Shadeling
The peoples south of the Ered Mithrin mountains may have similar routes to the Silent Lake Republics, but being separated for several ages has lead to distinct cultures either side of the mountains. Though recent influx has started to mix the cultures again.
Naming Traditions
Family names
The area doesn't use family names, instead often referring to people by a suffix like 'the baker' or 'snake killer"
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
While Shadow speech is the main language, Celestial is also very common.
Common Etiquette rules
Due to the location, it is expected to verbally acknowledge people you pass, and for them to do it back. Not doing so has been known to cause panic in the settlements further south. This verbal greeting goes double when entering a public building. This makes villages noisier then larger towns of other areas.
Rather then knocking on doors it is customary to announce yourself at the door, indicating to the owner your their.
Common Dress code
Those from the region often prefer thicker clothes with high collars, often in dark colours. Hooded cloaks are also extremely common, with knee high waterproof boots also being preferred. Clothes also tend to be well fitted, with undershirts being tucked into the trousers.
The short reflex bow is the primary weapon of the area, with most adults having one, most teens have a recurve bow. While the bow is the primary weapon, most people do carry smaller weapons, like short swords, hammers and sickles in case things get up close.
Art & Architecture
Most buildings of the region are built with a stone bottom floor and a wooden upper floor. Though larger buildings tend to have the change halfway up. Roads are also built with a slight incline away from the centre, allowing for easy draining.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Archery is a big tradition with every fair and festival having an archery competition for teenagers, and often more for other age groups. It is also customary for teens to practice with the bow at least an hour a day.
Two festivals take place when light returns, the first is New Light where villages and towns celebrate on the fourth sunrise of the year, then two days later is mourning light where the community mourn those that didn't make it through the winter. The last light festival is a celebration when the days drop below an hour long to say goodbye to the sun and asking it to return next year.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Dead are burnt as quickly as possible with a wake being held during the light a few days after their passing. Any who die in the winter are mourned during the mourning light festival.
Common Taboos
Necromancy is considered the ultimate taboo, with confirmed users of the foul practice being burnt at the stake.
Good Evening beautiful living- A common greeting said loudly when entering a tavern
Related Locations
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