Adalians

Adalians are a deeply divided people between those that live in Zhaliya and those that live in Nulyra . Zhaliyan Adalians were the first people in the world to come into contact with the elves after they escaped from Feiri and these Adalians were the first citizens of the Zhaliyan Empire. Nulyran Adalians, sometimes called traditional Adalians, are those that remained in land controlled by Nulyra, they generally have low opinions of Zhaliyan Adalians.

Both groups place importance on contributing to the greater good of their respective sovereignties and on people's inherit abilities regardless of their parentage. Adalians also are known for strict adherence to social norms and being thought of as proud and humorless. Zhaliyan Adalians are often considered to be sophisticated and inventive. Traditional Adalians are often considered to be wary and stubborn. Traditional Adalians consider Zhaliyan Adalians traitors and willing slaves to the elves; Zhaliyan Adalians often consider Nulyran Adalians to be behind the times and paranoid. Neither group interacts much with the other more than what is necessary for diplomatic and trade relations.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Adalian language is often described by others as 'screechy' or aggressive sounding. Zhaliyan Adalians and Nulyran Adalians speak slightly different dialects of Adalian; someone who speaks one dialect can still understand the other with relative ease.

Common Etiquette rules

Etiquette is considered very important to Adalians; being straight forward is often considered rude, instead the Adalian language has many ways to hint at or implicitly state one's feelings or views, variations depending on citizenship status and the relationship between those being discussed and those talking. Thus how someone discussing their spouses' party will be very different from how they discuss a foreign noble's party from how they discuss a non-citizen close friend's party. There are entirely different phrases to refer to Adalians of the other group and many different phrases to subtly and not so subtly express one's low opinion of the other group.

Common Dress code

Most Adalians wear their hair long; braided hairstyles are especially popular with Zhaliyan Adalians, Nulyran Adalains tend to prefer simpler updos. Facial hair is rare, especially amongst Zhaliyan Adalians. Adalians wear tunics or skirts and shirts with patterned hems. Both tunics and shirts are fastened at the shoulder leaving the arms bare; skirts and tunic are typically cut slightly above or below the knee. It's common for people wearing skirts to have an exposed abdomen or wear no shirt at all. Each noble family has its own distinctive pattern that is sewn onto the neckline of their clothing. Zhaliyan Adalians prefer dark jewel toned fabrics with metallic patterning. Nulyran Adalians prefer duller coloured fabrics with dark coloured patterns.

Jewelry is very popular with Zhaliyan Adalians and worn by all. Their jewelry is slender made of metal wire with gemstone accents and has expanded far past the borders of Zhaliya to become popular in many other parts of the world. It is much less common for Nulyran Adalians to wear jewelry; usually only one or two different pieces are worn at special occasions. Nulyran Adalian jewelry incorporates more round shapes and relies more on stones than Zhaliyan Adalians' jewelry.

Art & Architecture

Adalian buildings are made of mudbrick or stone; narrow slits near the tops of walls and many interior courtyards help to keep buildings cool. Doorways are left uncovered or covered with animal skins. Homes are always multi generational. Buildings are decorated with murals, tiles, and ceramics. Gardens and plant based decorations are symbols of great wealth and power. Common motifs in Nulyran Adalian art are noses, shields, rows of upward pointing spears, and four pointed stars. Common motifs in Zhaliyan Adalian art are swirling lines, gears, eagles and other birds, and needle like blades. Circular and curved structures and objects are common. Zhaliyan Adalian tile and ceramics have become popular decorations around the world, especially among the wealthy. Zhaliyan Adalian art often mimics elven artwork and styles.

Adalian music contains lots of brass instruments and singing. Singing is much more common among Nulyran Adalians than Zhalians. The Adalian Curled Horn has become popular outside of traditional Adalian territory, especially among the Cadrians but their singing style is much less popular outside of Nulyra and some portions of Zhaliya.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Birth is almost always done at home, surrounded by family who assists the pregnant person throughout the birth. Sometimes if the person is known to have difficulties giving birth, a specialist is brought in to assist. Pregnant people often carry amulets with four pointed stars and other symbols of the deities for protection of themselves and their children during pregnancy and birth. Traditional Adalians place similar amulets on the newborn(s) immediately after work. If the birth is successful, the family gives offerings to the deities in thanks. It is considered bad luck for a child to leave the house before they can move on their own.

Coming of Age Rites

When a person turns fifteen they are considered an adult and are assigned a profession according to their strengths and the needs of the community. Nobles or those that have been adopted into noble families will receive their first set of clothing with their family's pattern. A short ceremony is preformed at the family home where the new adult's profession is declared and they are given the tools of their trade by a community leader. The new adult then offers up sacrifices to the deities in thanks for surviving thus long and for future success. Finally the new adult swears loyalty to their sovereignty, until this point they are not considered a citizen. The event is attended by family, friends, and community leaders. Zhaliyan Adalians hold a feast after the ceremony which all participants attend; Nulyran Adalians hold a more subdued meal.

Mariage ceremonies begin at a temple or shrine to the deities, to ask for their blessing. The families and friends of those involved attend. A marriage contract is drawn up, the formlessness of which depends on the families involved. Noble families often have written contracts while most commoner marriage contracts are spoken agreements among the families involved. The people to be married then swear loyalty and partnership to each other together and often exchange tokens with each other. The participants walk or ride to the home they will live at, people will line the route throwing plants, water, trinkets, amulets, and other objects as gifts for the married people or to grant the married people good luck. When they arrive home, a feast is held for the participants including those that lined the route.

Generally first born and their spouse(s) live in the first born's family home. The first born's siblings can either live in their family's home or the home of a spouse's family. Families prefer that at least one other child besides the first born stays in the family home. If more than one first born is involved in a marriage, whose house they will live in will be negotiated between the families; the family that first born doesn't live in the house is greatly compensated by the other family(s).

Funerary and Memorial customs

The deceased is dressed in their best clothes and carried to the graveyard nearby the settlement. The deceased is buried in the ground face down facing south. A stone plaque with the deceased's name and achievements is placed over where the body is buried. A community leader thanks the deceased for their services, gives praise to Kerali , and gives a small sacrifice to the deity.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Long hair is seen as a symbol of strength and nobility and is thus considered very attractive. Zhaliyan Adalians consider thin, lean bodies, even those that look emaciated, to be attractive, while traditional Adalians consider plumper and more muscular bodies attractive. The naked body is seen as beautiful by both groups, those trying to impress others with their appearance often wear little or no clothing. Facial and body hair is seen as unattractive.

Relationship Ideals

An ideal Adalian relationship is one where all partners are on equal terms with each other but every person contributes their own unique talents and skills for the betterment for the relationship and all other groups like the respective families and sovereignty. Generally having partners whose skills and experiences overlap too much is seen as a waste of these partners. Often partnerships are arranged between the various families and other important members of the community, but those daring enough to pursue others of their own volition are often greatly respected as long as they go about it the right way. In polyamorous relationships having primary partners and secondary partners is frowned apon as various partners contribute uneven amount to the relationship.