Krolaryn (culture)

Cultural Overview

Origins

Krolar was once a large empire which had expanded and spread its influence; forming colonial settlements throughout the continent, however following the Iskandean War for Independance, a series of political schisms have broken it into a mixture of smaller kingdoms, city-states, and small republics. These smaller nations comprise what is collectively referred to as Old Krolar, and follow mostly similar cultural patterns.

Geography

Krolar spanned the region between the Northern Desert to the North, and the northern shores of the Torcastan Sea to the South, from the Sildar Mountains in the East to the forested foot of the Darlom Mountains in the West.

Language

The dominant language of the region is Krolaryn.

Family

Orphans

In the former Krolaryn Empire state sponsored orphanages exist to take in the children who do not find fostering with families, or other "pseudo family" situations. These children are wards of the state. They are educated and trained in professions as needed by the local governments needs. Often finding themselves in bureaucratic, or military roles should they survive to adulthood.

Religion

Primary Beliefs

Worship of the Twinned Goddess is the dominant religion throughout Old Krolar. In more remote parts of the former empire some vestigial elements of earlier tribal religions remain as local customs and rituals.

Ceremonial

Birth

Krolaryns welcome newborns with a private family gathering the day after the child is born. Depending on the size and importance of the extended family, these can extend for up to five days of visits and gift-giving. For public figures, a day of celebration and formal introduction of the child to the public is held on the sixth day following the birth.

Naming

Krolaryn children will be named by their parents at the time of their birth, and have a formal baptism at the next church service the family can attend.

Age

As is the custom in many other cultures, Krolaryns count ones age as the number of solstices which have passed since one's birth. Certain milestones are celebrated biannually on the anniversary of one's birth, and the midpoint of the year opposite this date.

Apprenticeship

When a young person begins an apprenticeship, their parents may gift them with a new outfit of clothing. Upon completion of an apprenticeship a gift of some tools of their trade is sometimes given.

Adulthood

Krolaryns mark the passage from child to adult around the age of 18 sols. While there often isn't a formal ceremony, some more public figures will host a party or event to celebrate the new status with others.

Marriage

Krolaryn marriages follow the religious practices of the couple. A married couple have certain gender role expectations in the community and at home. Married folks mark themselves as such by wearing a wedding band on the third finger of their left hand. The design of such varies widely from simple smooth silver rings, to elaborate jewels, or even braided and lacquered textiles.

Divorce

Krolaryns view divorce as an unforgiveable failure of the couple. While it still happens, it is more likely that a separation will occur, while they remain legally married in the eyes of the community and church.

Death

Krolaryn funerals are usually performed by the appropriate clergy according to the faith of the departed, and most often include burial of the departed's remains in consecrated ground when possible.

Inheritance

Inheritance of lands and title by the first born son is the norm, although some women can inherit before a younger brother, especially when the will of the deceased isn't specific about the heir's identity. Bastard children are only considered for inheritance if there are no surviving marriage-born children or a spouse.

Diet

Food

Cultural Dishes

Krolaryn meals tend to be individually served dishes of thick soups, stews, or mince meats and vegetables with a crust of cheese or pastry baked in clay dishes. These are often accompanied by leavened breads, dry crackers or hardtack.

Spice / Flavours

Krolaryn dishes are usually more savory with salty notes. Primary dishes are often lacking in sweet, sour, or strong acrid spice flavours.

Drink

Non-Alcoholic

Most Krolaryns drink water, unfermented fruit juices, and sai.

Alcohol

Beers, ales, ciders, and wine are common. Brandies and spirits are rarer and expensive.

Fashion

Textiles

The Krolaryn climate isn't suitable for more exotic fibers, so most fabrics are either wool or linen. Leather and fur are also common for work wear or cold weather garments.

Dyes

A wide range of colurs are available from locally source ingredients. Krolaryns have experiemented with layered dying to create mottled patterns in one or more colours as well as elaborate weaving of coloured yarns to make geometric and colourful patterns in the fabrics.

Embellishments

Embroidery, tassels, ribbons, and beads are all possible means of decorating a garment for personal, display, or ceremonial purposes.

Outfits

Daily by Class

Typically a Krolaryn person has two or three changes of clothes that are practical for the season and work they do. They tend to use layers of pieced garments to give variety, and utility to their daily clothing.

Ceremonial

Formal and ceremonial clothing is usually noted by the quality and type of textiles. Although some reserved colours of dyes, or particular pelts or furs may also indicate rank and role of the wearer.

Regalia

Specific outfits for celebratory occasions are usually overtly embellished and impractical for daily wear. These may include sprays, fans, or trains.

Jewellery

Krolaryns wear a wide range of bejeweled and simple adornments. Earrings, rings, bracelets, arm bands, chains, necklaces, and hair ornamentation are all common. These may be crafted from wood, bone, glass, clay, or precious metals. and decorated further with gems, feathers, shells, enameling, and craving or etching.

Makeup

Krolaryns wear eye kohl, and other make-up as a sign of social status. Make-up may also be used for covering of blemishes or similar cosmetic reasons.

Tattooing

Tattooing is uncommon in Krolaryn society as a whole. However, certain trades will wear marks, both visible and hidden to indication professional ranks, or association within groups or guilds.

Persons

List of Krolaryn Persons

Stories

Cursed (fifty word fantasy)

Knight (fifty word fantasy)

Tanpi and Emel

See Also

Krolar

Krolaryn (people)