Marente
Marente is a merchant culture, holding strong values on trade. The more wealth you have, the higher status you hold, and the number of ships or how much your ship pulls in can decide your place in this land. They consider those who stay back on the mainland to be essential but far less glamorous. Nobility is not what sets your status but your continued projects and ability to generate money and help the village grow further.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Bernardetta, Bianca, Lilla, Rosetta, Simona, Via, Viviana, Fio, Betta, Bella, Gemma, Lucia, Nicola, Teresa, Viola, Bria, Dominica, Clarina, Rina, Simona, Zelmira, Aphrodite, Daphne, Robin, Angelina, Calista, Cassandra, Cleo, Dorothy, Eris, Hera, Jorie, Kari, Mazie, Mindy, Penelope, Sophia, Teri, Tiara
Masculine names
Dionigi, Gianni, Giovanni, Luigi, Nanni, Ranieri, Lorenzo, Kenzie, Marco, Martino, Ciro, Paolo, Pietro, Riccardo, Roberto, Silvio, Stefano, Tommaso, Umberto, Valentino, Achille, Dino, Aristotele, Astore, Baldassarre, Beppe, Carmine, Giacobbe, Giosuè, Giuseppe, Leone, Melchiorre, Rocky, Caesar, Hercules, Leo, Quinn
Family names
Zeppeli, Brando, Jamstar, Kallis, Anastas, Orzo, Fusili, Linguni, Stelle, Farfalle
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
They hold a strong value on the wealth one has, the more they have generated for themselves the higher esteemed they are. Inheriting money gains none of this status, but enhancing what was given to you does. They appreciate fine dining and have a more reversed role for the genders. Where the women are more taken with working out of the house, taking on jobs such as crewmen on the nearby ships the men are house husband or take over shops in their absense. This also created a rather interesting reversal in appearance, with men taking on more then just the role but the look of the tradional female. The wealthy take great pride in building their houses closer to the sea, while the less fortunate live inward. The richer parts of the city take on a neo-renaissance sense in designing, while the poorer areas are little more then shacks. For entertainment they do a great deal of water based activities, from surfing to fishing they enjoy the outdoors.
Shared customary codes and values
They are a people who value trade first, their respect going on who makes the most deals, being of higher value for their community. Along with that they keep their goals within reason and are a deeply religous lot who take their faith seriously.
Common Etiquette rules
The people of Umikagure are an emotive and expressive people, known for open displays of affection to even casual acquaintances, and for using their whole body, especially hands, when talking to emphaize their points. When discussing buisness, it is considered rude to bring it up during a meal, unless the host starts such conversations first. While they are not overly fettered by being late to meetings, or other mistakes and such, they do grow hostile when disrespected or open rudeness. They consider those who are better dressed to be higher in social status, and look down upon anyone who does not take care of their apperances. In marragies, it is quite common for the male to take the female's surname as his own.
Common Dress code
The people of the Sea Village favor practical clothing, ideal for doing various physical tasks. However, it is also common to craft such clothes from expensive or rare materials to reflect wealth and status.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
"Fish Duel - What started as a joke to cool tempers during long trips overseas became something of a tradition among the Sea Village. Opponents face off in a vicious--but non-lethal--duel, wielding not guns nor swords, but large fish.
Spring Festival - In celebration of the spring equinox, it is tradition among the people of the sea village to engage in a week of indulgence and pageantry. Locals dress up in their most expensive and lavish garments as to flaunt their wealth and status, and many take to the streets to drink, dance, and make merry."
Lucky Coins - It is customary to throw a small coin--often copper, but some may choose to toss a silver or gold coin--over the side of one's ship when embarking upon a voyage. This is said to bring good luck for all aboard.
Funerary and Memorial customs
It is customary for all of the dead in the land of the Sea to be cremated, and to have their ashes spread across the seas by their loved ones, or by their crew.
Common Taboos
Breaking deals and infidelity.
Common Myths and Legends
"Sirens: Sirens are a type of boogyman for many people in the land of Umi. Typically described as male, they are of bewitching beauty and well known for a song that can take control of all but the strongest of wills. However, they typically only target Captains and crews who have broken the laws and taboos of the people of the Sea, leading to some to see them as figures of justice.
Krakens: Krakens, unlike Sirens, are simply seen as beasts of destruction. Though there hasn't been agreement on what they exactly look like, all can agree that a single Kraken has the power to destroy a ship in a single blow. Many Captains fear their crews meeting such an end when a large storm rolls across the ocean."
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Blue eyes that reflect the sea are heavily sought after. Men take on more slender frames, most growing their hair out and staying out of the sun to remain pale. Women are more prone to becoming physical fit, letting their skin tan beneath the sun and cropping their hair short. Piercings are standard for adult women, the more valuable the piercing the better.
Gender Ideals
For the sake of protecting the Village, the males are more prone to stay in the village, learning from a young age to fight with ranged weapons. They are the people who handle the everyday needs of the home and protecting the village from attacks. The females, on the other hand, learn how to fight in close combat, their roles more on a ship as a deckhand or merchant, having more of an active role out of the village.
Courtship Ideals
It is customary to exchange tattoos on the wedding day.
Major organizations
Seas Kingdom
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