Dunefalli
One of the major cultural groups on the Continent, the Dunefalli are cosmopolitan, scholarly and community-minded people. Their esteemed writers and philosophers have had their treatises printed and distributed using strange contraptions that have only now begun appearing across Banteave, and the ever-changing borders of their kingdoms have resulted in a myriad of ethnicities and customs incorporated into their daily practices. While other kingdoms on the Continent may follow the scriptures of the Six Saints, the Dunefalli people stand fervently behind the words of Resshe the Golden Prophet, spreading their prophecies far and wide and partaking in elaborate dream ceremonies to bask in the heavenly visions.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The primary language among their people is the aptly-named Dunefalli . This language is an evolved melange of at least three to five originating languages, all of which were absorbed into the Dunefalli diaspora over the course of generations as multiple kingdoms fell into their domain.
Shared customary codes and values
The Dunefalle people are traditionally xenophiles, reacting to new cultures and traditions with curiosity instead of fear. They also approach natural phenomena with reverence instead of apprehension: violent weather, passing comets, the movements of the moon, and earthly places of unnatural beauty are seen as signs of Resshe's craftsmanship in their Great Dream. Dunefalli are loathe to hew down a peaceful forest glade if they can help it.
Common Etiquette rules
Dunefalli custom dictates that a bowl of water remain in the entrance hall of their homes, that visitors might cleanse their hands and face upon entering.
The Dunefalli also practice a series of hand gestures when greeting one another. This is typically a display of openness, but also a good way to indicate that your hands are free (and therefore, not bearing arms.) There is a subtle code embedded within the gestures, and different pauses within the gestures of greeting may indicate a desire to trade, to dine, or to converse. There is also ample room for sleights; a brusque Dunefalli could indicate to another that they don't have time to talk with them with a simple twist of the hand.
Common Dress code
As the majority culture present in a coastal Thalassocracy, the Dunefalle people favour lighter garments that are easy (or at least manageable) to swim in. That said, they are well-accustomed to adapting local attire to suit their needs, and Dunefalli folk will adopt the styles of whatever lands they find themselves in, tailored to their desires.
Foods & Cuisine
Dunefalli do not eat winged creatures, as they might be distant cousins of Cybela, the Sentinel of Resshe who oversees the dreaming world. They favour the bounty of the sea, namely crab, lobster, salmon, tuna and whitefish, perfumed with the fragrances of the many herbs that grow within their people's domain and served alongside fresh vegetables. Mushrooms and mosses also feature prominently in their home cuisine, fried to a crisp over grand cookfires and serves in a cream sauce.
Wine is typically taken with afternoon and evening meals, though the best wines are never imbibed alone.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Dunefalli celebrate the Great Unification, honouring the ancient five kingdoms that laid down their arms and banners to join together and become the Dunefalli. Though this unification happened centuries ago, the names of the old kingdoms are still recited during the ceremonies; Florainet, Aiseleur, Casseil, Bourge and Corben.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Dunefalli have traditionally favoured burial at sea, though this is oftentimes not practical. In the event the deceased is landlocked, the body is wrapped and interred in a wooden casket, upon which their mourners have inscribed their fond farewells and remembrances.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Dunefalli embrace many expressions of style and beauty, and their courts are some of the most aesthetically pleasing in all the Continent. Carved pillars, grand gardens and painted murals of vibrant colours are all exemplars of Dunefalli style and decor. This ideal is also embraced in Dunefalle fashion, favouring flowing lines, splashes of unexpected colour and natural motifs such as roses, leaves, laurels and vines. Silver and jade are also featured prominently in their jewelry and accessories, as both are plentiful within their lands.
Gender Ideals
In ages past, Dunefalle superstition stipulated that only women could captain the great vessels of their mighty navy. These restrictions have been largely abandoned in modern Dunefalle, but it's impact still lingers, and female captains vastly outnumber men at the helm.
Originally a matriarchal society, women in Dunefalle often administer their household and make family decisions with regard to business, marriage proposals, adoptions and more. Men are more predisposed to join the priesthood of Resshe, tend to the family's lands and estates, and serve as knights. Sports and tournaments are participated in and attended by all genders equally.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship in the Dunefalle is an often impassioned, ornate affair, stretching out over weeks or months and involving public declarations of intent. Gifts of woven silks, mirrors, cut flowers and fruits are common in formal displays of courtship. A union between two people is celebrated by both their households, and the entire community will often contribute to their future with gifts, labour and assistance in the years following their nuptials.
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