Monts

The people of Montihume, including the northern and Southern Montihume. They are known for their skills with horses, castles and their religion.

Stereotypes

The northern, especially the Peace Makers are seen as rustic. The entire nation is seen either as peace loving hippies or hypocrites since they can be violent but espouse peace.

Naming

Each name starts with a religious name, often something representing harmony and there are many common religious names that have become diverged based on if you are from the North or South. The names then follow a first name then last name from their family structure. Earlier names come from traditional names but more recently the trend has been to draw first names based on other cultures.

Religious Names

Common northern religious names:

Show Spoiler

Harmony
Unity
Unitas
Consens
Solidarity
Union
Unison
Peace
Accord
Truce

Common southern religious names:

Show Spoiler

Order
Purpose
Drive
Treaty
Pact
Entreat
Ordro
Driven
Offer

Peace Maker names

The sign language of the Peace Makers has fallen out of common usage but is integrated into the everyday language, none more so than with the names of Peace Makers. Often their first and last names will be a hand movement. Common names include:

Show Spoiler

Wave
One Finger
Two Fingers
Three Fingers
Four Fingers
Tap Shoulder
Tap Elbow
Left Hand
Right Hand
Curved Hand
Open Palm
Fist

Home Maker names

The first names are from an English base that has faded over time:

Show Spoiler

Edar
Roose
Zac
Theo
Logan
Harris
Jude
Elan
Usen
Verity

The last names will often be based on simplified concepts of the world around them or professions an ancestor had:


Show Spoiler

Grey
Day
Dixon
Mills
Rider
Stone
Clay

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

In both the North and the South parts of Montihume horseback lacrosse, basketball, singing, running, long jump, debate and horse racing are the common hobbies. When the people write or tell stories the common literary themes are justice and redemption. Gambling is frowned upon as it is seen as creating disharmony between people.
In the North leather working, painting, pipes and oral story telling are also common hobbies. The South instead focuses on stone carving, discus, guitars, board games and crafting tapestries.

Shared customary codes and values

The church that rules Montihume is called the Harmonic Doctrine. It promotes working together with others for greater effect. This is seen practically when herds combine or castles march north to fight off a common threat. The priesthood will often act as negotiators between different groups and seek to keep them working together so that in an emergency they will work together with no regrets. They have power to give judgement in legal matters and to punish people working against the Harmonic Doctrine. Morality is also decided by what the church chooses to promote or censor. Oaths are seen as incredibly important.

Common Etiquette rules

The Mont society generally views the young as less capable of controlling their emotions and keeping to harmony while viewing the elderly as positive sources of knowledge. Being the First born leads to more social status.

Racial inequity is something the culture is well aware of and racism is heavily punished - though still happens. Since the Peace Makers are prone to obedience a heavy focus is given to not taking advantage of them.

Common Dress code

Montihume is the main provider for blue and red dye and will often user them in their clothes, another common trend is to keep the natural colouring, especially when leathers or furs are involved. There isn't a large amount of clothing difference between Peace Makers and Home Makers, mainly the Peace Makers will have lighter cuts since they have more natural body hair and wider shoulders. 

Northern

In northern Montihume they primarily wear animal fur, leather or cotton; these animal products are cut into practical riding garb. There are usually few gender differences in the clothing and practicality trumps all.

Southern

while the south mainly wear cotton or linen with furs for warmth.In southern Montihume they care more highly in fashion and attempt to imitate the fashions of Al Renyan monarchs and Paradigm guild heads. There will often be gender differences in the more peaceful castles, mimicking Renyan styles of pants and dresses.

Art & Architecture

Mont architecture mimics the landscape; On the plains they keep a low profile and the southern castles keep a rounded profile, often attempting to mimic the curve of the hill below it, completing it in some cases. Cities are kept clean as hygiene is a priority, however it is difficult to escape the smell of horses.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Flora and Fauna

A typical diet consists of soybeans, corn, carrot, cabbage, gayal, bison, pig, goat, beef and Horse Meat. Those Southern add Waterfowl and a variety of herbs. For pets and beasts of burden, horses are the most common and then dogs but cheetahs are also used for protection, hunting and herding.

Superstitions

The Monts do not believe in a fixed destiny, they think that choices are what controls the world, anyone can choose to improve. 
Breaking dishes owned by another is seen as unlucky while horseshoes are seen as lucky. Saying the true name of or describing the Diplomat is seen as the height of bad luck.
More can be found in Seeing the future: A guide to fortune telling.

Coming of Age Rites

When a Mont child comes of age they are expected to swear an oath to work with the Harmonic Doctrine.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Mourning is associated with the colour purple. The burial practice is burying and adding a stone to the waymarker cairn thay they either died near or was a significant place to them.

Ideals

Relationship Ideals

Marriage is an important part of the culture, as it represents the ultimate form of working together. However polygamy is allowed and common, creating groups that are bound together. Marrying for love is common, especially in the northern parts, with ulterior motive marriages happening more often in the South in the current era. Sexuality and the support of other genders are free and open. Having many children and large families is common, even through adopting - most herds in the North will act almost like an extended family. Differing sexuality is welcomed in the Mont Theocracy. While they don't have as strong a focus and understanding of other genders as other places such as the Parad, they do their best to understand all who would come to work together.

Language
Aux Trade tongue
Common species
Wish Maker and Peace Maker

Encompassed species

• Peace Makers

Related Organizations

• Harmonic Doctrine
• Mont Theocracy

Related Locations

• Montihume
• Southern Montihume