Thespians

When I first saw a troupe of Thespians, it was only in passing. As a spellwriter apprentice I had little time for indulging in entertainments such as those provided by the Thespians, and attending their performances was taboo due to the nature of Thespians. I was walking down the high street as they performed - a small child juggled candlesticks, while on her right an old man and a slightly older woman danced to a boy playing the fiddle. Three others were setting up a stage, upon which already there were several pieces of a set. It had a certain charm about it, as though I was walking through a flower garden in summertime.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

Skie, Sienna, Siera, Swai, Wilena, Wilesa, Faina, Feina, Iwala, Sayala, Yesana, Esa, Eya, Ela, Iana, Ilesa, Alonzo, Carson, Charon, Verden, Bison, Zamel, Zethan, Thane, Thein, Thaza, Zakiel, Xaniel, Texis, Zsino

Family names

(in order of commonality) Player, Dancer, Singer, Tailor, Painter, Weaver, Builder, Orator, Director

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Thespian culture is based heavily on the skills required for the performing arts. The original Thespians were an ethnic group that migrated to Mythia in the early 1st century, sometime around the year 30. It's unknown where they came from originally, as no bodies of land other than Mythia are known of. Theories include that they were permanent seafarers, or that they came from a land outside the known realms of sea, land, and sky. They came with a strong performing arts culture already, and made early livings by performing at rudimentary courts and small settlements in early Mythia. Their ancestors had no spellwriting talent, and this has continued to persist in their descendants. Theories abound as to the cause of this lack of talent, as Thespians can certainly write entertaining and worthy tales - some suggest that the land of Mythia itself is associated with the power to spellwrite.

Shared customary codes and values

Thespians all believe in the need to stand as a united front - they are well aware of their minority status as non-spellwriters in Mythia and always attend to the needs of their own before moving onto those of other groups. That said, they are a mostly generous and helpful lot, with individual Thespians often going out of their way to help others that they meet on their travels.

Average technological level

Although unable to spellwrite, Thespians have a very good command of the basic principles of herbalism and medicine, and indeed are said to be the most learned in all of Mythia as regards these practices. Other than this, Thespians are on a par with other Mythian groups in terms of technological development, perhaps with a slight disadvantage in the writing craft and a slight advantage in construction.

Common Etiquette rules

In Thespian communities, individuals are very mindful of the distinctions between familial groups and troupes. Those from one troupe typically avoid watching the acts of other troupes, and public criticism between troupes is all but forbidden. This is in order to avoid Thespians accusing one another of stealing from each other's acts or developing intense rivalries - in the past several disagreements have resulted in rather violent settlements. Additionally, Thespians are always courteous toward one another even within the same group - they doff their hats to those more talented or older than they, never impose upon hospitality (indeed, when interacting with outsiders Thespians are often seen as eager to leave), and are careful to always leave a room tidier than they found it. Gifts are also occasionally exchanged between hosts and guests.

Common Dress code

Thespians dress in a variety of styles, but all adult Thespians wear tall top hats, typically black with some sort of patterning around the rim. They often have extravagantly coloured coats and carry walking sticks, as though imitating some strange noble of days gone by. Dress varies by troupe and geographical location.

Art & Architecture

Thespians have few permanent dwellings, and travel in large wagons for the most part. These are canvas-roofed affairs, with stout bodies and 4 to 6 wheels, and are typically horse-drawn. They're often painted in bright colours, typically in two- or three-colour motifs. The permanent settlements Thespians do inhabit typically comprise plain, unadorned three or four room huts.
One area of architecture that Thespians excel in is that of theatre and stage. Almost all theatres in Mythia were constructed at one point by a Thespian, and their designs have evolved constantly over the years since their arrival. Notable examples include the Grand Theatre of Cada Cratal and the private theatre of Lady Ligunia. Thespian theatres are typically regular shapes, commonly circles or triangles. They have superb accoustics and arched rooves that resemble the canvas arches on their wagons.
Thespians do not invest much time in art that is not directly applicable to their acts. The art that is used for their sets or costumes is typically quite garish and, up close, often caricature-like. Viewed from far away, it loses some of its oddness but still is far from veristic.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Thespians have no common holidays, but each troupe typically sets aside a day each month where they rejoice with performances from each member, alcohol bought from nearby towns, and hot food. At this time, if it is possible, gifts are often given as well, having been purchased prior to the celebrations.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

At a Thespian's birth, their parents typically perform a two-person play or musical act, in which they tell or sing of what they hope the newborn will achieve. At the end of the act, they give the child its first name, and after this festivities typically end.

Coming of Age Rites

When a Thespian turns 14, their family and friends celebrate with them for several days, and the festivities include food, entertainment, and generally comprise all the different talents of the various Thespians that the new adult knows. At the end of these activities, they are chosen by a troupe of Thespians to perform a role within that troupe. Typically this role will be one that the new Thespian adult has shown prowess and ability with, but where a free space in this role cannot be found they will be given a different one. At this time, they take the name of their new role, replacing the name of their parents.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a Thespian dies, their troupe and family come together to mourn them. Often, this mourning process includes a performance by the dead Thespian's troupe of a famous poem of grief, which is watched avidly by the family. The dead's body is then lifted into a standing posture and, with the aid of supporting sticks and hands, positioned so as to appear that it is participating in a play. It is then tied to a stake and burnt, with the ashes from the fire being scattered at the site of the Thespian's most famous appearance.

Common Taboos

A Thespian criticising another's performance is completely socially unacceptable. Often such a disagreement ends in settlement by duel. Additionally, Thespians who are active socially outside the Thespian community are expected never to reveal the secrets to any acts or tricks of the trade.

Common Myths and Legends

Thespians have few myths and legends that are publicised to the outside world - the notable exceptions and the ones that feature prominently in their performances are their tales of the voyage to Mythia. These tell of the travels that their people had to undergo, although never mention their place of origin. Tellings vary wildly between troupes, including anything from kraken attacks to vast caves filled of diamond and gold. Thespians tend to attract adventurers due to this mythology around mineral wealth.

Historical figures

The Notorious Kales is said to have been born to a Thespian family, although they appear to have left several years before they began coming to fame. The Thespians do not openly deny the claims of Kales's heritage, nor do they affirm them. As they do not keep written records there is no way to confirm or deny the rumours, but many point to Kales's dramatic exploits as reminiscent of the Thespian acts of the time, particularly the stage versions of Once Again Unto the Caverns and Szchablenski.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Thespians generally do not assign a gender at birth and all Thespians are assumed to be gender-fluid unless they state otherwise.