Rivaini

"The Chant of Light never truly reached the ears of these people. Resistance to the Chant goes deeper than the Qunari Wars. The Rivaini refuse to be parted from their seers, wise women who are in fact hedge mages, communicating with spirits and actually allowing themselves to be possessed. The Chantry prohibition against such magical practices violates millennia of local tradition."

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Carmen, Daniela, Isabela, Lucia, Nina, Sol

Masculine names

Alano, Amador, Felipe, Gil, Lalo, Rafe, Ruy

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Trade, Rivaini

Shared customary codes and values

The Rivaini, though possessing a currency-based economy as other nations do, place no real value on the accumulation of individual wealth and instead promote the idea of community welfare. As such, communities work together to support each other, sending supplies to other communities when needed.

Common Dress code

Social standing in Rivain is often marked by tattoos and body piercings. The more elaborate one's decorations, the higher one's rank. This is often accompanied by extravagant jewelry.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Unlike the majority of peoples in Thedas, the Rivaini are not Andrastians and don't believe in the Maker. Rather, they are pantheists who believe in the Natural Order. As such, many hold to the belief that their god and the universe are the same. Though Rivain's royalty is still Andrastian, the Chantry lacks any authority beyond the capital of Dairsmuid. Many, especially in Kont-aar, have also converted to the Qun, as their religion and the Qun are not very contradictory.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The Rivaini are traditionally a matriarchal people and many believe that women are best suited to ruling. Most Rivaini communities are governed by elder women, the most senior of these women being the above-mentioned seers.[1] Twice a year the seers travel to Dairsmuid to meet in council, forge trade agreements, and publicly pledge loyalty to Rivain's queen.