Civipish (Ke-vip-ish)
Civipes are those native to the Frostmourn area, an ancient people from when the Draconic empire ruled over Undinia. With strong ties to both spiritualism and necromancy, the Civipes tribes are referred to by a variety of names including Frostmen, Death worshipers, Children of Shadow, and Cold Hearts. They are generally distrusted by the various Akoomite kingdoms that have ruled over the region.
Historical past
While this is one of the oldest cultures in Undinia, obviously not staying exactly the same, it has had a more trying time in the era of ages than most. What is known from before is the Draconic empire coexisted with it and the Phervians couldn't deal with the freezing temperatures of the far north allowing the Civipish to expand through both Frostmourn and the Shifter wastes. In fact, it is believed that the Shifters are descended from Civipish, explaining their ease with connecting to spirits.Cultural suppression
During the Demon Prophet's time as Fylkir of the region, he worked hard to not only subjugate but flat-out suppress the Civipish way of life. Enforcing the following of Akoom instead of the tribal spirits, forced urbanization, and treating these people as second-class citizens in their own land. This led to the destruction of several tribes and many aspects of the culture lost. Only those in the far north survived intact.Reclaiming culture
After the rebellions, many of the surviving tribes started to reclaim the lost culture, many aspects however seemed to be lost permanently. Many aspects of the culture were still lost in the Fey age, though László and Vörös have worked hard to heal the wounds.Naming Traditions
Unisex names
It is common for families to have a selection of historical names, meaning families often have multiple people of the same name.
Family names
Family names are rarely used, instead many go by dev for boys or hia for girls followed by their Father's name.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
While Civipish is the native language, High Celestial and Undercommon are both commonly spoken languages.
Culture and cultural heritage
Due to the harsh conditions of the area, resourcefulness is highly encouraged, while over indulgence and waste is considered disgraceful. This has also lead to increased undead and necromancy within the culture, helped by the focus of the increased necrotic magical winds. Many adult males even willingly become undead husks after death to help their families, It should be noted that despite this a heavy focus on the spirit has lead to very few actually crossing over to lichdom, and those that do are often mistrusted or shunned.
Common Dress code
Most clothes are basic from nature, this means woollen, leather, and fur clothing to help deal with the cold. In fact, heavy fur cloaks are a common sight among the tribes, with the animal it's from often representing the tribe. This is occupied by jewellery that represents the station, this is always worn over other clothing and never over bare skin.
Warriors often wear fur and hide armour, with the more heavily armoured wearing bone or scale, if they can get it. This is normally worn with a fur cloak, held on by a decorative torc that represents the wearer's station. Shoosuva fur is only worn by those who killed the Shoosuva itself and signal that of a great warrior. Due to the scarcity of metal most wield hafted weapons like spears and axes, along with wooden shields.
Art & Architecture
Rather than pieces of art or sculpture, Civipish creates decorative items of jewelry or items. Their preferred material is bronze or gold, decorated with various gemstones, though other base materials are used. It should be noted despite this. it is the gems used rather than the base metal that states the value, the metal is often picked to complement the gems.
Archtecture tends to be mud covered wood huts, and often low buildings, with floors going down instead of up.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Due to the increased necromancy in the culture, it is customary for every adult to carry a 'death bag' in a pocket that holds either burnt material or soil within. This expresses the carriers wishes for death.
Burnt material, often ash or shoot, signifies the body is to be burnt, thus preventing undeath.
Soil indicates willingness for the body to be used to creature undead to help the community.
Burnt material, often ash or shoot, signifies the body is to be burnt, thus preventing undeath.
Soil indicates willingness for the body to be used to creature undead to help the community.
Common Taboos
While as a whole the Taboo's are similar to other areas, two connect directly with necromancy.
- Child undead is seen as an afront to the spirits, and any necromancer caught with one is lynched.
- The use of spirits in necromantic magic is seen as a perversion of them. It should be noted Vörös was guilty of this as a teen.
Sub-cultures
- True Civipish
- Fallen Civipish
- Revenish
- Fenish
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