Rivellian
The dominate culture of Rivell, has a rich history of defiance and courtly honour. This however hides a darker side of intrigue, espionage, and power games, Rivell is a culture of seen perfection and unseen manipulation. This however is the culture of the ruling class of the main Rivell Territory, with the serfs falling under common Rivellian.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Rivellian is the main language, however Elvish is also popular.
Shared customary codes and values
appearance is everything in Rivellian nobility, with the knightly codes of honour and chivalry being seen as a must for men. To be embroiled in a scandal is to be disgraced.
Common Etiquette rules
Bowing or curtsying to others when meeting, with men kissing a ladies hand whom he seeks or has a good relationship with.
Common Dress code
Ladies often wear the height of fashion, normally a long dress that enhances the hoursglass figure, corsets were also common. These would come in a verity of colors and would be heavily accessorised with jewellery and a purse. This could also be accessorised with a dagger.
Lords tended to wear silk or satin tunics in the colours of their house or the one they served, and trouser. They also tended to wear a knee length coat While hunting these would normally change to leather. They often carried longswords.
The knights of Rivell while fighting tended towards half or full plate with a verity of weapons.
Lords tended to wear silk or satin tunics in the colours of their house or the one they served, and trouser. They also tended to wear a knee length coat While hunting these would normally change to leather. They often carried longswords.
The knights of Rivell while fighting tended towards half or full plate with a verity of weapons.
Art & Architecture
Art often depicts things of beauty, weather that is a religious scene, landscape or portrait it didn't matter as long as it could be considered a thing of beauty.
Architecture was often bult grand and decorated similar to real world French Baroque.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Nobles were often buried in family mausoleums.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Rivell sees has very strict beauty ideas which are tall, slender and good postured. Women are expected to have hourglass figures with pale skin while men are meant to be athletic but not too muscular with more tanned skin.
Gender Ideals
While it is customary for either gender to rule a household, land or even title, what can be done as that member is restrictive. Magic is considered completely gender natural.
Ladies are expected to be pretty things that have artistic skills, such as embordering, conversational arts, and calligraphy. Daggers and poison are considered acceptable weapons. Female rulers are suppose to be gifted administrators and players of the game.
This compares to Lord who are suppose to have an interest in sports, hunting, and military pursuits. Though landed nobles are expected to have interest in both diplomacy and calligraphy.
Courtship Ideals
The idea of courtly love is key to the idea of love among the Rivell nobility, with mild flirting, and small gestures taking place in a very forbidden love way. Actual courtship tends to take place as arranged with the heads of families discussing arranged marriages to create alliances between families.
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