D'zakii (Dark Elves)
The D'zakii are the Elves that dwell underground. They are not always liked by their above-ground cousins, but they are not all evil either. The D'zakii are very matriarchal in the sense that females are typically seen as the superior gender and are put in leadership positions over the males of their culture. They also have a very strong sense of house loyalty that, in a way, ties the D'zakii together.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Masculine names
Family names
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Elvish (D'zakii)
Average technological level
Medieval
Common Etiquette rules
The most common etiquette among the D'zarkii is that males will not speak to those above them in the house caste unless told to do so or spoken to first. This typically translates over to other houses, however, it is not as rigid because messengers between houses are typically males and usually the males belonging to one house cares little for respecting other houses. Females, on the other hand, are allowed to speak freely to anyone without any sort of disrespect being shown.
Common Dress code
The D'zakii prefer darker clothing typically. However, the more serious, standardized dress code is basically what is considered standard attire for all different roles of the caste. Soldiers are to wear their battle uniform or a shirt and trousers if they are on leave or not on duty. Priests are to wear the robes of their God as well as an adorning necklace with the holy symbol on it. Finally, the Matriarchs are allowed to wear neigh anything they want, however, they are typically seen wearing very elegant robes and dresses that befit their status.
Art & Architecture
D'zakii Architecture is very Gothic in style and uses a variety of darker colors to accentuate the fact they live underground. In addition, they copiously use the darker stone found in their homelands as well as the fact that they utilize stalagmites and stalactites in their architecture and they are typically seen as good places to build their homes because of the sturdiness of the caverns.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Upon birth, the D'zakii are marked according to their "Caste" and rather they are male or female. Females are quickly ushered from their mothers and brought into the care of nurses whom provide them with education and traditions. The females are returned to their families at the age of sixteen after having spent time with the nurses and being indoctrinated into D'zakii society. The males, on the other hand, are left to the family to provide education with and nurture until the age of ten when they are taken by the Academy on behalf of the family and provided with all the necessary trade education necessary when they too are returned to the family at the age of sixteen.
Coming of Age Rites
The D'zakii come of age at sixteen and are then seen as adults. During this time, they are given back to the family from their respective areas of education. They are typically greeted upon return with a celebration and a gift from the family that relates to their trade. Females are almost always guaranteed to be lavished upon with gifts of jewelry and other luxuries. Males, meanwhile are given craftsman tools or weapons of war depending on what sort of training they received at The Academy.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The D'zakii, while not exactly being inherently evil, have a taste for the dark and more Gothic-like styles in the areas they call their home. As a whole, they typically enjoy darker colors and a more exotic beauty than others. They find beauty in rather complex things. In fact, hardly are D'zakii women ever 'simple' in their ideals for a perfect man.
Gender Ideals
The D'zakii have a very matriarchal society dedicated to the power of the females over the males. The females are almost always put into positions of power while the males find themselves commonly as workers, servants, warriors, or other more menial and less important jobs. There are times when a male ascends to a position of power, however, these are far from the norm and rather uncommon.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship does not exactly exist in D'zakii culture, it's quite rare for them to get "married" in any normal sense. Typically, a female chooses a male of which to mate with, a strong one that will give her powerful children she can utilize to her own means. If the male dies or another one proves themselves to be stronger, she will quickly ditch the former male and take the next one as her mate. Granted, being the mate of a Matriarch is an especially prestigious position for a male and establishes him as the "Alpha" of the house, but second to the "Omega."
Encompassed species
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