Feroxian
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others are thrust into greatness by chance. Those of the Northern Lands tend to see themselves as a combination of those three qualities.”Feroxian is a blanket catch all term to describe a person born in the Empire of Ferox. As such, it is often a moniker associated with both people from the Feroxian Empire in Northern Verous, and any of the territories in the Verousian Islands as well as Alloyus. Among those in the empire, Feroxi and Feroxian is used to distinguish between those who are from the north and those from the empire as a whole respectively. Feroxi wouldn’t have it any other way, as many consider the sharing of their moniker to be another aspect of their magnanimity. People from the Northern Empire of Ferox tend to be followers of the Mother Sun. Feroxi are most likely to be human, halfling, or mixed race. The native language is Feroxi, which is an easy and fluid language to learn. In the meta: People from this land tend to take on a Mediterranean/French/English culture and aesthetic. Their language is closest to Latin and Greek.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Most names from people of this land are Greek or Latin in name, though there are mixtures of the other three regions thrown in.
Popular Feminine names include:
- Allarina
- Sophia
- Eleanora
- Melanie
- Delphina
- Roswitha
- Selena
- Theresa
- Xenia
- Zoe
- Stella
- Lillian
- Viola
- Julia
- Felicity
- Vivian
- Louise
- Jeanne
- Adele
- Juliette
Masculine names
Most names from people of this land are Greek or Latin in name, though there are mixtures of the other three regions thrown in.
Popular names include:
- Alaric
- Julius
- Ines
- Ulrich
- Melchior
- Arthur
- Victor
- Noah
- Dimitri
- Gelenos
- Baldrick
- Maximus
- Elrick
- Edmund
- Tarquin
Unisex names
Most names from people of this land are Greek or Latin in name, though there are mixtures of the other three regions thrown in.
Family names
Most names from people of this land are Greek or Latin in name, though there are mixtures of the other three regions thrown in.
Notable Family names are:
- Ron Zhen - The Ruling Family’s name
- Ron Lamperos - One of the oldest noble families in Ferox
- De Borel - Upcoming noble family
- Ourenos
- Catullus
- De Viatori
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Feroxian is the main language, and the most widely spoken language of the empire. Only in Ferox will you find people who only speak one language.
Culture and cultural heritage
Most culture and heritage is deeply religious. Everything people do in Ferox has an overt religious underpinning to it. Everyone is deeply cnnected to the teachings of the Mother Sun. Fields of flowers, and ways to coexist with the weather are also common.
Shared customary codes and values
The Zefirum Ral Laudum is a book of parables and musings from the great Alaric Ron Zhen. During his time as king, he wrote down 111 commandments, all of which are ways one must consider when building a strong family and society. All of them detail ways virtue is distinguished from vice, and how one must always choose virtue.
A few commandments:
- To take another’s life is to deprive the world of growth. Do not take life if growth can be achieved.
- Abundance in all its forms must be shared wih those around you. To have plenty is to be capable of great giving.
- Tolerate the differently opinion, but do not spare courtesy to those who fail to do the same.
- Strength does not make one capable of rule. Strength makes one capable of service.
Common Etiquette rules
One must always find ways to live a virtuous life. Whether this means participating in the church activities or finding time to volunteer, the common Feroxian must always be striving for excellence.
Common Dress code
Common wear often includes making the most of fabrics by wearing them in robes or ponchos built from a single sheet or few sheets. Cold weather gear, however, is made from the animals in the surrounding area, tanned and hardened to protect against the cold. Men and women have very distinct styles of clothes, but that is more to do with gender preference in certain working environments than any actual conceived gender norm. For example, most hunters in Ferox are male, but a female hunter will wear the same uniform because it is functionally fitting for the job. Same goes for men in scholarly pursuits, wearing robes reminiscent of the fashion among female scholars.
Art & Architecture
Most art follows the Cretan School, though the greatest painters are recently breaking for Realism.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Revelry of the Mother: A Month Long Festival in which the Local Churches engage their communities with parades, plays, festivities, and competitions. Each community celebrates the Mother's Revelry differently, and is encouraged to do so, as the Mother appreciates all celebrations of life and community.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Childbirth is an elative affair, and often done with many individuals present for the birth. If possible babies are delivered by a Mother Sun priest, who ensures the mother is healthy and cared for. Only the priest, their chosen acolytes, and the spouse or other parent is allowed in for the baby’s birth. Family And friends are expected to be present but outside the church for the birth.
Coming of Age Rites
Boys and girls are often expected to play outside often to revel in the Mother’s gifts (weather, sun, nature, etc.) When one is ten they are expected to do a catechism, where they must recite a single passage from the Zefirum Rau Laudum. This happens during the Revelry, and only for those who have already turned ten.
At 20 those who are devout Mother Sun Worshipers take on a commandment to live by. This commandment is meant to guide them in life.
Funerary and Memorial customs
During a funeral of a Mother Sun believer, the person is laid to rest in a coffin and buried within the earth. Afterward the deceased's family members are then encouraged to have a celebration of the person's life, which are often detailed in the deceased's will. If there is no will then those closest (parents, direct family members, spouses, children) must convene to organize a party with the aid of their local church.
Celebrations of life are allowed to be as festive or somber as the party goers wish. Often a lot of wine is shared.
Common Taboos
Necromancy is evil. Full Stop.
One must live a life as altruistically as possible. It is in aiding others that their strength becomes added to your strength.
Joy of life must never be forgotten.
Work hard to ensure all systems benefit those who need it. Work to support those who have less.
People must be proactive in their community.
Common Myths and Legends
The Rise of Alaric of Zhen
The Bright Queen's love.
The Song of Flowers
Historical figures
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
People with oddly colored eyes (such as blue, red, yellow, or purple) are considered blessed. Those with more 'angelic' features such as golden hair, light skin, athletic builds, are considered the most attractive.
Gender Ideals
Men and Women are to aspire to do good everywhere and there is very little overlap between the two. Men are to provide and support the family and women are to take an active role in the homestead. The lives of men and women in Ferox are often very different.
Courtship Ideals
People are free to choose who they love, but the courtship process alone is different for each community. Often relationships begin when someone confesses in an extravagant manner, such as professing their love out loud or making an ostentatious show. Nevertheless it is considered rude to decline an offer to get to know someone like this, but it is not an indication that the relationship will last beyond the first date.
Relationship Ideals
Men and women are expected to have a set of skills that complement and contrast one another. If a man is a skilled farmer with some crafting skills to go with it, his female match must be someone who either can tend a home or run a business. The expectation is that the two can unite to become greater than the sum of their parts.
Major organizations
Feroxian Empire
Church of the Mother Sun
Twenty Orders
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species
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