Mazoran

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Anje, Annemarieke, Dorothea, Elsanne, Heidi, Isolde, Kathrin, Lia, Merel, Pauline, Roxane, Sophie, Thea, Valentina, Yasmijn

Masculine names

Alexander, Baldur, Basten, Felix, Floris, Giel, Gunther, Joris, Korneel, Lars, Marc, Mert, Nicolas, Ralf, Stefan

Family names

Bosmans, Brunnar, D'Haene, Emmerich, Feys, Isterdael, Kroemer, Lorber, Martens, Neumann, Priem, Ressel, Strassmann, Veys, Wolfkamp

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Most Mazoran's learn to speak Common, Elvish, and Mazoran.

Culture and cultural heritage

Mazorans are very militant, but they also have a deep appreciation for art and science. The men are raised from childhood to be powerful warriors and spell casters. It is not uncommon for the class system in a smaller group of Mazorans to be based upon the military ranks of individuals. The women, however, are educated from a similarly young age in the arts and sciences. Many women are also taught extensively about politics and become major political figures in Mazoran settlements and organizations.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

In war and before battles it is customary for the Mazoran force to offer the opposition a chance to surrender. The Mazorans will approach the battlefield and lay down their weapons before speaking to the enemy. They almost always repeat the same phrase: "You face now an army of Mazorans, the most powerful warriors in Kameria. If you wish to live, we give you one chance to surrender. Those of you who wish to die may strike now." The Mazorans will then wait to see how the enemy force responds. If they do not surrender, the Mazorans will retrieve their weapons and prepare to fight.

Coming of Age Rites

In most Mazoran societies, boys are left alone in dangerous wilderness when they turn 100. The boys are left with nothing but their clothes and a small knife about 6 inches long. If the boys can return to their home alive, they become men. The rites for women are much less dangerous, requiring them to spend 1 week meditating after they turn 100 and then creating a piece of art or writing depicting the visions they saw while meditating. These visions can be either the memories of their ancestors or brief glimpses of the future of them or one of their descendants.

Common Taboos

One of the worst sins among Mazoran is the marring of a woman. This can be anything from causing the woman harm to raping her to giving her a tattoo. If the act was commited against the woman's will the perpetrator is likely to be executed. If the woman agreed to it, usually in the case of tattoos, she and the perpetrator will usually be exiled, although not always.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

In Mazoran culture, being tall, slender, and muscular is viewed as the minimum for how you should look. Black hair is very common, but it is not necessarily preferred. It is typically believed that females should wear expensive jewelry while males should get intricate tattoos to show off status and wealth. The most common clothing adequately covers at least from the knees to the shoulders while still highlighting the finer points of the person wearing the clothes.

Gender Ideals

Mazorans believe that men should be strong enough to protect each other and, more importantly, women. Men are typically trained in various forms of combat and, occasionally, different types of magic to aid them in combat. Women are viewed as pure beings and are typically sheltered from danger as best as possible. Women are often better educated than males and many women hold positions of power in Mazoran settlements.

Courtship Ideals

In Mazoran society it is believed that only males should attempt to court someone. When courting, it is typical for the male to present the female with a piece of jewelry along with an invitation to an event of some kind, usually a small social gathering. If the female accepts the invitation, it is customary for the male to present a more expensive piece of jewelry, usually a ring, at the end of the event as a sign that he still wishes to marry. The female will then present both pieces of jewelry to her mother and/or her father. If the parents approve, a marriage will be arranged by the parents of the bride. Finally, before the wedding, the groom is expected to offer both parents a gift as a show of good faith.

Although it is not especially common in Mazoran societies, same-sex relationships are permitted and, occasionally, encouraged. In the case of same-sex courting, the two partners will typically exchange gifts, although the wealthier family is expected to arrange the wedding.

Relationship Ideals

Mazoran's believe that the bond between two partners is sacred. Because of this belief, polygamous relationships are viewed as especially terrible and can result in executions. Mazoran's believe that men should always be willing to protect their women and that women should always be willing to care for their men. However, Mazoran's don't believe that all relationships need to be heterosexual and they have been known to encourage homosexual relationships, particularly between women. This is usually because of the number of women in powerful positions in Mazoran settlements and organizations and because Mazoran men are more violent than women. In homosexual relationships, the two partners are supposed to support each other and build on each others strengths to improve themselves.