An Average Shovani Home

An average Shovani home is made of hardened clay and stone, with a tiled roof and wooden doors. Most homes have about a foot of water on the ground floor, part of the ever-flowing canal that is a Shovani city. These waters often result in fish visiting a home though the traditional slots under the doors, though whether eating such a fish is bad luck or a faux pas is the subject of some disagreement.
Houses typically have small, monk-like cells for each individual Shovani, with Lizardfolk expected to spend most of their time in private. A communal area near the center of the house serves nearly all communal functions. Preparing food, socializing and any activity requiring wide spaces (i.e. sparring) are all expected to take place in the same area, with furniture purposely made of lightweight woods for easy relocation. There are few ornaments inside the house, but it's quite common to hang a set of wind chimes out front. The chimes inform the residents when Leviathan is passing and serve as a shorthand sign detailing the number, sex and occupation of the inhabitants. Many a visitor to Shovani has been baffled by the Lizardfolk's seemingly intuitive ability to distinguish between large rows of near-identical houses, unaware that for those who know how to read them, the chimes outside the door tell them all they need to know (if the household chooses to use them, a minority of more private folk do not, but this is frowned upon).
Some wealthier Shovani have additional, specialized rooms for their own use. Bedrooms, libraries and even private baths are all popular features for those who can afford them (Shovani typically sleep collectively in the central room for warmth).
Because Shovani Lizardfolk are separated from their parents as eggs and placed in communal hatcheries, there are no traditional "nuclear families" in evidence. All Shovani citizens who hatch out of the same cycle from the same hatchery are considered brothers and sisters, with typical hatch numbers anywhere from 15 to 250+. As such, a house typically serves a group of "siblings" numbering from three to seven, often in a small neighborhood of "neighbor-siblings." Outsiders unversed in Shovani culture are often surprised by a lizardfolk's number of "siblings," and until the difference in terminology is clarified a great deal of misunderstanding is possible.

Purpose / Function

These houses serve as communal living areas and places to relax after work. Almost all Shovani occupations are part of large, state-run enterprises with their own locations, with "Mom and Pop" shops very rare, so the Shovani don't typically need to bring their work home with them.
Keep in mind that the Shovani are a people severed from proper "family" ties. Unless they have a mate, a Shovani lizardfolk is just one of a small group of "siblings" that (despite the name) don't necessarily like each other or socialize together. This is purposeful on the part of Leviathan, who wants citizens loyal to the government, the church and the state rather than tied too firmly to the interests of other citizens.

Type

House

Parent Location

Shova (City)