The Torman
Every Rose may carry a thorn. -- The Volteroy family motto, the noble house that lead the Torman.One of the three great races to unify Tregaron. The Torman are a race of humans that inhabit Mordencrast, a cove surrounded by sea and hillside. The Torman rose to prominence with very few threats or rivals, and what little enemy they had quickly either joined them, or were crushed by the vast size of their great army. The positioning of their home allowed for easy fortifications to be made nearby the northern hillside; and in time, earned a bit of notoriety for the tolls they enacted on travelers that intended to pass into Mordencrast. This earned scoffs and whispers from their enemies, but the raw size -- paired with the skill and discipline of their army, lead to many never daring to challenge their strength. That, and the then-king Myron Volteroy was a very charismatic man. He was known for setting the ideals of the Torman people; that no man is to be considered of lesser or greater value than anyone else, save for the merit of the deeds they carry. This allowed men to grow in power through their acts and efforts rather than through inheritance. At the time, such a thing was revolutionary in the feudal era of Tregaron, and men found themselves flocking to the Torman banner left and right, until they rose to become one of the greatest kingdoms on the isle. None dared infiltrate or attack Mordencrast; for before long, all enemies had either become allies, or were crushed underfoot.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Olivia, Lottie, Silver, Emelia, Victoria, Karson, Katriona, Mabel, Hellen, Janine, Celandine, Tilly
Masculine names
Bryson, Dominic, Graham, Abraham, Shelton, Allan, Cayden, Archibald, Jarvis, Davin, Darrin, Lanford
Unisex names
Reagan, Quinn, Cam, Harper, Kris, Errin, Charley
Family names
Notable Families
Volteroy: The noble house that ruled through the course of Torman history. The Volteroy ruled not through lineage, and though many people would say it's their right to do such a thing, the Torman are known to have accepted their house for their charismatic leaders. Unfortunately, during the collapse of the three kingdoms, the Volteroy were discovered to be vampires. The Church lead a hunt, slaughtering most of the family. In their stead, the Kendricks were appointed. Kendrick: The current 'noble house' appointed to serve as the leaders of the Volteroy people. The Kendricks are known for lording over the wall placed between Mordencrast's hills and all of Tregaron, and fortunately, were one of the few noble houses in Torman nobility that didn't find itself plagued by vampirism. Wray: House Wray was once more a group of rag-tag mercenaries than an actual noble house; they were a nomadic lot, that spent most of their days beyond the wall to sell their services and recruit outsiders under the Torman banner. As the feudal era faded, house Wray instead became huntsmen that settled just beyond the Mordencrast wall.Example Last Names
Ogden, Huxtable, Toft, Hargrave, Strange, Wheelock, Leonard,Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Common: The Torman were actually one of the primary kingdoms to establish the common tongue among humanity; it is their original language.
Mordencrast Accents: The 'Mordencrast Accent' is known for being relatively clear and well-spoken. Being the race behind the common tongue, they speak in what some would call a 'posh' or refined manner.
Culture and cultural heritage
With equality at the forefront of their people, the Torman strongly believe that any man is deserving of an opportunity to become something bigger. Whether you peasant, craftsman, soldier or King, the Torman strongly believe that anyone and anything may achieve a position of power through hardship and effort. This 'strange' belief separated the Torman greatly from the rest of the feudal states of Tregaron, but in time, it helped them rally many people under their cause, until the entire island was united under the three kingdoms.
In short, the Torman believe that any man can make themselves stand among a seat of nobility, so long as they have the means, drive, and effort to put forth into earning such a position.
Common Etiquette rules
Although the Torman are known for being just and fair in their ideologies, they are also known for having a somewhat strict etiquette. Typical table manners are often unseen by other cultures; but the Torman have rules against things such as elbows being propped or forks and spoons being used properly. Knives being used as forks to skewer and raise food to the lips is often considered barbaric, for example.
The Torman usually have a bit of chivalry to them. Guests are generally expected to be seated before the owner. Everyone is to be treated with equality in mind; to demean or insult someone in public is frowned upon.
Common Dress code
In formal occasions; Torman men are generally expected to wear formal attire such as suits and ties, or frock or tailcoats. Hats, masks, or other such headwear is generally considered taboo when worn indoors at all times. The women wear dresses for almost all occasions. Corsets are also an important part of a Torman woman's formal attire. Heels are also appealing, as is well-placed makeup.
Outside of the work place, any decent Torman should always be hygienic, well-groomed, and trimmed of most facial hair. Women often wear either long dresses or trousers.
Art & Architecture
Art is an incredibly important part of Torman culture. Oil paintings have always been an important part for their people, and is often treated as a status symbol. Paintings of the family display not just the fond memories of the moment captured within it, but also the wealth of the family that commissioned the art in question. Writing is important to the Torman as well; unlike many other feudal states, the Torman have long established literature as an important subject to teach children from a young age, with special schooling held by instructors to help teach writing and reading.
Torman homes are typically crafted of brick. Many homes or houses include large bay windows that also double as a shelf on the interior. For the affluent, large houses typically include balconies. Although recent times have lead to steam power, many Torman people still, to this day, prefer relying on a classic fireplace and chimney for heating their homes.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Dueling: Dueling is a formal way to physically settle disputes. In Torman culture, attacking or assaulting anyone at any time without formally declaring a duel, regardless of reason outside of self defense, is punished by exceptionally long amounts of time in prison. Dueling has always been an important part of the Torman people. Formally declaring a duel has its own bit of etiquette. It's as simple as declaring your name, and issuing the challenge towards the full name of the one that wronged you. Should their name remain unknown, then the duel challenge may still be issued. Denying a duel in any way, is often seen as an act of cowardice. Killing during a duel is still illegal; all duels are generally settled with either fists or blunt, nonlethal instruments.
Pope & Pauper: The 'Pope & Pauper' is a holiday that had sullied its name with the rise of vampirism. It is an important, monthly holiday that begins once every first Monday. The noble house of the established area selects a random 'Pope' of lower class -- should they have a family, then that servant will be brought in with their family as well. The servant is then named the 'Pope', while the 'Pauper' is a volunteer from the noble family. For seven days, the Pauper serves as the direct servant of the 'Pope' for the remaining day. The Pope is also treated as if they were royalty; eating at grand feasts and indulging in nobility.
Unfortunately, when the Volteroy family grew infected by vampirism, they added a sadistic twist to this. The Volteroys were known for kidnapping their candidates, and while the holiday proceeded as normal, it always ended with the selected Pauper killing and serving the pope's blood to their family.
Flower Fest: The Flower Fest is a festival occurring at the beginning of fall; it is in essence, a holiday celebrating love in various ways. During the holiday, special Magi are hired to gather at the highest point in the village or city, while roses are granted to the noble family over the course of the previous month. The Magi place a special spell upon the village using these roses, causing the entire area to be caught in a perpetual state of floating flower petals until night falls.
The Festival lasts for three days; and contrary to what others believe, the Festival is more about finding love as opposed to love itself.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Graves are generally dug and buried outside either the person's home, or wherever that person's request for burial was. It is customary for someone to begin writing their will before their death, and when such a thing isn't provided, then the handling of the death falls upon the shoulders of either the spouse or the closest relative. The dirt used to bury the victim is sown with various seeds to sprout flowers -- typically roses, over the grave, creating a garden in place of their body.
Common Taboos
All in all, the Torman are hedonists. They strive to maximize enjoyment in life rather than focus on survival. That all in mind, it is considered taboo to involve oneself in personal affairs that you have no right in involving yourself in. Unless someone is being harmed or slighted, than anything is fair game in the eyes of a Torman.
Common Myths and Legends
The Mordencrast Mire: Rumour has it that the depths of the Mordencrast forest has a mysterious location found within its heart; the Mordencrast mire. Though unmapped and undocumented, it is said that traveling too far in the woods will lead to one stepping upon swampy terrain. The mire is said to be populated by a strange beast that kidnaps and buries its victims to help fertilize the dirt for flowers.
The Faceless Rumours speak of strange beings that travel the woods at night. Sprites, that on a first glance, resemble a simple soldier at a distance. However, a closer inspection reveals a blank sheet of skin in place of a face. These beings are known to travel the woods of Mordencrast, always armed with a spear and shield.
Historical figures
Myron Volteroy: The man whom unified the Torman under one banner. Myron rose to prominence after his promise to help unite humanity under a fair and just banner against the savage feudal lords of his time
Royce Volteroy: Royce was known for building the Mordencrast wall; the son of Myron Volteroy, Royce became a very well-liked King thanks to his emphasis on establishing a stable defense. His strategy was simple; enemies would either be persuaded, or walled off and conquered.
Sefton Wray: The story of Sefton Wray is one of tragedy and mystery. Sefton and his mercenary band split off from the rest of his Wrays, where he appointed his cousin to instead hold the mantle of his esteemed house. Sefton was very well known for orchestrating several alliances forged between the Torman and the other feudal lords across the land. His group left towards the Feywild, in hopes of negotiating a peace treaty with the lords there. When Sefton didn't return, his cousin sent a small band of Wray scouts to investigate the cause.
What they saw was an odd sight; not only was Sefton missing, but his men were all found by a river side, lined up and deceased with their spears planted in their heart. Their bodies were bloodless and lacking any sign of struggle, all but one. One body still remained bloodied, but was being vigorously scrubbed by a towel rag held by a hunched, old woman. When the men called for her, the woman simply continued to scrub.
When they approached, the woman did not stop until he was spotless. She folded the hands over his chest before taking his spear, planting them to his body. Before the men could capture her, she dove into the river, and to this day, remains unseen.
Dalyn Kendrick: Dalyn is the current leader of the Torman people; and despite being the lord, he still remains vigilant over the Mordencrast wall. Those who would invade Mordencrast, would have the honour of first encountering their King before their people. Dalyn has grown somewhat old, and while he was born too late to experience any glory in battling the feudal knights of Tregaron, he was still known for valiantly fending off brigands from the north.
It is said that Dalyn managed to slay ten men on his own before the reinforcements had arrived to his defense, and despite the overwhelming numbers, he managed to survive the situation unscathed.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Despite their culture being centered around the concept of acceptance and understanding every man as equal, the Torman beauty standard is notoriously high. To be handsome is to have straight, neatly groomed hair accompanied by fine attire. To be beautiful is to be blemishless, whether through makeup or by their standards, natural beauty.
As an example: Men are generally expected to be well-groomed and clean shaven. They are generally expected to have shorter hair. An ideal Torman male is also expected to be fit or well-built.
Women are similarly expected to be clean shaven or well-groomed; though curly hair is somewhat popular in their culture. A Torman woman is expected to have longer hair than usual. In terms of shape, the Torman favor emphasis on the 'shapes' of a woman, such as through hourglass frames, or in many cases, corsets.
Skinny men and women are often seen as shrimpy, young or weak.
Gender Ideals
Women are generally much more stay-at-home in Torman culture; they're the politicians or sorcerers that manage things from the backlines, while the men are expected to fight wars, perform guard duty, and other such things.
Women in Torman culture are generally viewed with a lot more respect than men; they are often sought to be protected. Women and children are noted to always take precedence in most situations.
Relationship Ideals
The Torman value everyone as equals. They treat each other with respect; and have an almost pacifistic approach that emphasizes remaining cool and level-headed no matter the situation. It is important to the Torman people to maintain peace, and strive to spread mutual benevolence simply for the betterment of mankind as a whole, not just their kind.
In terms of romance, the Torman are known to be rather open with their relationships. Multiple suitors is something that is never to be ashamed of, and is in fact, fully encouraged. To have multiple lovers is just as normal as having one in Torman culture. Similarly, short-term, romantic flings are very common. To the Torman, dates and quick, fleeting relationships are just seen as a way to experiment with one's own personal feelings, to determine what suitor best fits their interests. If more than one fits the bill, then the more the merrier, so long as the parties agree upon it.
Brothels and prostitution are fully legal in Mordencrast, and in fact, greatly cared for. Establishments are carefully guarded by elite soldiers to maintain the peace. Brothels are also often a way to play 'match maker' for the Torman people, even if such a thing is intimate for first impressions.
Nobility typically only has one King and Queen regardless; though suitors on the side are not uncommon.
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