Kythan (culture)

Cultural Overview

Origins

The Kythan people originated from the Arkian Ancestors whom travelled around the northern end of the Darlom Mountains through the territory now claimed by the Layor

Geography

The natural boundaries formed by the Darlom mountains and the Merelean Sea keep cultural mixing at the borders of Kythus to a minimum.

Language

Kythusave: The primary language of the Kythan people is Kythusave - Clanless Tongue, which evolved out of several related dialects spoken by the individual clan groups which settled the region before uniting into a single nation.
Other Languages: Traders, sailors, and statesmen in Kythus may know secondary languages from neighbouring nations and cultures such as Layoran, Aralian, Tabrani, Tabral, or Corinthean. As well foreign cultural groups living in Kythus will know their mother tongues.

Family

Structure / Size

Roles of Family Members

Importance

Influence

Orphans

In nations where the Church of Ryla is present, orphanages are sometimes founded; providing food and shelter to lost children, a dumping ground for unwanted/politically embarrassing babies, etc. These orphans rarely find adoptive parents, but can be fostered with guild members as apprentices. An orphans lot is miserable, but beats scrounging for survival on the streets.

Religion

The majority of Kythans worship the Twinned Goddess.

Primary Beliefs

Religious Figures

Village Saints: Most Kythan settlements will have a patron hero or saint whom is considered a protector of the inhabitants. These were originally ancestral heroes of the local clan whom transformed over time into saints as the Twinned Goddess faith spread throughout the region.

List of Religious Observances

Structure

Ceremonial

Birth

Naming

Age

Apprenticeship

Adulthood

Marriage

Divorce

Death

Inheritance

Inheritance of lands and title by the first born son is still the norm, although some women can inherit before a younger brother, if the will of the deceased isn't specific about the heir's identity.

Diet

Kythans rely on locally sourced foodstuff for the majority of their diet.

Food

Primary meats are fish, fowl, Tëka, and Rabbuck. Several varieties of small game may be hunted or trapped from the forests of Kythus, and along the coast a greater variety of shellfish, crabs and other seafood will be eaten.

Cultural Dishes

Most Kythan food in general takes the form of hearty stews with or without meat, served with a heavy bread, roasted meats, smoked fish or meats, firm cheese, and local fruits like apples, cherries or plums. Root vegetables, legumes, and moisture tolerant grains such as pot-grain or mudgrain.
Flyx: In settlements on the Celvan River, Flyx are considered a delicacy beyond compare to other shell-fish..

Spice / Flavours

Kythans use a wide variety of herbs in their cooking, and for those who can afford them more exotic spices imported from Corinthea or further away. In general Kythan food is savoury or sweet, without much hot flavours.

Drink

Non-Alcoholic

Kythans drink water, fruit juices and nectars, and milk.

Alcohol

A variety of ales, beers, wines, ciders, mead, and brandies are popular in Kythus, all made from locally sourced ingredients. Foreign wines and spirits may imported, and are considerably more expensive, catering to the wealthier class.
Rëhydhü: A weak brew of fermented potgrain flavoured with wild bitters, and jelly mushrooms. It has a low alcohol content, a reddish amber colour, smells faintly of honey, and has a hint of citrus flavour. This regional variant on a basic beer is not popular outside of Kythus.

Fashion

Textiles

The most common cloth in Kythus is wool made from Tëka fleece. Second to that is rough linen primarily in the southern province. A variety of furs and leather may be used for warmth in winter and weather proof outer garments may be fortified with waxes or oils.

Dyes

A wide variety of colourful plant-sourced dyes are available and used in Kythus.

Embellishments

Beadwork, embroidery, or elaborated weaves are often used to provide a textural and decorative element to clothing.

Outfits

Most Kythans have but a few sets of clothes, mostly utilitarian in function and form. Cloaks with full hoods are a regular accessory for inclement weather, and a fancier tunic may be worn for special occasions. Footwear is primarily leather shoes or boots. Wooden field sandals may be worn by farmers for traction and protection.

Daily by Class

Ceremonial

Costumes

Jewellery

A wide range of chains, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings made from precious metals, ivory or even wood will be worn in Kythus, by men and women alike.

Makeup

Wealthy women in Kythus may employ a variety of blushes and creams to appear more youthful, but otheriwse make-up is not common amongst the ordinary folk.

Leisure Activities

Sports

Games

Gambling

Social Gatherings

Keg Dancing: A pastime in Kythus requiring first that the participants obtain an empty keg, which generally necessitates drinking the contents. Participants dance on top of the empty barrel, challenging each other with complex moves, or simply trying to remain atop the container for a longer duration.