Vatian

Empires never fade

If there ever was a people who thought their culture was the greatest in the world, the Vatians would be on top of that list. For they only care for theirs and theirs alone and would rather die than give it up all. Their culture has since spread across the lands on men over the centuries, replacing many cultures with their own and bring what true civilization looks like with them.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Gaia, Lavinia, Albia, Argentina, Aurelia, Livia

Masculine names

Atticus, Lucius, Julius, Crasis, Markus, Cato

Family names

Aquillius Armenius Arrius Betilienus Betucius Blandius Blossius Bruttius Bucculeius Burbuleius Burrienus Caecilius Caepasius Caerellius Calvisius Camilius Cantilius Cantius Canuleius Canutius Carfulenus Carisius Carius Caristanius Carpinatius Carteius Carvilius Cassius Castricius Castrinius Cicereius Cilnius Cincius Considius Coponius Cordius Corfidius Cornelius Cornificius Coruncanius Cosconius Cossinius Cossutius Cotius Cupiennius Curiatius Curius Curtilia Curtius Cuspius Decimius Decius Dellius Desticius Egnatuleius Ennius Epidius Eppius Equitius Erucius Fabius Favonius Festinius Fidiculanius Flaminius Flavius Flavinius Flavonius Floridius Florius Floronius Gessius Granius Gratius Gratidius Haterius Herminius Hirrius Hirtius Hirtuleius Lucius Lucretius Lurius Luscius Lusius Lutatius Macrinius Maecilius Maecius Maelius Maenius Maevius Magius Mallius Mamilius Mussidius Mustius Naevius Nasennius Nasidienus Nasidius Nautius Neratius Nerius Nymphidius

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The only dominant language of the Vatians is the Vasili language which only used in their culture and all other cultural languages are removed in order to brake down language barriers and to shown what a unified culture can bring. The only know language that is tolerated is that of the holy word that inside the texts of the The Spirit and Flame . Which all most learn to show devotion to the faith. But in some regions of conquered lands natives of the region still speak their native tongue to keep their culture alive.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Vatian culture was originally descended for the The First Kingdom of Men, thousands of years ago. Some of their culture is based of that time period and slowly changed over time create their own culture in the process.

Shared customary codes and values

In Vatian society customs are completely different from one another depending on what class you are in and what occupation you hold. But most follow the values of faith and loyalty above most. They also believe that Humanity must be unified under one banner in order for it to truly prosper. Many also believe that a strong military is required for a strong society and at least on male from each family must join the military to gain honor. Many believe that owning a slave or an servant signifies their wealth and the more you have the wealthy are, It also give them the satisfaction of superiority over others.

Average technological level

Vatain society is highly sophisticated and advanced then most other culture with construction of settlements and items being built with ease and are highly organize making daily life much more easier to live. Their military is also highly skilled and organized, making them a force to be reckoned with if met in the field.

Common Etiquette rules

When men greet one another they clasp this hand on one another forearm as a sign of respect. Women are not allowed to touch the man unless they are their spouse and must curtsey instead. Women are allowed to hug one another a sign of love for each other. Another common practice is to say a prayer before eating as a sign of faith.

Common Dress code

Men are allowed to wear loose clothing and wear a symbol of faith and women are only allowed to wear dresses that only reveal their arms, cover their dress and length is up supposed to end at their ankles. Most women tend to at least wear a piece of jewelry to show wealth. Nobles are mean't to wear at least one piece of jewelry that identifies which house the are in. During celebrations and festivals both genders are allowed to wear more revealing outfits along with masks to keep their identity hidden.

Art & Architecture

Much of Vatian architecture is made of stone and marble, clay is used for roofs. Houses in cities for the lower classes tend to be connected to one one another to create more space for other buildings. They are also as tall as five to six stories to in order to organize living space. Wealthier families and nobles usually live in large single story estates that have a courtyard, bath house, kitchen, bathrooms, and living quarters for many people. Most government and public builds tend to have marble columns to make them much easier to find. Buildings outside of cities tend to be much smaller and only house small families. Paintings and sculptures are made to show historical events and honor historical figures. Poetry and builds often depict images as well. Along with some sculptures and building sculpted with religious decorations. Poetry and plays are often created with artist flare for entertainment.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Going to church on last day of the week is necessary for the faith full, along with a family eating together. Regular bathing, parades, say prayers before sleeping, spouses bathing together and parties are common.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a child is born they are taken away from the mother and given to a priest to be covered in the ashes of a fire to signify their acceptance to their faith, they are then washed in water to clean them and returned to the mother. A ritual will then given to them several days after birth if they survived. The ritual differ from male and female. Boys are bathed in oils for masculine traits later in life, such as strength and independence and the father names them. Girls are bathed in milk for feminine traits later in life, such as compassion and patience and are named by the mother. Both are raised in the are by their respected gender and showed to family members who were attending.

Coming of Age Rites

When a child reaches the age of sixteen a party is thrown to welcome them into adulthood. Gifts are given to them to help them with their new responsibilities. Men are given tools depending on what occupation they want to go into and women are given jewelry and clothing in order to attract a suitor as soon as possible. A feast is give to them in their honor and they receive the blessings of parents to live successful lives. The day after they are expected to do the tasks that any adult would have

Funerary and Memorial customs

The dead are wrapped in cloth from head to toe and the body is laid on an alter in front of friends and loved ones. If it is a male, the women of the family weep as a sign of love for the departed and the men leave an offering as a sign of respect. If it is a women, the men remain emotionless to show no sign of weakness to the crowed and the women wear yellow to represent the women’s devotion. After a priest says the required rites to the dead the body is then cremated so they may pass to the afterlife and the ashes are collected in a jar. For lower class families a painting of the deceased is made, higher class families have a death mask molded from the deceased. If it was a child, the body would just receive the rites and the body burned with the ashes collected. The ashes would then be scattered to the wind so that their soul would ascend to the heavens were they would find peace.

Common Taboos

Cowardice is highly looked down upon and result in shame and dishonor to ones family. Sexual relations with the same sex is also looked downed upon. Along with those who follow a pagan faith are mistreated and shunned until converted to the true faith. Adultery is highly offensive to the families of the married couple and result in public humiliation and sever punishment to both participants. Nobles also suffer the consequence especially if they are involved with a commoner. Tattoos are another taboo in Vatian culture since it consider barbaric since they believe they shouldn’t corrupt their skin with some so impure and is only reserved to slave and criminals to easily identify them.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Vatian believe that hygiene is the most important part of society. They use oil and scented soaps to look and smell clean. Bathing is done once a day and flower petals are place in the bath that are said to keep skin nice and smooth. Young men are required to shave periodically and keep their hair short as much as possible to look more civilized. Men usually tend to wear loose clothing to show of masculinity. Women are meant to wear tight long dresses and wear makeup to look even more beautiful. Some women even wear wigs and as much jewelry as they can to show beauty.

Gender Ideals

Men control most of the occupations of everyday society, along with military and government offices. They are also required to find a decent job to feed their family. The heads of a house hold are taught to show discipline if any of their family members are out of line. A women's duty is that of the household and are sworn to keep everything in order, along with taking of the financial situations that come with running a house. They are only in charge of the house while the husband is away on business. The raising and nurturing of children are also given to the wife while the husband does his duties. In higher classes men and women both have a hand in politics in order to gain praise and raise their status in society.

Courtship Ideals

When a man seeks a wife, they tend shower women they fancy be with jewelry, clothing and other items to show that they can support a family. Those who are not able to do so are often rejected by the women. Higher classes and the nobility tend to arrange marriages in order to increase their status and wealth. Sexual contact is forbidden until the marriage is completed, due to superstition that sexual desire will bring misfortune to both families if the man no longer wishes to marry the women because he only wanted to just sleep with them.

Relationship Ideals

The husband is mostly in full control of the marriage and the women must obey. When the husband is in difficult situation that he has trouble with, the wife tends to give him advice to help resolve the problem must easier. Most of the relationship is to be highly sexual to show love one another. Other than that they both do what best for their family.

Major organizations

Vatian Empire , Church of the Spirit and Flame House Aurelius , Imperious Oculus , Imperial Senate

Diverged ethnicities

• Veritas

Encompassed species

• Humans
• Vampires

Related Organizations

• 10th Legion, Lords of the Hunt
• 43rd Legion, Blood of the Exiled
• 9th Legion
• Alchemist’s Association
• Alrunus Mining Guild
• Black Order
• Blood Cult
• Citizen’s Alliance
• Custodes
• House Aurelius
• Imperial Legions
• Imperial Royalists
• Imperial Senate
• Imperious Oculus
• Inquisition
• Luminarium of the Exalted
• Obumbratio Ortis
• Order of the Righteous Flame
• Order of the Saints
• Vatian Empire

Related Items

• Crumb Chicken
• Imperial Crowns
• Imperial Standards
• Jackalope Catcher
• Knight Armor
• Propter Iusiurandum
• Slick
• Sling Lifter
• Spark light
• The Amulet of Ander

Related Myths

• The Red Court Murders

Languages spoken

• Vasili

Related Locations

• Ander's Hold
• Vatia