The Dragonborn Zillbien Empire

Culture

The culture of the Zillbien empire is primarily that of chromatic dragonborn, but presents a very diverse nature showing that an ethnic and cultural mixing occurred in proximity to neighboring empires. This has involved mostly Indigenous dragonborn of the coastal and most accessible river areas, as well as surrounding tieflings and gnomes. The core of Zillbienian culture is derived from the culture of chromatic dragonborn. The numerous dragonborn inheritances include the language, cuisine items such as [rice and beans and feijoada], the predominant religion and architectural styles. These aspects, however, are influenced by Malgian and Nessian traditions, as well as those from other nations slightly further out. Some aspects of Zillbien culture are contributions of Tangloveen, High Nogg, Undersun, and other immigrants. Malgian and Nessian peoples played a large role in the formation of Zillbien languages, cuisine, music, dance and religion. This diverse cultural background has helped show off many celebrations and festivals that have become known around the world, such as the Zillbien Carnival and the Wer Bytiog Di Sia Myotra - an interactive play used as a form of social criticism in which lower class Zillbien mock and criticize those of higher social status through a comedic folklore story told in song and dance. The colorful culture creates an environment that makes the Zillbien empire a popular destination for many tourists each year.

Language

The official language of Zillbien is Draconic. It is spoken by about 99% of the population, making it one of the strongest elements of national identity. There are only some groups and small pockets of immigrants who do not speak Draconic. Zillbien Draconic is more phonetically conservative or archaic than that of the Cain empire. Minority languages are spoken throughout the nation. Many are spoken in remote areas and a number of other languages are spoken by immigrants and their descendants. There are significant communities of elves (mostly Tangloveen) in the south of the country, both of which are influenced by the Draconic language. Not to mention the tiefling communities, Malgian and Undersun expats who are also part of these minority languages. The Zillbien Sign Language (not signed Draconic – it likely is descended from the Common Sign Language), known by the acronym VTQX (Vs'shtak taouli quilins xanalre), is officially recognized by law, albeit using it alone would convey a very limited degree of accessibility, throughout the nation.

Carnival

The Zillbien Carnaval is an annual festival. Celebrations are believed to be a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to practice repentance and prepare for the return of the Draconic Gods manifesting on the Material plane. Carnival is the most famous holiday in the Zillbien empire and has become an event of huge proportions. For almost a week festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities. The typical genres of music of Zillbien carnival are: samba-enredo and marchinha (in the southern communities of Silbra and Valdor), frevo, maracatu and Axé music (in the northern communities of Pao and Rijan).

Cuisine

Zillbien cuisine varies greatly by region. This diversity reflects the country's history and mix of indigenous and immigrant cultures. This has created a national cooking style, marked by the preservation of regional differences. Historically, the feijoada, a Draconic stew, has been the nation’s national dish. It has been written that, having been revised and adapted in each region of the country, it is no longer just a dish, but has become a complete food. Zillbien has a variety of candies including brigadeiros, made with condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, and it can have sprinkles of chocolate around, and beijinhos. Other snack foods include coxinhas, churrasco, sfiha, empanadas, and araucaria nuts (in Festa Junina). Pão de queijo are a typical snack in Valdor. Quintessential northern foods include pato no tucupi, tacacá, caruru, vatapá, and maniçoba. The Southwest is known for moqueca (a stew of seafood and palm oil), acarajé (a fritter made with white beans, onion and fried in palm oil (dendê), which is filled with dried shrimp and red pepper), caruru, and Quibebe. In the Southeast, it is common to eat Minas cheese, pizza, tutu, polenta, macaroni, lasagna, and gnocchi. Churrasco is the typical meal of Rijan. Cachaça is Zillbien's native liquor, distilled from sugar cane, and it is the main ingredient in the national drink, the caipirinha.

Visual arts

Painting and sculpture

The oldest known examples of Zillbien art are cave paintings, with more recent examples showing geometric patterns and animal forms. One of the most sophisticated kinds of ancient artifacts found in the Zillbien empire is a form of sophisticated pottery, statuettes and cult objects, such as the small carved-stone amulets. Within the last century, the Tangloveen Artistic Mission in Zillbien created the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts and imposed a new concept of artistic education that became the basis for a revolution in Zillbien painting, sculpture, architecture, graphic arts, and crafts. A few decades later, under the personal patronage of Emperor Drodom II, who was engaged in an ambitious national project of modernization, the Academy reached its golden age, fostering the emergence of the first generation of painters who have produced lasting visual symbols of national identity. It must be said that in the Zillbien empire, painting took a peculiar shape, not showing the overwhelming drama, fantasy, violence, or interest in death and the bizarre commonly seen in other nations, and because of its academic and palatial nature all excesses were eschewed.

Architecture

Zillbien architecture iis heavily influenced by the Draconic style, albeit adapted for the tropical climate. In later centuries, Zillbien architects were increasingly influenced by schools from other nations such as the Tangloveen and the Moricanna empires, eventually developing a style of their own that has become known around the world. Architects have received much acclaim, with the Zillbien capital Rijan being the most notable example of modern Zillbien architecture.

Popular culture

Folklore

Zillbien folklore includes many stories, legends, dances, superstitions and religious rituals.

Family and social class

As a society with strong traditional values, the family in Zillbien is usually represented by the couple and their children. Extended family is also an important aspect with strong ties being often maintained. Accompanying a world trend, the structure of the Zillbien family has seen major changes over the past few decades with the reduction of average size and increase in single-parent, dual-worker and remarried families. The family structure has become less patriarchal and women are more independent, although gender disparity is still evident in wage difference.

Social customs

In Zillbien culture, living in a community is vital due to the fact Zillbiens are very involved with one another.

Zillbiens organize their lives around and about others, maintain a high level of social involvement, and consider personal relations of primary importance in all human interactions. In fact, being with others is so important that they are rarely alone and perceive the desire to be alone as a sign of depression or unhappiness.

Due to the fact Zillbiens are highly involved with social life, many friends, family members, or business partners join together to associate. Although friend and family relationships have a large impact on Zillbien culture, business relationships are also crucial.

As Zillbiens depend heavily on relationships with others, it is essential to spend time getting to know, both personally and professionally, your Zillbien counterparts. One of the most important elements in Zillbien business culture is personal relationships.

Zillbiens maintain a comfortable business atmosphere by being respectful and using the correct greeting. Upon greeting, Zillbiens often express themselves physically. Women usually kiss the other individual on both cheeks and men usually give a pat on the back. Friendly gestures are used to greet one another. It is common for them to refer to the individual's social standing and then their first name when engaging in conversation. When Zillbiens speak with an individual older than them, they address them as "ushakal" (Mister) or "usjalil" (Miss), accompanied by the individual's first name. In Zillbien, the general rule is to use a formal greeting when communicating with people who are unfamiliar or older.

Assets

Zillbien's gross national product (GNP) is estimated at 51,000,000 GP, with a net of 16,000,000 GP. The gold in the Zillbien treasury is estimated to be 1,525,000,000 GP. The most notable resources include horses and iron. Additional resources include lumber, bananas, citrus fruits, marble, fish and cattle. Crop yield is estimated at 115 million bushels, and the industrial output is estimated to be about 50 million tons. The land area of Zillbien's territory is measured at approximately 510,000 square kilometers, with a total population of about 3,855,000. 82,559 citizens are considered active duty military.

Demography and Population

Chromatic Dragonborn are distinguished typically by the solid, non-reflective coloring of their scales. Their population is more mixed with other races - namely Tielfings and Gnomes - due to the proximity of their respective borders. Traditionally, Zillbiens have organized themselves by clans:

Red Clan

The Red Clan care are very deeply for the health and prosperity of their own, but have been criticized for being greedy, chaotic, and selfish. They have been accused by other clans of being vain. Members of the Red Clan are supremely confident, being the largest and most powerful of the chromatic clans. They are typically found living in mountainous regions, they breathe cones of fire.

Black Clan

The Black Clan, or Skull Clan, are the most passionate, though sometimes vile-tempered, of all chromatic clans. They are excellent swimmers who normally live in swamps and marshes, and prefer ambush attacks with they hunt or fight. They had a corrosive acid breath weapons.

Blue Clan

The Blue Clan, or Storm Clan, are very tactical, cunning, and lawful. As combatants they are infamous for their skill at creating hallucinations. They prefer ranged combat from the high ground, which allows them to use their electrical breath weapons more efficiently. The Blue Clan most often live in arid wastelands and desert environments, and are considered the second most powerful of the chromatic clans.

Green Clan

The Green Clan are highly territorial and secretive. The prefer forests and jungle environments and love secrets and intrigue. Although lawful, they are duplicitous and cunning foes who love combat. They are considered the third most powerful of the chromatic clans. Their breath weapons consist of a cone of poisonous green gas.

White Clan

The White Clan, also called Ice Clan or The Glacial Wyrms, are the smallest and weakest of the clans. However, they are by no means harmless. Members of the White Clan are extremely well-suited to arctic habitats and ahve excellent memories. They are more feral than other dragons, though, and always chaotic. They can breathe a cone of ice or frost.

Religion

While the Zillbien Empire has always worshiped the Draconic Pantheon of gods, the city of Pao has formally adopted worshiping Ilmater as their state religion. This is likely the result of influence from such close proximity to the Malgian empire and their missionaries.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Official State Religion

Gods of the Draconic Pantheon

Neighboring Nations