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{Multi-Racial Culture} The Asrakosian

Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
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Asrakos_Pillar_Short.pngThe_Asrakosian (1).pngAsrakos_Pillar_Short.png

"It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life!"
- Gaius Julius Caesar


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Physiology & Racial Demographics

"I'll have you know we've the best physiques in all of Altera!"

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The Asrakosians are a multi-racial culture, mainly consisting of humans, forest and silver elves, dwarves, caparii, and halflings. In Asrakosian society, race comes into consideration in chosen professions and locales. Countryside villages see Halfling farmers, and Wood Elven foresters secreted away from the bustling cities. In those cities, Greathorn Caparii are sought as heavy infantry, and Dwarves occupy workshops, where they are patronized by the reserved and academic Silver Elves who serve as tutors and philosophers.

Rigorous lifestyles and hearty diets have blessed most Asrakosians with muscular, hardened frames. It is not uncommon to see men and women grow to at least six feet, but the average height seems to be 5'8 to 5'10. Many Asrakosian humans are quite swift-footed or brawny due to a love of physical activities, such as wrestling, javelin-throwing, gladiatorial games, and foot, horse, or chariot racing.


Asrakosians’ complexions tend to be tanned or bronzed, and their faces possess high cheekbones and either aquiline or straight noses, with heads sporting hair that is curly or wavy, but not outright springy or kinky. In the more conservative elements of Asrakosian society, it is often unseemly for proper women to have a tan, though among poorer families a good tan is a sign of being a hard worker. Generally, those of Asrakosian birth might well find that even in old age, they are hale and hearty due to a physically active lifestyle.


Astrakhan is generally where most Asrakosians can be found, but there are some far-flung communities outside their native homeland, either as citizens or mercenaries. While most prefer the warmer climes of the South, it is not out of the question to find some braving the North's colder vistas, if the opportunities are right.

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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
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Asrakos_Line_Break (1).png

The History of Astrakhan & the Asrakosians
THEME


"We've given the world a bloody nose, and we'll do it again!"

The settling of the Black Forests of Astrakhan.


The Asrakosians have origins as disconnected groups of farmers, potters and masons searching for a home that would propagate their trades. For most of the unremarkable village's existence, it was ruled by a series of families who had come from the Pre-Exodus, Northern Continental town of "Asrakos". Operating on a semi-democratic form of government, these families grouped themselves into tribes in order to keep track of their supporters. Eventually, an elven woman by the name of Alijol Inkalla- an adopted member of the Herenii family- took control of the settlement through popular acclaim. Within a few years, the tribal system had been replaced with a semi-democratic monarchy and the Herenii took their place as the leading family. Over a few decades, the residents began to call themselves "Asrakosians" in honor of their descendants, and created a rich cultural background for their new home, much of which was based in what were once little more than the folkloric beliefs and customs from a collection of refugees. A great many even left Astrakhan to populate foreign lands, bringing with them their art, political traditions, and cuisine.

As their identity grew, Astrakhan immediately became involved in local politics as a staunchly loyal vassal to the Azerwinds of Mockingbay, whom covered the expenses of the town's construction in return for military service and trade. A war did break out, nearly forcing the former part of that agreement into action (see the Anhald-Fuvur War), but Mockingbay never mobilized against Anhald, and neither did Astrakhan- who would not have been able to muster enough troops anyways.

Years passed, and the fishing village grew inch-by-inch, spending its time befriending some states, and arguing with others, as well as gaining their independence from Mockingbay once the contract of payment ended. At some point in this time, the free city of Valerius formed a partnership with the village. Valerius would serve as the bulk of the new "Valero-Asrakosian Dominion's" military, with the city's high walls acting as a potential refuge for the Asrakosians in times of war. In return, Astrakhan would provide the city with crops and fish from it's bountiful landscapes, as well other materials resulting from inter-city trade. Things went well, though the two states often bickered with each other- especially when Queen Alijol fell ill and made Theodosius Hostilius Herennius the Regent. However, together, they fought off an opposing faction known as "The Royalists"- a group of Asrakosians who wished to prop up their own King and conquer the lands of the Eastern States, eventually defeating them at the Lucan Free-City of Scourge. The partnership would controversially end when Theodosius was crowned Basileos Ton Asrakos- Servant-King of Asrakos- which liquidated Valerius into more of a subordinate than a partner, much to the chagrin of the Valerean people. He subsequently found himself in a war against the Kanes and their allies when he accidentally injured Duchess Alison Kane. This enraged the Grand Duke Brennard Westmay, who demanded Theo's torture as a punishment. Theodosius protested, and with the help of Mockingbay, the Strandi of Stoltfar, House Wise, and Thordil Barumur, they bombarded the docks of Queensport, crippling the Kanes and eventually causing a stalemate, which would proliferate into a peace agreement between all the aforementioned states. With the North rebuked (though the Dominion feeling quite worse for wear), a lasting peace seemed to be the hope for many Asrakosians.

Alas, it was not to be so, as only a year later, the self-proclaimed "King Of the Dominion" Albion von Godfrey swiftly took over the underprepared city of Valerius in a part of his Crusade against the "heretical" Dominion that he would never see finished. This time, both the Alliance or the Albionites were evenly matched, and when Albion died, the war ended, but at the cost of the abandonment of Valerius , the crippling of Astrakhan's pride, and the extinction of the Valereans. This war also cemented the hatred against those considered "Filoi Ton Anhaldikoi" or "Friends of the Anhalders", which often meant Northern people who had jingoistic tendencies and followed the Church of Ignis.

And still, the violence came in the form of the Ashen Blight, which struck a few years after Albion's Crusade (known by the Asrakosians as the Year of the False King). Theodosius sent supplies to the ailing Linlea- who was valiantly fighting off the Infection- but his supplies were rather meaningless compared to the scale of the disease, especially because the harvest failed that year. By the orders of the Basileos, Astrakhan closed itself off, mobilized a civilian militia, and imposed rations and martial law, until other, stronger, and more capable heroes destroyed the Blight. Since the end of the Ashen Blight, the Asrakosians have come to carry their heritage with a sense of pride even when in far-flung lands, as a reminder of how their people survived against all odds.



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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
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Asrakos_Line_Break (1).png

The Asrakosian Language

“Please repeat that one more time, but this time, without singing it.”

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Most Asrakosians speak perfect Common which is embellished with a springy, almost melodic accent. Their day-to-day conversations are scattered with words from their native tongue; quirky, yet easily understandable with some practice. The language is often used in conjunction with fast-paced speech, as day-to-day Asrakosian life (which involves a great deal of haggling, bartering, gossiping, etc) requires one to be able to communicate a large amount of information as quickly as possible. Among the patricians or artisans, the dialect and its subsequent accent may be spoken more slowly, so as to signal the grace and elegance of the speaker. Resulting from a desire to emulate the civilizations of old, much of their vocabulary was borrowed from Old Arcturian, the people of which whom the Asrakosians claim vague descent to.

In Asrakosian, a single ‘e’ at the end of a word is pronounced with a diphthong, as ‘ay,’ wheras an ‘ie’ is pronounced as a short ‘e.’ Words which refer to people are gendered, with an ‘o’ ending being masculine, and an ‘a’ ending being feminine. Plurals often end in -ae, -eis, or -ii.

In roleplay, players must learn the language from an Asrakosian who speaks it. When speaking, denote the text with <Asr:>


Saluti: A very casual greeting, used by tavern-keeps and close friends. It's akin to saying, "Hey!"

Salve: A casual greeting to strangers, akin to "Hello!"

Ave: A formal greeting to superiors and co-workers.

Vale: Goodbye.

Bona dea: A general exclamation meant to convey surprise or shock. It literally means "Good gods!"

Gerrae: "Damn!" or "Fiddlesticks!"

Malaka: "Idiot" or something worse depending on the tone and situation.

Parakalo: "Please" as well as "you're welcome".

Efharisto: "Thank you."

Sygnomi: "I am sorry!"


-Iereius/Iereia: A priest or priestess, respectively. Plural form is Iereiae.

-Basileos/Basilissa: A King or Queen, but with the connotations of being public servants or representatives. Plural form of both is basileis.

- Princeps/Prinkipissa: Prince/Princess. Plural forms are principes and prinkipissae.

-Pater/Materfamilias: A patriarch or matriarch of a household.

-Kephale: General term for governor, mayor, or village headman. Governors are often called "Kephales Majorae". Plural form is kephales.

-Strategos/Archegetes: Military leaders, generals. Plural forms are strategoi and archegetoi.

-Magister: Master or Administrator, essentially. Often an advisor. Plural form is magisters.

-Skutatus: A person who holds a "scutum" or shield. Used more generally for any kind of infantry. Plural form is skutatoi.

-Psilos/Toxotes: An archer. Toxotes denotes a heavily armored bowman. Psilos denotes any ranged infantry. Plural form are psiloi and toxotai.

-Kataphraktos: A cataphract or any elite, heavily armored lancer. Singular vernacular is cataphract. Plural form is kataphraktoi.

- Kavallaros: Common cavalrymen or mounted men-at-arms. Plural form is kavallaroi.

- Equite: A knight, mounted noble, or a decorated cavalry veteran. Households with a tradition for raising fine cavalrymen typically refer to their members as Equites. Plural form is Equites.

-Immune: A member of the army who is "immune" from duties involving drudgery. Plural form is immunes.

- Centurion: A military officer who leads sixty to a hundred men.

- Optio: The second-in-command of a centurion. Plural form is optiones.

- Katepano: Captain, either of a ship or a small squadron. Plural form is katepanes.

- Decurion: Alternative for Katepano.

- Tiro: Novice, recruit. Plural form is tirones.

- Miles: From "military", this refers to common soldiers. Pronounced "meeless." The plural is the same as the singular.

- Pater/Mater: Father & mother, respectively. The plural forms are paters and maters.

-Satyr/Faunus: Slang for caparii. The plural forms are satyrs and faunae.


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Asrakosian Naming Conventions

“My name is Ammianus Flavianus “Sangrianus” Brachianus, but please call me Ammi.”



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An Asrakosian headstone for someone named Titus Valerius Pudens.

The Asrakosian name generally has three parts, a first name, a tribe name, and a family name. The tribe name is a left-over from when Astrakhan's early nobility were beginning to form into various groups, or tribes. Only nobility or those of means have a tribal name, most commoners only have a first and family name. Names are often Greek or Roman in style (but may be stylized or simply inspired from Classical names), and as such, men have an -ius, -ides or -o at the end of their names, like "Cassius", "Jocastus", or "Kaeso." These affect their tribal and family names, so a man might be named "Gnaeus Laurentinus Pulchius."

Women, however, have names that end in -a's or -e's, such as "Cassia", "Jocasta", "Kaese." Sometimes outsiders may have their name "Asrakosified". Robert might become "Robertus", or Katherine might become "Iaterine" (with the 'i' pronounced as a "Yo" or "Aye") or "Katerina". Usually such Asrakosification is done as a form of affection to make the person feel like less of a stranger. Sometimes, an honorary name might be placed somewhere after the first name and before the first name. Usually such names act as an indicator of some feat or where they hail from. For example, a Sangrian might be known as “Richard Sangrianus”; Richard the Sangrian.



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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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Politics & Cultural Mores


Asrakosians are a loquacious people who enjoy gossiping and haggling.
Art by Suburbanbeatnik on Deviantart

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Cultural Temperament

“The Asrakosian language does not include a phrase for ‘That's none of your business’.”


Typically, Asrakosians are an amicable, passionate people who enjoy the company of others. This sociability can often be seen in how Asrakosians treat complete strangers with shocking familiarity. For example, say a foreigner asks an Asrakosian where the nearest tavern is. To the Asrakosian, this is seen as the perfect opening to give this person a tour of the city, exchange life stories over coffee, and then invite the person over to a massive family dinner. For weary travelers, the prospect of friendly faces might be a godsend, but for those who come from more reserved background, the sight of an Asrakosian might mean a long night of non-stop prodding about their personal lives.

In individual interactions, Asrakosians are a largely forgiving, lenient people. However, within groups, there is an air of suspicion towards foreigners whose country once took up arms against Astrakhan, such as Anhalders or Kaltics. This suspicion often manifests as a colder, franker attitude towards such people until individual trust can be established. Rarely is there outright violence, save in more extreme cases, such as if an outsider attacked a citizen. Furthermore, when it comes to defending what they believe to be their home or their traditions, Asrakosians have a tendency to be competitive, proud, and even a little jingoistic. For the most part, however, Asrakosians, being individuals, will hold varying degrees of prejudice.

Another trait to the general cultural temperament of the Asrakosians is their rather peculiar work ethic. They are indeed a hardworking people, but to them, one’s occupation should be fulfilling, not just a way to pay the bills. Enthusiasm and passion are the watchwords of every professional; whether they are an artist seeking to master a style of painting or a farmer who wishes to grow the sweetest grapes. Even the most skilled doctor would be seen with some skepticism if they were only working as a doctor to pay the bills or out of familial tradition: if you don't love medicine, then you probably aren't very good at it, then, are you?


Lastly, this brings us to the Asrakosians’ collective love of leisure time. Even if an Asrakosian genuinely loves their trade, it is seen as unnatural and unhealthy to be constantly working. Like work, having fun is thought to be an avenue for self-improvement and general happiness. Thusly, Asrakosians believe that without time for recreation, one is unable to truly experience the joys of life, nor are they able to become their best self. Sadly, this philosophy can easily be misunderstood by outsiders and often has left the Asrakosians stuck with the nasty stereotype of being unreliable layabouts.

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Social Classes & Civic Pride

"You mean your nobles don't act as suggestion boxes? Then what else are you paying them for?!"

An Assembly in action.

The Asrakosians are peculiar amongst many cultures in that they live in an egalitarian, meritocratic society where the ruling class is held to a great degree of scrutiny by the lower classes, and are obligated to listen to and serve the public at large. For example, education is not restricted purely for the wealthy in Astrakhan, and public schooling is available for all citizens, regardless of their class. This tradition likely developed in the formative years of Astrakhan's creation, in which even the smallest decision or social imbalance could affect everyone. Therefore, it was necessary for the Herenii and the citizens of Astrakhan to come together to discuss legislation and economic decisions, such as where to build a road or what crop should be grown. Nowadays, such public discussions and decision-making still happen, even in the light of a more robust, urban bureaucracy. In such scenarios, the commoners or "plebeians" (meaning the lower, middle, and upper-non noble classes) will "call the Ekklesia" (Ekklesia meaning Assembly, of course) and form a group to talk with whoever is in charge. This could be someone as important as a guildowner or lord, or as someone as small-time as a merchant or guard captain.


Even outside Astrakhan, small groups of Asrakosians living abroad have a tendency to form neighborhood Assemblies to talk with or complain about the local leadership, much to their host sovereign's chagrin. Furthermore, anyone who is a citizen can join such an Assembly, be they rich or poor, man or woman, Asrakosian or foreigner, so long as they are a citizen or an accepted member of society. In such Assemblies, everyone has the right to speak their mind for an allotted amount of time, and all opinions must be considered. If there is no centralized leader present to make the final decision, such as a lord, then local heads of families, elders, and individuals relevant to the discussion will all vote on a decision. Should a centralized leader be present, they may choose to follow the Assembly's demands or ignore it and pursue their better judgement.

How much power an Assembly has and how it operates largely depends on where it is located; some hold almost all administrative power in a given area, others may still be beholden to a lord or king. In Astrakhan, for example, the Assembly still cedes all executive power to the Basileos, the so-called "Servant-King." While a monarch, it is still the job of the Basileos to listen to the Assembly's demands and to make an appropriate decision, even if it is one that displeases the people. However, whenever a larger legislative decision is to be made, it is traditional- but not required- that the Basileos call the Assembly (in this case, the entirety of Astrakhan) to seek out their opinions. In this case, many plebeians will form even smaller assemblies, in which prominent nobles, priests, or business owners are selected to act as rhetors for their Assembly's demands and opinions. Often times, such representatives come from local nobility, called patricians (a term exclusively meant for Asrakosian nobility), all of whom hope to use the favor of the public as a way to gain power. While this might seem like an easy route to corruption, the Assembly
does have safeguards against such discrepancies. For example, if an Assembly representative consistently does not enforce or does not speak in favor of the Assembly's demands, they may find themselves replaced, and their political power could be crippled. Alternatively, should a leader or representative only make or speak in favor of decisions that please the public, but are actually quite disastrous, they might find themselves labeled as demagogues, in which they allowed their greed to overlook the need to inform the populace of what is best for the state. Similarly, if a Basileos (or Basilissa, in the case of a female leader) began to act against the interests of the People or generally declared themselves a tyrant, it would be the duty of all Asrakosians to do them harm and remove them from power and find a new leader.

As the relationship between the Assembly and the ruling government can be quite complicated at times, the Asrakosians have developed a proud tradition of being politically active in their city of residence, as well as being learned about the local politics of their home. Through educating themselves and their children about how their politics work, Asrakosians believe that the Assembly is less prone to supporting unwise or unpopular decisions, and that their current homes (wherever that may be in Altera) will flourish because of it. In this sense, Asrakosians might be seen as a nuisance by more autocratic governments for their propensity to become loud, stubborn, and frighteningly argumentative political opponents. This isn't helped by the fact that there is no official way of holding an Assembly; some might strict rules about rhetoric, time-limits, and topics of discussion, while other Assemblies are far less sophisticated, and could be no better than riotous screaming matches.

Lastly, we reach the unique position nobility have taken in Asrakosian politics, in which respect and deference is not necessarily inherited, but earned instead. Due to the meritocratic nature of Asrakosian politics, nobility are held in great scrutiny by the public eye, and often must work to be seen as trusted leaders of their society. For the most part, they must prove that their intentions are for the public's welfare rather than for their own personal, egotistic gain. The process of establishing such a repertoire might include working for a bureaucratic arm of the government, acting as an Assembly representative, creating jobs, or by proving themselves in the military, either as an officer or as a cavalryman (in which case they are known as "Equites"). When they have done that, a household may very well earn the title of patrician, even if they would not be considered traditional nobility by outsiders. It would then be up to the family to uphold their good relations with the public, lest they fall from their favor and out of power. Even noble families that can trace their roots to the beginning of the city can fall from grace by one swift change in popular opinion.


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Family Structure & Gender Roles


"We will decide what to have for dinner when we reach a full quorum, young man."

Patrician families often commission artists for portraits such as these.

Like their politics, the structure and attitudes of the typical Asrakosian family are somewhat different compared to other Alteran families. Each extended family possesses a patriarch and a matriarch, known respectively as either the Paterfamilias, or Materfamilias (Patres Familias and Matres Familias, plurally). In plebeian families, the Pater or Materfamilias is the family elder, by default, and in times of financial crisis or when disputes arise, they are whom the family goes to for advice and mediation. In Patrician families, where the stakes are higher, this role may be given to a member of the family, either through a vote or by a strongly-worded self-appointment. The range of their power varies depending on the particular household; some make all the executive decisions of the family, some put them to votes, while some will allow the nuclear families to take care of themselves without their interference. If there is a dispute between two families, it would be their respective Pater/Materfamilias that would meet to settle it.

Another, somewhat unique aspect of Asrakosian family life is their attitudes towards the different genders. While it is certainly not a universal opinion, most Asrakosians do not really believe in gendered positions; anyone can do anything as long as they have the know-how and passion for it. In fact, Asrakosian women pride themselves for their athletic and/or intellectual prowess as much as their men do, making tangling with them a dangerous, humiliating affair.
 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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Blorbis83
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Asrakos_Line_Break (1).png

Traditional Asrakosian Dress

"You try wearing pants in this heat!"

A display of Asrakosian fashion styles.
From left to right; a man wearing a chlamys with a chiton beneath, a man wearing a himation, a linothorax, two women's himations, two peplum dresses, and two men wearing a panoply; one of bronze, the other of leather and linen.
Perhaps the most iconic (or notorious, depending on one's views) part of Asrakosian culture is their fashion, in which pants are quite optional and the rest being loose and breezy. The range of clothing is wide, but in general, the most common forms of clothing for men and women are tunics called chitons or tunica. The chiton is a sleeveless, rectangular tunic of linen or cotton, that can be girdled or belted, and usually can reach far down to the ankles or hang above the knees. Meanwhile, the tunica possesses short sleeves and a longer hem, and as such, is worn without pants; though longer-sleeved versions are worn with pants.

Male farmers, light infantrymen, hunters, or other laborers prefer to wear an exomis, which is essentially a chiton that is tied along the left shoulder, leaving the right side of the chest exposed, with both arms free to move about.

When not working, plebeian women will generally wear a peplos (plural, peplum), a tubular dress that is draped to create two sections, in which the first acts as a shirt, and the other as a dress. These are all worn with either sandals or ankle-boots, usually without socks or any foot-covering. Military sandals, called caligae, possess hobnails at the bottom, and as such, act like cleats.



Formal & Seasonal Wear

Here, an orator wearing a billowing toga gestures to an audience.

Formal clothing tends to be more complicated in form and function, and will vary depending on one's profession and on the occasion. For the most part, formal occasions call for Asrakosians to wear longer clothing, particularly silken robes, togas and himations. Himations, are essentially heavy shawls or cloaks that are worn by both men and women over tunics, and can be made of linen or cotton. Male tutors, librarians, professors, and scholars also wear himations (generally a light blue or grey), but do so with a part of their chest exposed, reminding them of their duty to keep knowledge and wisdom pure, and close to their heart. Beneath this, tutors will wear an exomis or a chiton. In place of this, female tutors will instead wear a loose headscarf or a silver girdle. Meanwhile, if one is representing their Assembly or is a noble, they will wear a toga, or a stola, in the case of women.

Togas are heavier than himations as they are made of wool and are more complicated to put on, requiring more than one person to assist you. Due to this, togas often encumber movement, and as such, are worn only when mobility is not necessary, save for pacing or gesticulating before crowds. While most foreigners laugh at the idea of grown men orating in dresses, to the Asrakosians, togas are no laughing matter, and many wear them with pride.

If one is a plebeian or a plebeian representative of an Assembly, their toga will be a plain white. Such togas are called
toga virilis due to the fact that they are bestowed upon boys who receive them at the age of manhood; 16. If they are candidates for the Assembly, a plebeian might brighten their white toga with chalk, so as to give it a more brilliant, pure appearance, this is known as a toga candida.

If the wearer is in the
military, they will wear a toga praetexta, in which the toga bears a red stripe.

If they are
royalty, the stripe is purple, while court officials and patricians will wear blue togas, medical professionals, alchemists, and mages will wear green, engineers wear brown, artisans, craftsmen, dancers, and musicians will wear pink, and merchants, gold.

Such toga praetexta will be worn only if the person is speaking as a member of that section of society in an Assembly. In less political occasions, one may wear a toga decorated with colorful patterns of pictures, and for this, they are called
toga picta.

During funerals, men will wear all black or dark grey togas, with little to no decoration. Again, tutors or philosophers will wear grey-striped togas without a tunic or chiton beneath it, as a show of honesty and commitment to truth. Meanwhile, the
stola is essentially a toga for women, being an overdress, though it can be shorter if desired. Again, the styles of stolae are the same as the toga, with toga praetexta being replaced by stola praetexta, or toga picta being replaced by stola picta, and so on. Some women, particular priestesses and materfamilia, will wear a hood or headscarf with their stola, called an olicula, though male priests, the religiously inclined, and mourners may also wear this piece.

Togas are not the only formal wear; if needed, men can wear a pallium, which is a lighter version of the toga, and more closely resembles a himation. The only real differences are that it can also come in the form of a shawl or sash. It follows the same rules as the toga, and is preferred by younger or more energetic individuals who nonetheless partake in politics or formal occasions. The female version is called a palla, and is worn over a peplos or as a headscarf.

If it is colder out, men and women may wear cloaks, such as the blanket-like
chlamys the poncho-like paenula, or the military abolla, which is worn by soldiers of all ranks. However, these only provide some protection against light breezes, and in snowy or freezing weather, Asrakosians prefer to wear pants, linen-leg wraps, socks, and heavier cloaks of fur or wool. Nobles may even wear more than one toga or himation over another, at the cost of being over-encumbered.



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Warfare & Traditional Training


"What? You thought that because we're artsy that it meant we couldn't kick your butt?"

Asrakosian spearmen or skutatoi carry large shields into battle.

Asrakosian legioniaries prepare to repel an attack. Art by krstovukoje.

Though Asrakosians are a fairly peaceable folk, they are by no means strangers to combat if diplomacy fails. In Astrakhan alone, many Asrakosians had to fight off bandits and cultists and endured not only a civil war, but also two major conflicts with Northern nations. For this reason, older Asrakosians often had experience in the army or at least being trained in various weapons, so that they were better able to organize a defense for their home.

Such tendencies have been carried down to the younger generations of Asrakosians in the form of the Gymnasium and the Akadēmía. Children are first enrolled in the Gymnasium roughly at age five or ten- just when they have entered schooling or tutelage- and are taught basic exercises in the form of sports, like javelin or discus-throwing, wrestling, boxing, races, and acrobatics. Like their apprenticeships or schools, the Gymnasium classes are graded and instill a sense of discipline in children, as well as increasing their physical health.

Once children reach the ages of sixteen or twenty, young people are enrolled in the Akadēmía, which functions like a trade-school, university, and military academy all in one. Not only are they taught the finer points of their trade or academic interests, they also are trained in basic combat skills, such as how to use a spear, shield, and sling.

Wealthier students or more prestigious Akadēmíes may even teach their students how to ride horses, how to joust or shoot arrows on horseback, and even how to command men in battle. Both the Gymnasium and the Akadēmia may take the form of physical institutions (i.e. a university) or may simply be scheduled sessions held in local fields, barracks, workshops, or any other relevant area.


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Competition between Asrakosian mercenaries, can be....less than cordial.

While students in these institutions do not always go on to join the military or become mercenaries, they are at least given the skills necessary to keep themselves physically and mentally disciplined for the challenges they might have to overcome in life. As such, not all Gymnasia or Akadēmíes have a heavy focus on the military or on combat, but those that do generally hope to raise a population that can defend their homes in a pinch. However, those who do pursue a militaristic life after graduating the Akadēmía either join their local army (such as the Asrakosian Legion, in Astrakhan, or the Sangrian Regime, due to Astrakan's friendly relations with Sangria) or end up going abroad as disciplined mercenary companies. Rarely do they operate as bandits or pirates (they are not a very maritime people), though organized bands of "robber equites" and deserters have been known to cause mayhem in the Alteran countryside, such as the Royalists, who were groups of deserters intent on propping up a tyrant in Astrakhan in place of the Herenii.

Arms & Armor

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A squad of legionaries eagerly attempt to kill someone in the most photogenic way possible.

In terms of equipment, Asrakosian soldiers prefer combined arms, meaning that many will be able to use various forms of weapons. Their favored melee weapons, though, tend to be spears, polearms (such as the rhomphaia; a deadly, curved blade that can be used to thrust and hack through enemy shields or helmets), short swords (such as the gladius, xiphos, and kopis), arming swords, and kite or round shields.

As for ranged weapons, Asrakosians prefer weapons that are conducive to skirmishing or guerrilla warfare, such as javelins and shortbows. Slings are also favored by many poorer fighters as lead or stones are cheap and both can kill or maim even an armored warrior.

Cavalrymen tend to bard their horses in armor, and will usually carry a recurve bow, a lance, and a mace. As with most cultures, horsemen tend come from richer or noble families, and this is displayed in the way they decorate their steed in ornate bridles and armor, usually to match the fine girdles and suits of mail of their riders.

As with their arms, the preferred armors of Asrakosian soldiers varies depending on their need, with some preferring heavy suits of plated lamellar, brigandine, scale, or mail, while others use lighter, somewhat outdated equipment, such as muscled breastplates, linothoraxes, and crested, cheeked helmets. Whatever they choose, squads of Asrakosians try to keep their equipment somewhat uniform, so as to make their function or group distinct.
 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
Legend
Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend
Asrakos_Line_Break (1).png

Arts & Crafts

"Always wear sandals when entering a mosaicist's home."

An Asrakosian painter begins his work on a finished sculpture.


As one can guess by now, the Asrakosians enjoy beautiful things, whether they are ideas, such as equality or justice, or more sensorial things, such as finely adorned clothing or well-rehearsed speeches. Therefore, it should come with no surprise that the Asrakosians pride themselves as being fine artists, and as having equally fine tastes. This becomes quite evident when in even the poorest of households, workshops, and shrines, the walls are decorated with frescoes and portraits, the floors tiled with mosaics, and the family-chest filled with glazed pottery, kept for special occasions.

Traditionally, Asrakosians prefer to work on mediums of stone, cloth (see Asrakosian Dress), or clay, as it befits their origins as claypit-workers, miners, and weavers, but there are also a myriad of musical forms that stemmed from the songs of their shepherd forebears.

Statues: While sculptors will use whatever material is around or most convenient for them, the best sculptors prefer marble, glass, or bronze as their mediums due to their longevity and beauty. Typically, Asrakosian statuary is made in two styles; the Heroic Style- in which the subject's (or subjects') proportions are exaggerated to create a more powerful, legendary effect, or in the Realist Fashion, in which the proportions of the subject conform to their real-life counterpart. Regardless of the style, statuary is always painted and great pains are taken to include the finest of details, such as veins, handprints, or lifelike fur or hair.


A bust of a young patrician man. His status as a representative in the Assembly is denoted by the green laurel crown he wears.
A painted bust, possibly of a politician or famous athlete.



Pottery: Pottery is among the most common medium in traditional Asrakosian art, as it is ubiquitous across their society, regardless of any divisions present. Most pottery is shaped to their contents; wine jugs (or jugs meant for any liquideous substance, such as garum) may have longer necks or broad bases, while vessels intended for grains or dry goods may have a wider neck. Two handed symposium vessels often are shaped like animal heads and lack a base for the cup to sit on, and so must be passed around person-to-person until its contents are consumed. Many vessels go undecorated, in the event that they break or must be discarded because their contents- such as olive oil or milk- go rancid. Decorated pottery, therefore, is incredibly expensive, and even the poorest households will have at least one vase or set of platters that are painted or embellished in someway.

One common style is "Black and Red", in which black ink is used atop red colored clay, allowing the potter and painter to create vivid scenes and complex patterns without the usage of expensive paints, delicate imprints, or moulded buttons or shells. However, for those with more expensive tastes, one's pottery can be painted in more extravagant colors, like blue, white, or even with gold. To enhance and preserve such colors, a salt-glaze will be used, usually on top of smooth stone. glass. or porcelain, both of which are "superior" mediums for expensive paints, compared to ceramic.

Black-and-Red Style pottery forgoes physical decorations in favor of geometric patterns and narrative scenes.Asrakosian Porcelain. Note the use of white clay, which is highly prized amongst traditional potters.
A "Black and Red" style jug, and a porcelain pitcher, respectively.

Mosaics: There is a saying: "In the workshop, the broom is the mosaicist's worst enemy, but in the patron's home, it is the mosaic's best friend." To the Asrakosians, mosaicists are considered the most talented of all artists because of their ability to to focus on the larger picture while not losing focus on the finer details of their project: a virtue that many lack even outside of their work. As a result, mosaicists are well-paid and well-supplied by their patrons so that they may make full use of their skills. However, becoming a master in traditional Asrakosian mosaicism is exceedingly difficult, both because of the complex nature of the artform, and becuase many mosaicists jealously guard their secrets from outsiders.

Generally, there are three rough styles of mosaic art in Asrakosian culture, Pragmatic Functionalism, Heroic Realism and Ecclesiastic Abstractism. It should be noted that while these styles can apply to any medium, the titles themselves are typically reserved for mosaicism. The first style, Pragmatic Functionalism is the most commonly used form by everyday citizens. As suggested by its name, this style of art simply seeks to symbolize the purpose of the room or object it finds itself installed in. This could include still-life advertisements of food in a taberna, icons of herbs or skulls outside a doctor's office, or a dog on a placard outside someone's property, warning them of the dangers of trespassing. Pragmatic Functionalist art may be abstract or realistic, or somewhere in between.


This piece displays a still-life of fine fruits. Such a mosaic might be displayed in the entrance or wall of a fruit merchant or Shalheranite Temple.
An example of Pragmatic Functionalism.

The second form, Heroic Realism, focuses on creating lifelike, but intense imagery of heroes, battles, monsters, and romances. Mosaicists in this school place immense value on using the right tiles for the job so as to create realistic musculature, shading, and proportions. Some even go as far as making their work seem "3D" from certain perspectives. While paint can be used to fill in missing pieces or recolor certain pieces, it is often seen as a form of cheating. This style is often found on the floors (or even walls) of mansion-like domus, academies, temples, and high-end taverns.

Here, a centaur attempts to crush a tiger mauling his comrade. Note the realistic musculature of the subjects, and the minute nature of the tiles used in this piece.
An example of Heroic Realism in which a centaur fights off tigers.

The last school, Ecclesiastic Abstractism places less value on realistic proportions and colors, and more focus on narrative elements and iconic imagery. This form is almost exclusively found within shrines, temples, chapels, and in any religious imagery within someone's home. As such, subjects are often of the Gods, saints, religious narratives, and events of historical importance. Gold and expensive paints are frequently used to indicate the divine splendor and purity of the subjects being portrayed, while the proportions and distances of scenes may be imperfect, either as a way of showing mortalkind's inability to truly capture the divinity of the Heavens, or because the mosaicist is disinterested in portraying realistic depictions of people.

An ecclesiastical depiction of Saint Ananias, the patron saint of Valiant, soldiers, and spearmakers.
An example of Ecclesiastic Abstracism.




Textiles: As previously discussed, the Asrakosians enjoy being fashionable, although some might call it being gaudy. Nevertheless, such a love of fine attire has created the need for skilled tailors, weavers, and dyers. As a result, the Asrakosians are able to produce a variety of fine textiles, usually made from cotton, finespun wool, linen, velvet, or silk. These bolts of cloth can be dyed and embroidered with decorations ranging from simple, geometric patterns to impossibly complex scenes and even people. Such vestimentum picta are usually almost only worn in formal or special occasions or by royalty, nobility, and merchants.

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A patch of Asrakosian embroidered, silk cloth. Note the heavy use of purple.



Music and Instruments: In Asrakosian households and settlements, there is never a day that passes where music is not being played. Most children in the Gymnasia or Akadēmía who do not take up a craft or a field of study tend to gravitate towards learning instruments. Often these instruments are stringed such as lyres, kitharas, lutes, guitars, or woodwinds, such as flutes, panpipes, clarinets, or the aulos, a special, double-reeded flute often played in parades. Other instruments include tambourines, trumpets, castanets, and water organs, a type of piped organ operated by pumping air and water. Singing is also an important component to traditional music, in which singers known as rhapsodes are expected to recite poetic verses through memory and even remember choreographed movements whilst playing and singing simultaneously. While music within patrician courts & homes tends to be subdued and quiet, the music of commoners is raucous, festive, and- like the people themselves- grating to foreigners.


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Public Entertainment

"If this was a Comedy, then why was everyone crying?"


An Asrakosian Masked Comedy. Here, Jax, disguised as a beggar, approaches an important musician at a party.
Asrakosians take their enjoyment quite seriously, so much so that there's is an unspoken law amongst them known as "The Right to the Theater" in which all citizens, regardless of class, are given the right to take time out of their work to see at least one play, once a week. The Right to the Theater isn't exclusive to seeing plays; some may use this time to see a tournament of arms, an athletic contest, or perhaps to simply nip down to the taverna for lunch and a game of cards. Regardless of how they spend their time, one can expect the Asrakosian to make time for fun.

Theatre: As previously mentioned, plays are an important part of Asrakosian life. Not only do they allow for people to gather and socialize with one another, they also allow citizens to show their support or disdain for certain political or cultural movements in times where public demonstrations may be deemed dangerous or illegal. Thusly, actors and playwrights are often also philosophers and political theorists and are highly sought after by those wishing to enter public life on the right foot. Plays generally take place in specialized amphitheaters, though barring this, many troupes will simply perform on the streets. Because of their importance, troupes generally do not charge admission, although they do often request unspoken, mandatory donations.

Masks.
Traditional stock-caricature masks depicting the Shocked Noblewoman and the Bawdy Jaxite.

Plays often come in the forms of comedies or tragedies, and both forms include audience participation in which members of the audience may give instructions to certain characters, plead for mercy, or even become entangled in the drama of the plots! Comedies include anything bawdy, light-hearted, slanderous, or humorous, and are usually put on after dark so as not to upset anyone's sensibilities. Comedic plays often poke fun at political figures (who often are expected to attend as a show against hubris) or at certain laws deemed ridiculous or unfair. On the other hand tragedies are, well, tragedies: they include anything to do with death, deceit, moral decay, and heroic sacrifice. Most self-righteous playwrights who write in this genre often create their plots as thinly veiled displays of disdain for things such as unpopular wars, political figures, the moral status of the youth, or even the actions of the Gods.
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Chariot races on public streets are technically illegal, but the youth still do it anyways.

Athletic Contests: Of course, not everyone wants to sit around watching people whine about politics, and for these people, there are athletic contests. These often take place amongst neighborhood or regional athletes who have competed for years. The games include javelin and discus throwing, chariot racing, pankration (an incredibly dangerous mix of boxing and wrestling), and footraces. Arenas for these sports are often too expensive to build nowadays, so many people simply go out into the countryside and hold the games there.

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A gladiator kneels in triumph after dispatching his opponents.

Gladiatorial Games: While armed tourneys are not unknown to Altera, the Asrakosians seem to enjoy rather different forms of bloodsport than others. Indeed, while jousts and archery contests are popular, what many citizens really come for are the gladiatorial games. These games take place in the countryside where small, sandy pits can be constructed, or are larger venues of stone within the city. At first glance, many foreigners may assume that these games are fatal due to the amount of blood being shed, but for the most part, these games are more show than actual combat, though accidents have been known to happen, and there are always less reputable, underground rings to go to. Gladiators and gladiatrices are all citizens, and all of them are trained to give non-lethal strikes to their opponent until they either submit or are knocked to the ground. Anyone who gets wounded are given quality care by on-site doctors, and weapons are routinely inspected for rust or grime. Establishments that regularly end up with dead gladiators are considered of ill-repute and there have even been cases of gladiators going on strike to protest bad conditions.

Many fighters conform to a certain type of gladiator, each of which is pitted against each other in specific match-ups. These typs of gladiators are usually equipped to represent a mock-up of a real-world soldier. For example, a Bellator Sangrianus ("Sangrian Warrior") is armed either with a cutlass or an axe and must evade and capture the net of the Piscatoris Fuvurianus ("Fuvurian Fisherman") in order to subdue them with it.
 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
Legend
Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend
Asrakos_Line_Break.png
Food & Drink

"A fine dinner needs only three things; good garum, good wine, and good friends."

An Asrakosian feast likely in celebration of Jax.

Art by
Sedeslav.
As it is within most sedentary cultures, the diet of Asrakosians revolves around mainly around cereal products (often common wheat, emmer, spelt, barley, millet, rice or corn), as well as wine, olive oil, fish, and dairy products, all of which are symbols of the Asrakosians' origins as farmers and river-dwellers. Therefore, it is a common practice among friends to share their bread or carafe of wine with one another as a show of amity and trust.

Many plebeians also supplement their diet with a rich variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, olives, capers, grapes, figs, dates, plums, cherries, berries, peppers, legumes, tomatoes, cabbages, alliums, and leafy greens, all of which can be found growing on their farms or in home-gardens.

Meat is a luxury amongst the lower-class, and often comes in the form of freshwater fish, pork or chicken, all of which are either turned into sausages, ground patties, or are served roasted or stewed. Herbs like alliums, parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, fennel, marjoram, mint, coriander, basil, and rosemary are used in lieu of expensive spices, all of which can be incorporated into vegetable sauces. Spices that are most often used tend to be black peppercorns, chili peppers, cinnamon, clove, ginger, allspice, mace, cardamom, turmeric, and nutmeg. Recipes tend to be simple roasts, soups, or salads and inevitably include some sort of grain product (such as pasta or bread) or root vegetables like turnips or potatoes. Sugar is rarely used as a sweetener, instead, honey and fruits are used in desserts, as well as spices like cinnamon or clove. Cocoa is also a common ingredient within desserts of both the wealthy and the poor.

Meals are eaten in a single room at a table, at least four times a day. Breakfast, or ientaculum, is taken at least by sunrise, if not before, and is a very simple affair. Bread dipped in wine, porridges (called puls) of grain, honey, and cheese, and left-overs from the day before are the most common dishes eaten at this meal. Next, just before noon, is prandium, just before the main meal of the day. Prandium is typically either a heavy snack or a light meal, and for many working people, takes place at open-air snackshops called thermopolia. The next and most substantial meal is known as cena and takes place at around noon or the early afternoon. By now, tavernas and thermopolia are crowded with hungry salarymen and laborers looking for hot meals to end the day. Children will begin heading home from their schools and tutors, and priests begin to shelter inside the temple, away from the heat. Those at home will sit down to meals with the rest of their family, where the events of the day are discussed. Cena is the heaviest meal, consisting mainly of meals cooked a few hours before or whatever has been stewing in the pot all day. After this meal, by sunset, there is supper, known as vesperna, which is a light meal of leftovers, desserts, coffee, or tea.


Amongst the patricians, meals are more or less the same fare as the plebeians, except during holidays or special occasions. While this may seem surprisingly reserved for the upper-class, it should be noted that any self-respecting patrician is expected to throw a feast at least once a month, usually in correspondence to a local holiday or as a show of gregariousness. It is at these feasts where one's pantry is displayed as signals of power and wealth; great cuts of meat are served spiced with pepper, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, marjoram, nutmeg, paprika, and saffron. Animal fats and rare game meats are highly prized among the wealthy, as well as a fermented fish sauce called garum, which supposedly gives foods a more savoury, meaty flavor.

Unusually, these feasts are not held in great dining halls, but in small rooms called triclinia, where guests are seated at one of three couches or lecti. The triclinium is often lavishly decorated with frescoes and finely made furniture, and are often dimly lit so as to create an intimate ambience.


While more seating can be provided at the host's discretion, the feast would then be seen as a slightly gaudy affair. If this is the case, it is typical that entertainment like music, dance, poetry, and decorative dishes be provided for the guests. Some of the more conservative members of Asrakosian society have taken to looking down at larger feasts, where seemingly anyone can attend, no matter their relation to the host, but not even they would be caught dead without an invitation- nor would they allow such a transgression to go unpunished!

 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
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Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend
Asrakos_Line_Break.png
Religious Practices
[THEME]

"Alright, who ate the fresh chicken from the pantry? I wrote Sallana's name on the box, guys, c'mon!"

A priestess pours a libation of wine into a brazier.

For many Asrakosians, properly honoring the Gods is a major part of daily life. This often involves a series of rituals throughout the day, most of which revolve around the shrines within someone's home. These shrines are known as sacella and come in a few different varieties, though their functions are largely the same across the spectrum. The most common form of sacellum can be found within a household and are often small dioramas of temples set up on a dedicated pedestal or nightstand. Within these dioramas, the faithful place figurines of the Gods (these figurines, known as sacra are stored in a special chest called a sacrarium) as well as the proper offerings. Which figurines are displayed and which offerings are set out depend on which god or gods are being honored in the kalendarium, a special calendar for the year made by the local community's priests (more on this later). During ordinary times (that is, non-holidays or months of observance), these sacella may be left empty or filled with sacra of the entire Pantheon. Offerings typically consist of dried fruits, nuts, written prayers, or beeswax candles.

Other sacella and their sacra can be somewhat larger, forming a single building (such as a chapel) on nearby streets or as various rooms within temples and churches. Some are dedicated to specific holidays or pilgrimages and may be closed off until appropriate. Increasingly, some sacella are not even being dedicated to Gods, but to various Figments that people believe may assist them with their troubles, such as the Figments of Doors, Health, Charity, Love, Bravery, and Family.


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A sacellum dedicated to Valiant, with three candles set out as offerings.

Related to but distinct from the sacella are the naoi (singular, naos), which cover large, religious structures such as temples, cathedrals, or monasteries. Like most Alteran places of worship, Asrakosian naoi are often open most days of the year and hold daily or weekly services for the public. Naoi are richly decorated with the finest pieces of artwork the local community can afford; mosaics cover the floors and ceilings while statues of gods, heroes, and mythical creature flank every doorway, all painted with astonishingly lifelike accuracy. Naoi that are dedicated to a single god or goddess are usually built on a place of significance to that deity, such as the sites of old battles, miracles, a martyr's place of death, or a natural landmark. Most naoi- such as the one in Astrakhan- are dedicated to all of the Gods and usually overlook the town agora as a reminder that the Gods are always watching.

Within each naos, the priests and priestesses spend their days in constant service to the Gods. Typical duties include taking care of the relics and artworks, singing hourly hymns to mark the time, taking auguries, and guiding laypeople through prayers and sermons. The most important duty, however, is that of Thysia or "immolation", in which sacrifices to the Gods are offered up in full view of the public each day. Sacrifices vary from day to day, but almost all of them are burned at a special altar at the top of the naos' front steps. The most jarring and dramatic of thysies is that of the Thysia Aimatos: the "Blood Immolation." In this ceremony, a live animal (usually a goat, pig, or cow) is marched up to the steps of the naos in a lively procession. As the victim is brought up to the altar, the public shower the way up the steps with flowers and belt out rhythmic praises towards the God(s) in question as a way of getting the attention of the Divine. Then, once the victim is brought to the altar, it is quickly slaughtered by slitting its throat. It is here when the sounds of chanting, music, and cheering reaches a crescendo before suddenly lapsing into silence as the victim is butchered and placed into the sacred fires of the altar. If the thysia was made in a time of desperation, the entire animal may be burnt by the fires (save for the innards, which are used for auguries). However, if the thysia took place on a day of great importance (such as the birthday of a ruler or on a feast day of a god), then the remains of the animal are divided amongst the gathered for consumption. It should be noted that Thysies Aimatos are not dedicated to Shalherana as she is the Goddess of Life.

The gruesome nature of this display aside, the consumption of sacrifices (animal or not) by the masses serves an important function beyond simply appeasing the Gods. Often times, the lay people present at these events are among the plebeian class, making the entire affair rather egalitarian as the priests dole out the offerings (at least the ones that remain unburnt) to the poor and hungry. On larger holidays, multiple blood sacrifices can be carried out so as to supply more food to the gathered crowds of faithful.

As a general note, the sacrifice of people is wholly prohibited and is considered to be barbaric.


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The Kalendarium

"It looks like Hiems Gaudium is cancelled this year, children."


The Figment of Time rejoices the birth of his son, the New Year alongside festival-goers.
As discussed previously, the Kalendarium refers to the religious calendar of holidays observed by Asrakosians. Each year, the dates within the Kalendarium is adjusted to match the dates of the secular calendar of Altera. While some might see the Kalendarium as a large list of excuses to take days off, the most religious of the Asrakosians believe the Kalendarium is what keeps society polite and mortalkind in the favor of the Gods. Without the Kalendarium, one's duties towards the Gods will become lax and by way of reciprocity, their future will no longer be secured by the heavens. If this lapse in observance were to continue- the religious argue- the world would be brought into chaos as men lose their morals and spur the Gods into terrible acts of vengeance. Crops will fail, citizens will fall dead in the streets to disease, wars will be lost, and society would descend into anarchy. However, if the Kalendarium is followed and the Gods are honored, then favorable days may follow as bumper crops are grown, diseases are dispelled, peace is established throughout the land, and society continues to exist another year.

Below is a list of the holidays celebrated throughout the typical Alteran year:

Kalends of Snowdown: The Kalends is defined as the first day of a month, however as Snowdown is the last month of the year the Kalends is actually celebrated on the last day of Snowdown. It is marked by the ritual closing of all doors in the community by sunset and the opening of all doors at sunrise, the next day. Naoi dedicated to the Grey Lady are the first institution to shutter their doors to mark the "death" of the old year. Within most residences, it is traditional to throw raucous parties in which everyone who can make it to the house before midnight is let in. Once midnight strikes, an hour-long silence is observed as partygoers listen to the Figment of Time mourn the passing of their child (the personification of the current year) as they process through the town. It is said that anyone continues to party or is left outside during the Figment's passing (who is actually just a costumed priest) must take the role of mourner for the Figment, or else their disrespect will result in their being dragged away to Time's realm when they die.

By the end of the procession (marked by the first rays of sunlight), the Figment of Time arrives at the steps of the Naos of the Grey Lady and burns their old cloak. A bull is then sacrificed, and the priest disguised as Time must dip a new cloak (representing swaddling cloths) into the blood of the animal and run towards the Naos of Shalherana. Once this is finished, the Figment of Time charges throughout the town with the cloak in his arms, proclaiming, "Rejoice! For I have been blessed with a new child! My child is born; the New Year has been born!", upon which everyone may open their doors and celebrate the new year. Predictions- called haruspices- are made from examining the liver and heart of the sacrificed bull and are said to tell the priests about what the new year will be like.

The Feast of Good Health: The Feast of Good Health is celebrated on the Kalends of Floodlock. Here, participants observe a daylong fast(or at least light eating) and abstain from drinking and smoking. Athletic games are held in honor of Shalherana and the Figment of Health, usually races and wrestling matches. Healers such as doctors, herbalists, and nurses are given gifts by their patients, usually spring water flavored with lemon juice and honey. Public baths are opened all throughout the day, where special Shalheranan priests known as Katharistés ("Cleaners") ritually wash away the sins of last year's sins so that the ones being bathed may start the New Year on the right foot.

It is believed to be very auspicious to be born on this day, as it is a sign that the child will grow up to be healthy and well-mannered.

Saltatio Florum: The Saltatio Florum or "Dance of the Flowers" is a holiday celebrated sometime around late Floodlock or early Springrise, when the first flowers begin to bloom. It is dedicated to Shalherana, Sallana and Jax, the Gods of Life, Family, and Fortune respectively. On this day, the forum is decorated with the petals of tulips, croci, and various alliums, and crowns of the same flowers are given to expecting families or families hoping to conceive. The tulips represent love, the croci represent rebirth, and the allium flowers represent good fortune. The main event of the day is a peculiar dance in which participants squat low to the ground before springing up in a spinning motion, allowing any colorful, flowing clothing to unfurl at the hems so as to imitate the blooming of flowers. This dance is performed in unison, all to the chants of the local priests, who call upon the Gods to bless the gathered families with prosperity and the safe delivery of their children. Men are encouraged to eat dishes with grapes in them in homage of Jax, and women are encouraged to eat large amounts of garlic and onions.

Bovalia: Celebrated around late Springrise or throughout Truebirth, Bovalia is celebrated mainly by farmers as they begin ploughing their fields. Priests of Shalherana publicly bless the oxen and workhorses of various farms to ensure their health throughout the ploughing season. Meanwhile, Priests of Korog anoint the ploughs of the community with oils to imbue them with strength, as well as to more practically prevent the tools of the farmers from rusting. The consumption of beef is prohibited on this day out of respect for the oxen and sweet cakes made of oats and barley (crops typically planted in the spring) are sold by vendors.


Pompa Armorum: Celebrated on the Kalends of Lightshine (or Sunbright), the Pompa Armorum translates directly to "the Parade of Armaments". The holiday marks the beginning of the war season (that is, summer) and serves as the official start (or end) of any military campaigns in Astrakhan. In the city, as well as in Asrakosian communities abroad, the local soldiery are thrown a parade and have their armaments sprinkled with holy water as a form of purification. Oaths of military service are taken by recruits in front of the Draco standard of the Legion, or in front of the nearest Naos of Valiant. A special dance known as the Saltatio Hastarum, or "Dance of the Spears" is publicly performed by the soldiers as a way of presenting their combat prowess. The dance is performed in full armor and consists of two sides leaping back-and-forth at another with their spears while singing paeans (or chants) to Valiant and His Council. The audience's reaction of either approval or disapproval is said to be the voice of Valiant expressing His opinion on the training and demeanour of the soldiers. If it is negative, it is considered to be inauspicious to conduct any major military activity for the year. Martial games such as capture-the-flag, tug-of-war, and horse races are also held as a way of presenting the army's readiness for war.
 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
Legend
Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend
1689376983391.png

[
Theme]


NG_NG_NG2909-001.jpg
Art by Hendrik Frans van Lint, hosted by London National Gallery.

After their fight with clans of Rede-speaking Sangrian raiders known by the Asrakosians as the Parohthi (literally "river-folk") they had the remaining clan members settle in a small town known as Cydonia.

There, they melded with the Asrakosians and formed a unique sub-culture that live together with other Asrakosian and Parohthi settlers.

You can find more about the Cydonian sub-culture here!


[
Link]


Credit goes to the amazing Scroll120 for his inspired and thoughtful interpretation of the sub-culture!
 
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Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
Legend
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Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend

Blorbis83

Lord of Altera
Legend
Pronouns
He/Him
Blorbis83
Blorbis83
Legend
The sections on arts and entertainment have been completed! I have also deleted the Social Etiquette section, as it seemed a little excessive and I would like to finally finish this after five years. Next up: Food & Drink. I may also merge Religious Practices and Mythology.
 
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