Southeners

Southern clans

Typically pale in skin colour, with blond to platinum blond hair colour. Tall, stocky, strong. Products of the harsh tundra environment they inhabit.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Generally following the Scandinavian or Germanic naming traditions.

Masculine names

Generally following the Scandinavian or Germanic naming traditions.

Family names

Generally last names are an indication of lineage 'son of Alric' or 'daughter of Freya.'

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Clanish is spoken in the south. A Germanic dialect.

Culture and cultural heritage

Once, before the Aug wars. The south was prosperous and reputed to be warmer. Vast cities of millions filled the south. All were torn asunder and laid waste by the white creatures from the north.
Survival dominates Southern culture. Those that leave are seen as weak, betraying everything the ancestors fought and died for. Clan is absolute, the needs of the many always outweigh the few.

Shared customary codes and values

The Histories connect the clans to their ancient ancestors and serve as a constant reminder of why they remain in the hostile frozen lands of the south.

Average technological level

Very low. Dung used as fuel. Subsistence fishing. Limited metal smithing due to lack of ore and fuel.

Common Etiquette rules

The elders run the clan. Men attending to male matters, female to female. There are some forty clans in the south and all have distinct laws and expectations but because of the constant movement of men there are a shared core of values.

Common Dress code

Furs, it's cold.

Art & Architecture

Yurts are constructed to dwell in. Coricals serve as fishing vessels. The climate does not lend itself to permanent structures.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Snapfish run is widely celebrated across all clans. The shoals of fish moving to their spawning grounds provide a brief time of plenty.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Birth is marked by the clan historians learning the name of the child. The child is then anointed with oils and presented before the clan.

Coming of Age Rites

Young adults need to ask the clan elders to be granted the rights of adulthood from around age 18. Most are told no on the first attempt and need to demonstrate a commitment to the clan and show maturity.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Bodies are usually stored outside until the thaw when they are buried in unmarked graves. Observists (link later) sometimes aid in this. Few are buried in this way. Only those who have died young or in childbirth. When one is too old to be of use or the mind starts to deteriorate they take 'the ice walk' go out into the wastes and never return. This is an honerable death that reduces the burden on the clan.

Common Taboos

Breeding without sanction. The woman and child are exiled. (And most likley die.) Man is executed. Homosexuality or 'unproductives' as they are known. Liking ones own gender is not a relationship that will produce offspring and thus regarded as not needed. Punishment varies between clans. Monogomy- over attachment to a partner is considered weak. Clan ties should come before any sexual relationship and the temptation to breed with a consistent partner is considered too high a risk.

Common Myths and Legends

The Histories are clan legend. Especially the adventures of Jane Franklin and Echo Charlie.

Historical figures

The first Emperor of the great northern empire is considered a clan hero as he joined with the southerners in the most desperate moment and turned the tide of the war.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Male- tall, broad, well muscled, blond hair, blue eyes. Female- Tall, strong, wide hips, rounded chest, blonde hair, blue eyes.

Gender Ideals

All genders participate in hunting, fishing, security and must learn the clan history. The only differentiation comes around child rearing.

Courtship Ideals

Women choose whom to mate with. There are fewer females than males and thus the privilege is theirs. Selection between clans is encouraged to keep the possibility of half-siblings mating low. Also the elders must approve all matings and will turn to the historians to ensure relations are not too close but also the occurrence of illness and inherited diseases in families of chosen men. Woman with such in their bloodline are never given the right to choose.

Relationship Ideals

Once the chosen move in together they have a narrow timeframe to produce a child. Usually, a few months to impregnate the woman. To avoid the dominance of any man in the clan bloodlines a man must stay with the woman until the child is three. There must be no other child conceived within that time and contact should be limited to ensure this. Once the child is of age the man goes back to his clan of birth and the mother may choose again, should the clan elders deem her worthy and resources plentiful enough to support another infant.