Parad
The people of the Paradian Archipelago have their life revolves around a test at the age of 20 where they decide which guild they want to be a part of. On top of this they will usually have more of an education and a chances to travel than other groups. It is common for youths to learn how to care for livestock and take up active interest in a number of guilds before they turn 20. Guild bonds are often formed in this time with many parties and events happening. Pranks, spying and politics is often a hobby of the young and encouraged by guilds.
Examples: Mela, Livia, Isla, Joanne, Toria, Mikalle, Ava, Sesan, Karolet, Mirande, Aleksandr, Brariel, Blakhiel, Lulom, Nos, Walgur, Joerdann, Jaylin, Ikmae, Mahle and Melan
Stereotypes
People think of Parad's as flighty and erratic. They don't really understand the importance of the "test" and the guilds seem excessive. Generally they are known as skilled craftsmen though.Naming
Parads get their names at random from recovered texts from old world ruins. The names are often close to old world names but slightly different. Silent letters have often disappeared and letters have been combined in places. After their first name in this style they have an aspirational descriptor they pick for themselves on completing the test and then their title is finished with their guild.Examples: Mela, Livia, Isla, Joanne, Toria, Mikalle, Ava, Sesan, Karolet, Mirande, Aleksandr, Brariel, Blakhiel, Lulom, Nos, Walgur, Joerdann, Jaylin, Ikmae, Mahle and Melan
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Aux trade tongue is the main language used in modern Parad. There are older forms and most of the guilds have slang and dialects unique to their islands, but these have not widely spread.
Culture and cultural heritage
Most Parads will know how to herd and care for goats. When one isn’t active with guild work Parads will focus on the care of goats as it provides food and clothing for the island. A working week consists of 30 hours of guild work and 10 hours of herding.
Running races and pole vaulting are common, often around the mountains which adds a level of thrill seeking. For non-thrill seeking Parads, basketball, badminton, volleyball, bowls, debate and boat racing are the preference. Productive hobbies and storytelling come in the form of books, glazing, pottery and stone or woodworking. These stories often come with themes of new ideas and often sci-fi themes.
Running races and pole vaulting are common, often around the mountains which adds a level of thrill seeking. For non-thrill seeking Parads, basketball, badminton, volleyball, bowls, debate and boat racing are the preference. Productive hobbies and storytelling come in the form of books, glazing, pottery and stone or woodworking. These stories often come with themes of new ideas and often sci-fi themes.
Shared customary codes and values
Morality and law is a constantly debated by the law and philosophy guilds and it can slowly change over time. Usually this happens when new leadership in put into position.
Common Etiquette rules
The age of someone is of variable importance, some of the guilds, usually the less creation based ones will value the steady hand of age. Newer, more innovative guilds will prefer young people, but both will have a large mix. Race relations are very free and calm, although there is a long standing angst with many of the other cultures since they previously raided Paradigm.
Common Dress code
An average Parad dressed in wools or leathers with little difference in what different genders wear. They will sometimes adopt the styles of other nations and have piercings, tattoos or dye parts of their bodies.
They are the only producer of purple dyes and they often get blue or red dye from trade. Plain wool looks is also common as well as undyed animal leather.
Art & Architecture
The architecture varies slightly between the different islands, the main trends are wide open homes with a lot of space. The weather is normally warm so often there will be a lack of windows, letting the air flow through, with some nets to prevent insects.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Young Parads are encouraged to hold frequent interguild parties, this is partly to introduce different specializations to each other but it also functions as a place for potential Wards to demonstrate their skill.
It is assumed that most Parads will travel in their life. Guild skills are highly sought after in other nations. Most often Parad guilds are only used for learning, teaching and advancing the subject. Fame and fortune is made in other parts of the world. While it is possible for under 20 year olds to travel it is only rarely done.
Most meals are based on goat products, often made into stews. Berries will be used as a dessert.
It is assumed that most Parads will travel in their life. Guild skills are highly sought after in other nations. Most often Parad guilds are only used for learning, teaching and advancing the subject. Fame and fortune is made in other parts of the world. While it is possible for under 20 year olds to travel it is only rarely done.
Most meals are based on goat products, often made into stews. Berries will be used as a dessert.
Superstitions
Superstitions don't have much hold on the Parads. The largest ones are around conspiracies that people believe exist in the world - true or not.Birth & Baptismal Rites
Children are put together on Virtue upon birth and their identity is hidden from the parents.
Coming of Age Rites
Upon teenhood children enter schools where they can follow activities they find interesting completely on a whim.
At the end of their 20th year an aptitude test is given which suggests what profession they should follow.
While ominous and life deciding the Test is actually very free form and laissez faire. Each of the Guild Islands runs a festival of sorts, for non 20 year olds this is a time of seeing the best the guilds can offer. For 20 year olds this is a time to visit each of the guild islands. There is no set order on which of the islands should be visited in which order so. The test is simply a participant picking a guild island. The guilds are being tested on how well they recruit.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The elderly will continue to teach for as long as they want and upon retirement they will use the accrued favours of a lifetime to spend their last years however they want. Being elderly on Paradigm however is hard as their is no familial bonds. Often the elderly will write a book, complete anything they still want to do and then commit ritualistic suicide.
Common Taboos
Any citizen that does not sit the Test, which can only be sat at 20, is no longer considered a citizen of Paradigm. This is the strictest rule in Paradigm.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
An average Parad (The term for a citizen of Paradigm) will be slightly tanned, dressed in wool and look androgynous. Working with the goats outside will often lead to tans and it is respected as a sign of someone who has a good guild work to herding life balance.
Relationship Ideals
Since children are not family bound and the guilds come together to support pregnant women, the society is primarily polygamous.
Related Organizations
Related Locations
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