Kiri of the Orient
Salt and Bread, visitor.
Welcome to Tvbera. Sir Sarm Eryberl, k'apis and the owner of the several distilleries and yon vessel on which you, master cooper, arrived here, is dictating this welcoming letter to thee in order to or-ri-en-tate you to the Kiiri lands. Make sure to familiarize yourself, honored Adherent, to this culture through materials provided as not to make base mistakes which could well cost thine body in bruises and bleeding noses. Or life, but he knows that.
You are to meet mr. Kriziko on 11th Street South, which can be found by the south-eastern corner of the barracks, as soon as you can and inspect your workshop, and ensure all is as agreed. Only then do I require you to sign your first year. These include the lease to the workshop as a private dwelling. And hopefully his snoring will scare away rats.
So I bid thee welcome, daa-ba daa-ba and such platitudes, and make sure not to refer to him as 'that wrecthed mihurite' he needs to to know the former cooper drowned in his own barrel and the workshop is now a-suspect as cursed. Now let me stuff yon signet on the wax and have the boy deliver it to port. Done? Go on, finish. I must take my corset off, dying of heat--!
thourgh Sir Sarm, scribe-Hölur
[bottom of the page has scrawl of a corpulent, aging merchant in tall, Tergaledian heeled shoes and poncey attire]
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Eltami, Sanavi, Nezeet, Kolvae, Herua, Aymia
Common words relating to Earth are typical.
Masculine names
Karus, Eyravi, Sursavi, Yeruk, Heranhe, Tamarz
Common words relating to Sky are typical.
Unisex names
Non-existant.
Family names
Most Kiiri refer to their place of birth, nobles and common alike. At times, when the father is especially noteworthy in terms of valor or other merit, with a -kel, meaning son, or -imi, meaning daughter. Noble bearing his office is referred to his title, or land, as his practical name. Examples:
K'apias Teerl, for Teerl of a merchant family.
Sarl-vaerae Aro Rutukel-anmura, meaning Aro of Sarl-vaera, son of Rutu the Brave.
tar-Unorzian Anterevin, Inspector of Graineries, with 'tar' being exclusive to nobility (much like 'von') and said man would be referred to as 'Inspector'.
Kiiri are notorious for making mockery of the traditional naming system, as in tar-Fishpie, Fat-Arse Son of Long Cocks. Kiiri tongues, especially Tvberan dialects, provide many opportunities to mock, subtly and not.
Other names
Members of a military unit often refer to others in their outfit with nick names, such as Brickspire or Raventop. These names are uiniversal, in that they tend to be given equally to male and female members alike, if females are somewhat rare.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Kiiri speak several tongues.
There are three main Harnothi dialects, which Issqar, Tvbera, and Raqhuemea speak. These are centered around their urban areas, with Issqara being the best defined and widely united with the same tongue. Most Harnothi-speakers can understand one-another, with the Issqaran grinning at the Tvberan for speaking as if under the influence of bub - quickly and with odd expressions - and the Raqhuemean pondering if both of them are utterly effeminate for not evoking the Gods of War every five minutes.
South of the Houselands is the Kingdom of Taergaled, which is remarkably unified whence it comes to tongue. Tuartergi they call the tongue, which differs enough from Harnothi to be utterly strange to someone from Issqara.
Common tongue in the academia is the Old Kiiri, or tuarkiri, which can be written with mihurite script and is thus the preferred for exporting, and writing diplomatic papers, legal documents, or such.
Nobody can be called civilized, unless able to write and speak tuarkiri.
Culture and cultural heritage
Kiiri have a split culture. The common follow their own code and tend to be loyal to the land they cultivate and hunt in: agrarians tend to follow tradition associated with their immediate circle, and the druids to occupy said lands. Meaning, a sparsely populated large land of Harnothi speakers is often confusing to draw borders on, as men tend to have odd loyalties, comapring to their southern or eastern neighbours.
In fact, Kiiri culture is split to the point of being impossible to describe in a satisfying manner, as there are as many cultural traditions as there are druids, families and villages. Some follow a code of utter stoicism and ausrerity; others hedonism and a code of celebrating that which has been achieved with hard work in terms of harvest fairs and feasts.
Warfare is a unifying factor, as the common and noble alike tend to prepare for it in order to remain, being surrounded by enemies. Both agree, that foreign powers can do naught but harm the fragile land. Common hunt and at times surrender to professional soldiery as sergeants, nobles ride to battle and form pike-troops form their fiefs, and tend to follow a millenia old tradition of ferocity and conquest.
Shared customary codes and values
Honor the Fathers and their fathers. Land is sacred, and all chessmen, at the end of yon game, return to the same box.
So speak the druids, who hold the knowledge of the land, and to whom any would answer, noble and common alike, should the unspoken be broken.
Average technological level
Typically in the early stages of industrialization by 7-632. Gunpowder is used and is potent, Napoleonic tactics are typical, armor in combat is used yet questionable in efficiency.
There is knowledge of heliocentrism, roughly Hegelian philosophical legel (thinkers ponder on matters such as infinity, if the origin of morality is an agreement made by the living to preserve the living, and if all nations, or peoples to speak the same tongue, have a soul of some sort) mathematics is advanced to the Terran early 1800s, understanding of physics is the same. Calculations of architectural nature or meausrements for ballistics, as to land a shot of carcass into a barn door some mile away is technically present.
Medicine is somewhat lackluster due to the exceptional toughness and Kiiri resistance to infection, farming uses a fair bit of machines, yet there is no great technological singularity, a critical mass from which an industrial revolution is launched.
Fairly few people see industrialization as likely - the concept exists, an 'industrialized society' meaning a nation with a theoretically exponential growth rate in most fields, a type of communism, as powered by machines. There was a man-made attempt by the mihurite to introduce machines and factories, yet the investors to commit to the project 'on a goof' were left in the red, as there was far too little profit for fuel costs and maintenance for machinery.
Those who do see a future for machiens often fight against it out of fear for their rights and traditions as craftsmen, soldiers, nobles and so on.
Common Etiquette rules
It is impolite to look in the eye, and smiling is bizarre in strangers company, especially if showing teeth. Women are not to speak to men, unless necessary, for the voice of woman is considered amongst the more titillating parts. Men are to behave in a polite manner, and seldom insult others, or even jest out of fear for finding out the offended if the grandson of a heroic thegn, and will challenge to a duel--
If one is invited to come to a house, no matter how humble, the visitor is to bring a freshly baked bread and a fistful of salt in a sack, and present it to the owner. Thus, a common greeting 'Salt and Bread.'
Common Dress code
As the winter is exceptionally cold, furs and heavy clothing is typical. Kiiri tend to be unused to seeing light clothing, as even the summers tend to be cool. There is no etiquette to speak of, but garbing in a manner which shows scarring gained in battle, or exposing the scars one has received in the Wolfpacks for being flogged in the back several times are considered somewhat arrogant. As if to brag of surviving where other men fall.
Wool, felt, cotton, leather and furs are common materials: clothing is expensive, and second hand garb is typical. The poor in the Kiiri lands appear poor for their clothing, yet the wealthy commoners might not appear much wealthier than the average common, for they both are likely to make their own clothing, or inherit a fine fur cap, or buy a well fitting pair of pantaloons from a merchant in the city, who specializes in collecting worn clothing, cleaning, and selling them.
Art & Architecture
Architecture utilitarian and built to last. Wood and stone, unadorned everywhere except in public places. Typical wood is pine: imported mahogany-like, well polished and exquisitely crafted furniture and other flourishes of architectural nature are found here and there, such as a working table at an aeldor's office, or a arch-way at a nobleman's house, leading to the building proper, depicting his heraldry and colours.
Kiiri tend to be fond of orchestral music, even if most music is writ for a single flute, maybe a vocalist-- typical material to court yon wife to be, or play by one-self whilst practicing for a moment to impress someone, in matters of business or pleasure. Musicians are very skilled in Kiri lands, Issqarans and Tvberans constantly compete in this regard, with a fairly large concert venue in the Tvberan capital, with some prestige for symphonies and orchestrae - mihurite concepts, which caught fire in the 7-600s. Issqar makes due with several smaller salons.
Realist painting is typical for Kiri in general. Taergaledians tend to favor a more theatrical, beautiful work, whilst gloomy northern cousins of yon kingdom tend to have black and white paintings applied directly on their walls. These might depict scenes from history relevant to the room, or simple propaganda, which usually shows noble ancestors utterly crushing some mihurite or posing with a pyramid of heads from a thousand years ago.
Very simple frescos, almost medieval in simplicity can be found inside greater noble halls, which show history for visitors, and generally must show the accepted truth, lest druids would be crossed. There is power in these frescos, called 'teryn-beryl' in tuarkiri, as they often can be found near, or by a shrine for the Fathers. Much of what is drawn on such a place either has happened, or is, and is very much alive. Information so stored can simply show a typical Count's ancestry, with the names of those he has served and the date of his line's ascension, or an elaborate series of pictures depicting a central character in, say, Issqaran history, such as House Harkgan, or Khórr.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Harvest is an exceptionally important time of the year, and is observed by all. Harvest fairs are held, which are always a high-light for most. Hunting is central to the Kiiri, and hunting parties are to smell the bottom of the carcass: a particularly vile smell will have the hunters discard their prey as having eatern forbidden things, such as certain mushrooms and human flesh, apologizing profoundly for taking a life of a living thing for nothing. Indeed, certain parasites, later research showed, cause an odd smell in the digestive track, some of which can spread to humans even if the meat is cooked. Many hunters learned to recognize this, hence the tradition. "Respect life, for your ability to take it is exceptional."
Nobles hold balls, and compete to create the most impressive one: before the proliferation of gunpowder, they would joust: Era VII, nobles would simply commit to mock fights on foot in full armor, and gather for banquets which often had a carousing nature. Fist fights would break out, young nobles would challenge to duels-- occasionally, there would be deahts, out of ring and especially inside.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birth is seen not a beginning, but a continuation of an archaic loop for aeons ago. Children are nearly always delivered home, midwives are quite skilled and often academically trained as physicians. Children are named upon registering to aeldor-books (generally held at the closest village hall, which may be inaccssible during winter) and are at times blessed by the druids, who inspect the newly born and carry out a rite which sees blessed ash spread upon the forehead of the child, as to create a tether with the land not to be cut by man. Generally, nobles and other people of influence commit to such rites, which are more shows of tradition and 'sucking up' to the druid rather than sacred rituals.
Coming of Age Rites
A child is considered adult either upon marrying, or finishing first military tour. Legally, anyone to be of age 15 (Qaran years are far longer than Terran ones, roughly 21 on Terra) and able to write is considered a legal agent. Skill at arms is important for the upper echelon of society, for many rights and legal actions require a duel, for matters of honor, to the death.
Generally, upon being able to wield full sized weapons of war a noble is considered grown: they are armored and armed, and ride to their lord, and swear a public oath to follow, suffer not their Fathers to be slandered, and love what they love and hate. They collect a silver gwla (a neck piece on top of their armor signifying rank, thegns carrying steel ones, pronounced gawl-ah) and the lord greets them and recognizes them as heirs to one of their vassal: that is, if a noble youth is a legal agent, they are in succession as well. An immense problem if said youth is illiterate due to dyslexia or otherwise challenged.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Notable men are cremated in the presence of a druid, who sees to the proper transision to the Sleep, which is a type of afterlife. Their ashes are kept inside a small urn, and placed into the house cellar to bring luck and to be used in case there is need for adoption, as the ashes of an ancestor are considered second-to blood should someone be made part of a house with no marital or blood ties. The common traditionally cremate their dead as well, a druid seldom observes, as the father is expected to be able to care for his father in death as well as in late life. The poor often leave their dead in the streets, or at times bring them to the Issqaran university to be taken apart for pay. This is considered extremely controversial, as the mutilation of a dead body is considered an inhibition for the Sleep. What form will the body take upon waking at the end times, if he was mutilated before cremation?
Depending on the size of the battle, common soldiers are often simply let to rot on the field, to be sorted once the ravens have taken their share and nothing remains but bones. These are burnt in a pyre, with a druid seeing to the rite. Noble soldiers are honored by both sides, and before gunpowder, seldom killed outright, for there is more money in ransom.
These are traditional means. Adherent (Mihurite) processions differ quite much, for example bodie are buried. This is considered odd, for no others than kings are to be preserved so. Mummification, as some cultures in the Land-Empire preserve their dead, has taken root in some places, as the preservation of the Body *before* the ritual of cremating it is relevant. Some say mummification is in line with the Sleep, as the body is preserved very well before cremating, and thus in very good shape upon entering the funeral pyre.
Common Taboos
Casting away food is considered of extremely poor taste: at the very least throw an old piece of meat to your cat, not the trash! Harsh land, little food: even nobles with their feasts *empty* their plates and often the entire manor larder.
Men are to remain in control at all times: raising ones voice is pushing things, becoming enraged in public is a severe loss of face, grounds to being given a talking to and punitive measures by ones father or, say, professor. Any and all behavior which would seem at home in the battlefield is not to be taken to the steets or homes.
An officer will not run: especially in uniform.
Nobility will not dress by themselves: signs of e.g. tying corset stays, that is blisters in the fingers, is considerd telling, and sign of a house which has failed to keep even body servants, and is about to be disbanded by the Duke or other authorities. Noble houses often end up in financial troubles, and must take assistance from others in order to survive: loans and such. If a house has none to take loans from, or otherwise assistance, what does this say of said house?
Common Myths and Legends
There is fairly little myth or fable in Kiiri culture, however, many historical tales and lore of heroes, a great deal of philosophical pondering on the nature of the world.
Generally, the cosmos is seen as circular, time and space alike: planet Qara has rings, so scientific method arose far sooner: easier to make calculations and ponder the shape of the world and so. Knowledge of heliocentrism was an early discovery.
Creation is seen that the Maker created the sea, from which those which move, animals and others took Motion, which became their soul, that which moves all. As more and more creatures were so born, eventually the sea began to dry, and land appeared: in the middle of the land there was a mighty pillar of bone, around which the land turned.
Upon this pillar were writ the true nature of all beings, and Man, the most cunning of all creatures learned from the writing the nature of all other beings thus becoming their lord. He became maker himself, harnessing the power of the sun, and water, earth and thunder, and fashioned himself a companion, which was the first Mother. As is the nature of all those which move, the mother carried sons and daughters to inhabit the exposed land, and these, blessed with lesser power, turned different animals into men and women, whom they married and carried children with them: thus the differences of all nations and creeds.
All carry the nature of an animal in them, be it a great cat or a horse, wolf or boar. Early Eastern religion was highly totemic.
Eventually the first father lusted to know the nature of all creation, and climbed the tower, which crumbled under his titanic weight. At the very top of the Spire was the universal name, one to give power to man and enable him to rule all.
This is how the rings formed, according to yon addled druids. Much of the myths involve arrogance of man and the lust for all, power, gold and knowledge. This is considered *human* as the all knowing, all encompassing presence which creates movement is considered *divine*. There is little talk of good an evil.
Historical figures
tar-Morheran Anmura. 6th Emperor of Kiiri-ara (-ara meaning fertile land, or in this context, kingdom). A builder and soldier: subjucated the Raqhuemei to Imperial rule. Built roads, and was most certainly against the Dogma of Soil: traded with Mihurites, and sought to empower a merchant class via creating ports and hiring foreign shipwrights. Ruled 5-334 - 5-355. Eventually unpopular during lifetime, was made Father due to his effect on the empire.
Slyhunch, tar-Muryanzan'd Tyoll Anmura. A wolf of exceptional proportions, he is legend amongst the common for his utter determination to protect his cubs. He risked certain death in order to ransom one of the House Harkgan to the daughter who was taken from him. His martial wisdom was of the utmost excellence - he left the armed forces of Issqara modern and a force to be reckoned. Lived 7-401 - 7-457. Made Father in 7-630, some say to unify the common, and houses Harkgan and Khórr (his two, often quarreling descendant lines) during wartime.
Haruvi Tuatieth. Founder of the druidic institution, the third arm of Kiiri politics: the tether unto which both the common and noble lean.
Lived in the Era V, exact years are unclear, as he may have been several keepers of tradition and lore, members of a priestly caste to have arisen from those to see to the dead and bring into the world the newborn. Tuatieth, meaning one to speak with gravity, he convinced amongst other things the third emperor of the Kiiri to take a penitent journey to Rämenara after waging war with no permission of the druids (who indeed keep the dead and thus do not appreciate to non-clad men deciding who lives and dies, and not nature) and eventually opening the Issqaran diet to him and his followers, thus ensuring the common will not be automatically vetoed by the lords. Made father, however his followers never formally accepted the honor.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
What is clean is beautiful for the Kiiri. An untarnished grove no-man has sacrificed in for centuries is ideal. The woods have taken this grove, and there is yet the stone upon which to take the blade to the lamb-- yet there is no note of man in such a place, and this fills the body of all Kiiri with energy. They feel their connection to earth the strongest in such a place.
Woman is beautiful, if she can work and is clean.
Man is beautiful, if he can work and is clean.
Gender Ideals
Man ought to be able to honor the Fathers, and suffer nobody to slander his line. He is to duel others to have so slandered. He is to know how to wield a sword, even if common, and apply his bow and arrows in hunting men, something many feel disgusted to do, for foreign soldiers on their soil are among the least elusive prey imaginable. They are invasive, however. It is as if hunting armed and armored rats--
Woman is to care for children, and see to the function of any hold, or house - hut. Whilst the place of men is out in the field, hunting and farming, there is to be one to remain home, and watch over those who wield no blades, yet can still fall to them.
Courtship Ideals
Nobility tends to marry for politics. Is this gain for the House Khórr? Will Khaerlemmen be in a weaker position, of the youngest son would marry a L'ostav? This is seen an oddity, for sense and intuition lead the young to those they would marry for the scent of them, what in the Land-Empire is referred to as beastial lust is very natural, and to choose oneself whom to marry will lead to a stronger generation to follow--
Common mainly do this. Traditions to court are legion, and seldom involve more than the couple itself. They talk, they write poetry. Eventually, the man will come to the woman with an apple, and either cast it at her, or press onto her stomach. This is the proposal.
Relationship Ideals
Nobility may spend years, decades and sometimes entire lives living married to women, or men whom they have met perhaps once. In such cases, fidelity is neither practical, nor expected, yet any and all affairs must be kept secret.
For the common, they seldom venture far from their homes. There is often little physical intimacy between husband and wife upon children being born, generally the wealthier amongst city dwellers, who have more than one bedchamber can engage in intimacy due to the children sleeping in their own room, or several. The lives of father and mother are for the children: they have one-another to care for, yet children as well.
As well as the fact, that contraceptives are expensive, taboo, and the birth of unexpected children will likely lead to hunger upon a small hamlet being unable to support another mouth to feed. Nobles haven't this problem, and are generally more amorous and for this, amongst many other reasons, often mocked.
Major organizations
The Adherent Temple of Mihur, or Mihurite temple, or just the Adherent
A fairly new presence in Kiiri-lands, they are competitors to both the noble scribes whom are called aeldor, and the druids who hold the more arcane and ancient lore, and keep mythology. Often seen as complete frauds due to their tendency to gain excellent ground and land, cities and countryside both due to diplomatic maneuvres and favours to gain from the Mihurian cities, for the cities offer trading agreements to those Kiiri lords to have presence of Adherence in their lands--
Priests are yon typical educated fellows with a penchant for cleanliness and effeminate fear of swords. So say the Kiiri. They come from the City, and set up shop in some former magazine, and hold sermons and deal in donations and goods, food for the poor. Poor! They were the ones to take the damned lands as for the poor, who can no longer hunt in their ancestral lands! Few lords convert. Those tend to end up dead, or disowned by the druids, their positions put on sale and virtually auctioned to a Ducal favorite. But the trade---!
Also, Wolfpacks. The military of many Kiiri nations have elements of light troops, who can be described as professional, semi-standing Corps of men at arms. They are quite many in Issqara. Bypassing the discussion on the problems of Kiiri military matters in the 7-600s, one of them is certainly the competing nature of Vaerg-varan and Slëmonochi professional soldiery. One of them is ritualistic, vicious and warlike, as Wolves themselves. They hunt; they are! Vaerg-varan companies are far fewer, yet resemble much the 'modern' armies of Tergaled, and for this are hated. They suffer none to even brawl--
Wolfapcks: they draft men who give themselves to war. No talk of gods or Fathers, merely ability to take life and the utmost respect for all things living due to the ability to take it. Many-a-time such a man is of utterly common birth. Nobles often send their sons to train with the Packs, as a type of liaison. The captains, who are often second only to druids whence it comes to weight of word in the wild do not question, as long as the boy respects and fills some standards.
'Has he gid teeth? Them ones on the right side?' the pack-captain might ask. 'He needs to bite open cartidges. Nay can do, gif poor on gob-jewelry. He does? Read, write? Good. Hunter or not, hunt he will and build yon barracks, and certainly find frozen biscuits delightful, for hunry man in war will surely respect food, having recently been himself fodder.'
Related Organizations
Related Items
Related Myths
Languages spoken
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