Odon Tribal Culture (Oh-d-on)

In the far east of the Central continent of Yhihria, a small range of mountains reaches toward the skies. Perpetually shrouded in clouds and rain, the mountains create a somber monument above the plains. Among the shrouded slopes and perpetually flowing streams live these people of the Odon peaks. Among terraced slopes and built-in homes the Odon tend to mystical pools and streams. They raise thick furred animals for their water resistant coats and skins, as livestock and for burden. Many people from across the world travel to the Odon mountains to experience the cleansing and healing powers of the Odon waters. The Odon tribes welcome any visitors with open arms, as they see it as their duty to help those in need.
The first people to settle on the Odon mountain slopes were a group of Firbolg nomads. They established the first settlement at the base of the central mountain peak. These Firbolg decided to settle the area when they felt called to the mountains. They would be the first ones to adopt the name of the Odon. Over time their beliefs and way of life would call many people and races to the mountains. They allowed any who wished to join them on the mountain slopes and they would be integrated into a unified tribe.
The modern tribes are divided into 12 branches and 1 center, which are spread out across the Odon mountains. Each branch is led by a Chief, who is chosen by the elders each time a Chief passes or steps down. The Unified Chief presides over the center and the Council Chiefs. The tribe is run by a council of the Chiefs who meet at the center and are presided over by the Unified Chief.
The Odon tribes share a spiritual religion that does not directly worship, but acts as the earthly disciples of the twin gods, Odani and Onami.
Odani and Onami, two of the Lower gods, live in their personal realm above the mountain peaks. The twin gods witness the anguish and strife in the world and weep for the pain. The tears they shed feed the thick clouds that cling to the mountain peaks. These clouds feed the frozen pools beneath the clouds, which in turn feeds the streams running down the slopes.
The Odon revere the frozen pools and streams that flows from them as the physical manifestation of the twin gods' tears. They strongly believe in the power of these flowing waters to cleanse and purify the corruption and strife in the world.
[They live on the slopes of the Odon mountains and revere the twins gods, ]
The Odon are a deeply spiritual tribe who believe in the cleansing power of running water. Since the first Firbolg tribe settled here they have tended the streams that run down the mountain slopes. The Odon believe that these waters are able to purify corruption and cleanse sickness. They tend the streams by maintaining the landscape of the mountain slopes and channel the streams into pools to collect the water. When the pools are filled they release them through canals in the villages to flow over the people who need them.
People who come to the Odon mountains go there for two reasons. To join the tribe on their mission or spiritual belief or to seek out the cleansing power of the Odon flows. People who are suffering from some kind of sickness, corruption, or plague by evil come to the Odon for help.
Festival of Flowing Waters is the most important holiday for the Odon. This Festival marks the beginning of the year for the Odon, and is a celebration their work throughout the year. During the year the Odon tend large reservoirs within each village. During the festival, they bless these waters and setup a large cleansing event. Any who participate in the festival are allowed to be cleansed in these waters. The reservoirs are opened and sent through special canals where participants wait for the waters to wash over them. Due to the normally large amount of waters some injuries are always expected from those who might not be able to stand the force of the water.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Family names are mostly derived from Firbolg names in honor of the first tribe to settle on the mountains.
The most common family name for people of the tribe, is simply, Odon. This family name was first adopted the first generation of Firbolg families settling the mountain.
Family names for other races are carried over from those families when they join the tribe. Many new members of the tribe choose to adopt the family name of any one who first welcomed or initiated them into the tribe. New family names for subsequent generations are derived from that family's duties, position, or special standing in the tribe. Many family names are simply linked to the duties the leader of the family has.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Odon tribes accommodate a large number of languages in their group, but Sylvan and Elvish remain the most prominent. Common is used and taught to maintain easier contact with the outside world.

Shared customary codes and values

The twin gods weep for the world. Their tears can cleanse pain and sickness. We tend the pools and streams of the tears. We bring the flowing waters to the world. The flowing waters cleanse the world. This is our purpose.

Common Etiquette rules

The Odon being each day with a ritual shower, bath, or wash to start the day. These are done individually or in groups. Tribe members maintain very high cleanliness standards. Homes, belongings, clothing, and individuals are expected to remain clean. Meals are eaten in groups, it is uncommon for individuals to eat alone.

Common Dress code

Due to the moisture and continually rainfall on the mountains the Odon value practical and water resistant clothing when necessary. These clothes take the form of various skins, furs, and fabrics made of local materials gathered or raised by the tribes themselves. Clothing is designed for function first and then for form. Clothing used outside or for duties is typically more rugged. Clothing used indoors and for tradition or ceremony typically consists of embossing, embroidery,

Art & Architecture

Odon architecture is rugged and functional. They used the natural resources found on the mountain to build homes and structures. Many Odon structures are built into the landscape to save on materials and to avoid disrupting the natural streams on the slopes.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Odon ideal of beauty is heavily influenced by their reverence of flowing water. They see the flowing water of the mountains as a cleansing. The Odon hold natural, clean, bare beauty above everything else. Nothing that masks a person's appearance is considered desirable. This applies to the physical and non-physical aspects of a person. Borrowing from much of how the Firbolg value beauty and relationships many of the other humanoid members of the tribes have adopted similar thoughts. They see people as they appear naturally and look inward to their core, for what flows from the heart.

Gender Ideals

The whole Odon tribe values equality between the genders. The Odon believe that carrying out your duties to the Twins and the Tribe determines a person's value. Gender, so far, does not restrict a person from taking on duties in the tribe or attaining any rank in the tribe.

Courtship Ideals

Any member of the tribe can court any other member of the tribe.
Courtship usually involves families introducing potential partners to each other in social gatherings. Sometimes someone will directly indicate their interest to the other party, but it is more traditional to inform the parents or guardians of an interested party first.
If both families approve of the courtship they will allow the couple to date under specific circumstances. The most common thing to do is for families to invite one party or the other to family or social gathering so that they can observe the couple before allowing them to court on their own.
If a couple finds their courtship successful both families will bring the couple to the tribal elders to bless their relationship and explore the potential for marriage.