Narlander
Narlanders are one of the larger ethnic groups in Narland. Narlanders are an extremely independent people, caring little for the fortunes of even their own siblings or parents once they reach adulthood. They are always on the look out for a good business opportunity, but they believe in hard work for good pay, and have little interest in exploiting people or cheating in deals.
Physically, they are relatively short for humans, typically between 5' and 5'6". They are slimly built, and have black hair and pale skin. Their prominent epicanthal folds and high cheek bones give them a distinctive appearance. Fashions for hair and clothing vary significantly from area to area, but there is a slight tendency to sleeveless shirts and short trousers for both men and women, along with broad brimmed hats.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Typical female names include Yada, Suwattanee, Mayura and Jasmine.
Masculine names
Typical male names include Fang, Da, Kanthee and Koradol.
Family names
Narlander names draw from Thai or Chinese traditions, and they typically have no family names, going by a single name. If ambiguity arises, they use their profession as their name (e.g. Butcher, Builder, Alchemist).
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Narlanders value hard work for good money, and have a very financially driven society. There is little sense of collaboration outside from that necessary to do business and through the guilds. Most places have no taxes save the cuts of business transactions controlled by the guilds, so most infrastructure projects are owned by the guilds.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Narlanders favour delicate slim builds in both men and women. Being particularly muscular is taken to imply a lack of brains, so you have had to work at heavy labour all your life. Being overweight implies excess, and time spent relaxing or eating when you could have been being productive. Pale skin is also considered very attractive, and women are known to apply lighter foundation to hide tans from the sun.
Gender Ideals
Both men and women work, although the women tend to work a more sensible number of hours and also care for their families, whereas men will typically work 70 or 80 hour weeks, working every day. There is a lot of pressure on men to be entrepreneurial and create their own businesses, whereas it is more accepted for women to work for someone else. That said, there are plenty exceptions to these rules and both genders may fulfil any role.
Courtship Ideals
Many younger Narlanders do like to spend time in taverns or outside drinking sake and flirting. It is understood that young people will experiment sexually, and also that older people will criticise that they're wasting their time not working (even though they were much the same when younger). The formation of serious relationships often grows out of these flirtatious encounters, often when young women take an interest in the man's work life and offer to help out. It is not unusual for successful young men to have several such female suitors at any one time (and be sexually involved with them at the same time), but once a marriage is arranged the other women quickly move on.
Relationship Ideals
Narlanders are typically monogamous, and relationships are very businesslike. Romance is not highly regarded in general, with mutual respect and trust being the most important aspect in a marriage. The Narlander's dream relationship is one where they run a successful business together, they have several children who grow up to work with them and expand the business, and they become rich and influential.
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