Tremad (tree-md)
Naming Traditions
Family names
Family names will start with the tribe the family is first from. For example, Eten-Hallow would be the Hallow line of the Eten tribe. The second part of the family name is inherited from mother to child. Once a family name is given it is never changed. The exception is if a child is born a bastard or to unknown family. Each tribe has a name for such children - the Eten trip use Eten-Spire.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The main language of Tremad culture is the Tre dialect of Elvish. Though they also speak High Elvish, Common, and many can speak Sylvan still.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
For women; long hair, clear and defined muscles, and being taller are all attributes favored by men. Anything showing that a woman is strong and capable of defense or will bring in income, for the spirit seekers that would be good eyes and a sharp mind. Regarding dress women normally wear long tunics unless they are ridding. These tunics will be lined with furs, leathers, or exotic fabrics to show off wealth and power. While ridding women will wear leathers studded with the bones of the creatures they kill.
For men; short well kept hair, slim, fair skin, and smooth features are all attributes favored by women. This shows care and gentleness, both attributes women look for in a child raiser. Men will spend a lot of time on their appearance as a sign of how much time they are willing to spend carrying for children and their wives. Calm and relaxed are also attributes wanted in men. Yelling or getting angry at children are never good things. Men will wear far more elaborate outfits than women. Most men will have headpieces made from wood, bone, leathers, or gems depending on their family's rank. Men will wear long gowns that trail behind them, some up to four feet for formal events. Shoes and gloves are also normal for men to wear about the tribe.
Gender Ideals
Within Tremad culture, the women are the riders, spirit seekers, and singers. This gives them dominion over the gathering of food and telling of tales. Women are seen as stronger and wiser than men so it is also women who will head most tribes.
In Tremad culture, the men are the farmers, craftsmen, and home keepers. This gives them dominion over the life within the tribe and their homes. Most men will raise children, farm gardens, and work as artisans. It is rare for a man to serve as a spirit seeker or tribe leader. Men are normally seen as too arrogant and hot headed for these.
Courtship Ideals
General
If a woman finds a man that she would like to marry there are three steps she must take before courting him. She must go before his family, normally his mother, and request permission; this is called Mavren. During Mavren the woman will bring a bow or claw of a dinosaur to the mother. Once the mother has given her blessing the woman must go before the friends of the man she hopes to court. She will pronounce her love and offer proof that she is a good protector to these friends; this is known as Coren. Once the man's blood brother, his closest friend, give his blessing the woman will go before the man's ancestors. Going to the burial place of his family the woman must pray and prove to the spirits and ancestors that she is worthy. This is normally done through prayer, combat, or other feats of skill; this is known as Hiren. After all three blessings have been given the woman will approach her courtman and place two arrows beside him, one to the left and one to the right, showing that he is now protected by her and her family. Anyone watching is free to challenge at this point and fight for him. Once all three stages are complete the two are considered married and the man will move to the home of the woman.History
Mavren is the combination of two elvish words Mav and Ren. Mav is the Elvish word for a governing mother or matriarch. Ren is the Elvish word meaning 'to shower with honor', though its meaning implies the showering with honor is in hopes of getting some of that honor on yourself. Mavren has started the courtship ritual since before the Night or Serpent Elves were cursed or the Wood and Snow Elves separated. Kneeling before the matriarch of a family and asking her blessing was required for anyone to court. The ritual has gotten more elaborate as the centuries dragged on but the core remains the same. Coren is a combination of two elvish words. Co meaning friends or not blood family. Ren is the Elvish word meaning 'to shower with honor', though its meaning implies the showering with honor is in hopes of getting some of that honor on yourself. Coren was once a celebration of a successful courtship blessing but has turned into a blessing in its own right. There are few records depicting the High Elves or other Fey from requiring the Coren but all Elves today expect it. Hiren is the combination of two elvish words. Hi meaning all powerful, spirit, deity, or revered ancestor. Ren is the Elvish word meaning 'to shower with honor', though its meaning implies the showering with honor is in hopes of getting some of that honor on yourself. Hiren was always the 'marriage act' but was normally done years after the Mavren. In the common era it is done four days after the completion of the Coren. This change occurred around the same time the Coren was added as a blessing. Hiren is the combination of two elvish words. Hi meaning all powerful, spirit, deity, or revered ancestor. Ren is the Elvish word meaning 'to shower with honor', though its meaning implies the showering with honor is in hopes of getting some of that honor on yourself. Hiren was always the 'marriage act' but was normally done years after the Mavren. In the common era it is done four days after the completion of the Coren. This change occurred around the same time the Coren was added as a blessing.Execution
Mavren
Once a woman finds a man she would like to court the Mavren begins. The woman will go out and hunt an animal, or animals, large enough to feed the family of the man for four days. The woman will bring this meat to a Spirt Seeker for a blessing and the honor markings. Once the meat has been blessed and marked it can be brought to the mother. Many women will also bring drink and other foods as gifts to the family though those are not required of women with low standing. Once the gifts are brought the father will prepare them while the mother and woman sit and speak. These conversations are held behind closed doors, other women of the family may be invited to join but grandmothers are always extended an invitation. Once the meal is ready one of two things will occur. If the mother approves the woman she will be invited to join them at the table to eat. If the mother does not approve the woman will be thanked for the gits and sent on her way and that will end the courtship. Upon being invited to the table the woman will dine with the family sharing stories and talking as family. The woman and man may now been seen in public showing verbal affection but not physical affection. The next step of courtship is the Coren.Coren
It can take months to complete the Coren. This is mainly because a man's friends may extend past the boarders of the tribe. If there are people in other tribes that are required for the Coren word will be sent to them and the tribes will try to arrange a place where they are able to meet. However, some women have travelled for weeks outside the safety of the tribe to complete the Coren. When a woman seeks the blessing of the friends and blood brothers of a man she must go before each friend and pronounce her intentions. In older days this was a party game played but now it is a lengthy proclamation of why she would make the best protector for the man. At the end of this proclamation each friend will give a symbol of their family and the blood brother will go before the man's family and announce his approval. Upon getting all these blessings the woman then heads to the final state of courtship Hiren.Hiren
Once the first two blessings are given the woman must spend four days in prayer to her ancestors. This is to insure that they agree with her choice and do not want to present a better option. Upon the fourth night the woman will go to the burial grounds of the man's family and bring with her any tools she may need. Women who are hunters or riders will bring weapons and mounts to display combat skills. Sprite Seekers will bring herbs, waters, and dances to summon their family spirits as proof of worthiness. Regardless the display of skill takes the whole night, dusk until dawn. If a woman fails to go throughout the night it is seen as the spirits and ancestors cursing the courtship. The Hiren is the hardest of all the blessings, so hard that some women will drag out the Coren so that they can practice and ready themselves. Once dusk has passed the mother of the man and woman will come, with any grandmothers who want to attend, to watch the Hiren. The woman's family will normally leave after a few hours but a member of the man's family will stand watch until its completion. Upon dawn the blessings of the ancestors are given to the woman by the new morning light. With these she will take two arrows and place them to the right and left of the man pronouncing for all to hear that he is not protected by her and her family and that should any harm come to him her family will advenge it at all cost.Relationship Ideals
Within a relationship the woman is the arrow and shield. It is her job to protect the family from all that may harm them. This includes hunger, war, and the elements. The woman will do any repairs to the home, or provide the recourses needed for them. She will also bring home food and anything else needed by the family. The man is normally the homekeeper and the one who cares for the children. Staying at home most of the time insuring that nothing goes amiss and that the children are educated and provided for.
Current Date -
The Yet Unnamed Year of 1494 ce
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