Torga
Olive skinned. Dark brown to black thick kinky or curly hair, sharp features, hook nose, wide lips. Black or Dark brown eyes. These are the people of the Central Core of the Empire - the Shard Islands and The Holy Island of Kuan. Some have established lesser houses in the Provinces. The Noble Houses take names of geological or phenomena or mineralogical type and arrangements: Blackstone, High Wave. Balanced Stone. Rushing River. The state Church and major Gods are worshiped, as is the Emperor. Architecture is tall and narrow built from a 5-10 ft tall stone foundation or step pyramid. The Empire Core has occasional pirates, undead raiders or Warps.
Torga culture is structured, rigid and brutal. They see interactions as glorious victory or defeat, and compromise is a sign of weakness and defeat. One does not marry or associate below status- it is shameful and defeat. Trade is frequently viewed poorly unless it involves clear winners and losers. The Torga person is defined by their rights and what is owed them by their status.
Death is paid for in returned pain. Murder is an affront to honor and status. A noble death must be avenged against nobles if unlawful, shared with slave and other sacrifices if legal or natural. If a lesser status person carries out a revenge under contract or family/ clan duty it is still a shame to the nobles as the lower status person is due a reward for the duty a noble should have performed. Shame can only be removed by greater achievement or suicide as a failure.
Torga culture is structured, rigid and brutal. They see interactions as glorious victory or defeat, and compromise is a sign of weakness and defeat. One does not marry or associate below status- it is shameful and defeat. Trade is frequently viewed poorly unless it involves clear winners and losers. The Torga person is defined by their rights and what is owed them by their status.
Death is paid for in returned pain. Murder is an affront to honor and status. A noble death must be avenged against nobles if unlawful, shared with slave and other sacrifices if legal or natural. If a lesser status person carries out a revenge under contract or family/ clan duty it is still a shame to the nobles as the lower status person is due a reward for the duty a noble should have performed. Shame can only be removed by greater achievement or suicide as a failure.
Naming Traditions
Family names
The Noble Houses take names of geological or phenomena or mineralogical type and arrangements: Blackstone, High Wave. Balanced Stone. Rushing River.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Nobles, gentry, officials are citizens. Yeoman or lower rank citizen gain +1 rank and may wear a Red line in sash. Crafter citizens may wear a blue line in the Red sash.
Citizen: Any free person may apply with 5 sponsors vouching for character. Written test on ceremonies and offices. 100 sp x Target Status to be achieved.
Killing Noncitizens or those of lower rank is frowned upon and requires some reason to be Noble and Virtuous. Random killers are Ignoble. It is required that a payment of Blood money. 200 sp x rank be made. Revenge is still possible. Killing a citizen carries a charge of 500 sp x rank and a reason before a Magistrate why beating or lesser punishment was not an option. Persons of lower rank would never contradict, oppose or question a person of higher rank without strongest justification.
Social Rank: Slaves don’t count in interactions, they are 0. 1-2 step difference can be workmates, even friends of rough equality. 3-4 step difference - Notable, uncommon but not unheard of friendships or working relations but status is always a factor. 5+ Steps: There is no friendship or equity. Persons on the low end should have a slave or higher class person speak for them Virtuous and Noble behavior is obedience to The Gods, the Emperor, deference and obedience to higher Status, the Clan, Parents, Loyalty to one’s Race and nation, truthfulness, avoidance of excess. Ignoble, unvirtuous behavior is lying, theft, disobedience, disrespect, allowing disrespect or failing, worship of foreign Gods. These are not crimes but unsavory and mark someone of low quality.
Citizen: Any free person may apply with 5 sponsors vouching for character. Written test on ceremonies and offices. 100 sp x Target Status to be achieved.
Killing Noncitizens or those of lower rank is frowned upon and requires some reason to be Noble and Virtuous. Random killers are Ignoble. It is required that a payment of Blood money. 200 sp x rank be made. Revenge is still possible. Killing a citizen carries a charge of 500 sp x rank and a reason before a Magistrate why beating or lesser punishment was not an option. Persons of lower rank would never contradict, oppose or question a person of higher rank without strongest justification.
Social Rank: Slaves don’t count in interactions, they are 0. 1-2 step difference can be workmates, even friends of rough equality. 3-4 step difference - Notable, uncommon but not unheard of friendships or working relations but status is always a factor. 5+ Steps: There is no friendship or equity. Persons on the low end should have a slave or higher class person speak for them Virtuous and Noble behavior is obedience to The Gods, the Emperor, deference and obedience to higher Status, the Clan, Parents, Loyalty to one’s Race and nation, truthfulness, avoidance of excess. Ignoble, unvirtuous behavior is lying, theft, disobedience, disrespect, allowing disrespect or failing, worship of foreign Gods. These are not crimes but unsavory and mark someone of low quality.
Common Etiquette rules
It is common that a lower rank person speaks indirectly to higher ranks. " If someone is lostening..." Praise and titles are frequently worked in. A higher rank person might indirectly speak to lowers with commands. "Bring me a drink!" This doesn't recognize the lowers as specific persons.
Common Dress code
Class |
Hair |
Sash |
Dress |
| slaves | shaved or Beastmen | cord | tunic, pants, loincloth |
| Unclean : undertakers, leather workers, trash haulers, rat killers. | Unkempt, close crop | Black | tunic, pants, |
| Foreigners, Laborers, Trader | long, tied back (ponytail), head band | leather belt, Ochre, Green, orange | ???, tunic, apron, |
| Yeoman/ Peasant/ | shoulder or short | Brown, yellow or grey | shorts, shirt |
| Crafter/Artisan | Queue or plait | Red | |
| Official/ scholar/ scribe or priest | Half: mohawk, tonsure or halfside | White. Ivory, Pearl ornament or silver thread | long shirt, pants |
| Gentry, Olien nobles | Bun, wrap, pin, coils, turban | Blue. May have silver or copper | Skirt, shirt, jacket |
| Nobles : Torga Nobles 9 Imperials = 10 | Ornate: Hoops, Horns, Coils, flying wing, harp, crown | Purple. Imperials have gold threads | Skirt, robe or jacket, Broad Neck Collar/ Corset |
Art & Architecture
Torga buildings are built up on stone bases 1-2 m tall.
Coming of Age Rites
The Noble Houses of the Torga have a tradition of magic power unique to each house and only extended to the pure blood children. These "Hands" are limited but progress with experience and training. Most families have blessings and recitations at age 12.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Torga people have large funerals and memorials that are intended to show the import, wealth and power of the deceased and their family. Individual carved memorial stones are made and set with candles on several festival and holiday occasions during the year.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Men: khol and jewelry, lip paint.
Women: white face paint with highlights or patterns
Gender Ideals
Quol: women who take male status - no face paint, hair by status+1
Lolak: men who take female role: face paint, hair style by status
Thirds: genderless or double lolak/ Quol. Also called “ghost” and are not counted acknowledged.
Sons inherit, Quol sons, unmarried daughters, wives, brothers, sisters
Lolak, married daughters - dowry on marriage. No inheritance.
Marriage: Men or Quol may take as many wives as they wish, or have concubines. Lolak and women can only have one marriage partner. The unmarried are expected to maintain the virtue of themselves and other unmarried - by being discreet, and not getting/ or causing pregnancy. Unmarried pregnancy produces quick marriages or Bastards who are a shame for the family and may be sent out to be raised and adopted by retainers or servants families.
Anyone may run the family, though more typically women or lolak look after family, house or clan. Men and Quol typically run business, engage in martial activity or manage more specific details.
Related Organizations
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