Draíocht

As followers of Cosán na'Draíochta over millennia the Draíocht have long become mutated by the arcane energies that permeate The Enchanted Forest, even peasants without any magical aptitude have become more thin and beautiful than other races of human in Ihmisen Keh'to - not to mention the Sorcerers which rule there. Draíocht appearance is refined and elegant with sharp features and lithe but powerful bodies, white skin, and pale hair and eyes. Whether stately or eccentric, the Draíocht hold one thing in common above all others - the pursuit of the arcane. Be it wizards, sorcerers, witches, or enchanters if it has to do with magic someone within the Draíocht has studied if not mastered the art.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Similar to the Soturi Ihmisiä, the Draíocht is highly based on the family. These Kauniita Perheitä hold a particular belief or practice, such as a specific pursuit in magical arts such as enchanting or evocation, unique to them and spend generations perfecting their arts.

Shared customary codes and values

Just like their biggest rivals, the Aireagóir, these magically endowed people from the east of Ihmisen Keh'to seek one thing above all others - knowledge. Well, two, knowledge and power. They just go about it in another way by directly altering the world around them through the use of spells and rituals rather than various gadgets and inventions. Beyond the pursuit of arcane knowledge, and perhaps power, the Draíocht holds little in common with each other as each family under imperial rule holds their own customs and practices.

Average technological level

Unlike in the western nation, Aontas na'Aireagáin, the Draíocht has forsaken most advancement in technology to instead focus on the arcane which ironically has led them to many of the same solutions with both nations having airships, advanced communication and knowledge storing tools, and the like. The biggest difference is if it can be achieved through a spell in Riocht Draiochta, it is, and as such less people result in the same results through use of massive power rather than organization and tools (though many of their enchanted items can rival any gadget from the west just the same).

Common Dress code

Be it houppelande robes made of silk and lined in fur, beautiful cote hardie, bliaut worn over pelisson, or tunics underneath surcotes the people of Ríocht na'Draíocht dress lavishly so long as they're able to actually attain anything within Cosán na'Draíochta and don full harnesses of enchanted plate armor in battle. The peasants (who aren't able to use magic) live a much poorer life wearing inferior quality tunics of hemp, coarse wool, and linen. Men wear them over stockings or tight breeches, women over long dresses.

Art & Architecture

The aesthetics of the east hold a grand, Gothic design with stately and massive buildings full of arches and buttresses with large windows. They prefer sculptures, stained glass, and frescoes depicting their family history over most other art - usually with earthly and low tones rather than bright colors. Harpists and pianists are welcome within Ríocht na'Draíocht despite the overall somber atmosphere.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The traditions of each Kauniita Perheitä personal approach towards Cosán na'Draíochta is engraved in stone to the Draíocht and they learn the practices of their individual family long before enrolling within one of the Coláistí Draíochta.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Sorcerers like to put on airs, and use just about everything as an excuse for a ball or feast - including the news of a newborn child within one of the Kauniita Perheitä - the noble families. Likewise, every year a birthday is celebrated (especially if the individual has great attainments within Cosán na'Draíochta or come from a more prominent family).

Coming of Age Rites

Enrolling in a Coláistí Draíochta is perhaps the first step in being recognized as an adult in the east, which is done after a childhood of learning the traditions of magic belonging to their family beforehand. Despite this, one isn't considered a full citizen in the east until they've graduated from one of these schools and have become a competent wielder of magic.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Woe betide those who die near a Draíocht, for they rarely have any regard for the dead and commonly use necromancy to reanimate them as minions when their familiars and elemental summons aren't enough for the job. Despite this, it is considered a grave insult to reanimate the dead within the crypts of the noble class and many a war between Kauniita Perheitä have waged due to this.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Pale skin, fair hair, and bright eyes with appearances altered by the magical energy of Fásach Draíocht, Draíocht are naturally beautiful and handsome - rivaling even Sídhe Elf nobles when it comes to appearance.

Gender Ideals

Though reality falls far short of the "ideal" appearances are nonetheless put up that men are chivalrous knights and women elegant ladies within the Draíocht, at least within the magic-using ruling castes of Ríocht na'Draíocht. Behind the veil, however, its all about amassing arcane knowledge and power to whatever means necessary, male or female.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship actually does exist for the Draíocht, with men going out of their way to woo noble ladies - at least on the surface. Alas, rare is it for such public displays to be genuine instead of political maneuvering or some plot, rarer still is affection the reason.

Relationship Ideals

Marriage is all about power and influence in the east, what resources can you gain for yourself or your family through the marriage? How skilled in Cosán na'Draíochta is your potential partner? Romance is rare, even rarer than in Talamh Biotáille where marriages are outright arranged by their families or sects.

Major organizations

Draíocht are mainly found in Tailte Draiochta under the imperial rule of Riocht Draiochta, the schools of Coláistí Draíochta, and familial Kauniita Perheitä. However, they have a heavy presence in the Mage's Guild and even own a few Manors within the Na'Comhrialtas which belong to them as well as a few Sects within Sraitheanna na'Léaráide.

Encompassed species