Coldlands
The people of the Northwest, the Coldlands isn't actually all that cold at this point. However, the Coldlands was subject to extreme cold in the past. The region has since warmed up, and the Coldlanders have come out of it strong. Their culture has changed heavily since then and their civilizations are numerous.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Elizabeth, Cassandra, Elisa, Erika, Hanna, Sophia, etc.
Masculine names
Nedrick, Johan, Joseph, Alfons, Sigurd, Charles, etc.
Family names
Crofter, Lent, Redfield, Butcher, Grenwich, Eddrest, etc.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Coldlanders in general place value on martial prowess. They also put a value on a strong sense of honor. This honor typically involved courage and loyalty as well as a willingness to answer insults with swords.
Musical talent is also highly valued among the Coldlanders. While it isn't as cold as it used to be, winter nights are long and music helps to pass the time.
Common Etiquette rules
Women greet with curtsies and men greet by gripping wrists to check for daggers.
Insults are rarely taken lightly. A commoner insulting a noble gets a beating and a noble insulting a noble gets a duel.
Common Dress code
In the Northern region of the Coldlands, long robes are the fashion for both men and women indoors. Outdoors, tunics with hose are popular for men and slightly less cumbersome robes are popular with women. Conical hats are worn both indoors and outdoors.
In the southern regions of the Coldlands, men wear poofy clothes like journades complements with large, flat, rounded hats. Women wear dresses.
Sorcerers wear robes to designate their status no matter where you go.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The summer and winter solstices are long-standing traditions that carry over to this day. They are days for feasting and celebration with large festivals being put on.
A prevalent custom is for men to bring their swords into feasting halls but to place their sword in their sheath on the right side of their body. This is supposed to symbolize that they are ready for a fight but aren't looking for one.
Another custom is that if someone is reading and someone else enters the room, the reader is to look up and wave at them before continuing.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
At birth, the child is baptized in the name of Ingrane, the goddess of Motherhood, Childbirth, and Marriage. She is said to protect them throughout their early lives.
Coming of Age Rites
When the child reaches 14, they go to a church to decide upon a patron deity. This god is the one they directly serve, though they venerate all 10 gods. After their god is decided upon, their family has a small celebratory feast.
Funerary and Memorial customs
For most people, funerals are small, private affairs. Only the family is present and it is held in a secluded location. How the body is dealt with depends on the person's patron deity.
For high ranking nobles, funerals are large, private affairs. Their castle is open at the funeral for anyone to enter and witness the proceedings.
Some unscrupulous individuals may see this as an occasion to do away with their enemies. However, if they actually go through with it, everyone in the Coldlands will see them as a disgusting, dishonorable, cowardly, monster who violates traditions set down by the gods. They can expect execution or poison shortly afterwards.
Common Taboos
Demon and devil worship are utterly forbidden. Breaking certain customs are also forbidden. Corpses are considered inviolable and, as a result, necromancy is looked down upon.
Historical figures
Ronald Redfield: The man who stopped the First Drow Invasion and expanded House Redfield.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Strength is seen as attractive in men. Long hair is in fashion among men in the northern regions while short hair is in fashion in the southern regions.
The qualities seen as attractive in women are the qualities that lead to successful and easy childbirth: wide hips, thin waste, etc. Long hair is seen as attractive in them no matter the region.
Gender Ideals
The Northlands are male dominated; however, they are incredibly egalitarian compared to the nearby Eastlands and Desertlands.
For example, men are the fighters and generally the military commanders; however, female spellcasters are allowed to participate in the fighting of warfare. Vary rarely, nonspellcaster women are allowed to fight as well.
Women are also allowed to inherit land in Coldlands culture and, while the woman's family give her her marriage options, she is the one who gets to make the final decision as to whom she'll marry.
Courtship Ideals
Marriages are a political and economic union; however, there is an idea of romance. This ideal romance involved poetry, giving favors at tournaments, fighting duels, etc. However, that idea of romance does not exist for most people or even most nobles.
For commoners, the couple probably already knew each other and lived in the same village. They most likely got to like each other from just spending time together doing villager stuff.
For nobles, there are more opportunities for spectacular dates. For nobles in the countryside, they may go falconing or horse riding. For nobles in cities, including in city states, they will typically go to plays, walk around town, or do similar activities. For all nobles, feasts and parties are good ways to meet someone.
Relationship Ideals
The relationship aspect of marriage is seen by the Coldlanders as a sort of partnership where the man is the shield and the woman is the heart. Relationships are supposed to be protective on the man's part and supportive on the woman's part. What that support might be varies based on status and skill-set, same thing with the protective part. However, physical protection is idealized for men and emotional support, not a shoulder to cry on but someone being there who you love, is idealized for women.
Diverged ethnicities
Related Organizations
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