Waejiran (culture)

Cultural Overview

Waejiran society is caste based, from the high Nobility, down through the nobles, commoners and finally slaves.

Origins

Waejiran culture was formed from the separate culture of the Seven Cities conquered and united by the first emperor.

Language

Waejiran's speak Waejirwu, which has a common dialect (Waejirwu), and a elite dialect () used by the High Nobles

Idioms

Waejirwu	Literal English	Meaning
ulel on creip	find water	good luck
primu	dry well	bad luck
koc eliniaht unei	stoneless shoes	safe journey
wonu ekiawar gi	horse on fire	putting in maximal effort
bet onei stib aiko onei	grapes and cheese	to be successful
cren an agi etizik	spit at the rain	pointless or wasted effort
agi dail epetiok	out-ride the dawn	attempt the impossible
apospict on gi craintik	topple a brazier	cause a disturbance
eler on gi obajik	pull an ear	reveal a secret
Haesur un aegilk ifak	gave to Haesur	kept a secret
shistcrult on agi cairip fak	awaiting the whip	being lazy
creizt onei griurip	calling pennies	be poor
aenist unei aenist enei fru	slaves have slaves	be wealthy
priu oqetean steist un ant on agi	first flower in the garden	beautiful
priu bid steist un ant on agi	last flower in the garden	homely
preint up inei	east winds	good news
preint nun inei	west winds	bad news
Kaithur un bravik ifak	Kaithur smiled	received a good deal
iniaht ihetrek unei crezt enei	pennies for pebbles	made a bad deal
Neithur creicai un shiutai	go with Neithur	die
ewek onei agi osiakip	singing to the stars	in a drunken state

Castes

High Nobles

The Imperials of Waejir are seen as demi-gods, and believed to be divinely protecting and guiding the empire to glory.

Nobles

Noble land holders with title originally ruled in the Seven Cities, before the High Nobles took over ruling the empire. Presently a noble is acknowledged as such by the visit of a high noble shortly after their birth. This acknowledgement by the royalty cements their right to rule over the commoners within their lands. Many Nobles serve on the senate and effectively form a republic style government with little oversight from the high nobles. nobles can have their rank removed by declaration of the high nobles. Nobles also benefit from a social net taking the form of a guaranteed income should they not have sufficient lands and wealth.

Commoners

The everyday folk of Waejir range from rich merchants, through guildsmen, craftsmen, fishermen, and farmers to the urban poor. In rural areas many farmers are little more than peasants working the lands of some noble family in exchange for a small garden plot, a cottage, and a share of the produce they help grow.

Slaves

In Waejir slavery is an open and common practice, originating in the days of the seven cities when thralls were captured in war and forced into servitude. One can become a slave by choice, effectively selling themselves and gifting the profit from such sale to a person of their choosing. Every town large enough to support a regular market has a slaver's block where slaves are auctioned.

Being a slave in Waejir isn't as bad as it may seem on the outset. Many slaves are specialists and highly skilled or educated in their fields. While a slave lacks the rights of every common citizen there are still a few rights afforded to all Waejirans.

• Slaves must be allowed to attend temple services appropriate to their chosen patron deities.
• Slaves may marry (another slave) and have children, however the children are born slaves and are the property of the slave mother's owner.
• Slaves may own property, with the permission of their owner, although this is often a contentious issue.

Slaves can be granted their freedom through a legal process by their owner, and a significant number of the lower ranks in the Waejiran military are slaves; whom can earn their freedom through service.

Vocanei

In Waejir there are beast-folk whom are highly intelligent bipeds. The Vocanei, while they are sapient, are bred and controlled like prize animals, and generally exclusive to the wealthy elite.

Vocanei are treated as less than slaves, but oft time better than simple beasts of burden and labour, in part due to their intelligence. Their breeding and training is tightly restricted by the Breeders Guild, and owning one is a sign of status, usually reserved for the nobility, or those favoured by a patron noble.

Family

Often the family stay in the same home. multiple generations living in one house, mutually supporting the entire lot. Moving out usually only happens when either there is too many people, or work requires moving to another part of the city, or an even greater distance.

Structure / Size

Waejiran family trees are fairly typical two parents, their children, with spouses of the children and grand children below them.

Roles of Family Members

Clan head

Every family has a clan head. The titular head of a family will hold generally hold the most status, and have a good position amongst their social class. For serious matters this person's opinion carries a lot of weight, regarding impact on the family's reputation or standing.

Parents

One's parents have absolute rights over their own progeny for the first ten years of their life. Matters of discipline and punishment are a private matter within the family.

Children

Until one is ten years of age they are to respect their parents and behave well, so as to preserve the family's image within the community. After ten years of age, children are expected to begin earning a living in the family trade, or possibly be apprenticed out to cousin, uncle, aunt, or more distant relative. It is not until they reach fifteen years of age that they are consider adults and have a say in their career choice or family decisions.

Importance

Family is an important part of a Waejiran's life. One's siblings and cousins will form their first peer groups. Extended family will form a social network of mutual support, that works together to better the whole. Becoming unpopular or outcast from one's family is a difficult thing, seen as shameful and indicative of bad character regardless of the circumstances.

Influence

A large family with many connections will have more avenues open for work opportunities, or even political support. this is one reason families tend to keep connected even across great distances. should one fall on hard times, the family will be there for them. should one have great success, they are expected to share that with their family. One's family reflects on their honour, and one's honour reflects upon the family as a whole.

Fostering

Fostered children are still the children of their living parents, but are living with a relative for reasons of politics, education, or simple internal familial bonds.

Adoption

Adopted children are legally the children of the adopting parents. They may be orphans, children given up by living parents, or even relatives who for would be at an advantage to have different parents for political or other reasons.

Orphans

Orphans are generally taken in by more distant family members when possible. Failing that, several of the temples will take in orphans to raise and train in the particular temple's faith. Some others will remain on the streets as homeless children, exploited or ignored as the dregs of society often are. criminal gangs will sometimes take in a few orphans who show talent in pick-pocketing, or burglary, even just using the kids as lookouts.

Religion

Waejiran's worship a pantheon of many gods and goddesses; each responsible for some set of worldly concerns.

Individuals or family will usually have a preferred patron deity who they feel best looks out for their interests. They are free to pray to any deities of the pantheon, of course, if their needs are better addressed by a different divine aspect.

Primary Beliefs

Waejiran's believe the world was created and subsequently populated by Silat the All Mother. The other gods and goddesses are her descendants, whom as the world became more complex each took roles accordingly to maintain and influence aspects of the universe..

Religious Figures

A complete list of religious figures is detailed in the Waejiran Pantheon.

List of Religious Observances

Each god or goddess has a holy day associated with them, upon which a high mass is performed at temples dedicated to said deity.

Structure

Temples to individual Deities will exist in areas of high population or regional bias towards one or more of the gods and goddesses.

Every town or larger population centre will also have a temple to the gods with a shrine to each god whom lacks a separate temple in the same town or city.

The details of each temple's internal hierarchy of clergy is detailed separately for each deity.

Ceremonial

Throughout one's life, and daily existence there are moments of import for which a customary pattern of activity ensues. These ceremonies are important to Waejirans as they mark the moment in time, and usually have some social or religious context which effects the status of the individual.

Birth

Waejirans utilize mid-wives, often devotees of Silat, to assist with the birthing process.

Acceptance

Newborn children in Waejir are taken to the temple of Silat shortly after their birth, before they are named. The priests/priestesses will examine the child for defects or congenital deformities. Healthy babes go home with their parents, while the misshapen or deformed are given to the temple of Silat in Waejir, for polite and proper disposal in the eyes of the gods.

Naming

Newborn children who pass the inspection at the temple of Silat are brought home and presented to the family in a celebration of a new family member and a healthy birth. At this time the parents will give the child a name.

Names can reflect circumstances of birth, desired qualities for the child, descriptive attributes, or simple birth order. Some names run in families, being named after a still living or deceased relative can reflect an honour upon that relative.

Acknowledgement

If a child is born to noble parents, a high noble will almost always visit within a ten-day to acknowledge the birth and affirm the child's station.

In rare occasions when one does not visit, it means the child cannot hold noble title and receives no privilege of such status. This does not remove noble status from the parents, just the new child.

In extremely rare occasions a high noble may visit a child of lesser status parents, and elevate said child to noble status. Such an promotion, while an honour to the parents, does not change their social rank and privilege however.

Age

There are a few significant birthday anniversaries in Waejiran culture:

Childhood

On a child's fifth birthday they are usually given a set of tools appropriate to their parent's profession. They are not at an age appropriate for full training as an apprentice, but are considered a child and no longer a baby. This is the age of education beginning for those who's parents can afford tutors or academies. The nobility will gift their children with their own companion Vocanei at this age.

Apprenticeship

Upon reaching ten years of age, a child in Waejir is expected to begin training in earnest. Be that as an apprentice in a trade, or earning a living as a labourer. Nobility will foster their children out to cousins or political allies at this age; also formal education and tutoring takes on a more serious and directed approach.

Puberty

Puberty usually occurs between the 10th and 15th year. It isn't a cause for any public change in social status, and there isn't much of a stigma towards late bloomers, other than possibly delaying marriage and childbirth for young women.

Adulthood

Upon reaching fifteen years a Waejiran is considered an adult, and begins to take on responsibilities appropriate to their new status. Formal educations may continues for another 5 or more years depending on the trade one is pursuing. It is also considered the age at which citizens of Waejir may be considered marriageable. Nobles may have pre-arranged the betrothal of their children prior to this age, but a formal marriage may not occur or be considered right in the eyes of the law and the gods before both spouses are at least fifteen years of age. Adults are expected to have families of their own, pay taxes, and be upstanding contributors to Waejiran society as a whole.

Marriage

Waejirans whom choose to marry generally follow a socially accepted pattern of announcing intention.

Intention

Men present their would be fiance with a wreath or bouquet of flowers, usually Aesat's Bloom and Baithur's Bloom. Customarily the target of such intent will agree to be courted for a period of a month, before formally announcing their decision to accept or reject the offer of marriage. For arranged marriages, which are a common occurrence, this is the period in which the respective families negotiate dowries and other offers of exchange to smooth the process.

Betrothal

Should the offer be accepted after the courtship month, a marriage will be planned by both families with sufficient time for relatives, friends, and important community members to be invited and travel to the location of the wedding. At this time the bride to be, and groom to be are taken to the temple of Aesat and Baithur to be educated on the purpose of marriage and spousal duties expected of them. From this point until their wedding day they are not allowed to visit or see each other.

Wedding

The actual ceremony of marriage is usually a short prayer for acceptance in the eyes of the divine, followed by sharing of vows of fidelity, after which the pair are formally joined in marriage by the clergy.

Feast

Following the ceremony a feast ensues where the families and other guests celebrate the marriage, bring gifts, and give wishes of success, prosperity and good health upon the couple.

Divorce

In Waejir divorces can happen if their is sufficient cause to believe either spouse is not fulfilling their responsibilities towards the union.

The family should try to counsel and work with the couple to repair the marriage before a formal divorce, if possible. Should such efforts fail then a formal severance of the union is simply a ceremony of severance performed at the temple of Aesat and Baithur.

The ex-spouses split all wealth equally and the children if any go with the mother if under five years of age. Six-to-ten year old children will go with the parent of the same gender, and those older than ten may choose.

Death

When Waejirans die it is believed that their soul will return to be recycled into new life. Their ceremonies involving death reflect these beliefs.

Cremation

Corpses are burnt on ceremonial pyre at the temple of Neithur. This releases their soul to be reclaimed by Silat who will find it a new body to be reborn in.

In event of mass death the bodies may be burnt in less formal conditions and not brought to temple in order to ensure timely release of the soul.

Family and relatives may perform a small rite in abstention for people for whom their corpse was never found or otherwise unrecoverable.

There is also a ceremonial event where priests of Neithur collect any lost souls to assist their transition, this occurs during the Festival of the Moons.

Inheritance

Some Waejirans will write up formal last wills to direct a different distribution of their assets amongst their family or other parties.

When a Waejiran dies without such a document, their wealth and property goes to their living spouse if any.

By social convention if the spouse is not alive, then the wealth and property is usually divided into two lots. The eldest child receiving one lot, and the second lot divided equally amongst the remaining children.

Without a spouse to take over, the eldest living sibling of the deceased will become the family clanhead. If no such relative exists, then the eldest child will become the family head.

Diet

Waejirans with at least moderate wealth eat regularly and well. The poor are less well fed, or eat a significantly reduced variety of foods out of necessity. Malnourishment follows extreme poverty. Slaves are generally fed well enough to maintain the strength and health required for their duties and little more.

Food

Waejirans eat a wide variety of foodstuff. Given the size of the empire regional differences will be reflected in which fruits and vegetables, or animal products are available.

Meats

Domestic and wilds animals will be used for food. These can include: Poultry and their eggs, Rabbuc, Teica, Cebuc, Fresh and Saltwater Fish, Shellfish, Lizards, Tra, and other regionally specific species.

Fruits

Most fruit eaten in Waejir is produced in orchards, except in the south where jungle-grown fruit is collected from the wild. These include a wide selection of Citrus, Apples, Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Dates, Various berries, Melons, and some more exotic varieties from specific regions.

Vegetables

Vegetables in Waejir are farmed in large fields, with the exception of terraces in the Western Foothills. Most vegetables are common root, leaf and gourd types. Unusual regional crops may be grown in particular sub-climates.

Cereals

The most common cereal crop in Waejir is mud grains grown along flood plains of the Utaltar used as a base for many dishes, followed by day grains used primarily for bread flour, and pot grains for porridge and stews.

Nuts

Nuts are gathered from forested regions, and few orchards specialize in such crops.

Spice / Flavours

Waejir has a wide variety of spices, and herbs available providing for a vast palette of flavours. Spices are one of the major exports from Waejir.

Cultural Dishes

The signature dish of Waejir is a thick sweet/spicy sauce with some meat, with vegetables, or fruit served over a bed of steamed mud grain. The sweetness or spiciness of the dish and blends of ingredients form regional preferences.

Drink

Generally paired with meals in a complimentary manner. Even a evening glass of wine will have fruit, bread, and cheese on hand.

Non-Alcoholic

The most popular drink in Waejir is Sai. Tea, often steeped with fruit, or flowers. Drinking a cup of sai, in the morning, at mid-day, and the evening is a thrice daily ritual for many. Sai is another regular export from Waejir.

Other drinks depend on the regional availability, but chilled milks or fruit juices are typically drank before clean water.

Alcohol

Waejirans drink a variety of wines, brandies, and liqueurs. Some beers are brewed, being popular amongst the working class, or served to slaves as a kind of liquid bread. Hard grain alcohol is not common in Waejir.

Fashion

Waejirans express their status through clothing and accessories. Fashion trends can vary by region by generally common throughout the empire.

Textiles

Typical fibres used in Waejir comes from a variety of animal or plant sources. Rare or delicate materials tend to be affordable only by the rich, and more durable utilitarian fabrics favour the working class.

Wool

Wool comes usually from wooly teica ranched throughout Waejir, or long haired rabbuc ranched in the western foothills. The later variety produces a softer feeling yarn.

Flax

Flax, and other similar fibre bearing plants are grown and harvested to make linens. While not as warm as woolen garments, their lighter weight makes them preferable in warmer weather and desert regions. Flax is also a primary fibre for canvas making for tents and sails.

Cotton

Silkberry bushes provide a silk-like fibre, that produces a light weight cloth. often used for light hot weather clothing.

Silk

Waejir has the monopoly on silk, as it is only produced from silk trees which grow in a specific micro-biome of Waejir's southern region, specifically around Oheidur. Silk is reserved for the richest of patrons, and is a valuable export.

Leather

Rabbuc and Teica provide a fairly light supple leather. For more durable hides, Rabbox, or other thick skinned animals are sued.

Straw

Some practical items are made from tightly woven or wrapped straw. These are typically hats or other accessory items used by the poorer classes.

Dyes

Most dyes are sourced from plants, although a few animal or mineral sources exist. The rarest dye is Karlech Purple, which comes from a rare mineral only found in Corinthea. Most other colours are available to provide a rainbow of choices.

Embellishments

Waejiran garments can be decorated in a multitude of ways depending on regional preferences, and available materials.

Embroidery

Additional designs may be stitched into a garment to add decoration and colours. For the rich these may include threads of gold, silver, or copper.

Ribbons

Similar to embroidery, simple ribbons may be woven through or stitched onto a garment to ad decorative edging, tassels or other flairs.

Beadwork

Beads may be stitched onto clothing to are textural details and patterns. These can be glass, clay, wood, shells, metal, or bone, sometimes discs, chains, or sequins are used as well.

Brocade

Weaving complex patterns in to the original cloth adds to their expense, so such fabrics are reserved for the wealthy.

Outfits

Most Waejirans have a few changes of clothing usually a practical garment befitting their everyday activities and at least one fancier outfit for ceremonial use.

Daily by Class

The wealth and station of individuals will be reflected in the type, style, and variety of their clothing.

Slaves

Most slaves wear simple garments of strict utilitarian purpose, often undyed and without embellishments. Simple sandals, leggings in cold weather, under clothes, a loose shirt, and if required due to weather a tunic. Hats are simple straw or wool to protect from the weather.

Commoners

The common people, simple farmers, and other unguilded workers generally wear simple garments as appropriate for their activities. Sandals, shoes or boots, leggings over underclothes, a shirt and a tunic. hats may be simple protection from the elements. For women a dress may replace the leggings and shirt if their work allows for it.

Guildspersons

The daily outfit of guildspeople depends largely on their position within the guild and specific trade they engage in. Workers will dress like commoners, with aprons, and other protective gear as required. Their supervisors, may dress in fancier outfits befitting their station, but the general outfit remains the same.

Military

The base uniform for military is simple commoner garb over which armour befitting their rank may be worn. Cloaks, and additional embellishments will be added as required or based on rank.

Nobles

Nobility have the most widely varied outfits of any social class, often having many garments to choose amongst suited to activities of the day. Nobles will wear more jewellery and accessories than their lessors not just for celebrations or social events.

High Nobles

The high nobles dress as they wish, often setting trends amongst the nobility who attempt to mimic a style or outfit. They are so rarely out in public that they seem to be unique outfits every time.

Ceremonial

Ceremonial dress is usually the cleanest and finest garment owned by an individual. Thiose officiating a ceremony may have specific outfits reserved for just such occasions.

Wedding

The bride and groom at a wedding will be dressed in garments as fine as the families can afford, and wear veils covering their faces lifted only at the time of their vows. Garlands of flowers will also be draped over their necks and shoulders.

Funeral

A family in mourning will wear ash grey cloaks, and thin veils. No particular care for appearing fashionable is taken on such days.

Costumes

During festivals, or similar celebrations brightly coloured costumes with elaborate embellishments like feathered fans, streaming ribbons, masks or other accessories are common.

Jewellery

Jewellery is worn by both men and women. Usually only the wealthy can afford such baubles, but simple materials can be used and worn by the lower classes.

Materials

Generally anything can be turned into a ring, bangle, or other jewellery; typically wood, bone, coral, shells, precious metals, semi-precious stones, crystals, or glass.

Hairsticks

Noble women will wear their hair in elaborate up-dos secured with two or more long sticks. These will be lacquered wood, bamboo, or metal, and often decorated with shells, beads, chains or small bells.

Makeup

Generally only used by women to make them appear more youthful, or to cover blemishes. Actors will use makeup to assist in appearing as the character they are portraying.

Tatoos

Not generally used for fashion in Waejir. Membership in a guild or being a slave involves being tattooed with a mark on the nape of the neck designating one's affiliation to a Specific Guild or Noble House.

Hair

Given the use of tatoos to denote slave status, laws dictating socially acceptable hair length for various strata of society exist to easily spot a persons guildmark or slavemark. Only the nobility may wear their hair past their shoulders, but often wear it up to avoid confusion.

Leisure Activities

Gossip

In Waejir there are designated walls for graffiti that serve as public notice boards. There is a layered double meaning of symbols and words which is readable by those trained in the secret language, this open sharing of veiled information is a curiosity utilized by the nobility to share information with others who they can't contact through more mundane or direct means for fear of causing a scandal.

Time

Timekeeping

The Waejiran Empire counts in Waejiran Reckoning, from the date of the empire's founding 1257 years ago.

Timeline

1-5 WR - The first emperor, Dractius Waejiros united the seven cities that were in the region under a single banner, and established the High Nobles as royalty above the Nobles which ruled in the cities