Caspian
I feel as a Caspian I have a duty, it is not sacred, it is not tied to my bloodline, nor does it come through shackles or a whip. My duty is to bind myself to the ropes of those great weavers of ingenuity and industy who came before. To lean down, and lower my own rope so we may spread ourselves out to connect with the worlds below that bit easier. It is our duty to build on the anchors they set, so as to never forget we exist away from the rule of old fat pirates due to our cunning and smarts. We are a nation who above all else knows that our minds, our muscle and our application of those are the defining feature of our time in this place and any world we might encounter. I for one will not see that tarnished, nor see it spat upon by those who seek to make themselves wealthy by dint of thievery of the victories of others. It is the death of our nation to see gluttons and slothful fools rise to take the Crowns of better souls. So take your lazy, take your feckless and take your wheedlers to sit at the base of what ever Pillar can ignore the pit of your uselessness. You are not welcome in our halls. Crown Gaerelle - Mistress of the free pillar of the four hand labourers, adressing the captured leaders of a failed insurrection.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Smith, Tanner, Wandsman, Alchem, Bondsman - For veteran families, most names are tied to their guild or their role in that guild. However names connected to their personal worlds heritage are equally if not more common.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
There is said to be one rule in Caspi 'be useful', the culture forged by those smart and canny enough to escape an oppressive regime and convert a barren unlivable mess of stone into a thriving city is one of value through work. The people of Caspi relish education and making experts out of themselves and their children. There is a great pressure to succeed and many grow up being shown that all that separates them from the title of Crown is their will power and mind.
This can lead to extreme pressure and challenges for those less gifted. It is one area that even ardent defenders of Caspi will admit their egalitarian values fall down, with the disabled being seen as little more than a burden. For the physically disabled, they do often find that they can find work in one of the many niche jobs of Caspi, and are lauded for pushing on despite their setbacks. For those with challenges of the mind, it is less clear what they can do and many in Caspi seek to avoid the topic and associate such afflictions with a 'choice' to be lazy.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Caspi is sustained by rain from the Storm Nail and with a culture so focused on a daily weather cycle much of their timekeeping, language and art in some way ties to this daily allotment of water. For most Caspians, a morning ritual of collecting vessels that have captured the morning's downpour is part prayer, part giving of thanks and part moment of community where they speak with their neighbours and discuss the quality of the water they've collected.
Common Taboos
The people of Caspi see that ownership of the work and achievements is paramount. Stealing credit or attempting to pass off the work of others as your own is a fast way to find oneself ostracised from every layer of society. The more powerful you are the greater this taboo becomes and as such many senior Caspians are known to never take credit for their work, relying on the word of others to communicate their success.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Caspians seek to look competent, for those connected with labour intense guilds this might be a muscular build, for more scholarly endeavours pale skin might be prioritised. Caspians, see no greater compliment than a stranger being able to recognize their occupation from their build.
Gender Ideals
Unlike the people of Rasht, Caspi has since its inception been a deeply egalitarian society. The expectation is for both genders to excel, the execution has meant that in few jobs is gender obvious based on the jobs being conducted. This equality is enshrined into law, and though it has been challenged by demagogues or poorly conducted tests masquerading as science the commitments have held strong.
Related Locations
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