Krymzkan

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Krymzkan's have their own language called karmash, and doesn't appear to be derived from any known language, and very few variations exist in Krymzk.

Culture and cultural heritage

Krymzkans have nothing to offer the world, and have nothing to offer even to their kin, save what knowledge they have, such as their spell books and theories on magic, and whatever land they own. Only their masks are of any sort of cultural value, and if one inherits their progenitors mask, they might even take on their name to demonstrate this inheritance--some even add to the mask design.

Shared customary codes and values

Power is valued above all else, and thus it is taught that those below should honor and respect those above, though more often than not many Krymzkans have attempted to form their own political parties, or tried to establish their own cities outside of Ruskial. Most of these have only lasted for a day.

Common Etiquette rules

"Etiquette" is a very loose term for how Krymzkans govern themselves, as most of them share no love for their fellow man, and only see each other as stepping stones or obstacles in their path. Friendships are as fickle as a sandstorm, yesterday's lover is today's, and the person you though was your ally for reform is secretly in league with The Coven.

Common Dress code

All Krymzkans wear a long robe of either gray or black, and a mask that is designed to represent an aspect of their being, though some ditch the mask in favor of a veil.

Art & Architecture

Most settlements in Krymzk are simple stone structures, measuring only two stories at their tallest, and even warlock towers aren't that tall, as due to the sandstorms it's impossible to start a building project that last more than a month.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Krymzkans believe their gods are embodied in the air, with the sandstorms embodying Agrith, god of pain, and the snow and rain embodying Dorgai, the torturous god of blessings, thus they pray to these gods when the weather gets bad. Some covens are even seen as the voices of the god, and it is good faith to bow before the coven before speaking.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a child is born he is held up to the sky inside a temple, while a priest invokes the gods to bless the child, and since sandstorms are common a child is considered bless, but if the sandstorm stops, or doesn't occur that day, the child is considered unworthy by the gods.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a person dies they are wrapped in rags and left in the desert, so that the sands can reclaim them, or the storms can "eat the flesh", making them one with the gods.

Common Myths and Legends

The mountain chain the separates Krymzk from Western Verte-Paysage is believed to be erected by the "soft gods" of the Vertens, for they feared the Krymzkans, and their mastery of magic, and thus blocked them off from the Vertens.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Krymzkan's have no ideal beauty, as they are too horribly mutated by the toxic atmosphere of Krymzk to really care. Instead they put more value in the masks they wear, for they believe that beauty just hides one's true self, and the masks they use to hide their faces are meant to represent some aspect or ideal they aspire to.

Gender Ideals

Krymzk holds to the old ways of the magi, ranking women as higher than men, and as such males are excluded from most high ranking establishments and organizations, save in the case of the Warlock King, but even he is subject to the whims of The Coven of Ruskial. But this is more common in the city of Ruskial--Krymzk's only major city--and gender ideals vary among the smaller settlements, and even change at the drop of a hat.

Courtship Ideals

Women are the ones who choose their spouse, but they usually choose those who either show an aptitude for magic, are skilled in a certain subject, or might even choose their spouse for political reasons. In fact it's not uncommon for a marriage to end as quickly as it began, especially for the more politically minded relationships.

Relationship Ideals

Most people in Krymzk have polyamorous relationships, as love is a concept that doesn't exist to them, and having more than one spouse is just another power trip for them. And for those of a political bent, this is how they start covens, for if they marry they can pool their resources together, and can establish themselves as a potential power head.

Major organizations

Two major organizations exist: the ruling coven of Krymzk, The Coven of Ruskial, and the shadowy cult known only as The Bastard Kin of the Faceless Star.

Related Locations

• Krymzk