Gemlings

The trade cities of the Gem Sea are some of the wealthiest in Undinia, shaping the culture of the various islands. While constant contact with other groups has influenced them, several key aspects of the cultures have remained the same. The below is the base line for the cultural group with the sub-cultures specifying any difference.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Family names are everything to, saying who you are and where you come from. Most family names are either racial or connected to the families place of origins.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Undercommon, Elvish, Lacertillian

Shared customary codes and values

Loyalty to family above all else.

Common Etiquette rules

Allowing ladies first and bowing to your betters are considered key etiquette of a civilised person, as well as offering a visitor food and drink.

Common Dress code

Men often wore brightly coloured tunics with embraided capes of their family colour, these were made of linen or silk for those that could afford it.
Women would wear full length dresses, often with an over dress. A corset would be underneath. While out they also normally carried a parasol to protect them from the weather.

Art & Architecture

Art from the Gem Sea often were things of beauty, depicting idyllic landscapes, beautiful portraits, idealised images of Gods and Goddess. Art was seen as a way to uplift a person, not be scenes of dark or depressing matters.
The architecture similarly was a reflection of the cities wealth, often being grand with colonnades, high domes, and sculpture worked into the building. Similar to real world renaissance Italy.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Toasts - Normally made with wine at the end of an agreement, signalling both parties are happy with it. This is done by all involved clinking their goblets together causing the wine to jump between.

Funerary and Memorial customs

This is normally done with a funeral procession from the deceased's home to the graveyard. Here they will either be buried in a grave or the family mausalum if they have one.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

For a man, he should be tall, well groomed, and athletic.
For a Women, she should be slender, pale, with hair often tied up.

Gender Ideals

It is common for women to maintain the household, even often managing the household money, while men are surpose to go out and work, managing the buisness money.

Courtship Ideals

Arranged marriages is common practice, especially among the merchant and noble class. This is normally done by the patriarchs of the family, though normally the proposed already know each other,

Sub-cultures

• High Gemling

• Low Gemling

• Lacertillian

• Free Isles

Related Locations

• Lacertillia
• Taoul Reza Noach