Thurain

Thurain are a culture of dwarves that live in the Kingdom of Thur Malduhr.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Dwarven surnames are bestowed on the dwarves that pass the trial of Gol. During this trial, all dwarfs that pass the contest that are 24 years of age will choose to stay in their clan or to join another clan. Most dwarves stay with the clan they grew up with, But if you do like to change their destiny by joining a clan that might better suit their talents. after this trial surnames are rarely changed but have been known to be due to adoption or other rare occurrences. It's in the rare occurrence that two people from different clans marry the children are raised with both clans with both ways of life being taught to the children the children then have the chance to choose amongst these two clans that they will join when they pass their trial. Most dwarves marry within their clan because of the hardship for the children of having to choose between two different clans when they get older.

Culture

Common Dress code

Dwarves dress in very practical work clothes when in their Mountain homes. You will find them in Leathers, types of denim, and linens.

The warrior clans do don armor when they are on patrol or when they leave their homes. The dwarven armor varies from heavy mail to light mail to leather. This armor is crafted by the clan or from the local city to fit the needs of the specific warrior.

For the merchant clan and those that leave the mountain, you will find them usually wearing their best items they will dress this nice as they possibly can to make other plans for other families and other races to think they are wealthier than they are.

All clans have a very similar palette of brown, red, orange, and black. There are other spots of color mixed in for those willing to pay to have the dye that is sent in from other cities and other nations.

Rarely does anyone that lives in the city walk around without a working tool or a weapon on their side. The dwarves do this so they can be prepared for any instance of anything that could happen in their city. Every man woman and child is requested by the king to protect the city at all costs.

Art & Architecture

When it comes to the craftsmanship of their art and other designs they prefer realism and function over beauty. They believe all forms of craftsmanship is a work of art from a small dagger to a digging trowel to the plated armor that the king wears into battle.

All architecture is for functionality, but the Craftsman goes out of the way to make sure that it is beautiful for centuries to come. They are known to add gold silver and gemstones to any pieces of art. much love to purchase the wonderful items created by our local blacksmiths and armor Smiths and this is because they build armor and weapons to make sure that it represents the power of the dwarven Kingdom and put fear in the souls of anyone that is on the wrong side of these items.

When a piece of architecture must be put up, from a pillar to a house they must present it to the ministers for their approval. This is because the architecture will survive for many generations and so it must live up to the standards of the community. This can cause many headaches for those replacing or fixing any walls within the city limits.

Coming of Age Rites

When the Dwarves turn 24 years of age they participate in the The Drink of Passage . During this trial, they are tasked to create a better version of the Ale they are given. Most succeeded in this trial and by succeeding they are able to pick to join any clan in the city. After this trial, the dwarf has a surname and joins the clan as a full member. The dwarf that created the best version of the ale is able to earn a profit selling the ale for the next year.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The doors of this city have a special custom where after someone passes, they are then lowered into the volcano. The deceased will travel via Bang Tube to the east side of the mountain and all that wish to usually gather clansman and friends. The deceased is placed on a comfortable bed and is carried from place to place by their clansman.

At the first stop, they enter a hall and the Honored dead is placed on display in the front of the room they are given a stein of ale that is placed on a table beside them. those that have gathered well honor the honored dead by drinking and partying and sharing memories both good and bad about the honored dead.
When this has been completed usually several hours later there then taken in a procession to the clan obelisk made of a mixture of limestone and fire elemental rock. On these obelisks, the name of the honored dead is added to the list of other fallen, by either the spouse or elder of the clan. While in front of the obelisk those that have gathered will tell of the exceptional Achievements that the honored dead did during their lifetime.

After they are done speaking about the achievements of the honored dead they then proceed to the volcano. At the volcano there is a special crane that is made of the same material as the crane for the bang tubes. the clansman places the bed containing the honored dead onto the crane and the honored dead is lowered into the volcano.

For those that are unable to be brought to this volcano to be made one with the world, usually in times of war, a ceremony is still how old with an empty bed the bed is to symbolize all that has passed this can include one or 100. When these happen, they are not put on the clans' obelisk but on the special obelisk created for this specific war. For many of these wars, it is multiple clans have lost members so to show their unity in life and in their death a single obelisk is created containing all the names of the honored dead and there is a title with the name of that war.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

So on physical beauty, it's about the roughest beard, the ones who have burns or scars or anything that could keep off that this person has a good story or five. and for both men and females, love to see the fact that they have some dirt and grime on them. this shows that they want to work and value what they do in the dwarven society. they don't understand why the other species were all needed and clean or you just going to get dirty again.

When it comes to art and craftsmanship they prefer realism and function over most other types of art. they believe that there are so last even as that coming from statues to armors or tools. to all forms of craftsmanship is a work of art.

Courtship Ideals

Marriage and courtship for the dwarves may seem different from an outsider's eye but to the dwarves, it is streamlined. When two dwarfs decide to start courting, they make it known to their families. They usually tell the clan elder first to get permission to begin their courtship. It is very rare that the elder does not give her his permission for them to begin their courtship. If the elder does not give his permission he will give the couple a challenge or a trial let a couple of months together, and if the trial is past the elder will give them his permission for them to court. Courtship can last up to a couple of years until the two dwarfs have decided they're ready to settle down. During this time, they both will prove to the other that they will bring what is needed into the marriage.

when the courtship is over, they announce it to the Clan elder, and a small party is held. During this celebration either the one clan or both clans we'll get together and party for several days. it is very common for multiple couples to host these parties at the same time, especially during times when there is a limit on supplies.

Divorce is uncommon amongst the dwarves, but it has been known to happen. Most dwarves find out during the courtship, that they are no longer good for each other or that they are not a good fit. An elder may tell the couple they are not a good fit at any time during the courtship. If the couple does get a divorce, it is very common for dwarves not to remarry.

Dwarves have a rather long lifespan and usually have several children during their marriage. On average most dwarves, we'll have four to six children during the span of their marriage. Most children are not born at the same time usually there is a decade or two between them.


Cover image: by Marc Zipper (Valcin)

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!