Diapritter (die-ah-prit-er)

The Diapritter are a peoples that live on the southeastern side of Gozlimer on southern Belor Daeg. They are a multi-species culture that upholds values of community and self-governance. They famously have defended themselves from conquest from the Mountaine Federation and followed in Gozlimer's non-hierarchical governance. The people are relatively self-sufficient. Despite this, they are insular. They do not like outsiders, especially those who try to buy their way through their entire stay. Some businesses exist for occasional travelers, but these are just as likely to trade for pelts or vegetables than coin.
This section of Gozlimer Deadland side of the Jungle-Dead Forest is one of the few pockets of actual livable land. The crops eschew survival at every opportunity. Priests of Chauntea and clerics of life domain are desperately needed. The Diapritter, not adverse to work, do what they can and pray for grace for the rest. They fish the sea, never the lakes or streams. Few wells are pure and town pop up around these places. The fields soon follow.
Work is the strongest bond in the entire culture. Farmers are most important, followed by shepherds of livestock. The managerial jobs help the population perpetuate followed by clerics and priests who protect and help the crops grow. Runners deliver different mail or supplies when necessary and are accompanied by what little guards can be spared.

Secluded Communities

Due to the rare occurrence of potable water and good soil, the many Colonies, as the towns and villages are called, are miles apart. This doesn't deter active communication, and mail and messages travel between them usually by magic if it can be spared, but sometimes by runners who literally run or sometimes ride horses over the desolate landscape.
These Colonies have two layers of stone walls. The first encompasses the fields, the second the buildings. The buildings and walls are all quarried stone, the wood not being very useful for building. Whenever a new Colony crops up it is the duty of surrounding Colonies to spare some manpower to help cut down trees in Jungleside across the Rift. These felled trees are used to support the stone walls buildings.
First order of building are the homes. Second are the granaries and storages. Third are the community centers and forums and churches. Last are the unnecessary buildings such as bars or taverns.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Names typical of their previous culture. Also includes pretty and sturdy things such as flowers or various stones.

Masculine names

Names typical of their previous culture. Also includes rough or hardy things such as stones or metal or tools.

Unisex names

Sturdy and hardy are usually good go-to names for either gender.

Family names

Familial names have survived for centuries but undergone some changes to sound more agricultural. For examples, the Evorian last name Dey is changed to Day. The popular wood elf last name Nesshanta becomes Nesshorë, orë meaning grain. Names follow this convention until you get to the common last name for humans Wheaton.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Work ethic is the strongest unifier coupled with the desire to survive. In these harsh but rewarding conditions all other prejudices seem to fade away. Outsiders are seen as untrustworthy until acceptance. If enough people or respected people vouch for the newcomer then they may be accepted readily.
The desire to be "strongest" or any other superlative caught on decades ago, but was quashed when it led to implementation of prejudiced laws. Those responsible were expelled into the Deadland to seek out their own life.
Despite the many clusters of insular communities, they all share these values and accept each other.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty isn't an important concept to the Diapritter, they prefer the functional over the aesthetic. Though those that do have an eye for beauty see it in the flowers or colorful clothing or ornaments one wears.

Gender Ideals

Males are typically field workers who die a good decade before the women. Have power over each other in their work groups.
Females typically stay close to houses to help raise babies and organize and inspect the work. They are typically in positions on managerial power over the men, though the hierarchy isn't heavily enforced as most are trained from a young age to see and detect what needs are greatest and how to best achieve these needs.
Other genders, such as the elven filë, are seen to fit their talents to their ability. A strong filë will typically work the field and weak ones will stay back or follow behind to help clean up.
No matter the gender, all are seen as equal. No matter how many people they may oversee no one is better or worse than another.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is schemed by the one with more free time. They come up with a way to propose and speak to the parents of their spouse-to-be for approval. After all, one body potentially moving to a different colony. While close communication is integral to the society, vacations are not common.

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Locations

• The Jungle-Dead Forest