Tsukijin
A collective of fighters and forgers, in order to survive the harsh lands they call home, a fierce mindset of pragmatism and efficiency was born amongst the people. Weakness is not seen as a fault, but a liability to overcome, and in the case, it cannot be then one must at least make sure they are not a hindrance. Incompetence is frowned upon, quick wit, tenacity, and the will to survive is not. It is a meritocracy, where one's rank can be risen based on their achievements and a commoner risen to the station of a nobility can be faced with an explosion of popularity, even more than a long time noble families because of their recent achievements.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Agata, Agnessa, Aleksandra, Anastasia, Anya, Arina, Borislava, Darya, Dominika, Elizaveta, Irina, Isidora, Ivanna, Julia, Karina, Katia, Katya, Kristina, Lana, Ludmilla, Margarita, Matrona, Milena, Nadia, Natalia, Natasha, Nina, Oksana, Olga, Petra, Sabina, Sasha, Serena, Sofia, Svetlana, Tatiana, Ulyana, Valentina, Valerie, Vera, Viktoria, Zhenya
Masculine names
Adam, Alexei, Bogdan, Boris, David, Dimitri, Emil, Fedor, Gavin, Grigori, Igor, Lazar, Leonid, Luka, Mark, Martin, Maxim, Nikolai, Oleg, Peter, Radamir, Roland, Rudolf, Rurik, Sasha, Sergei, Sevastian, Timothy, Vladimir, Valerian, Vasili, Viktor, Yulian, Yuri, Zhegar
Family names
Andreev, Bogdanov, Bogomolov, Chaykovsky, Federov, Ignatiev, Kozlov, Krupin, Kruschev, Lagounov, Maksimov, Matveev, Matvey, Naumov, Orlov, Pasternak Pavlov, Pavlovsky, Popov, Putin, Rasputin, Romanov, Sokolov, Tchaikosvky, Utkin, Vasliv, Volkov, Zima
Other names
If a name isn't based in Cresdonian, most nobles, specifically older and bigger noble houses, actually use the rough equivalent of old Uzari names.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Craftsmen and Warriors are celebrated amongst the people, the better one is, the more praise heaped. It isn't unlikely for Noble families of Craftsman to be just as favored, if not more so, as Warriors. Music and dance is a thriving part for the people for entertainment, whereas plays and theatre not so much. A native is more likely to consider the theatre as nothing more than a waste of resources and effort, whereas if something like an Art Gallery existed, or a place where paintings and other such artwork were displayed, they would take an immediate interest. The designs for their homes and villages lean more towards function over form, preferring sturdy buildings that can weather terrible storms and cold nights, than fancy or gaudy looking scenery. If there are to be decorations on a home, it is purely done by painters and sculptors, but normally limited to the homes and territories of nobles, if a commoner was to afford a painted and decorated home they would be seen in a favorable light by their neighbors. Other forms of entertainment lend to board games, specifically Go, Go is treated as quite the serious game amongst the populace to which agreements can be over a game and would be treated just as seriously as though the persons involved gave their word, and tournaments would not only hold arenas for fighters but also matches for Go players. Card games and gambling isn't done amongst the populace as much, if one was going to bet over a game, it would most likely be a game of Go rather than something like Blackjack or Poker.
Shared customary codes and values
Efficiency. Effectiveness. Pragmatism. Honor. These are the four words that guide these people. Whatever helps the community grow, sustains it, and improves it, can be tolerated so long as it follows those above guidelines, trickery and falsehoods are not tolerated among fellow natives, but acceptable to do to outsiders and in the course of battle, the honorable action is winning, not losing, and if one loses, to know grace in defeat is valued. The stubborn refusal of defeat is shameful and proves one is not willing to learn from their mistakes.
Common Etiquette rules
Commoners are expected to pay respect to Nobles, and Nobles are expected not to abuse that respect. Any Noble throwing around their weight and authority is frowned upon, as it would lessen their station and make them seem incompetent. Between a meeting of social disparity, the lesser party should bow, either somewhat, or fully, between equals, simple greetings can be exchanged. If one is unaware of another party being above them in status, not bowing can be overlooked, but repeated offenses can be taken as a slight, and allow for a duel of honor to be declared.
Common Dress code
Casual wear tends to be long sleeved shirts and pants for both sexes, due to the cold climate, often with simple furlined coats made for ease of movement, akin to an infantry's uniform. Formal wear, and Noble's clothes lean in the direction of Officer's garments, often clad with medals of honor, or perhaps a specially made trophy from a hunt or assignment. Skirts and dresses tend to be avoided for women, being worn in a minority and even then it is mostly limited to commoners.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
On the final day of the year, all the 14 year olds go out hunting as a coming of age ceremony. The one who brings the largest animal goes up in social status. If someone wants to marry a person of the opposite sex they must defeat that person in a challenge, determined by the challenged party. Lunar Eclipses have festivals, as well as nights of a full moon. The end of the year is celebrated with a tournament to seek blessings and favors for the next one.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The corpse is to be burned with a wooden replica of the weapon or tool that person used or preferred in life, an heir or next of kin would be presented with the actual item under the assumption they will strive to prove worthy of it. Memorials are held for the lives of lost heroes and respectable members of the village, as well as those who have lost their lives in battle.
Common Taboos
Incompetence and inefficiency. Failure can be forgiven and overlooked but the inability to improve and stifling others is unacceptable. Refusing to eat meat, it shows a lack of willingness to accept consuming another's life to survive, something that must be done endlessly in their climes. Reckless Insubordination, it is understood that sometimes actions that go against your orders are necessary, but those that prove fruitless and harmful to the people will only lead one to be shunned, so such actions are not done lightly. One who breaks the religious tenants is also to be disgraced and shunned.
Common Myths and Legends
It is believed as legend that their people came from the Moon, and inhabited their current lands, legend thought to be truth because of the unusual amount of naturally snow white haired and pale skinned people amongst the populace.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
A beautiful woman is expected to be the essence of opulence. The closer she is to resembling that of the icy tundra that surrounds them, the more attractive she is seen. Women that wish to be beautiful are to be slim(somewhat curvy) and well taken care over(personal hygiene). Men, however, are often given more leeway due to their fields of work. Some, have the option of being feminine while others- those that wish to 'garner' the eyes of these woman, are to be more masculine- showing off brauns and more.
Gender Ideals
While all sexes are encouraged and forced to learn the ways of battle and strategy, it is men who are more likely to be front line fighters, while women strategists, in regards to business and lines of succession, only the most competent and worthy is allowed, age is a factor of consideration, but not an end all determiner. A younger brother or sister is just as likely to become the first heir to a noble family if they prove themselves more competent than their older brother or sister. At a young age, women are encouraged to train themselves physically to match the natural advantage of men, and young boys are told to study to match the advantage in wits to women.
Courtship Ideals
Interest in the opposite sex is normally shown by proving oneself worthy and avaliable, showing off one's talents or skills, be it in battle, or craftsmanship, are key. A man or woman who doesn't have much to offer won't seem as interesting as a partner.
Major organizations
Moon Kingdom
Outsiders
The people have a rather low opinion of the other kingdoms in general, considering them weak, and coddled. They lean more towards the belief the others would be better off 'enlightened' by their rule and guidance. If another kingdom wishes to trade or do business, it isn't uncommon for them to be completely rebuffed unless they show some basic knowledge of Cresdonian, even if the native can speak the merchant's tongue.
Common Appearance
Appearance wise, common features tend to be pale to fair skin, dark-skinned or tan people are usually descended from outsiders. Blue eyes are common, and white or pale colored hair is something of an added status symbol. Most people tend to keep their hair cut short, or otherwise bundled into a ponytail or bun if it is longer than average. It isn't uncommon for decorations like hunting trophies to be woven into the hair of younger people, especially after a coming of age ceremony.
Religious Tolerance
Religious tolerance extends only as far as pragmatically acceptable, if it is needed in order to complete a task, or uphold one's word to be tolerant of an outsider's views, then do so, if it is not, however, people are more likely to simply scoff at unenlightened fools and ignore their ramblings. It ties into the belief that the outside world would benefit greatly if they were to spread their ideals and discipline it.
Common Appearance
Appearance wise, common features tend to be pale to fair skin, dark-skinned or tan people are usually descended from outsiders. Blue eyes are common, and white or pale colored hair is something of an added status symbol. Most people tend to keep their hair cut short, or otherwise bundled into a ponytail or bun if it is longer than average. It isn't uncommon for decorations like hunting trophies to be woven into the hair of younger people, especially after a coming of age ceremony.
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