Microshan

The word "Microshan" refers to the ethnic people of Microsha, or the Light and Color. The people of the Light and Color did not always call themselves "Microshan". The traditional term is Adi'i, but after the surface humans (or Glyssians) made contact and could speak the language, Glyssians created a new word for the place as well as the people there. "Microsha" means "the end of water", and thus the people who come from "Microsha" are "Microshan" (as English grammar dictates). However, the word "Adi'i" is not used much anymore except in traditional circumstances or by the oldest living Microshans.
As the Glyssian culture overwhelmed the Adi'i, they adopted the words 'Microsha' and 'Microshan' into their lexicon.

Biology (The Look)

Most Microshans are very pale – much like deep-sea fish who have lost all pigmentation due to so many generations without sunlight – but they still have enough pigment left in their skin in order to tan. Microshan skin is translucent enough to see veins easily, though usually this only shows on the arms, neck, and backs of the knees (where the skin is thinnest). Many Microshans who live on the surface enjoy a brown skin tone and it is considered desirable among Microshans who live in Microsha. Brown skin is typically a mark of wealth and/or influence.
There are albino and melanous Microshans. Albino Microshans are given very little notice, as many older Microshans have white hair and pigment-less skin. While their red eyes are different from average Microshans, this is the only noticeable mark of an albino Microshan. On the other hand, melanous Microshans (those who have an overabundance of pigment and look nearly black) are treated with special attention. These melanous Microshans (or j'gwa) are considered sacred, as they are "of the darkness". They are considered to be a kind of "divine untouchable" class, as they are holy and should not interact where mere commoners. Though the practice has waned over the centuries, most j'gwa are still sent to monasteries in Luha'nia for their education and upbringing. However, since they are so rare, j'gwa usually take classes, meals, prayer, baths, and sleep alone. Most j'gwa end up in highly academic or spiritual positions, as these jobs don't require a lot of human interaction and are respected.
Microshan hair is naturally dark and thick, though can be anywhere from stick-straight to tight, springy curls. As it gets rather cold at night, Microshans usually keep their hair long, though shorter styles are common especially in more Glyssian cities. Braids of all styles and lengths are common, as are ponytails, but buns are rare unless they are to tuck away braids. Beads, bone, feathers, and metal clasps are often featured as accessories, though mostly among traditionalists, artists, fuhals, and stylists who favor the older traditions.
While very similar biologically to humans on the surface, there is one notable difference between surface humans (or Glyssians) and Microshans: the double-ringed irises of their eyes. This is an evolutionary development that allows Microshans to see better in the dark. It is also speculated that this allows them to the Colour (a kind of aura energy) more easily, though this has yet to be proven scientifically. The coloring of these irises is very similar to that of Glyssian colors (tones of brown, blue, green, and the occasional hazel, violet, silver). However, each ring is typically a different color. How people speak of these colors is hyphenated, and starts with the outermost color first. Thus, someone may have "blue-green eyes", meaning that the outer ring is blue and the inner ring (closest to the pupil) is green.
Half-Microshans are more common nowadays and typically pass more as Glyssian than Microshan. Most half-Microshans do not have the extremely pale skin nor do they have the double-ringed irises, but other physical genetic markers remain. In comparison to the surface cultures, Microshans could most closely be compared to east and southeast Asians, and half-Microshans often resemble these ethnicities almost precisely.

Hierarchy

Microshan hierarchy is based more on family generations and status than a strict patriarchy or matriarchy. Birth order matters, but may be usurped in favor of societal position. For example, a youngest child who becomes a fuhal may become head of their family over the oldest child, or even their own parents and grandparents. However, all else being equal, the head of a family will fall to the oldest surviving member regardless of gender or identity. There are few cases in which this is not observed, but usually has to do with the incompetence of the oldest family member.

Wealth and Jobs

As with any country, there is a wealth disparity between the highest and lowest incomes in Microsha. Bigger cities like Gwarthall and Citidel have a monetary-based economy, much like the surface. However, the outlying areas are more likely to be poorer and thus have a trade-and-skill based economy. The wealth gap in Microsha is significantly less than the wealth gap on the surface, but still noticeable and has an effect on class interactions.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Family names are fairly rare in Microshan customs. As so many people die to the monsters and beasts in the darkness, a family only earns the right to a last name (a family name) when there are 5 consecutive generations living at a single time. Once a last name is earned, the family name can never be taken away, even if there is only a single member of that family remaining. Family crests are earned when there are 15 consecutive generations living at a single time, and thus family crests are extremely rare. Only the most affluent families are able to achieve both the last name and family crest.
As these things are earned, often this divides children. If one parent has a last name, but the other does not, some children may choose to take the last name in order to continue the generations while others may choose to remain without a last name in order to earn one in the generations to come. Additionally, this may divide children between two families with last names who are trying to earn a crest. A canonical example of this is Jaris Voltaire, who was born into the family name Balhan (a family who already had a crest) and chose to take on the name Voltaire in order to further that family's legacy.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Traditional Microshan beauty standards stressed clear skin, glossy hair, bright-colored eyes, and thin features. In women, it was more desirable to be curvy, and in men, it was more desirable to be tall and thin. As with many cultures, these beauty standards reflected wealth and status: men did not have to be strong, and thus could let their muscles atrophy, and women could feed themselves in addition to their children and thus put on weight. These beauty standards were difficult to obtain more for women than men, as Microshan biology has a naturally higher metabolism and food is often difficult to come by in poorer towns and villages.
Modern beauty standards reflect Glyssian attitudes. While clear skin and well-groomed hair are a staple, a tan is now much more desirable. The stress to be thin is now relegated to women, and men are encouraged to bulk up. For Microshan women, this is much easier to obtain than the beauty standards of before, while men have difficulty keeping up with the regimen necessary to build the kind of muscle found on the surface. Additionally, straight hair has become more desirable, though it's less common to see people straightening their hair as hair is still considered to be a genetic marker of a family.

Gender Ideals

Gender is mostly fluid among Microshans, particularly the traditionalists. While the names for the many genders have been lost or erased over time, most Microshans believe in multiple genders. While most fall into a "cis" category at birth, it is understood that gender can change and often does. Thus, "ideals" are hard to define. While some ideals may be familiar to us (ex. women being "nurturing"), these ideals are more relegated to roles within a group rather than gender-specific ideals.
For example, the head of a family may belong to any gender, but the ideals of that role are to have good leadership qualities, be patient, be prosperous, and even perhaps be a little bit reckless.