Nine Caverns
The Nine Caverns is a large region underneath the Northlands. The primary exits to the surface world connect to a mountain range seperating the Northlands from the Desertlands. Drow are the dominant species of the Nine Caverns and their power has increased over the drow of other regions, spreading their culture far and wide.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Kisheen, Keenash, Leenora, Eeleenan, Meerna, Neerna, etc.
Masculine names
Taathal, Saanack, Lestaak, Enaal, Khraala, Miaak, etc.
Family names
Sheer, Goldweb, Deepcave, Crystalsword, Shiftingskin, Bleak, Eldeen, Vendren, and Blestia.
Note: Only nobles have family names.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
The Nine Caverns value the culling of those unable to survive and advancement by destroying the unfit. Their point of view is that if someone cannot protect their position, they were unfit to have that position.
Common Etiquette rules
Nine Caverns drow do not touch each other, with the exception being lovers. Touching could be seen as a threat. When greeting an equal, Nine Caverns drow put their hands on their chests. When greeting a superior, Nine Caverns drow place their right hand on the nearest surface, signifying that they are unable to attack them. When greeting a high-ranking noble, they kneel, placing their nose on the floor.
Common Dress code
Female Nine Caverns drow dress scantily, to show off their sexuality. Male Nine Caverns drow have an incredibly conservative dress code, showing only their heads.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
High ranking Nine Caverns drow wear the Khilan, a type of sash that clings tight to the body. The sash is meant to force armor against the body so it doesn't snag on sharp edges. However, the Khilan became popular among even non-combatants as it was seen as a measure of prowess.
Every tenth day, Nine Caverns drow take a candle and bring it to a glowing crystal, where they snuff the candle out. This is done to honor the drow they've sacrificed to attain their current standing.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
At birth, an infant drow is inspected. If it is too weak to survive, it is killed and eaten to avoid wasting the nutrients. If it is strong enough to survive, it is placed in a demonic altar and a priest reads a prayer over it.
Coming of Age Rites
The coming of age rite for women is the entry into a cult. These cults worship various individual demons and they are the path to the priesthood. Some of the demons venerated by the cults are very weak. Those cults are typically for the lower classes.
The coming of age ritual for men is known as the long walk. The man journeys throughout their home cavern and sees it from high to low. This is done either alone or with other men. This rite is designed to get men acclimated to the areas of the cavern, where they will very likely spend most of their time.
These rituals are typically performed when the drow reaches 54.
Funerary and Memorial customs
When a drow dies, they are eaten by their family to allow their energy to pass into them. Their soul is gone, but the energy of the body can live on.
Common Taboos
Touching, except between lovers, is seen as an attack in Nine Caverns society. Also, speaking of Asmodeus or the devils in anything but a negative light grants great scorn. Relations with multiple partners is also seen as taboo.
Historical figures
Queen Keenash: The leader of the First Drow Invasion.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Nine Caverns culture views short hair as attractive for both genders, due to the inconvenience of long hair in a cave. Being short and thin is considered unattractive because it means that they are from the low-status families who live outside of and on the outskirts of the main caverns.
The primary religion of the Nine Caverns is Echidna worship, so blatant sexuality among women is seen as attractive, especially for the priestly class.
Men are the ones among the Nine Caverns who travel around the most and bare skin does not mix well with stone, so men are expected to be more reserved.
Gender Ideals
Like most drow societies, the Nine Caverns are matriarchal. Women tend to have the dominant roles as priests and spellcasters. There are both female and male fighters in the army, though most of the command roles go to women.
Courtship Ideals
Like with most cultures, marriage is a political and economic contract among the Nine Caverns, one which is determined by the man's family and the prospective bride. However, there are some ideals about romance. Namely, sacrificing part of one's body for one's lover is seen as a form of devotion. However, offering one's lover body parts of their enemies is seen as an absolutely perfect gift.
Relationship Ideals
Resources in the Nine Caverns are scarce, so the relationship ideals are based around that.
For one thing, having multiple breeding partners is looked down upon. Resources cannot be wasted on children who aren't able to be taken care of.
Another ideal is that both partners are fully able to produce children. If the man is infertile, then the woman is expected to kill and eat him so that his nutrients do not go to waste. If the woman is infertile, then one of her unmarried female relatives is expected to kill her, eat her, and take her husband for herself.
In summary, relationships are based around conservation of resources.
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