Levanian

Well constructed streets of stone mark an interconnected network or alleyways and paths through the city centre. Floating carriages of wood and iron patrol the city to protect those who reside there, as well as crack down on any unrest. Buildings of brick, thatch, and wood line the streets, banners hung from hooks hammered into their exterior. A castle made from carved marble sits in the center of town with a yard where members of a professional military are taught to do battle against the outsiders who threaten them. A magistrate sits in his villa upon the hill and oversees the prosperity of hius province. This was a normal sight of everyday life two thousand years ago. Back when The Levanian Empire ruled most of modern day Czerelan. Spanning from east to west, they held two peninsulas, several important islands, a foreign coastline, and everything southward of the The Daggerpoint Peninsula under their control. But after centures of war, rebellions, political strife, and the worst wave of cold to ever touch the face of Omeath. The Levanian Empire was destroyed, the only remainder are the people who were conquered by their successors and the things they had built that still remain.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Avanea, Bacitrea, Blorichea, Biantris, Derotris, Ereantea, Eris, Filia, Floris, Galeara, Igniaris, Ivara, Izantis, Justinia, Justinea, Larellia, Lutrecia, Lyracis, Marinia, Neolanis, Oricania, Paulidria, Pauridis, Quentira, Quirinia, Sabrina, Serena, Sirela, Tilea, Urichalis, Valennia

Masculine names

Baricho, Calseo, Daridi, Ebero, Ferino, Fergo, Falcheo, Granti, Grafiero, Garchuro, Jariso, Jareti, Jurineo, Jurechrio, Henriaste, Ignaereo, Ikaelio

Unisex names

Allixus, Batrixus, Clorius, Eberonius, Erekorus, Jastrix,

Family names

Albus, Brachus, Cassinius, Dandalianus, Eberius, Minirius, Oracesius, Osyruchus, Sarcsus, Siorius, Vantrachius, Zercheaus

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The main language spoken by Levanians was Levan. A language that uses many vowels in its vocabulary and has a wide selection of descriptive adjectives. There are words for being the son of a traitor, being of golden blood, being good at tracking deer, and being a sword smitten claret. The language is also highly inflected and uses three genders when speaking. Feminine, often ending with an -a, -is, or -ea, masculine often ending with an -i , -eo, -e or -o, and neutral often ending with an -us, -i, or -ii. When using neutral words, the -us often refers to singular people or items. Whereas the -i or -ii sounds often refer to multiple.
While the Levanians are no longer around to speak it today, it is still used in some academic, arcane, and political circles. It also lives on through the languages of the successor states and cultures of Levania. Vallais, Oracesin, Marcean, and several more have Levan as a root language.

Shared customary codes and values

The Levanians upheld honor, glory, and family among their highest values. Their families were to be respected and served, for blood was as strong as iron in Levania. The patriarch in a family may as well be a king among his kin, for his word is to be followed. Another importatn part of Levanian culture is to uphold a sense of honor. Be truthful, do what is right and just. They should always uphold their sense of honor or else the gods would shun them for their treachery. Many of the great heroes and adventurers of Levania are those who carved out their own destiny, and did so for their family. To go out and conquer was seen as a very honorable thing in old Levania, but to bring wealth and fame back was their duty.

Common Taboos

Killing a member of your own family was extremely taboo to the Levanians. Being a kinslayer was considered one of the worst crimes a person could commit. If the shared blood between brothers, parents and children, or even connections in marriage were spilled by violence, you would be considered a kinslayer. Most often when people were convicted of being a kinslayer in Levania, they would have their feet removed and a single eye plucked from their head. The removal of the feet symbolizes how they could not run from their crime and the eye was removed so it may never close or find rest. It was seen as a betrayal of trust among peers and a rejection of society. The family is the most basic structure in any society, and if someone were to break that structure, they were considered a barbarian who rejected society. No one would know to trust them, for they slew the very people they came from. If they slew a family member, what would stop them from murdering a stranger.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The beauty ideals of Levania prize symmetry and mathematics. Symmetry is seen as civilized, neat, and divine. When something is symmetrical it is often regarded as being very well made or done with great purpose and care. Mathematics on the other hand can be unsymmetrical, but if they follow a pattern or some rules of mathematics pleasing to the eyes of the Levanians, it works. The Levanians adore the golden ratio, often including an example of it in many forms of art. While it is often hard to find the golden ratio in the face or body of another, symmetry is sought after in the beauty standards of Levania. People who have great body and facial symmetry are seen as more perfect and divine.
People who are practically beautiful in old Levania were often those of fairer skin and brighter hair. Men were preferred by fit bodies and firm muscles. A full head of hair with a clean shaven face was seen as very attractive qualities in men. As for women, those who were fit and thin were often seen as beautiful, and bright eyes were seen as more attractive by most people due to their rarity and exoticness. Those with long eyelashes were viewed as more beautiful and healthier.

Major organizations

The Levanian Empire, The Risen Republic