Walkenleeder

There are a few things that define us.

• Cleanliness is very important.
• Every morning first thing we wash. If we can, we do it in running water like a stream. Most Walkenleeder zavet only require you to wash face, hands and feet, though usually we wash arms and legs too. I wash my head, but my wife doesn't like to mess up her hair.
• Before doing anything with food, we wash our hands. Also, after coming in contact with any animal or human fluids.
• Outer clothing must be washed separately from inner clothing. We don't even leave them together after we take them off.
• Food must be stored properly. Unfortunately, cooking is my wife's responsibility, so I don't know much about this.
• Animals belong to the gods and should be treated as gifts.
• We don't kill animals out of fear or anger. It is ok for food or to protect life.
• Further, we do our best to avoid animal suffering. We euthanize sick animals. When we butcher animals, we do so swiftly and as painlessly as possible.
• Finally, we care for our animals before we eat or play.
• Keep separate.
• We don't stay more than three days in a village, a nine day in a town, and a month in a city.
• Even though we don't eat human food, we share ours with you. I believe most humans mean well. However, not that long ago, some would give us poisoned food as "charity". Never again.
• When we camp, we try to stay to the outskirts of human settlements. We conduct business as a group if possible.
• All Walkenleeder are family
• It is in the code of all zavet to help any Walkenleeder in need. In times of trouble, we help our rivals as well as our friends.
• The worst punishment is to be marked and cast out.
• As we travel, we leave secret messages in scratches and carvings to let other Walkenleeder know about what's up ahead. To keep it secret, I can't tell you more.

The outer clothes, the clothes that touch the world, don't touch our skin. We wear a full set of under clothes. Unlike men of the East, we wear long underpants under our trousers. For women, a very long shift is enough, though I think some wear shorter shifts and underpants like the people of the Black Desert.

Men wear trousers, a shirt, and a vest as outwear. While women wear a blouse and skirt most of the time. We like color. Some find our color combinations like red, orange and blue together too much. Your one or two colors with lots of white is a bit tame for our clothing.

Once a year, most zavet get together for a krug. We find an out-of-the-way clearing. There is food and drinking. The young folk court. There are competitions. While I like strength events, my wife competes with the crossbow. Elders are called on to settle disputes. We tell tales of our travels and spread the news we have heard along the way. The final night is considered a very auspicious time for marriages.

Once a couple agree to the marriage, a contract is drawn up. An elder blesses the union and they are joined. The man must provide her a suitable caravan, while the woman must provide him children. There must be no adultery, no abuse, and no deprivation. If there is, or they don't fulfill their obligations after nine years, they may go their separate ways. Otherwise, they are sealed to each other for all time.