Social Dancing
The official language of the Zone is the common tongue of the humans, based on Old Numorian. Unofficially, the real language is dance. You can't advance socially without knowing how to do Sand Step or Fiddletwitch. High government positions require you to publicly perform the Rigodon de Honor before you can take office.
You can tell a lot about somebody by the kind of dancing they like, how they carry themselves when they're dancing, or if they even dance at all. I can tell an honest fella from a snake in the grass by their lead or follow!
In the Zone social dancing is by far the most popular activity done outside the home. Partner dancing, circle dances, and line dances have social, ceremonial, and competitive purposes. In the melting pot of the Zone, the music and dance styles of the world and planes beyond have mixed together into unique styles.
Types of dancing
To outsiders, it seems like Kirinalos were born dancing. Babies learn to dance as soon as they can walk. Children learn the ceremonial dances of their ancestors from their relatives. Adolescents learn that partner dancing is a good way to find romantic partners and/or mates.
Partner dances
In the Zone the fastpaced Fiddletwitch, the rhythmic Sand Step, and the sultry Twilight are the most popular dances. After a hard day's work, they go to the entertainment zones, like Tower Town's Silver Gate District or Talinotown in Garrison City. They drink and dance in their local Tito Corbin's Tavern or go to a club just for dancing like Grig's Grotto.
Circle Dances
Circle dances are performed for fun, like partner dances, but they also usually have a cultural purpose to them. Sky circles of fly dancing are popular among aarackockra, fairies, other flying races, or those with the ability to fly magically.
Summer circles and elven pole dancing celebrate the height of summer. They are popular among the elves as a mating ritual to find their first, second, third, or more marriage partner.
The dwarven Iron Foot Circle Dance is a rite of passage brought down from the mountains. Many high officials and grags won't even speak to you unless you can perform the dance passably.
Line Dances
Most dancing is done for entertainment and to socialize. Most taverns, bars, and pubs have dance floors set aside for their patrons to dance together or solo. Drinking establishments without a dancefloor don't last for long.
Ceremonial and Ritual Dances
The Concordance is less than 200 years old, the so-called "Embassy Cities" are younger than that. Few of the folk living in the Zone have deep roots, only one or two human generations have been born there. They keep the memories of their homeland alive with food, music, and of course dance. Dances from all the continents and nations of Erathia, and even other planes, have come to the Zone.
Rigodon de Honor
New officers and officials in the Zone begin their duties by organizing and holding an inaugural ball. It's seen as their first test in office. Kirinalos believe that holding a good ball and dancing a good rigodon demonstrate organizational skills. A bad ball and dance shows a lack of organization and can take the wind out of an incoming administration.
Competitive Dances
Zone Dance Championships are held in a different slice every two years. Each dance style comes together for a week-long festival of dance.
Oh, interesting idea. I would be hated though, seeing how I dance. Dancing being something that active in any culture sounds pretty cool. Also, how happy does the header image look. Seriously, I love this article
Thank you! In the Zone, you'd get a pass as long as you're willing to try. The image was a lot of fun, that's an actual PC party completing a skill challenge I threw at them!
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