Noras/Noraspelan

While the societies and cultures of the land directly west of the Asperalan Sea once saw a rich diversity within the elven populations, the Great Incursion and following establishment of the Holy Empire Aslynthar over the region resulted in a strange mixture of cultures there. With the elves displaced, only a fragment of their behaviors, philosophies, and traditions lingered, while the influx of various ethnicities from the east and south threw together disparate peoples. Over time, their cultures blended together and began to take on a widespread, broader cultural identity that joined and redefined the parent ethnicities and their traditions into something new.
Many of the southern and eastern ethnicities had strong religious undertones. The major deities of these parent ethnicities were blended together into the Eternal Pantheon, around which the rest of the burgeoning culture grew. All the facets of Noras culture are impacted by this worship of the gods, resulting in a religiously driven and inspired people with distinct architectural, artistic, and musical styles and religiously focused customs. This was Noras culture, which has defined the society of the Holy Empire Aslynthar and the Asperalan Coast since the Great Incursion. Despite the fall of Aslynthar, Noras culture continues to thrive as the backbone of societies along the Asperalan Coast.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Noras feminine names commonly sport 3 or 4 syllables, beginning most often with a hard consonant such as a T or S and ending with a vowel (most often an a) or a "th." If the name does not begin with a consonant, "a" is the most popular replacement, also replacing the common "e." "J" sounds are uncommon, though can sometimes begin names. They almost always have an e directly after the first letter.  Examples: Telia, Yelva, Delfora, Selda, Jeyeth, Telfa, Alevia, Pelia

Masculine names

Like feminine names, masculine names usually have few syllables. Their beginning sounds also usually have a hard consonant, but instead of an "e" directly afterward there is most often an "i" or "a." "N" or "s" are common ending consonants, along with "m" and "sh." "J" remains uncommon.  Examples: Tioren, Dalen, Norian, Elvem, Sares, Alven, Dulim, Aymar, Varis

Family names

Family names in Noras culture are often lengthy affairs, with as many as 5 or 6 syllables. Many begin with vowels and sound similar to "Eli," "Arel," or "Ord," while ending with soft consonants, vowels, or "th" or "sh." In some cases, family names will consist of a personal name that has been elongated with suffixes and prefixes over time.  Examples: Eliarkinath, Arelfinorth, Ulinorial, Oredilian, Elanorith, Aheliathiai, Alvarithial, Tisethligon, Pilsoferan, Aliliariad

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Verithian is the dominant language in Noras culture given its former status as Aslynthar's official language. It was invented by scholar Verith Elvikrian by combining the various ethnic languages in the region to create a universally accessible state language in an emperor-sponsored initiative aimed at overcoming language barriers across the empire.

Culture and cultural heritage

Much of Noras culture revolves around the Eternal Pantheon, in particular the sun god Aslyn. As such, much of the cultural heritage is also tied to the divine. The enormous ruined temple complex in Solaria stands testament to this, as well as the famous Thilacrilan Monastery in the southern Blackhorn Mountains and Elgyngard's Temple of the Heavens. 
The notebooks of scholar Verith are treasured in Elgyngard, while in Lacryn the Crown of Secession is an item that holds much cultural and historical significance. Asdera's equivalent in terms of cultural and national importance is likely the Blood Tear, or perhaps the Shrine of Southgate and the Veil of Lareth held within.
The creation story most endorsed by the Solarch Church details how Si, the supreme deity, took parts of Themself and formed them into the world. Artists, musicians, and, indeed, Noraspelans in general have taken this to heart, and there is a strong belief that nothing you make is worth anything unless you pour your heart and soul into its creation. While only certain fanatics interpret and perform Si's actions on a literal, physical level of self-amputation, this belief has in part resulted in the strong artistic and creative values that pervade Noras culture.

Shared customary codes and values

There's a strong emphasis placed on art and music in Noras culture, at least in part due to the influence of Aslyn, god of inspiration, on the nation's people. Worship of the divine is also highly valued, and a constant veneration to the Eternal Pantheon can be seen in the customs, architecture, festivals, traditions, and even greetings of Noraspelans.

Common Etiquette rules

Exchanges of small pieces of art or other forms of Aslyn's inspiration are usually expected when coming to another's home. When greeting one another, hands are usually clasped and joined above the head to symbolize meeting under Aslyn's sun. If meeting after sundown, an elbow-to-wrist embrace suffices, though particularly devoted acolytes of Norial or Palea, gods of the moon and stars, often use the above-head clasping of hands even after dark.

Common Dress code

Draping, lengthy layers of cloth and general floofery was popular in the higher castes of Aslyntharan society, but such clothes have since fallen far out of fashion. Simple tunics and pants, sometimes with some sort of cowl or cloth, are typically worn in varying styles and with varying levels of embellishments across the Western Asperalan Coast and further inland. They almost always entirely cover the torso and legs down to the ankles, and usually with sleeves reaching to at least the elbows.

Art & Architecture

Art in Aslynthar was a vital pastime and form of entertainment, along with being a source of cultural heritage and religious devotion. Flourishing at the height of Aslynthar, some of Syrel's first large collections of musicians and complex musical forms developed, most often with radiant notes and melodies devoted to the many gods of the Eternal Pantheon. Choral music was especially praised, seen by many as the ultimate expression of self. The more physical arts, such as sculpting, painting, carving, and more, saw a similar boost and remained important far past the empire's end, with religious motifs of the sun and other celestial bodies (along with other divine symbols) featuring prominently in many art pieces.
With such an emphasis placed on the arts, in particular music and painting, it's no surprise that this artistic facet of culture extends to the architectural styles. Pillars and walls are often decorated with images, carvings, or sculptures, and in older, larger cities, there are often amphitheaters or large halls designed for musical acoustics. Most spaces are lofty and spacious, with nooks and crannies commonly integrated into interior and exterior design for art pieces. Open floor plans are common, as are sprawling complexes. The "temple aesthetic," popularized due to the religious intensity of Aslynthar, bled into other buildings in the form of flights of stairs and elegant pillars, each turned into works of art themselves. As in Noras art, solar and celestial iconography features prominently in Noras architecture.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Widely celebrated, even in a purely secular fashion, across Lacryn, Elgyngard, and Asdera is the Feast of St. Tisathion, a soldier famous for his dedication to Aslyn and his martyrdom. It's traditional to gather in the town square or similar location and throw a large party, each person bringing their family's traditional dish. Not attending one of these parties is seen as a sign of a social recluse.
A custom of many Noraspelans is for each generation of a family to live separately—the older generation will live in one home while their children will live in another, traditionally a multi-structure complex, with new buildings added to accommodate spouses. Thus, many families often have two or three family homes in rotation. This tradition is both a product of and contributor to the strong generational and familial ties that sit with religion as the cornerstone of Noras culture. In recent decades, many Noraspelan have begun to either establish multigenerational homes by bringing the entire family into one house or to create more Hydaeran-esque family homes, where each nuclear family lives separately.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Birth is greatly celebrated in Noras culture as the beginning of a new life and one that will enrich the community and the gods. Often delivered by a priest of Juleth (or, occasionally, Yelva or Lerial), the priest blesses the newborn immediately after the delivery is complete. After 21 days for the worship of the 21 gods of the Aslyntharan pantheon, the parents are expected to take the child to the nearest temple to name them, after which a celebration is thrown. Because the mother is often still recovering from childbirth, the nearest relatives usually prepare the feast (or whatever can be done to celebrate). A priest of Telos will then bless the child and the family a second time for protection and good health, after which a priest of the White Lady typically names the infant.

Coming of Age Rites

Seen as the transition from not only childhood to adulthood but also into an entirely new relationship with the gods of Aslynthar, the celebration of coming of age is (like birth) a momentous occasion. Considered to fall on the first day of the month of the subject's birthday to align with the Verithian calendar's Solhor, coming-of-age is defined by the symbolism with Aslyn, Telos, Tule, Nadrel, Geric, and in particular Lerial. The new adult presents their newly-made Anulum Parax (Box of the Dead), in which their ashes will eventually be held, to a priest to be blessed, with the head of the family present. After a brief service, attendants enjoy a coming-of-age feast in honor of the new adult.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Funerals are simple yet large matters, with crowds of people attending most services. The body of the deceased is cremated in a ceremonial fire blessed by priests of Alaria, the White Lady, Anulia, and Juleth, marking an ascendance towards the heavens. Their ashen remains are then placed in a small wooden box bearing the joined symbols of Anulia's skeletal hand and hood and Aslyn's sun aside the family crest (with the White Lady's veil added in some cases), most often having been made by the deceased themselves when they came of age. The box, known as an Anulum Parax (box of the dead), is then either buried, placed in the family's crypt, or sealed in the memorial wall in the family's ancestral home, depending on the deceased's familial status and their family's preferences.

Common Taboos

Breaking or any form of destruction of any piece of art, whether it be musical, architectural, a drawing of some sort, a sculpture, etc., is seen as one of the highest forms of disrespect against the artist, a community, and the gods themselves. The same goes for an Anulum Parax, or anything bearing a mark of one of the Eternal gods. Because of the sacred nature of the dead, necromancy is highly taboo, to the extent of utter and complete ostracization and sometimes legal punishment, depending on the act. It's also frowned upon to wear clothes with sleeves or pants shorter than the ankle or shoulder, or with any sort of shirt showing the back or torso.

Historical figures

St. Tisathion, soldier of Aslynthar at its genesis, is revered and honored for his fabled dedication to Aslyn and the rest of the Pantheon, as well as his infamous martyrdom at the hands of the Crusallian Rebellion. He rejected the wealth of his family at a young age, striking out and joining the army in the hopes of becoming a Holy Knight of Geric. It's said that, at his death, the leader of the Cult of Crusal was suddenly stricken with blindness while a bolt of lightning cremated Tisathion's remains before the cultists could desecrate his corpse. Today, his ashes are supposedly held within his Anulum Parax in the Cathedral of St. Tisathion, Laevri, Lacryn.
The famed scholar Verith Elvikrian is perhaps best known for her obsession with language and ingenious formation of Verithian, the language of Aslynthar, made through the combination and mixing of the major dialects and languages of Aslynthar's vast domain. Its unique origin made it easy to learn for the empire's inhabitants. Incidentally, she did not name the language after herself; it was only found in her notes posthumously and named by the then-Emperor Darens Pilathionilin. Emperor Pilathionilin was himself famous for his espousing of the intellectual pursuits of the nation, a devout follower of the gods Noriol and Volia (along with, of course, Aslyn).
Equally famous (or rather, infamous) as the likes of Elvikrian is the last Lord of Lacryn, Delethon Geralsonilium. Disillusioned with the Solarch Council and their leadership, he led a movement to secede from Aslynthar. What followed is his legacy; a bloody civil war that began the downfall of Syrel's greatest theocracy. General Hilian of the Knights of Geric (Aslynthar's premier military force) also gained fame during the war given his military genius, building upon his popularity from winning a series of battles against the vampires of Soulvale. Many believe that, had Hilian not been struck by a sudden, deadly disease, Lacryn would've remained a part of the empire.
Today, two individuals making history in the region are Lord and Lady Lilfindi, the very first elven governers in Lacryn. Governers of Vasolin Province, the two have managed the current tensions there remarkably well.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Blonde, brightly colored hair; clear, bright eyes; tall statures; and more modest clothing and behavior are some of the common beauty standards or ideals of many of the Noraspelan. Hair styles are often seen as a form of art and are thus relatively flexible. Since the empire's dissolution, these have somewhat faded or become mixed with external ideas, but the hints connecting the divine side of Aslynthar with their physical and behavioral appraisals remain.

Courtship Ideals

There's a large emphasis placed on faith and service to the gods in Noras society, even today. Pendants of the union of Aslyn and Alaria, mixed icons of the sun and a flaming brazier, are symbols of marriage that carry great significance, even if their designs have drifted largely away from their original religious intent and more towards purely aesthetic shapes and swirls. Some of these pendants have also grown in size, and some are used as large centerpieces or decorations, making their size and materials a sign of wealth or prestige.

Major organizations

Today, Noras culture extends across Lacryn, Asdera, and Elygngard and bleeds into the surrounding area, most notably in southern Hydaera (probably due to the former Aslyntharan control of the region). It also pervades what remains of the official structure of the Church of the Sun, or the Aslynic Faith, which dominated and defined the Holy Empire Aslynthar from its genesis.

Related Organizations

• The Hathian Guard