Stross
"If you are embarking on a tour of the continent, it is of the utmost importance you leave Strossenberg for last! If you do not heed this warning, you will find yourself with a belly full of the hearty foods, and a dozen friendly faces saying that you must stay just one more day. You will make the closest friends, and find it very difficult to leave - emotionally, or from the extra pounds you put on!" - A Bardic Tour Through Aisoa, Vol. II
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Lyssma, Tazva, Bonnlinn, Jynrielle, Ketla
Masculine names
Urik, Bromgrim, Grilnum, Rotdram
Unisex names
Rednia, Misri, Gwindish
Family names
Yeck, Trab, Cinderglow, Fullshout, Jademaker, Fuld
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Stross most commonly speak a specific dialect of Dwarvish , called Stross Dwarvish.
Though all Stross dwarves claim to speak the same language, there are a staggering variety of different dialects even among the same nation. Most notably, each sub-dialect has its own set of idioms and jargon, sometimes the same phrase having directly opposing meanings depending on where you say it.
Luckily, most can stumble their way through each dialect if they are fluent in another.
Culture and cultural heritage
In Central Aisoa , dwarven refugees founded the city state of Strossenberg in 2340 EC with the help of a Sokolan queen, Queen Lecina of House Tourneur. The dwarves of Strossenberg venerate her for aiding them in rebuilding - the act bound the two nations together, and together they ruled over the region peacefully until Sokol's fall in 3828 EC.
Since then, the dwarves have never strayed far from the mountains that give them the resources to build, but their cities now stretch to the sky in architectural marvels dwarfing the achievements of other peoples.
Sokolan refugees settled in Strossenberg after the fall of Sokol, and many have wholly assimilated into the Stross culture, with Sokolan descendants making up most of the humans in the small nation.
Art & Architecture
Stross culture highly venerates architects, builders, and stonemasons as the proponents of stability and advancement. Nearly everyone has some level of knowledge on architecture, with most building their own elaborate homes. Stross settlements are rarely far from a source of stone, whether it be mountains or quarries, and their cities are an awe inspiring display of stone craftsmanship.
The stubbornness and competitive spirit once showed by dwarven leaders of old can still be found among the Stross of the modern age. Houses in dwarven towns are constantly being improved and expanded, transforming sleepy towns into cities of twisting alleys and looming mansions in a few decades of competition between neighbors.
Cuisine
Thanks to dwarves' heartier constitution, true Stross cuisine tends to be incredibly spicy, and sometimes even poisonous to other humanoids. It often incorporates berries, mushrooms, and roots that tend to be exceedingly bitter or nauseating - often as a core flavor profile thanks to their incredibly cheap prices. When prepared by a knowledgeable cook, Stross food can remain quite tasty to non-dwarves. However, novice cooks often create incredibly bland dishes due to not knowing what exactly is palatable, or being afraid of poisoning their guests. Coffee has a strong place in Stross culture thanksCommon Customs, traditions and rituals
When someone proposes to their partner, they build a small model home to present to their would-be spouse - the home that they will build together if the proposal is accepted. As the final act of a marriage ceremony, the final brick of the home is laid. After the marriage, this model home is proudly displayed, and given to children as a dollhouse and architectural learning tool.
A staple food in the dwarven military is the Fortnight Stew. It starts as any other stew, and is slowly cooked and added to for the entirety of a dwarf's watch, leaving the next shift a well tended base to begin their own.
Cultural Touchstones
Others Opinions - Other cultures generally hold a high opinion of the Stross people, viewing them as friendly, accommodating people. Occasionally they are viewed as somewhat dismissive of other cultures with their outgoing and boisterous way of pushing their own traditions on others. This is usually more of a concern of those living in Stross dominant settlements rather than those visiting.Ideals
Gender Ideals
Genders in Stross society are largely expected of the same things save for their expected styles of parenting. Women are expected to educate their children through example and direct experiences, while the men are expected to teach them planning, conceptual problem solving, teaching through words and let them build upon it themselves.
Because their teaching style doesn't particularly change depending on the child's gender, a parents skillset is often a large deciding factor in a child's career. A soldier whose father was a warrior may lean towards a military leadership role more than direct combat experience, while another soldier may have been taught how to fight from an early age by just picking up a training sword and sparring with their mother.
Relationship Ideals
The dwarves who grew up around Strossenberg value community and family, and every town is mired in hundreds of years of local traditions to the point where there is a celebration nearly every week. Every member of a town is treated like family, even those that have feuds. Guests are beset upon by a dozen different families' gossip on who did what, and pushily insisting they just must stay for dinner.
Many dwarves still feel beholden to the aid their people were given long ago, and seek to settle that debt by helping others in whatever small ways they can.
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
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