Villish

Vera, Nadin, Hilda, Helga, Karla, Ava, Aline, Sonja, Gertrud

Gregor, Elmar, Soren, Ulrick, Alric, Marko, Harald, Lars, Armin, Armel, Linus

Elia, Kai, Bodi, Adison, Brix, Kaiel,

Villish last names are generally a title to explain one's standing and place in life. They do not have traditional family names, but instead hold a first name that references their parents.   Heinrichsohn for example, would be Heinrich's Son.   Torvatochter would be Torva's Daughter.   The last name of the child is typically left up to the child when they grow of age enough to make that decision, and is seen as the first stepping stone into adulthood to the Villish people.

Title Names

The most important part of a Villish person's life is earning their title name; or as the Villish call it; Unspitzname.   This special name is earned after somebody has either accomplished a great enough deed, or has been recognised enough by their community for committing to a certain passion or service. This can be something as great as slaying a wyrm that was harassing the town, to something as humble as chopping lumber.   Traditionally, this name is inked into the skin in a special ceremony held by their local Church.   A last name such as Steinform, which translates to Stone Shaper, would translate to somebody that sculpts or shapes rocks.   A revered hero that has named themselves after slaying a drake would have their rune name become Drachetoter; or Drake Killer.   The middle name 'von' is entitled towards those that have achieved the status of a lord, mayor, or relative of somebody esteemed in status.   Somebody that is a Duke that killed a drake, for example, would be Gregor von Drachetoter.

Common: The 'Common Tongue' is the primary language of all humanity, and subsequently, now the common tongue of the Villish. Though Villish is still the preferred language in their homeland.   Villish: A language that frequently places adjectives next to nouns. The Villish language is known for exceptionally long words.   Accents/Dialect: The Villish are known for having a bit of difficulty pronouncing th sounds, which can often come off as 'z' instead. Their w's are also either silent, or sound somewhat similar to a v instead.

Villish culture is best described as salt of the earth. They're a practical people that are not unfamiliar with hardship and adversity due to the challenges that their homeland brings; be it the massive beasts, the whimsical Fae, or the constant strife that they once had to face against their fellow man.

Etiquette

 

Speak Softly

Respect is carried, not spoken.

Despite being openly warm, the Villish people are generally quiet. They frown upon those that are loud, boastful, or loaded with nothing but complaints or empty promises. Showing is a much more important part of Villish etiquette.   A Villish person doesn't often speak their intention; they instead act. To them, words are empty promises that are left unfilled until action fills them. They use gifts or wordless favors to show their care or respect, and find words to be useless.   Bragging isn't the only thing that the Villish people aren't fond of. Complaints are seen as a sore sign of immaturity and inexperience; duties are to always be carried out regardless of the danger that it may bring.    

Family Forever

Blood is thicker than water for the Villish people. They always value their family over all else and are fiercely loyal to people that they consider a part of their fold. Family is cared for, respected, and defended, and taken in through even the darkest days. Being cast out by your family in Villish society is seen as not just a terrible omen, but a fate worse than death.   The love for the family also extends towards the love to a community. While the Villish are soft-spoken, gruff, and often rough around the edges, they make for a fiercely loyal companion.

Hospitality

  Villish households are more than happy to bring warm clothes, food, and fire to those that knock at their doorstep. Hospitality is an important adaptation to Villish society; comaraderie is something they've built after years of being exposed to the elements of Vilstrung.  

Kindness fosters kinship.

 

Clothing & Dress Code

Villish clothing is often very warm for the sake of their cold climate. Most Villish people are fond of wearing pelts or furs made of animals that their family either granted as an heirloom, or hunted themselves. Decorations are usually minimalist when it comes to clothing; trophies aren't something that the Villish are fond of, but mantles made from a beast's head or claws are often worn as a proof of a successful hunter.

Avid Hunters

Hunting is an important part of Villish life. More often than not, Villish settlements will often have entire districts dedicated to processing gigantic beasts or monstrosities -- even the waters around Vilstrung aren't exempt from this, with fishing ships dedicated to bringing massive leviathans from the deep to be processed in specialised dockyards dedicated to butchering beasts that reach the size of the ships that bring them.   Trophies are typically frowned upon when it comes to Villish households; they prefer practical goods. They don't care for mounting or trophies that have no practical use, but would much rather have proper skins used as rugs or cloaks to be worn. Bones are used for weapons or Alchemy , while the rest of the beast is fed to the village.  

Food & Cuisine

Villish cuisine is laden with meat. Meat is often harvested from the beasts or sold off from the slaughter yard for a very cheap price. They are also fond of very hearty vegetables; typically potatoes, barley, and carrots. Their dishes are very simple; roasted, stewed, or fried over a hot iron.

Traditional Villish funerals are referred to as sky burials.   Bodies are placed into a coffin and hauled high into the mountains, where they're then stripped, disrobed, and left to rot in the mountain where they can be picked clean by the beasts of the wilds.   Pyres are a relatively new tradition, but are now the preferred method of a funeral -- this is due to fear of the The Blood Curse infecting the bodies of the fallen before they have time to return to nature.  

Oil Estates

An Ol-Anwesen- or 'Oil Estate', is a special crypt that is typically placed nearby the Church to commemorate the fallen. Separtate crypts and cairns are placed across the Church. These Crypts, however, do not hold bones or bodies. Villish people are instead expected to get a commemorative oil painting done of them by the time they turn the age of 20. This is the age of 'true adulthood' to the Villish people.   When the time comes for the person in the painting, their painting is enshrined inside the cairn to serve as not just a reminder of their prime, but proof that they weathered life through their childhood years.

Villish taboos are rooted in their practical mindsets.

Lying

Lying is a heinous crime to the Villish people, who pride themselves in their loyalty. Any form of treason or betrayal is viewed as something deserving of the highest greatest punishment -- traditionally, liars were usually marked by branding a special rune directly on the liar's forehead.

Leave your Weapons!

Entering any household with weapons is considered a sign of mistrust and ill-intent. The second people walk into the door, they're expected to place all of their weapons on a special rack at the entrance of the household. Every Villish home has a weapon rack, dedicated to the guests.

Superstitions

Speaking the Dead: The dead are sacred to the Villish people; whenever somebody passes on, it is taboo to speak their name within the first week of their passing. Beads and braids are instead used to symbolise the names of the freshly fallen.

Hair Care

  The Villish are very fond of braiding their hair -- both men and women. Decorative beads are often used to add further decoration to the locks. Traditionally, Villish hairstyles are long and messy.   It is particularly rare for Villish men to cut their hair; they often grow their facial hair out and decorate their hair with different trophies. The beads, for example, are traditionally made out from carefully smoothed bone to symbolise a slain beast that they pride themselves in defeating. Colors are used to mark each bead.

Walkaway Locks

A common Villish tradition is for married couples to sever their braids and exchange their locks to their lovers whenever they embark on a long journey from each other. A long hunt is fuelled by a reminder of what's waiting back home, while the warrior defending their family will always hold a part of their lover.   Sometimes, these braids are woven into dolls, toys, or effigies whenever a successful hunt is made; further marking the bond through accomplishments.

Appearances

  The Villish are best described for enjoying features that show you've lived. A scar is not something that is seen as ugly in Villish culture, but something that has been earned through battle. Scars, be it on woman or man, are worn as badges of honor. Maimed bodies belong to scarred heroes that are celebrated as veterans that fought to provide for the family.   Blemishless or pampered skin is often seen as a sign of weakness; be you man or woman. Those bearing skin without a single scar are often jokingly told to run into the woods.   Muscle and fitness are, likewise, often seen as an important part of culture. Portliness is often seen as a positive thing; eating well is a sign of hunting well.

Men

Masculine roles in Villish culture are typically seen as the hunters, trappers, and soldiers; though these roles are not something that's seen as exclusively masculine, it is closer to tradition for the man to leave for hunting, gathering, and fighting. They provide, but pride themselves in being humble servants to their home rather than leaders.

Women

Married women in Villish cultures are seen as the protectors; the stay at home matriarchs that don themselves in steel and protect their village from the threats outside. While the men gather and hunt in the perilous frontier, the women are expected to dress a deer as well as their daughter's hair.   Women are typically seen as the heads of households; they are the guards, watchers, and sentinels, and thus act as the commander of the household.

Love to Villish people is somewhat different from most human communities; they hold a bond that is built more through shared hardship and through down to earth loyalty. The Villish care very little for beauty or conventional romantic methods; reaching marriage is often a trial in its own right.

The Kindling

   

"Fire must always start with kindling." -- Old Villish Proverb on romance.

An unwritten tradition to the Villish people is a practice called Kindling; while it is by no means expected, it is common for somebody showing romantic interest to perform a great feat in the honor of somebody they wish to proclaim their love to. The most common method is through hunting a great beast for them, but other practical gifts -- such as a coat of furs or a collection of gathered berries, is also a common practice.   A common way to a Villish person's heart is through food. More often than not, the 'kindling' for love is food.

Marriage Ceremony

Villish marriage ceremonies are held between two families. Friends are exempt from marriage ceremonies; which are sacred and must be held through uniting kin rather than simple companions.   During a Villish wedding, the bride receives a bead from each of the groom's kin, and the groom from hers. These beads are braided into their hair as a blessing from their new kin.   Afterwards, the two lovers are sent to survive in the nearest forest, where they fend for themselves against the elements. They're given nothing but the weapons and clothes bestowed upon them from their new kin. If the two manage to successfully hunt a creature, it is often seen as an omen of good fortune.