Caphitolian

Those who hail from Caphitolia. They are technically a subethnicity from the Valimorite, but distance themselves from that label due to their long-standing war with Catholonika.

Culture

Their culture is a mesh of surrounding influences. Food is seasoned with spices from Hezhz and Metzono, and Paluchia via the Gold Coast. Their coins are minted with gold from the Jagged and Gold Mountains. Their religious institutions worship all manner of Good deities usually prescribed to halflings, elves, and dwarves. The gnomes have created flying airships that have traveled as far as Evoria. The constant war from Qaath instills a sense of militaristic purpose among most, even those who do not live close to conflict. A call to serve in the Imperios army is often a grand adventure, especially if one may be selected to join the elite Fallinx.

Religion

Existentially Imperative

Caphitolians portray worshipping deities as part of being a good Caphitolian. The people pray for protection, power, and support against their daily trials. Many love the deities they serve. Some do so out of necessity. The usual deities of [car:god-pelor], Chauntea, Moradin, Melora, Bahamut, and Kord are staple. Others are Corellon to the northern peoples close with elves, and Erathis.

Philosophy

Similar to the empire they server, the people have an existential view of life. They see their continued assistance predicated upon the defense of their land from the eastern invaders of Qaath. People do love and enjoy life, but there is always a gnawing worry at the back of the mind, settling into the roots of their mind that one day, the Qaath could descend down the Jaggeds and overtake them all.

Superstitions

Naming Qaath

Many believe simply uttering the name Qaath to be a social taboo. When asked, they do not believe the word itself holds the power, but that giving them any time of day besides what they already demand is letting them win.

"The Qaath made me do it!"

A familiar sound to any Caphitolian court seeing the law levied against a criminal. Cries of Qaath influence on the individual in order to give them some sort of immunity is common.

Progenitors

Elder Hierarchy

The old ways dictate a power structure where the oldest and presumably wisest sat at the top. This elder reverence did not extend to dead relatives, it must be noted. Whether male, female, or any other, the oldest in the family was the head, even if by days. Consequently, the people served the oldest family, one that could trace its ancestry back the furthest. Within this dynastic family the oldest was in control. This most often went to the women who outlived their husbands.

Grayness & Birthday Patches

During those times being gray was considered a mark of power, influence, and even beauty. Those who grayed first were held in higher regard. In some larger cities some people wore patches with their birthday on their clothing to denote their importance. While most considered each other equal, when some important task needed done, the oldest took charge.

Challenges

Of course this system was not perfect. There were times where a mind died before the body, but since they were still alive they continued to reign. There were several instances of smaller cities where the Progenitors had slipped into senility, bereft of judgement. In these instances, nothing could be done but wait.

New System

With the rise of better technologies and great minds, the old Progenitor system died out in towns and cities. Some villages still retain a respect though not wholesale adherence to their Progenitor. Still, smaller communities far from civilization listen to their Progenitor with bated breath, enraptured by whatever they say.

Current Belief

Many still believe the eldest are the most wise in virtually every situation. Though many have reframed their thinking, others have not. Ancestor worship is not done, but respect for living Progenitors is.