Bastite
Bastites are the ethnicity often found in Bast and rarely in other areas, sometimes in the north of Al Renya or overseas in the Paradian Archipelago. All of The First People are counted under this ethnicity, but often the speaker will decide to include or exclude Wretches.
Stereotypes
People think that Bastites are arrogant and excessive. The metal piercings they often have are seen as a sign of their excess. Many feel that the slavery they practice is abhorrent, even while travelling the well maintained Bast roads. People often feel that they are getting soft, their reputation of being great warriors being overrated and them becoming weak with their power.Medicine
The Surgeons of Bast don't bother learning how to treat minor wounds, The First People can recover from many minor injuries on their own and Wretch aren't worth it. Instead they focus on curing large crippling injuries and focus on surgery.Naming
The First People have family names based on metal, common names include Zinc, Iron and Copper. For first names they will use the names of ancient heroes, prefering latin sounding names with some degredation. Castes and professions are said before a person's name. Wretches will get names based on characteristics of them, or about their births. For example, "Firstborn Sunday-Child". For locations and professions they use poetry and stories to name them, this process often means places can remain unnamed for a time as they wait for poem submissions.Culture
Major language groups and dialects
For official or Oligarch business the local language is used but often the Cascadian Tongue will be used for everyday conversations and trading. Some of the further north settlements solely use the old tongue and rarely see outsiders. Dost Cant is strictly forbidden all over the nation of Bast.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Gypts prefer relaxed and expressive sports and hobbies such as dance, gymnastics, hiking, golf, bowls, writing and sculpting. Common themes in their media revolve around exploring new ideas, often themes of reality and different world orders.
Shared customary codes and values
The Gypts view themselves as the chosen ones, the Wretch are seen as gifts from the gods and natural servants so slavery from them is not a problem. Laws are decided by votes which are based on slave ownership - since the slaves are divine gifts, ownership shows a divine right.
Common Etiquette rules
The young are prompted to be adventurous and expand the reaches of Bast. Elders is a relative term as the The First People live a long time and a Wretch does not. Elders will generally be expected to expand less and focus more on artistic pursuits. Race issues are common, especially with the People of Dost and Renyans.
Common Dress code
Gypts will pierce themselves with metal as a sign of wealth. Fashion in Bast is loose clothing that is undyed grey in worker classes. Higher ups will dye their clothes brown or black to offer more protection from the dust. Oligarchs can trade with Krato for blues, reds and greens. Because of Dost, Yellow clothing is out of fashion.
Art & Architecture
Every Oligarch tries to create a palace for themselves where they spend their free time being pampered by slaves. Buildings in Bast are made from rock taken from the mountains with artistic metal braces as a show of wealth. Deep colours and artwork are common trends around buildings, as well as open floorplans with free flowing pathways, doors are limited. Stepwells are also a common part of cities, but for practical reasons such as keeping the heat down.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Multiple course meals are common in Bast, usually a carb dish of bread or rice will start the meal, followed by meat and finally a sweet treat for dessert which is commonly bananas. Pets will often be exotic animals that Oligarchs purchase from afar.
Superstitions
Polishing metal and most activities related to metal work is seen as good luck, this extends to rivers as metal can often wash up in them. The colour yellow is often seen as bad luck as well as many things to do with forests, such as being touched by a falling leaf.Coming of Age Rites
With The First People living so long, age isn't considered too important. It is more important to have the drive and skills to do things. Usually adulthood involves getting your first slave and first vote, or for a Wretch being freed.
Funerary and Memorial customs
People are buried in tombs that they start constructing themselves before death. The wealthy have opulent tombs while the poor die unmarked. There is no belief in an afterlife, the oligarchs just want something to mark that they existed.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Expression and difference is considered beautiful. Piercings, tattoos and strange designs of each are common. Clothing is considered boring unless made of interesting materials and cuts.
Relationship Ideals
Marriage isn't a strong concept for the Bast. Quick, short relationships are the common and sexuality and the expression of non-binary genders is common.
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Related Myths
Related Locations
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