Waster
The inhabitants of the wastelands are the descendants of those who didn’t make the cut for living on the citadels, while some are new exiles. These wasteland dwellers (“wasters”) view the citadel dwellers (“civvies”) with a mixture of envy and contempt. While they would do anything to have the stability of citadel life, they take pride in being strong enough to survive without. Trade posts and small, heavily fortified settlements dot the wastes, and travel outside of these strongholds is dangerous. This is a necessity, as bandits, demons, and wild creatures live in all of the margins outside of town walls, ready to kill travelers for coin, food, or just for fun.
Wasteland settlements use cave systems to farm mushrooms much like citadels, but on a larger scale. Some settlements farm cave fishers for meat, chitin, rope, and alcohol. Water is collected from dew catchers and springs, a coveted resource that every stronghold needs to survive.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Waster language is descended from the same parent language as is spoken by citadel dwellers. However, citadel folk often consider it to be "crude" or "uncivilized." Because so many wasters lack a formal education, their grammar is poor, and their speech is laced with slang and obscenities that cause friction when speaking to citadel folk.
Shared customary codes and values
Most wasters follow a similar set of beliefs-- if you're strong enough to take something, it's yours. Wasters are exceptionally aware of their own mortality, and tend to have a somewhat nihilistic worldview. Most will experience death and trauma in spades before they reach adulthood.
However, some wasters never lose their kindness. They care for others, for their community, for their friends. These folks are rare, so if you find one, hold onto them.
Common Dress code
"Function over form" is the old adage that underlies most waster fashions. Clothes have be durable and protective, able to shield from the heat and the sand. Most wasters wear some sort of armor, be it leather or metallic, for obvious reasons.
Despite the pragmatism that underlies wasteland dress codes, a lot of wasters are magpies, collecting flashy and shiny (though not necessarily valuable) ornaments to adorn their clothes and armor.
Foods & Cuisine
The average waster’s diet consists of whatever meat can be found, usually salted or dried for preservation, as well as mushrooms, insects and grubs.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Organized religion exists in the wastes, though few people still have faith in the gods after their failure to protect the Primaterial Plane during the Flood. Zariel has a large following in the wastes, as do Geryon, Levistus, and Mammon, all Archdevils willing to grant power to their clergies.
Some wandering angels gather a following, and teach their disciples virtuous principles. These teachers instill their followers with a burning hatred for all things diabolical and demonic, and charge them to cleanse the wastes of fiends.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Children are not usually named until they are three years old, as many die before they reach this age. Childhood illness is an sad truth of the wastes, alongside raids, wild animals, and dangerous weather. The age expectation in the wastes is around thirty, and sixty is seen as ripe old age.
Common Taboos
Cannibalism is taboo, but not unheard of, especially when other food sources dry up. Cannibals are typically exiled from waster settlements, where they find likeminded fellows in raiding bands.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Physical strength and good health are thought of as beautiful. Scars are also often viewed as beautiful, showing that you've survived death and hardship.
Most wasters wear their hair short to prevent lice and dirt buildup. Short hair is also advantageous in a fight, as it's harder to grab in close combat. Tattoos are common in the wasteland.
Gender Ideals
Gender equality is surprisingly common in the wastes. Most wasters care more about an individual's personal strength than their gender.
Relationship Ideals
A lot of folks who live in the wastes believe in free love-- if they might die tomorrow, they're going to at least have some fun before they go. Still, there are many wasters in monogamous, committed relationships. Self-sufficiency is valued in people of all genders, as dependency on a partner is a sign of weakness.
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