Indian
STORYTELLER SEEDS
The Lost Manuscript: A scholar discovers a fragment of an ancient manuscript that could lead to a hidden temple filled with forgotten knowledge and power. The players must race against time and adversaries to find it.
The Sacred Festival: The players are invited to a grand festival in India celebrating a rare celestial event. However, dark forces seek to disrupt the event and harness the celestial energy for nefarious purposes.
The Eleventh Avatar: Prophecies speak of an eleventh avatar of Vishnu who will appear in times of great turmoil. The players encounter signs and must decipher if they are witnessing the avatar's arrival or a great deception.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Aisha
Priya
Anjali
Meera
Kavita
Sanya
Rina
Lakshmi
Masculine names
Raj
Arjun
Vikram
Sanjay
Ravi
Deepak
Nikhil
Hari
Unisex names
Arya
Dev
Rishi
Suman
Akshay
Kiran
Amar
Jaya
Family names
Sharma
Patel
Kapoor
Bhattacharya
Iyer
Reddy
Desai
Choudhury
Other names
Anant
Shakti
Nirvana
Varun
Indira
Satyam
Gauri
Aditya
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Bengali
Marathi
Gujarati
Punjabi
Kannada
Malayalam
Urdu
Culture and cultural heritage
A rich tapestry of festivals, rituals, and traditions, such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Pongal. Celebrations often include music, dance, and elaborate feasts. Traditional arts and crafts are highly valued and preserved.
Shared customary codes and values
Respect for Elders: Elders are highly respected and often play a significant role in family decisions.
Community and Family: Strong emphasis on community involvement and maintaining close family ties.
Education: Valued highly, with a strong focus on academic and professional achievement.
Harmony and Peace: Non-violence and peaceful coexistence are core values.
Average technological level
India is known for its advancements in information technology, space research, and medicine. Ancient India contributed significantly to mathematics, astronomy, and architecture.
Common Etiquette rules
Greeting elders with a respectful "Namaste."
Removing shoes before entering homes or temples.
Offering food and drink to guests.
Avoiding public displays of affection.
Common Dress code
Traditional attire varies by region but generally includes saris, salwar kameez, lehengas for women, and dhotis, kurtas, and sherwanis for men. Modern attire includes Western-style clothing blended with traditional elements.
Art & Architecture
Rich heritage of art, including classical dance, music, and painting. Architecture features grand temples, forts, palaces, and intricate carvings. Mughal, Dravidian, and Colonial styles are prominent.
Foods & Cuisine
Diverse cuisine featuring a variety of spices and flavors. Common dishes include curries, biryanis, dosas, samosas, and sweets like gulab jamun and jalebi. Each region has its own specialties and unique culinary traditions.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Festivals: Celebrating with family, friends, and the community.
Rituals: Daily rituals often include prayers and offerings.
Marriage Ceremonies: Elaborate and rich in symbolism, often lasting several days.
Family Gatherings: Regular gatherings to maintain strong family bonds.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birth rituals often include naming ceremonies (Namkaran) and blessings from elders. Newborns are often adorned with protective symbols and jewelry.
Coming of Age Rites
Rites of passage include thread ceremonies (Upanayana) for boys and special celebrations for girls when they reach puberty. These events mark the transition into adulthood with religious rituals and family gatherings.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Funeral rites include cremation, followed by rituals to honor the deceased's soul. Memorial services and annual death anniversaries (Shraddha) are observed to remember and honor ancestors.
Common Taboos
Disrespecting elders or religious symbols.
Public displays of affection.
Consumption of beef (among Hindus).
Speaking ill of the deceased.
Common Myths and Legends
Rich mythology includes stories of gods and goddesses, epic tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and local folklore. Heroes, divine interventions, and moral lessons are common themes.
Historical figures
Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of India's independence movement.
Rabindranath Tagore: Renowned poet and writer.
Rani Lakshmibai: Warrior queen who fought against British rule.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President and scientist.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Beauty ideals in the Indian ethnicity are diverse and vary by region. Common traits admired include expressive eyes, long and healthy hair, clear and glowing skin, and a graceful demeanor. Traditional attire, such as saris for women and kurtas for men, are often adorned with intricate patterns and jewelry.
Gender Ideals
Women: Traditionally seen as nurturing and compassionate, with an emphasis on family and community roles. Education and professional achievements are increasingly valued.
Men: Traditionally viewed as protectors and providers, with an emphasis on strength, honor, and leadership. Modern ideals also value intellectual and artistic pursuits.
Courtship Ideals
Courting is often done with family approval, emphasizing respect, compatibility, and shared values. Romantic gestures might include poetry, music, and thoughtful gifts. Arranged marriages are common, but personal choice in partners is also respected.
Relationship Ideals
Strong emphasis on loyalty, mutual respect, and support. Relationships are seen as partnerships where both parties work together for the wellbeing of the family and community. Love and affection are important, as well as maintaining family traditions.
Major organizations
Indian National Congress
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Various regional political parties
Spiritual and religious organizations like the Brahma Kumaris, ISKCON, and the Art of Living Foundation
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