the god or goddess of their choice and they declare their second name or affirm their noble name. Once they have done so, they are considered an adult, though it is considered unseemly and a bit scandalous to marry or have children before the age of 200.
