Tze'ton

The denizens of the Tze'tonik empire and surrounding locales refer to themselves as Tze'ton, and are most distinctly recognizeable by their elemental attributes and adornments. Raised in the elementally enriched land of Tze'tonik, most Tze'ton show signs of elemental attunement ranging from the light- stony skin, wispy hair, fiery eyes, or flowing movements- to the intense- environmental adaptation, embedded debris, odd colorations, and supernatural abilities. The Tze'ton's attitude towards their attunement varies based on faith and region.
Worshipers of the Balance regard their aspects as unflattering reminders of the self's imbalance; often they can be seen in garb invoking their aspect's opposite. The Northern quadrant regards stronger aspects as a blessing by the primordials, and attempts to highlight their traits. The rural areas view this with a more utilitarian eye, and only make allowances for any irregularities in their fashion, while in the cities, personal fashion revolves around which aspect you bear attunement to- specialty clothing, barbers, and more.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Are, Aen, Ace, Bri, Chie, Ezi, Ea, Fes, Fae, Gae, Hei, Ili, Lei, Li, Mae, Mere

Masculine names

Atl, Ac, Cir, Coat, Ez, Fel, Fal, Guan, Huz, Hein, Hut, Itz, Mal

Unisex names

Ash, Cos, Gua, Guar Ee, Fas, Ger, Mas

Family names

Ac'lio Ace'etay Bn'etay Chi'malat, Ciri'lee Ez'tali, Eya'Mal, Fa'Lio, Gua'tec, Guan'tal, Huz'zili, Huzi'akan, Hein'tilic, Ichi'mal, Itz'moc, Li'Chi Mal'coa,

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

While specifics can vary from locale to locale, the beauty ideals of the Tze'ton revolve around their attunement to the aspects. There are three general outlooks on these traits, and and they vary more based on the affiliation of the onlooker.
In the Priesthood of the Balance, the mantra of "Balance in all things" is reflected in the garb of it's followers and their communities. Devotees chose fashion opposite to their aspects, attempting to balance their external signs of attunement. Earth attuned worshipers may weave feathers into their hair, carve protruding stone in flowing wind patterns, and bear light colors. Water attuned may dress in bold colors, reds and golds and braid in wisps of incense. The beauty ideals of these communities tend towards subtlety, minimal outward signs of the elements, particularly upon the face and upper arms. This leads to human migrants of other lands being considered unusually attractive, though the many other species are considered too outlandishly affiliated with a different element, and dragonborn to be considered utterly unattractive
In the cities, style and fashion highly mercurial, but views the aspect as something to base a style on. There are styles that transform, that disguise, that highlight, but most revolve around a unique or striking manifestation of the aspect. The more that you can do with a given manifestation, and the more uncommon it's appearance, the more attractive it is considered. Naturally, exotic forms such as the tiefling or the dragonborn are more attractive than average, but in areas saturated with immigrants, the novelty mostly wears off.
In rural areas, however, the focus is on bigger and more impressive manifestations of one's aspect. One who's hair actively smokes and roils like flame is considered a more beautiful specimen than one who's eyes glow faintly, a sign of one's strength and intensity. The abilities gained from attunement are highly useful to a community without access to the amenities of the cities, and as such the people of these areas find such manifestations of one's power to be quite useful. In such cases, travelers from other lands are not considered especially attractive, which combined with latent xenophobia can lead to them being excluded somewhat, though that can be blunted by the more elementally attuned races.

Gender Ideals

The ideal woman in Tze'ton culture is based upon their depiction of Na Tze'Gua, the Earthmother and first of the Tze'ton. Depicted as short and stocky, but powerful and carefree, Na Tze'Gua strongly resembles a the ideal of a dwarven woman, but is generally more curvy and slightly taller.
For the male gender, ideals revolve around lithe and nimble form, after Tez Chi'lei, the Heartseeker and the Second of the Tze'ton. Over-muscularity or excess body fat is frowned upon, and the impression is held that any given male should be able to vault a wall and hit the ground at a dead sprint. Gentleness, persistence, and cleverness play a role in the male spirit.

Courtship Ideals

The ideal romance in Tze'ton is descended from their legends of Na Tze'Gua and Tez Chi'lei. Earth is wanderer untameable, other three elements seek her heart, Fire tries to conquer but is cast out, water tries to erode, and is turned down, but remains close after accepting, wind dances with her, gives her space, but is there to support her, overcoming every obstacle to be what she needs.
Thus, courtship is a sort of dance, a challenge to see who you are in adversity. The woman offers challenges, the man or men complete them, and her heart is won not by success or failure but by the person they show themselves to be. The codified opening to a relationship is "I would seek your heart, and follow your steps", and "Try and take it, if you dare."
However, courtships may vary from the pattern- a woman may confront one she is interested with "Try and take it if you dare" to open the traditional challenge, or if she is the one to fall, "I would seek your heart." Additionally, some couples postpone the great romantic challenge for more placid and Integran style "Getting to know you" dates, and some dispense with the challenge altogether.

Related Organizations

• Voice of Tlallakah