Cinn Thógtha

Followers of Cosán na'Biotáille those in Talamh Biotáille may not look all that much different than the "purest" humans from Tír Tionscail but there are several things, although minor, which set them apart in appearance from them. These include and ambient pressure they give off, like an invisible aura, as well as much sharper, piercing eyes. Cinn Thógtha also tend to look skinnier due to long periods of fasting and meditation, but they are in no way malnourished since the body is the root of the spirit and only a strong, healthy body can contain a powerful spirit.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Zhi Ruo, Yu Yan, Hui Yin, Ying Yue, Wang Shu, Feng Mian, Mo Chou, Fei Hong, Nian Zhen, Qing Shan, Ru Shi

Masculine names

Zhang Wei, Wang Wei, Li Wei, Liu Wei, Li Qiang, Wang lei, Li Jun, Wang Yong, Zhang Yong, Li Jie

Family names

Wáng, Lǐ, Zhāng, Liú, Chén, Yáng, Huáng, Zhào, Wú, Zhōu, Xú, Sūn, Mǎ, Zhū, Hú, Guō, Hé, Gāo, Lín

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Cinn Thógtha culture can be entirely ascribed to Cosán na'Biotáille, just like the other four nations are influenced by their own Conairí.

Shared customary codes and values

Cinn Thógtha follow Daoist philosophy despite their Buddhist trappings, seeking to remain calm and in harmony with the world around them and taking no action beyond what is needed for the situation. They prefer a life full of naturalness, spontaneity, simplicity, detachment from desires, and most important of all, wu wei (non-action, or more accurately - action without action). Compassion, Humility, and Moderation are all important to Cinn Thógtha as well, though they may manifest in ways different from what one would think. For example, a compassionate person upon seeing a starving person would help them - but a Cinn Thógtha wouldn't just give them food, but teach them how to fish (and if they refused to be taught, left to starve).

Average technological level

Sraitheanna na'Léaráide focuses on Cosán na'Biotáille and thus despite being one of the most feared nations of Ihmisen Keh'to for their control of the mind and soul their actual technilogical level is far behind that of Ríocht na'Draíocht or Aontas na'Aireagáin, though they are still more advanced than the Comhairle na'Seanóirí of Tailte Fiaine and have such luxuries as repeating crossbows, paper, oxen carts, oil lamps, and the like. Furthermore they specialize in spiritual treasures such as talismans and formation compasses.

Common Dress code

The men and women of Talamh Biotáille drape themselves in kāṣāya and daoist robes, always folded left over right, with a wide sash belt and rosaries of mālā prayer beads. Even commoners wear these garments, despite not being skilled enough in Cosán na'Biotáille to be members of Sraitheanna na'Léaráide. Like most humans their hair is worn long, but is always worn put up atop their head in a topknot and held in place with a hairpin and metal clasp.

Art & Architecture

There are a variety of styles in architecture including siheyuan, pagoda, and temples which Cinn Thógtha build with a mixture of stone and wood. As for art, calligraphy and painting rank high among the southerner's tastes for visual appeal while instruments like the guzheng and erhu take precedent.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

There are many customs and traditions within any culture, but aside from Cosán na'Biotáille little stands out among the humans of Ihmisen Keh'to. Cinn Thógtha does, however, have a few oddities such as young women keeping their hair down in braids before adulthood, men only donning hats upon adulthood, and all adults wearing their hair tied up or the fact that the younger always introduces the elder, the subordinate the superior, and so on. Such things are minor in comparison between the ultimate traditions of the human species, no matter which race they belong to - Na'Conairí.

Coming of Age Rites

There are several coming of age rites for the Cinn Thógtha, including women beginning to put their hair up rather than worn down in braids and men dawning their hats, but chief among all is the summoning of their first spiritual servant in accordance with Cosán na'Biotáille. Those who fail to achieve this step remain as commoners, while those whom succeed become members of Sraitheanna na'Léaráide.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Though the celebration of birth doesn't have any particular method to it within The Holy Lands, death in contrast is highly regulated considering their particular Conairí dealing so much with the soul and departed spirits. Deceased are cremated and family shrines are erected to honor them as ancestors in the future, with tributes of burning joss paper and incense as well as a sacrificial offering of food.

Common Taboos

Considering Cosán na'Biotáille emphasizes enlightenment of the spirit and focuses on the mind and soul desecrating the dead is highly taboo to Cinn Thógtha. While not outright taboo, losing one's calm is considered a loss of face as well.

Common Myths and Legends

Unlike the other four nations of Ihmisen Keh'to the Cinn Thógtha of Talamh Biotáille have mythologized the origin of their Conairí, passing down the story of the little teacher which taught Cosán na'Biotáille and saved The Holy Lands from perpetual war and conflict.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Cinn Thógtha beauty standards can be considered feminine in nature, with the ideal beauty having big phoenix eyes, pale skin, an oval face, and a very slim physique. Even the men in Talamh Biotáille hold to this standard, though they have a slightly more masculine slant to it (though not much more masculine).

Gender Ideals

A very traditionalist people, women are viewed in a manner where being quiet and helpful to their husband is ideal with almost no impactful presence in society while the men are the warriors, scholars, ministers, and other roles within society.

Courtship Ideals

For the women dating is unthinkable for most Cinn Thógtha, even more so if one comes from a prominent family or sect where they have little to no say on who their eventual partner will be. Men, however, often fool around in their teen and adult years having multiple sexual partners - some of whom could even become concubines if the position of principal wife is already taken.

Relationship Ideals

Relationships are a pragmatic affair to Cinn Thógtha, women want a stable husband while men want a helpful wife. Beauty and romance come far second to practical applications and marriages are often more about arranging alliances between different families and sects within Sraitheanna na'Léaráide than any personal feelings. Men, however, have much leeway within the Southern Nation and having a cardinal wife with many concubines as well as paying regular visits to brothels (both those who offer sexual services and those that only offer artistic services and companionship) is normal - especially for well-off men.

Major organizations

Cinn Thógtha only have one major organization, Sraitheanna na'Léaráide under the leadership of the main sect Pāramitā. Occasionally some find a home for themselves among one of the guilds of Na'Comhrialtas in The Heartland with the exception of the Merchant's Guild, because they find their lust for wealth disdainful.

Encompassed species