Ishallan Human

Like us, bipedal and prone to making mistakes for what they believe is best. These humans have no superhuman capabilities and no distinct anatomical features that make them unusual among others of their kind. Often times looked down upon by other sentient species, especially any creature with powers. Found mainly in Ishalla.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Typical female endings: -ala -ana -li -an -ani -ama Examples: Bali Pan Kamili

Masculine names

Typical male endings: -in -on -ik -il -el -as -is Example names: Ankin Ollik Tsalil

Other names

Middle names were uncommon, and generally consisted of one or multiple words, they went by no naming code and were whatever the parents wanted. Last names were often times taken from the parent of the same gender as the child, with a different ending attached to it.
Siblings are generally named very similarly, examples being Nika and Kian, brother and sister who use the same letters but switched around. Twins often times received the same name, as they were viewed as two halves of the same being in society. Twins were extremely rare, and therefore often times treated with much more respect than their particular role received.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Ishallan is their main spoken language, and only acceptable one to be spoken inside the walls. It is fairly similar to dialects found outside the walls. An Ishallan, if not given away by their pale skin, will be given away by their speech.

Culture and cultural heritage

Respect those above you.
The ruler has always been socially thought of as almost a God, or simply being at the highest level one could be, above anyone else. Multiple rulers are often frowned upon. Anyone above a normal citizen is praised, that being inventors and wealthy mainly. Citizens are just there, fodder for the lower ranks. Soldiers are seen as useless, as Ishallans never had to wage war on anyone outside their walls. Travelers and visitors from outside the walls are looked down upon unless they work for the government. Those who manage to escape the walls generally hold the same views, even while becoming outsiders themselves. Anyone with powers is actively hunted down, and in a few rare occasions, while illegal, public executions were held to get rid of them.
The general hierarchy:
The Single Ruler, The Ruler's Guards, Government Officials, The Wealthy, The Inventors, Denizens of Ishalla, Workers, Soldiers, Travelers, Outsiders, Anyone with Powers

Shared customary codes and values

Love thy neighbor, no matter what.

Common Etiquette rules

A slight bow forward with closed eyes is a common greeting. Physical contact is frowned upon unless it comes from within an individual's family.

Common Dress code

Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Shoddy clothes are looked down on.

Art & Architecture

See the article on Ishalla for details on their architecture.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Ishallans celebrate birthdays almost religiously. They consist of invitations to anyone the individual knows. The date of completion of the walls is considered a citywide holiday. Celebrations are common, as those able to participate in them constantly are viewed as much higher class. Invitations to

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Birthdays are revered and always cause for celebration.

Coming of Age Rites

In poorer families, once one has worked off their indebted years in the mines, they earn the right to live freely inside the city, doing whatever they please so long as it does not disturb others. As such, they are gifted articles of clothing and sometimes objects from a higher rank line of work.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The dead are sent off by the river so they may leave the city and go out toward the ocean.

Common Taboos

Marking one's body is seen as wrong and punishable by extra hours of manual labor until removed.

"Remove it. If you can't then it's a lifetime in the mines for you."

Powers are seen as punishable by death.

"They can mean the death of a civilization, no matter how helpful they may seem. How dare this person have more power than the glorious leader? Unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable."

Owning weaponry is frowned upon.

"You have nothing to defend yourself from. Was that bow a lie? Do you not trust your own friends and family?"

Common Myths and Legends

All previous leaders become immortalized in their own tales of greatness. Legends generally consist of great deeds done by old leaders of Ishalla. They are passed down through spoken word and sometimes art. Many write them down, however there are so many differing tales that it is difficult to pinpoint which ones are real.

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None of them are.

Historical figures

Every single ruler of Ishalla.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Pale skin was thought of as the norm, and generally the lighter one's skin along with hair and eye color was, the more they were viewed as attractive. Those dressed for a higher job in society were viewed as more attractive, regardless of whether or not they belonged to that group or not. Longer hair was seen as a symbol of higher status, as those who worked were not allowed to keep long hair otherwise it led to work accidents and possible hair loss.

Gender Ideals

Men and women, male and female. Men often times worked the dirty jobs, women were considered to be more pristine, and thus got higher ranking jobs as inventors and scientists. However if any one individual showed high skill in another field, they were welcome to work in that position. Issue is that nobody chooses to work the dirtiest jobs in the city, so many have to be forced into the lower ranks of labor. Most areas were egalitarian, and people were removed from jobs only after showing excessive failures or trouble maintaining the work standard.

Courtship Ideals

The man is in charge of picking those he finds attractive and pursuing them, often times doing whatever possible to appear attractive to them. Women get to pick and choose, however are in charge of choosing activities for dates and such. Dates consisted of visiting cleaner areas of Ishalla, it is considered the highest honor to get to observe outside the walls, and many couples risk their lives trying to get atop or past the fortified walls.

Relationship Ideals

Rich wife, good life. This applies to anyone marrying.

Major organizations

Bull's Army

Related Organizations

• Ishallan Government
• The Terrin Royals

Related Locations

• Ishalla