Gentin

Gentinan is a ethnicity within Orliea that resides in the largest mountain on the continent located in the Shaotou Mountains, named The Hamical Peaks, said to reach the very heavens themselves, and much to the annoyance of Catai, taller then The Mountain of Heaven. They reside in a very minor independent nation known as Gentin, in tightly packed mountainous homes, and are said to be some of the few who hold on to faiths derived from the old Cataian faith, before the Church of the Jade Empress. This has put a target on their heads, though certainly a minor one as Catai has much more to worry about, but thanks to their location being quite hard to reach, they for the most part are safe.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

Gentinan names are completely unisex, examples include: Choenyi, Padma, Khandro, and Tashi

Family names

Traditionally, Gentinans don't typically have surnames, but their first name is comprised of 2 parts, which could in a fashion be considered  as 2 names. However sometimes nobles of the Gentinans have family names to denote their status, though these surnames usually are just tsang, meaning "house of".

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The language spoken is Glentin, which is derived from a strange fusion of Al-Hinoan and Cataian dialects, implying further that the Gentin people were nomadic in their ancient history.

Culture and cultural heritage

One core aspect of Gentin culture is their faith known as Gentin Tarkanism. It is said to be heavily influenced by Cataian Tarkanism, a faith predating the Jade Empress, in where it shares much of the same aspects. These aspects include the belief in reincarnation, and the idea that ones actions in life lead to more favorable reincarnations, with the end goal to achieve a state of semi godhood as you transcend into the next reality. However Gentin Tarkanism take this down a slightly different step, where as traditional Tarkanism believes that those few who achieve true enlightenment become gods in themselves, Gentin Tarkanism believes that there are gods all around the world from the tallest mountain to a house. A house is just that, a house, unless the owners pray  for the spirits and deities of the house to come watch over it. They believe these deities are there to help people along on their path to self enlightenment, and are said to go through the same struggles and hardships every mortal does. However they also believe that demons exist as entities trying to tempt one into dark paths, and as such less good karma for their next life in return for immediate but temporary and fleeting power.
Due to this, Gentin are quite friendly to outsiders, so long as they aren't looking for a fight. They get along with other faiths incredibly easily, even the Church of the Jade Empress they have no real problem with, more they have a problem with Cataian government officials vowing to take their mountain home. Other parts of their culture include a fascination with astrology and the movement of stars, chanting groups and costumed dances to celebrate life.

Average technological level

Thanks to being so close to Catai, they have managed to barter for much of the same equipment that the Cataian use, albeit with some personal modifications. It is common to have ornaments representing ancestors on their armor, as well as charms that are said to spend small amounts of good karma to protect against potentially fatal blows. They also have specialized in gunpowder rifles, finding the crack and boom of the guns to be intimidating for some of the more dangerous predators of the mountains as well as being easy to obtain from the vast armies of Grand Catai.

Common Etiquette rules

It is considered almost required to bow before entering a building, to pay respect to the ancestors and the deities of the building. It does not have to be a fairly long bow, as it can be a quick tilt, but any sign of respect is considered good enough depending on the urgency of the situation

Common Dress code

Due to being so high up, most clothing of the Gentin are practical first and foremost. Even noble families have less pointless flair then many other cultures when it comes to clothing. Thus fur lined clothing and long sleeves take the norm, with fur lined hats also being a popular choice to keep warm in the snowy peaks.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Gentin practice cremation, and it is common for the closest loved ones to hold onto the ashes. This is because it is believed when one reincarnates they have little need for their old body, and so they dispose of it. The ashes are said to faintly glow when the previous persons soul is in close proximity. This practice is said to also have evolved from a practical need, as bodies can take up precious space in their mountain homes.

Common Myths and Legends

Gentin believe that they had come from an ancient union of a strange tiger man and a female dragon. They believe that from this union the first blessed one was born, and as such would sow the seeds for the Gentin people as this soul would grow and seek to wander the continent, before finally resting in the mountains of Hamical.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The Gentin are an egalitarian people

Courtship Ideals

Gentin, while not super common, are fairly open to both polyandry and polygyny, finding that love crosses many boundries.

Major organizations

The Gentin Kingdom is the organization lying in mount Hamical, though it is a minor kingdom at best when compared to the large powers in Orliea