Undersubjects

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Feminine names often come from words meaning berries, plants and nature. Some use colours as their names, or aspects of personality that they aspire to. Some are named after other people, who are admired.
Because REsubjects were not allowed names, many take time to come up with a fitting name. Names are held as important aspects that tell something of their bearer.
Common names include Hope, Berry, Blue, Breeze, Fawn, Holly, Ivy, Maple, Sunny, Willow, River, Cheer, Calm, Lucky, Charm, Pretty, Care.

Masculine names

Masculine names are often formed from words meaning animals, plants and nature. Some use colours as their names, or aspects of personality that they aspire to. Some are named after other people, who are admired. Common names are: Wrath, Cobalt, Bear, Cliff, Leaf, North, Rock, Ash, Basil, Rain, Wise, Care, Shield, Fist, Fang, Claw.
Because REsubjects were not allowed names, many take time to come up with a fitting name. Names are held as important aspects that tell something of their bearer.

Unisex names

For example: Aspen, Clove, Brook, Sky, Storm, Tear, Reign, Rage, Mist, Keep.

Family names

In the labs, the policy was to not tell any of the REsubs of their origins nor their blood ties. It was thought that it would make the REsubs too loyal to their families, incite anger and rebellion against the scientists. But while they were not told, some were still lucky enough to know their mothers, if they were held in the same containment units, but most were orphans.
Therefore they had no family names.

Others created a family name for themselves when they freed themselves. Some formed families and then together took the same family name to celebrate it.
Most commonly REsubs refer to themselves as of Novus, until they form a closer-knit family. Then all the members of the family take on a new family name. This is partly because the REsubs, like most of the Novus, want to feel like they belong, like they have a connection. When they have no closer family, they consider themselves as one of the Novus, therefore connected to all the other Novuses on some level. Then, when they form a smaller family, they want to feel and show their connection, and therefore take on a new name, exclusive to their family unit. For example, Beacon calls himself as Beacon of the Novus. Some, who know they are related to, refer to themselves by their bond to that person. Tyne, for example, knows who his father is, and so calls himself as Tyne, son of Novus Fenton.
When REsubs form a close-knit family and decide to take on a new family name, they often make a name based on something that is important to them. It can be formed from words that have meaning for the family members, ideals that they look up to, people that they admire or simply something that connects them.
When a REsub is trying to assimilate or stay undercover, they make up last names to better fit in with humans, if they do not have a last name to use. They often choose family names that won't stand out.

Culture

Average technological level

While they were used as research subjects, REsubs had little skills using technology and had not been taught anything about how to operate machinery. After they had gained their freedom, REsubs taught themselves how to use what technology was available in Undercity and they took to it like duck to water. Now most of the REsubs can operate the computers in the Undercity. While only a few have special skills in finding information, hacking, or creating new innovations, all have a basic level of understanding of the technology available and there are few interested in developing technology even further.

Art & Architecture

Resubs are mostly utilitarian, they care more for the function rather than the form. That said, they enjoy making fine crafts that serve both visually and funtionally.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Before forming a family unit, all parties must state before witnesses their desire to form such a bond. While it has never happened, if a party wants to dissolve their family unit, they can separate themselves from it by stating their desire to do so before witnesses.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Since REboots have had very few children, and even fewer that they could keep, they celebrate births. After the baby has been born and has been settled for a while, ranging from few days to few weeks, depending on the wishes of the parents, a celebration is held. All the members of the family hold the child and state their hopes for them. They may vow to help, protect, teach, guide or guard the baby, or they may offer gifts of food or items that the baby will need. When the family members have held the child, next the elders and leaders come and congratulate the parents and praise the newborn.
When the child has been praised, anyone present in the celebration may hold the baby. Usually the child is subjected to much fawning and cuddling at this stage. When everyone has held the child, the parents announce their name. Usually they state the name they are giving, as well as the reasons for it. Because REsubs had no names, they hold names in very high regard and they tend to either give new, meaningful names, or name their children after someone they hope their child will aspire to.

Coming of Age Rites

When REsubs become of age, they tend to throw a party. Similar to the celebration when they were born, all members of their family speak of their hopes for them. They might remind them of what vows they have given, or speak of how they have grown. Then the elders and leaders praise them for their accomplishments and state their congratulations, as well as thanks for the new adult that is the future of their kind.
After the new adult has been congratulated enough, a feast is held. The new adult serves the elders and the leaders first, then taking food for themselves. After that, others may partake and all the food is eaten.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Thankfully, not many REsubs have died yet. Therefore REsubs don't really have a set funeral customs. However, since many of the REsubs knew that death was a possibility when they fought in the uprising, they made sure to write down what they wanted to happen when they died. This is a custom that is still held by REsubs, many, upon becoming adults, record their wishes on their funeral arrangements. If a REsub dies without such a recording, they get a standard funeral, cremation and scattering of their ashes, as well as a plaque on the memorial wall in Undercity.

Common Taboos

Doing anything to anyone without consent. This is the biggest taboo REsubs have. This is why all REsubs are required to fill out forms that state what care may be given to them if they are unable to communicate it in a medical emergency.
Understandably they also have strong aversion to imprisonment. If a REsubject commits a serious offence, usually they are ordered to leave Undercity or in more violent or otherwise terrible crimes the criminals are put to death, if they are considered to be a threat to others, especially other Novus.

Common Myths and Legends

The Scouts and Scavengers that leave the Undercity often make tales of what they find up Above.

Historical figures

Beacon, the Commander of the REsubs.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

While Undersubjects were research subjects in Undercity, their appearance was

Courtship Ideals

Most, if not all, REsubs live in the Undercity. REsubs tend to form friendships first, and then, when they have gotten to know each other, they make their interest known, try to ascertain if the other is receptive to changing their relationship or not. This makes their courtships rather short, as all parties tend to know each other beforehand, and the only question is if all parties want to change their relationship. Courtship often involves simple gifts, in the summer the most popular choice is berries. In the autumn REsub might gather mushrooms if the person they are interested in likes them, or fish if the person enjoys eating fish. Most common gifts are things that the REsub can gather or make themselves, but trading for items to gift is not uncommon either. When gifts are given and the interest is either implicated or stated, REsubs wait for the response. When it's given, a relationship is formed quickly.
However, before entering a relationship, REsubs have a frank and honest discussion over what kind of relationship they are looking for and make certain that both parties understand and consent to it. This is very important to REsubs.

Relationship Ideals

REsubs were not forbidden against forming relationships between themselves while they were held as prisoners. However, they were only allowed to see the REsubs that were held in the same containment units, and even then relationships between males and females were held under scrutiny. The researchers feared that if such relationships were formed, the partners would become possessive and fight the scientists when their partner would be given to another breeding partner. They also feared that such relationships would result in unwanted (to the scientists) pregnancies. Therefore while such relationships were not forbidden, they were monitored. These conditions resulted in many aromantic couplings, as well as relationships between REsubs of the same gender. These relationships were looked into less, as the scientist thought they held no problems for the scientists.
After REsubs were freed, many were conditioned to form aromantic relationships, or having many partners. Some stuck with the person they were together in captivity, others separated by mutual agreement. However, it became important to all REsubs that all relationships were based on consent and mutual respect and caring, no matter the relationship.

Encompassed species

• REsubject