Vectoran

Vectorans are a proud and disciplined people who view themselves as the backbone of humanity's survival in the Pactlands. Descended from settlers and survivors who built their civilization on the fertile lands of the Jade Basin and the rugged frontier of the Serpentspine Mountains, Vectorans are known for their strong sense of order, resilience, and loyalty to their Empire. Their militaristic ethos permeates every aspect of their culture, emphasizing hierarchy, discipline, and collective strength. Despite this, their art, cuisine, and traditions reflect a profound connection to their land and history, blending pragmatism with understated elegance.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Vectoran culture celebrates its militaristic and spiritual roots, blending reverence for the Broken Choir with their devotion to the Empire. Festivals commemorate both military victories and natural cycles, such as harvest celebrations in the Jade Basin. Storytelling is a respected art, often centered on themes of perseverance and sacrifice. Vectoran literature includes epic poems chronicling their history, as well as instructional manuals on combat and strategy.

Shared customary codes and values

Vectoran society is built on the principles of discipline, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Discipline: Personal behavior is expected to reflect precision and control; laziness is scorned.

Loyalty: Loyalty to family, community, and the Empire is paramount, and betrayal is among the gravest sins.

Sacrifice: Individuals are taught from an early age that personal desires must yield to the greater good.

The Vectoran Code of Resolve, an informal yet deeply ingrained set of principles, guides everyday conduct: uphold your duties, protect your kin, and honor your promises.

Common Etiquette rules

Vectorans follow strict rules of etiquette:
Addressing Elders or Superiors: Always with titles or formal honorifics. Casual address is seen as disrespectful.

Public Conduct: Loud or erratic behavior is frowned upon; composure is expected in all public settings.

Gestures of Respect: Bowing slightly when greeting or departing shows respect, while a hand over the heart signifies gratitude or sincerity.

Dining: Meals are often quiet and orderly affairs; speaking with your mouth full is considered deeply rude.

Art & Architecture

Vectoran art is characterized by minimalism with functionality, reflecting the Empire's pragmatic values.
Art: Common themes include triumph, perseverance, and the harmony between humans and their land. Stone and metal sculptures, often depicting warriors or the Broken Choir, are popular.

Architecture: Buildings are solid, geometric, and fortified. Towns feature tiered walls, reflecting Vector’s emphasis on defense, and homes are designed to withstand natural disasters. Public spaces often include monuments commemorating historical events or figures.

Foods & Cuisine

Vectoran cuisine is hearty and practical, emphasizing preservation and sustenance.
Staples: Rice, millet, and root vegetables, often served with spiced broths.

Proteins: Grilled fish and smoked meats are common, accompanied by pickled vegetables.

Specialty Dishes:

Golden Flame Stew: A spicy soup made with jungle spices and tender meat.

Stonebread: A dense, long-lasting bread baked with mineral-rich flour.

Sweet Fern Tea: A calming herbal tea infused with local forest ferns.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Festival of Resilience: Celebrates the founding of Vector with parades and reenactments of historical battles.

Day of the Choir: A solemn holiday honoring the Broken Choir, with processions and the lighting of ceremonial torches.

Ritual Offerings: Before major endeavors (like harvests or battles), offerings of rice or incense are made to the spirits of the land and ancestors.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Newborns are wrapped in a cloth woven with family insignias and taken to a shrine to be blessed by a priest. The ceremony, known as First Breath, symbolizes the child’s entrance into the Empire’s lineage. Parents often plant a tree or flower to mark the birth, nurturing it as the child grows.

Coming of Age Rites

At the age of 15, Vectoran youths undergo the Trial of Resolve, a series of challenges testing their discipline, strength, and loyalty. Success earns them a family token—a medallion or engraved stone symbolizing their readiness to serve the Empire. Those who fail are given additional mentorship before retaking the trial.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Vectorans honor the deceased with The Vigil, a ceremonial gathering where loved ones recount stories of the departed. Bodies are cremated, and ashes are placed in ancestral urns, often stored in family shrines. Every year, families visit these shrines during the Day of Shadows to light candles and offer prayers for guidance.

Common Taboos

Betrayal of Duty: Dereliction of one’s responsibilities is seen as a disgrace.

Desecration of Monuments: Damaging historical or sacred sites is punishable by exile or death.

Cowardice: Fleeing from danger without reason brings dishonor to one’s entire family.

Eating Untamed Meat: Wild animals not properly hunted or ritually prepared are considered unclean.

Common Myths and Legends

The Eternal Shield: A mythical warrior said to have stood against the Vorrath for seven days without rest, protecting a sacred temple.

The Weeping Tree: A sacred tree in the Emerald Canopy that weeps sap said to heal wounds and purify the soul.

The Iron Phoenix: A fabled creature believed to be the spirit of fallen soldiers, rising anew to guide future generations.

Historical figures

Waendel Murfain: The Last Greenseer and a founding figure of the Concordance, uncommonly revered in Vector despite not having Vectoran roots. To the Vectorans, Murfain symbolizes strategy and cunning.

Emperor Caius Renar: An ancient ruler known for uniting the tribes of the Jade Basin into the Empire of Vector. Despite being from a fallen dynasty, Caius Renar is held as the most important of all Vectoran Emperors except for the currently reigning Emperor.

Daevon Vale: A legendary Luxmancer who is said to have single-handedly held back Vorrath agents at the Battle of Eventide with nothing but illusions.

Matron Lyssara Veyn: A revered diplomat who solidified alliances between Vector and Shavi during the early days of the Concordance.

Related Organizations

• Empire of Vector