Southern Opirian

Dwelling in and around Opirian mountains, Southern Opirians are a hardy and resourceful people. Their culture is steeped in stoicism, respect for nature, and a deep connection to the spirits of the mountains. Their communities are small and self-sufficient, with strong ties to their families and ancestral lands, bound together by a shared respect for the challenges of their unforgiving home. Their clothing is thick and layered, made from the hides of animals and insulated for warmth.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Like all people in Krea, Southern Opirians speak Kreainese.

Accent

Southern Opirians emphasize their consonants, especially stops (p, b, t, d, k, g) and fricatives (f, s, sh, h). Words often sound clipped and forceful. Their language also has a sing-song quality, with pitches rising and falling within sentences. Oftentimes, Southern Opirians will either have a loud voice that carries when they speak, or a quiet but firm voice.

Sayings and Phrases

• "May our ancestors guide our steps." - A phrase muttered before undertaking a difficult task or journey.
• "Ancestors watch over you." - A blessing when someone is about to undertake something difficult or dangerous.
• "May the winds guide you home." - A blessing used when someone is departing.
• "Square Snowflake" - A name given to someone to describe their unwillingness to make things easy for themselves.
• "Strong one" - A name given to a creature or person who is dying and struggling to hold on, often said right before putting it/them out of their misery.
• "You have a strong heart." - A compliment on someone's bravery or perseverance.
• "Ice butt" - A name call, sometimes referring to the fact someone has a flat butt, but usually simply calling them a hard ass.
• "The wind whispers secrets." - A way of saying "be careful what you say".

Common Etiquette rules

Southern Opirians have a unique way of interacting with each other and the world around them.
Silence Speaks Volumes: Southern Opirians value stoicism and thoughtful communication. They may seem quiet at first, but their silence often indicates attentiveness rather than disinterest. Give them space to gather their thoughts before filling the void with chatter.
A Nod is as Good as a Word: Direct eye contact and elaborate greetings are uncommon. A simple nod or a raised hand is a perfectly acceptable way to acknowledge someone's presence. For outsiders, a friendly smile can go a long way.
Respect the Mountain's Bounty: Southern Opirians view nature with deep respect. Offering thanks before taking something from the land, be it berries or firewood, is a common practice. Always be mindful and avoid unnecessary waste.
Offered with Grace: Food is precious in the mountains. Accepting a gift of food or a share of a meal is a sign of deep respect and should be received with gratitude. Reciprocation isn't always expected immediately, but remember the kindness and return the favor when possible.
Community Before Self: Their communities rely heavily on cooperation. If you see someone struggling, offering help without being asked is considered good manners. However, avoid being overly intrusive – if they decline your help, respect their wishes.
Gifts and Sharing: Bringing a small token of appreciation when visiting a Southern Opirian home is a kind gesture. Homemade food or handcrafted items are particularly well-received. Meals are often communal affairs, and sharing what you have is a sign of hospitality.
Shoes Off Indoors: Removing your shoes before entering a Southern Opirian home is a sign of respect. Slippers or feet coverings are usually provided, but it's always best to err on the side of caution and take your shoes off at the entrance. No one wants snow and water tracked inside.
Know Your Place: Age and experience are highly respected in Southern Opirian communities. Listen attentively to elders and offer them your seat when standing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but avoid interrupting or speaking over someone older or more experienced.

Common Dress code

Southern Opirians, living in the harsh Opirian mountains, have developed a clothing style that prioritizes both warmth and practicality. Their garments are built to withstand the frigid temperatures, but also designed with a deep respect for the mountain and the animals they harvest for materials.

Materials:

• Hides: The primary material for Southern Opirian clothing is thick, cured hides from wild or non-connected, tamed animals. These hides provide excellent insulation and protection from the elements.
• Furs: Softer furs are used for warmth and decoration on hoods, collars, and cuffs.
• Wool: Some tamed beasts provide a source of wool, spun into thick yarns or felted to make insulated cloth for undergarments.
• Plant Fibers: While less common, some Southern Opirians may use woven plant fibers for lighter undergarments.

Construction:

Southern Opirians wear multiple layers to trap heat. A typical outfit might include:

• Base Layer: Simple undergarments made from wool felt or plant fibers for comfort against the skin.
• Trousers: Made from cured hides or wool, often reaching the knee or mid-calf for ease of movement. They may be loose-fitting to allow for additional insulating layers underneath.
• Tunics: These long-sleeved garments are made from hides or thick woven wool and reach mid-thigh or knee length.
• Outer Garments: The outermost layer is the heaviest and most weatherproof. Made of long fur cloaks, Mabela, and/or multiple hides, reaching down to the calves or ankles.

Style and Decoration

Southern Opirian clothing is primarily functional, with minimal decoration beyond what serves a purpose. They reinforce seams and closures with decorative stitching to add strength and a touch of beauty. Southern Opirians also often leave the fur on hides used for clothing, a sign of respect to the animal that provided the material. Some may decorate the fur with small bone beads or natural dyes. Hunters or trappers may wear small pouches or adornments made from the claws or teeth of their prey, a symbol of their prowess and a way to honor the animal.

Art & Architecture

Given the harsh climate, limited sunlight, and focus on resourcefulness, Southern Opirian architecture prioritize functionality, durability, and heat retention.

Building Materials

• Stone: The primary building material is locally quarried stone. It's strong, insulative, and fire-resistant, perfect for the cold and potentially hazardous environment (avalanches, blizzards).
• Wood: Timber from hardier trees like pines and firs are used for support beams and floors, providing good insulation.
• Animal Products: Hides and thick furs from wild animals are also used for insulation, rugs, and even some wall coverings.
• Earth: In many cases, particularly for smaller buildings or storage areas, compacted earth and/or sod is used for walls or even roofs, providing good insulation and leveraging readily available materials.

Building Styles

Given the harsh environment, many Southern Opirians dwell in partially or fully underground structures. This leverages the natural insulation of the earth and creates a warmer living environment. Above-ground buildings are single-story with a focus on functionality and conserving heat. Walls are thick stone or a combination of stone and wood. Roofs are rounded to minimize wind resistance and shed snow effectively. Rarely, people may incorporate Mabela into their walls too.
Each dwelling has a large central hearth for cooking, warmth, and communal gathering. The chimney is designed to vent smoke efficiently while minimizing heat loss. Windows are small and more used to view the outdoors than for light.
Due to the environment, some communities have communal spaces for socializing and working together. These larger structures incorporate elements from the individual dwellings, like central hearths and thick walls, but on a grander scale. Often, above ground tunnels are made between dwellings, farms, storage, and communal spaces, to further shelter from the cold. This makes their cities appear like above ground ant nests.

Decoration

Southern Opirians have a deep focus on preserving the essence of the nature around them. Because of that, many decorations in their halls, on their walls, and even the things on their shelves are made of animal materials such as bones, furs, hides, or even minerals like stone, ores, metals, and dyes. Often you can find horns, skulls, crystal figures, or carvings displayed.
Due to the lack of sunlight and more often than not underground dwellings, Southern Opirians have a heightened vision in the dark. However, this is not night vision, and they still need light to see properly. Skinklings are often farmed for their juices to provide light in small dwellings and tunnels, while communal areas tend to rely more on fires, torches, and candles.

Foods & Cuisine

The unforgiving landscape of Southern Opirium has shaped a cuisine that prioritizes practicality, resourcefulness, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Staples

• Cold-Hardy Grains: Barley, oats, and rice form the base of most meals, providing essential carbohydrates and some protein.
• Root Vegetables: Turnips, carrots, and potatoes provide essential vitamins and minerals year-round.
• Meats: Southern Opirians will sometimes eat fresh meat, but will also use preservation techniques like salting, smoking, and drying meat.
• Fungi: Mushrooms that grow in the damp, dark caves and undergrowth are a crucial source of vitamins, especially Vitamin D, which can be deficient with limited sunlight. Mushrooms make up a large portion of their diet.
• Seagrass: Communities near lakes, rivers, or coastlines gather and grow seaweed and and other edible sea grasses that provide essential minerals and adds variety to the diet. Often they will even trade sea grasses with other communities in need.
• Berries: Some berries are able to grow in Southern Opirium despite the lack of light. Other berries that need the UV more are tended by light users or grown using Skinklings for their light.
• Herbs: Including various mountain plants, many herbs are used in cooking or teas. These herbs offer medicinal properties, aiding digestion and boosting the immune system. Like the berries, herbs that need the UV are tended by light users or Skinklings.

Water is boiled to ensure safety, and stews are common. Herbal teas made from various plants are a common drink, offering warmth and health benefits. Fermented beverages made from fruits or grains are also a common addition to larger meals, especially during celebrations.

Size of Meals

Portion sizes are generally smaller compared to cultures with readily available food sources. Every bite is meticulously planned to maximize nutrition and minimize waste. However, during celebrations or after a successful hunt, larger feasts can be held with richer foods like grilled fish or marinated meats. There's a strong emphasis on not wasting food. Every part of a plant or animal is utilized, and leftovers are creatively incorporated into future meals or decorations.

Daily Meals

The daily meals change depending on the size of the settlement. For smaller towns and villages, they focus much more on community, while larger cities focus more on personal efficiency and freedom. Additionally, smaller settlements tend to have a schedule for meals, while people in larger cities are more independant on when they wake and eat their meals.
Morning meals for smaller settlements are usually a small, protein-rich meal to get the body going. This might consist of porridge made from rice or oats, mixed with dried meat or nuts, and a mug of herbal tea.
Bigger settlements tend to have a hearty breakfast that fuels the body for the day's work. This might consist of a thick stew made with leftover meat, chopped tubers, and wild herbs, accompanied by a warm drink.
There is a large difference between the two for midday and evening meals, though.
Midday meals for smaller settlements are a more portable affair, consisting of dried fruit and nut bars made with high-energy nuts and berries, or perhaps a small, insulated pouch of stew or broth carried from the morning meal.
Bigger cities, however, count it as the largest meal of the day. It usually involves roasted root vegetables, stewed or smoked meats, lots of mushrooms, and berries or seaweed salad.
For evening meals in smaller towns, it is the largest meal of the day. The evening meal is a communal affair with families and close-knit groups gathering to share a pot of stew, grilled kebabs, or roasted meat. Potatoes are roasted or mashed with other root vegetables, and coldwater kelp might be served raw or pickled. Fermented drinks are common to be included. The meal often concludes with a warm broth made from leftover stew drippings and seasoned with fragrant mountain herbs.
Larger cities have their residents having their last meal sometime when they're settling down after a day of work. The evening meal is a smaller, lighter meal before the long night. This is usually a simple soup made with broth from mushrooms, vegetables, and leftover grains or a salad.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

As with all Krealings, children's skin color gains its pigment when they are born by soaking in the energy from the environment.
Southern Opirians have incredibly pale, almost white skin. This is a direct adaptation for their environment. With little sunlight, their bodies need reduced melanin production to maximize vitamin D absorption, essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system.

Traditions

Just before birth, a fire is lit in the birthing room. This fire, fueled by mountain herbs, is believed to create a warm, healing, welcoming environment for the incoming baby.
Once the newborn baby is cleaned and swaddled, it is usually carried outside by the father. There, he would raise the child so everyone can see and call out the child's name for the first time. This would announce the birth to the community and symbolically introduce the child to the spirits who watch over them.
The birth of a child is a cause for celebration in a small, tight-knit community. A feast might be held with extended family and neighbors, sharing stories and offering well wishes and gifts to the newborn and the parents.

Coming of Age Rites

For the Southern Opirians, childhood is a time of learning under the watchful eyes of parents and elders. But as the harsh realities of their mountain home press in, so too does the expectation for young people to contribute.
Southern Opirian life revolves around survival and respect. By their early teens, children are no longer seen as innocent bystanders but as vital members of the community. They may be apprenticed to a skilled hunter, trapper, artisan, or elder to learn a specific trade vital for the community's survival. Additionally, they will now be expected to participate fully in hunting expeditions and food gathering, contributing directly to the community's well-being, or instead may be tasked with helping maintain the village infrastructure, assisting elders, or caring for younger children.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Death comes early in the Southern Opirian way of life. With a harsh environment and limited resources, life expectancy hovers around 50-60 years, unless cut short. Yet, death is not feared, but revered.
News of a loved one's passing travels swiftly through the small, close-knit communities. Community members, regardless of distance, gather. Words are exchanged, stories shared, and poems recited. The body is washed with water infused with mountain herbs, a symbol of purification and returning the body to the embrace of nature.
No loud wails or open displays of grief are customary. Instead, a quiet dignity and acceptance prevail. Depending on the individual's wishes, a traditional song sung by the community or a heartfelt personal story from a loved one might be shared.
The night after death is a somber vigil. Families gather in the deceased's home, sharing stories, laughter, and tears. Bards recite poems that chronicle the life of the departed. A simple meal, generally that which the deceased enjoyed most, is shared. This isn't a somber affair, but a celebration of the life lived. The food sustains those who remain and honors the deceased with their favorite sustenance.
Burial is not practiced. The harsh environment and rocky ground make it difficult. Instead, the body is placed on a pyre made of aromatic woods and mountain herbs. As the flames rise, the community chants, their voices echoing through the valleys, a final farewell and a release of the spirit. Offerings of personal items, tools used throughout life, or small pouches filled with dried mountain flowers might be placed on the pyre as well.
Southern Opirians revere their ancestors, believing their spirits reside around them, forever connected to their homeland. In times of hardship, people may speak aloud to them, seeking guidance and strength from those who came before.

Common Taboos

Southern Opirians live in an environment where resources are scarce. Overindulging or not using food, water, tools, or animal parts to their fullest would be seen as disrespectful and wasteful.
Southern Opirian communities are small and rely heavily on cooperation. Leaving the community without saying anything or letting people know is seen as a betrayal of trust and respect. Additionally, because Southern Opirians rely on each other, refusing to help a neighbor in need, especially during times of hardship, would be a major taboo.
Elders hold the wisdom and experience necessary for survival in the harsh environment. Disrespecting them or ignoring their advice would be a serious offense. The spirits of the ancestors are also revered in Southern Opirian culture. Speaking poorly of the dead is additionally disrespectful.
Accumulating wealth for personal gain is frowned upon. Southern Opirians believe in sharing resources for the good of the community. Trust is essential for survival in a harsh environment. Lying or stealing too would break that trust and threaten the community's well-being.
Southern Opirians respect the dangers of their environment. Taking unnecessary risks or boasting about toughness could be seen as tempting fate and endangering the community. On the other hand, everyone faces challenges in this unforgiving environment. Complaining is seen as weak and undermines the community spirit of working together.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

For a Southern Opirian, beauty is a reflection of strength and resilience in the face of a harsh environment. They value strong bodies capable of enduring the harsh mountain climate. Having a healthy complexion, thick, full hair, and strong teeth are all seen as attractive qualities.
People who can handle the physical demands of mountain life are admired. This applies to both men and women. A muscular build shows strength and endurance, while a healthy complexion suggests someone who can withstand the cold.

Gender Ideals

Southern Opirian society is one of necessity. Both men and women are expected to contribute to the survival of the community. Strength, resourcefulness, and stoicism are valued qualities in both genders. Men are often seen as the primary hunters and protectors, while women take on roles as caregivers, crafters, and keepers of knowledge. There is a deep respect for mothers, who raise the next generation and ensure the future of the community. It isn't uncommon for some women to take on hunting or leadership roles if they possess the necessary skills.
Leadership roles are earned based on experience, wisdom, and the ability to unite the community. There is no bar to a woman becoming a leader if she possesses these qualities.

Relationship Ideals

Relationships among Southern Opirians are built on practicality and respect. Dating, as most people outside Opirium would understand it, doesn't really exist. Attraction and compatibility are often judged through everyday interactions and shared experiences.
Respect, trust, and the ability to endure hardship together are all seen as essential qualities in a potential mate. Public displays of affection are uncommon, with a preference for quiet understanding and shared experiences. Southern Opirians believe that true love is built on shared struggle and mutual dependence in the face of a harsh environment.
Courtship is likely to involve shared activities like hunting or working together. Gifts might be practical items, handcrafted tools, or tokens of respect like sharing a successful hunt.
Marriages are often seen as partnerships between two strong individuals who can work together to ensure the well-being of their families and community, partnerships for survival and prosperity. People look for spouses who complement their skills and weaknesses. Someone who is strong and good at hunting might be attracted to someone who is skilled at making clothes and caring for children.

Encompassed species

• Humans

Related Locations

• Southern Continent