Crastan
The Crastans are the race of man native to Mordencrast. They're often seen as shrewd negotiatiors and have a culture that's heavily centered around trade and commerce.
Being natives of one of the oldest Kingdoms of man, Mordencrast is very unique in that they lacked the same expansionist desire that most of the human Kingdoms held; while Kings and Queens rose and fell throughout Tregaron during the The Cruel Age, Mordencrast remained constant the moment its walls separated it from the world.
A massive naval empire, the Crastan Kingdom has famously only suffered a military defeat once in its entire life time.
Merchant Empire
The worth of a man is not his wealth, but how he carries it. - Crastan ProverbMordencrast is a meritocracy that prides itself as a land of opportunity The Crastan people don't believe in castes or Kings in the conventional sense. Inheritence and blood mean nothing without the means to enrich their country and surroundings. The wealth brought inland is what dictates the worth of a Crastan person's standing; Mordencrast is viewed as a holy heritage to their people, and everything within its walls is to be protected, sheltered, and most importantly, strengthened. The world outside is one ripe with opportunity. The main governing body of Mordencrast is the High Count; a national bank that stores and counts the funds of each individual family registered within the state. While membership is not mandatory, it is greatly encouraged to have a membership within the High Count to earn special privileges that would otherwise not be afforded by your common citizen -- even tourists or outsiders are welcome to join the High Count. The High Count holds annual censuses that dictate the total income of every individual that is registered within their bank. The top ten highest earners are given the prestigious title of Trade Prince or Trade Dame, while the highest earner is elected the Trade King or Trade Queen. Trade Princes are granted exclusive opportunities; they may purchase land in Mordencrast, hire personalised regimes and armies, and are appointed to Lord over one of the cities within the province. Trade Kings are appointed as the figurehead of the High Count itself, and thus often hold their title for a very long time; income earned by the High Count trickles down to the Trade King. Despite this, the High Count acts as a separate and impartial body from the Trade King. This is to uphold a sense of fair competition between anyone that's competing in the High Count.
The Great Game
The Great Game refers to the competition felt between every eager monarch and Trade Lord of Mordencrast. It's a constant affair; as the census is a yearly event that can lead to the complete change of Lords, Kings, and Queens. Each year is a cutthroat competition to see who can become the next appointed Trade Lord, and while honor is certainly among everyone that answers to the High Count, it is not something that is always upheld.Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Lucille, Olivia, Allycia, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Noreen, Silvia, Loraine, Janis, Felicity
Masculine names
Howard, Harland, Frederick, Tomas, Watson, Seymour, Trevor, Isaiah, Wyatt, Wayne, Aiden
Unisex names
Braylen, Alexi, Lee, Lily, Gordie, Marilyn, Hazel.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
King's Crastan is now among the most common languages practiced across the human kingdoms. It's frequently referred to as Common Tongue due to its universal use. The language became common due to Mordencrast's vast trade network.
Crastan is also not the only language that is known within Mordencrast; many schools encourage children to learn additional languages that can be applied to the outside world; particularly Villish and Vank.
Shared customary codes and values
Equality in Opportunity
While prejudice certainly isn't unfound in Crastan society, equality and opportunity are fundamental parts of the Crastan lifestyle. Each person is not necessary viewed as an equal, but every person is guaranteed in having the opportunity to reach any potential they strive for. The High Count offers enrollment to everyone regardless of social class and standing, so long as they're willing to pay their dues to the national bank.Table of Equals
Negotiations - be it for matters of trade or simply just general interests, are always expected to be made with all parties involved to be viewed as genuine equals between each other. This binding agreement is meant to serve as the bedrock to ensure both parties are able to benefit through mutual arrangement.Cups of Blood
Crastans are pacifists at heart, and strive to ensure that every dispute is solved without raising a sword. (Or in modern times, a gun.) However, certain disputes may require cups to be measured in place of coin. A cup of blood refers to a wound that would bleed a cup of blood if left untreated. It was once used as a measuring tool by disgruntled merchants to enact a fee upon those that wronged them. Crastans hold this view not out of a moral standpoint, but a pragmatic one; there is always a value to be had in a life, and ending that life can prove to be more of a liability.Common Etiquette rules
Class and Respect
Vaunted for its decorum and tact, Crastan etiquette is built on the idea that everyone should treat everyone with the same respect and integrity that they wish to be treated with. This sets very high expectations for everyone, but nobles especially, who are expected to offer as much of their affluence as possible towards the peasantry.Nobility
High nobility is always under constant pressure; they're expected to flaunt their wealth in ways that ensure the peasantry aspire to reach the heights they reached. Excess is the name of the game for Crastan hospitality, and even the lowest of the low will be guaranteed an opportunity to try the finest food and service Mordencrast has to offer. Failing to uphold these standards can lead to shame given not to the individual, but their entire family line.Titles and Formalities
It's always important to ensure that a title is spoken whenever referring to somebody that is of higher standing -- or better yet, one of the ten Trade Lords. If somebody is appointed a formal title, then it's always used before their first name. This goes both ways; even the Trade King will respect the title of the lesser Trade Lords by speaking their title with their name.Art & Architecture
The wealth of an individual isn't measured in how much coin they may carry, but how much property they own. Houses vary in Crastan culture.
Within the slums, narrow streets are filled with squashed brick homes that rise towards the skies. These low income houses are owned by the High Count, which exacts a small tithe from the tenants of the apartments. These cities are kept entirely separate from the higher-income locations.
Recent industry has lead to smokestacks from factories jutting out amidst the crowded apartment rises, creating a misty haze of smog and fog that leaves the clouds perpetually overcast.
Suburban Homes
At the edge of these industrial cities are suburban houses that are divided from each other by cuts of property purchased by wealthier members of Crastan society. These houses are kept farther away from the bustling streets; the amount of land you own often dictates the amount of wealth you have. Traditional suburban homes have a small grated fence that surrounds their property, while less well-off individuals use wooden pickets.Wealth in Land
The wealthy often afford a monumental amount of land purchased directly from either the High Count or the former owner. Land is an expensive asset to own and is taxed monthly by the High Count -- unlike the rent paid by tenants within the low-income housing, rent is paid at a fixed rate dependent on the value placed on the land by the High Count. Trade Lords have established estates that are often kept privately from the hustle and bustle of the suburbs and city; privacy is a leisure in Crastan society. The Trade King lives in Castle Volteroy; a castle found at the center of the country, and the home of the High Count's leading officials.Foods & Cuisine
Crastan cuisine is highlighted by much of its seafood; shellfish and eel being among the most common dishes in the Crastan diet. Crayfish in particular is one of the most common proteins you can find on a Crastan table, as it's commonly found in every part of Mordencrast save for the north.
Mushrooms also characterise the Mordencrast diet; especially deep fried or pickled mushrooms. Crastan towns often have vendors that are dedicated to selling fried goods, and a 'fast fry' is a quick and easy pick up meal on the way home or to work.
Common Taboos
There are many rules within Crastan society, often dictated to the whims and desires of higher society.
No empty pockets
While it isn't a taboo, pockets are always assumed to have something held within them. The Crastan people assume every pocket is in use, and it is thus customary for pockets to be searched or emptied when requested to do so either as part of a trade or request of a noble. Empty pockets, while not necessarily forbidden, is looked down upon as a sign of low status or standing. An empty wallet or crumpled peice of paper would be preferable to a completely empty pocket. The phrase 'no empty pockets' also refers to a common practice made by Traders; should one wish to engage in trade, then they'd best always have something to offer upfront. It is an egregious offense and waste of time to attempt soliciting others wihtout having something to offer in return.Hold Hospitality
One must always be welcoming to their guests, who shall be treated with utmost respect and hospitality. Doing otherwise would signify that the wealth of an individual is undeserved. Guests are, likewise, always expected to have manners and respect their host's rules regardless of their qualms.Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Everything should be kept clean, tidy, and trim. Dishevelled appearances are a sign of not just carelessness, but an association with the lesser commoners -- even commoners have access to decent hygiene.
Dress Standards
As befits their 'prim' and 'proper' standards, the Crastans have a preference for simple clothing that flaunts their wealth and status.Assets
Assets are flaunted in the form of contained wealth. Gilded vests are very popular among Crastan nobility; that is, fabric vests that are carefully embossed with golden decorations to the wearer's choosing. Jewellery is likewise seen as a status symbol, in particular rings or necklaces. The Crastans find piercings outside of earrings to be unsightly or garish. Watches and lockets are also popular, especially ones crafted of precious metals.Make-up
Scars are to be powdered over with a firm foundation, as are blemishes and pimples. Baldness can be hidden through hair extentions or wigs, and lipstick or eyeliner is almost expected to be worn by women in high nobility.Tattoos
Tattoos are worn with pride and viewed as assets that signify wealth or hardship. They're much more popular to sailors, but are always worn with pride. Tattoos are heavily scrutinised in Mordencrast in the sense that a low quality tattoo can lead to a prison sentencing; tattoos must always be of the utmost quality and anything lesser than that will be blamed not on the wearer, but the artist that etched it.Clothing
Within closed doors, merchants and high-nobility might wear soft silks and extravagent wools that were imported from foreign nations. Outside, the typical Crastan uniform always consists of a light jackets treated carefully with waterproofed oils. The tail and frock are very common pieces of apparel in Crastan society. Linens make up the bulk of most clothing, with cotton shirts or wool trousers. Hats are very common in Crastan formalwear; top hats for men and wide-brimmed hats for women. A common Crastan saying is having a hat so big you can't fit through the door; referring to one's level of wealth reaching obscene degrees.Gender Ideals
Crastan culture is unique in the sense that their belief in equal opportunity leads to both genders being viewed as more or less the same culturally. There is no distinct role for either gender within Crastan society save for the beauty standards.
Men, for instance, are expected to keep their hair short, trim, and well-kept. They often slick their hair with oil or pomade, while women often keep their hair free of frizzes, lengthy, braided, or tied up. Particularly ostentatiously wealthy women often style their hair with unique decorations.
Men don't often wear make-up outside of powder and foundation to cover blemishing or scars, while women are encouraged to wear foundation, lipstick, and eyeliner to further accentuate their facial features.
Another distinction is their clothing; while men often wear tailcoats and frocks, distinguished women in Crastan society almost always wear a dress down to the knees when in formal occasions. Similarly, hats are different for each gender. Men often wear top hats, while women wear wide-brimmed hats.
Relationship Ideals
'Friend' is not a word that quickly leaves a Crastan's lips.
Most relationships in Crastan society are seen as strictly transactional. Services are given, exchanges are made, and business continues. Friends and companions, however, are trusted and expected to always support everyone no matter how many slights they must hold at their expense.
To have a friend is to carry their worth on your shoulders, for better or worse. To Crastan society, the crowd that someone surrounds themselves with speaks volumes about their character.
Romance
Among the very first things that a Crastan couple may do is exchange each other's overall income and standing within the High Count's bank. While love is certainly something that can be felt by anyone in their society, weddings will always end with a permanent partnership that shares a bank account, and subsequently, faces unique challenges in increasing standing in Crastan society. It is taboo to 'date downwards' for nobles; and outright forbidden in some circles to wed with outsiders that aren't a part of the High Count's bank.
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