Afespían
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
All feminine names end in "-ía"
Or it could end in "-han"
Examples.
"Menthía"
"Chengōhan"
Masculine names
All masculine names end in "-í"
Or it could end in "-mőt"
Examples.
"Mōrneaní"
"Melmőt"
Unisex names
Don't have a particular ending, and are usually names from the old tongue.
Examples.
Ssaellen
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Őntazra is the main language by all humans, and the Afespían dialect becomes the father of all Őntazra dialects with the sole exception of Tunga and Pume.
Őntazra, which translates to the language of man, in the early days only had three dialects, Afespían, Tunga, and Pume. The Pume dialect went extinct as the Pume people were replaced with the Afespí, whose dialect of Őntazra based on the Afespían. Tunga survived for a long time, however, it never breaks off into different dialects, although it does influence greatly the Nōred Őntazran dialect.
Culture and cultural heritage
Afespían culture is one of the four oldest cultures of Man stemming from the original Men of the Forgotten age.
The men of the Forgotten age that decided to settle around the river "Afesp" slowly became the people of the Afesp, or the Afespían in their tongue. From there, they grew distant from their northern Taiga neighbours, the Tunga . The Afespían, after many years, could not go north, for the Tunga kept them from it, they could not go west for the Genasi Forest and The Scar on the World blocked their way, finally they could not go south, for the violent elven tribes lay there. The people the Afesp were forced to settle in their small area of the world, where they learnt a lot of the nature of things, life, and finally learnt to grow plants and tend to them.
Shared customary codes and values
Opportunity, education, balance, exploration, and freedom is the basis of Human philosophy. Human life is fleeting and every individual should have the opportunity to fully experience and embrace their humanity. They recognize the brevity of life and emphasize the importance of seizing the present moment, particularly during the youthful years when possibilities abound. The belief that there is a phase in life, usually between adolescence and early adulthood, is strong with humans, the primary purpose of life shifts from personal growth to the nurturing of younger generations. THere is a great importance on sharing knowledge, teaching skills, and offering support and solace to those who are embarking on their life hourney. Wealth and prosperity is important to humans, however, there is a point when one has so much wealth, that they disregard others, and stunt their journey in the world. This is seen as a moral decay or corruption of the soul. Humans hold a profound belief in the exploration of the world and the freedom to do so. The idea of a burial is seen as very disrespectful, and something to never do as it iconfines the sould to the depths of the Earth, thereby keeping it from continuing its exploration. Humans value personal liberty, the ability to make choices, and the absence of undue constraints. Autonomy to shape your own path is very important to humans, autonomy to pursue one's passions and deter their own demons is the most important thing to them. Human philosophy is based around the fleeting nature of their life. It requires you to guide and educate future generations, the pursuit of balance in wealth, liberation of the osuld in death, and the primacy of freedom in their lives. These principles fosters a society that seeks opportunity, values educations, embraces exploration, and cherishes freedom.
Common Etiquette rules
Hospitality is the most important etiquette to the men of the Afesp. Guests are treated with utmost respect and are often offered refreshments upon arrival. It is polite to accept such offers graciously and show appreciation for the hospitality extended. Giving and receiving gifts is a common practice in Afespían culture. When invited to someone's home, it is customary to bring a small gift for the host, such as flowers, food, or a token of appreciation. The gesture symbolizes gratitude and shows respect for the host's hospitality.
Environmental Stewardship is very important to the Afespíans, and they have a strong sense of environmental stewardship. It is considered polite and respectful to care for the environment, conserve resources, and minimize waste. Practices such as recycling, sustainable agriculture, and respecting the natural surroundings is ingrained in their etiquette.
The respect for personal freedom and autonomy is central to Afespían etiquette. Individuals are encouraged to make their own choices and decisions, and it is considered impolite to impose one's beliefs or preferences on others. Respecting individual differences and allowing space for personal expression is valued highly.
Art & Architecture
Art
Their art consists of carvings into the sides of large waystones, rocks, and even trees. This art is seen on all of their architecture as well, such as on their pillars it has carvings going up.Music
Music is very common in Afespían culture as it is played in almost every scenario of a person's life. They have different styles of music played in different contexts. Birthdays have a style of music played, festivals have a style of music played, feasts have a style of music played, war has a style of music played. Everything event in Afespían culture has a style of music. Festivals use a music which is very soulful and fast, but it is a steady tempo, as to dance to. War has a style of music which is very basic, usually with woodwinds and drums to play, it is a marching style with a perfectly steady tempo. Feasts have a similar style to festivals, which is very souful and fast, but the tempo can vary as there are usually no dancers to accompany it.Foods & Cuisine
Wyvern-Bat Stew is a bit of a staple of Afespían cuisine
Ingredients
1 Lbs Wyvern-Bat meat, cut
Cup Wine
⅓ Wheat’s flour
¼ teaspoons salt and pepper
½ cup olive oil
2 Chopped Onions
Carrots (any amount)
2 chopped potatoes
Bat Broth (Water, Alcohol, and Wyvern-Bat bones roasted till caramelized)
Preparation
Put the Wheat’s flour and spices in a bowl, stir, add the meat into the bowl and coat with the Wheat’s flour and spices.
Heat the olive oil in a pot, add the beef into it, cook until the meat is browned on all sides.
Remove the meat and add the wine and broth, let cook together for 1 minute until adding back in the meat.
Let sit for an hour and a half, then add onions and carrots, sit for ten minutes, then add potatoes.
After 30 minutes of this, remove and season with salt and pepper.
Another food they eat is Sweet Fish
Ingredients:
4 fish fillets (such as trout, salmon, or whitefish)
1 cup mixed wild berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh herbs for garnish (such as dill or thyme)
Instructions:
heat the fire under the oven
In a small saucepan, combine the mixed wild berries, honey, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the fillets in the prepared baking dish.
Spoon the wild berry glaze over the fish fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated. Reserve a little glaze for serving.
Bake the fish in the oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the fish from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Drizzle the reserved wild berry glaze over the fish fillets.
Garnish with fresh herbs, such as dill or thyme, for added aroma and presentation.
Serve the Sweet Fish hot alongside a side dish of your choice, such as roasted vegetables.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Family is very important to Afespían culture, and they have many customs that emphasize strong family bonds. For example: regular family gatherings, in which there is storytelling and sharing meals together which strengthen the connections between them.
The Afespían people celebrate bountiful harvests with grand festivals, expressing gratitude to the land and the gods for providing them with food. The festival would involve feasts, dance, music, and storytelling to honor the hardworking people who allows the town or city to eat.
The Afespíans pass down their history, myths, and wisdom with eachother through the art of storytelling. Elders and bards play a crucial role in sharing the knowledge and experiences of the past with all willing to listen.
It is common for the whole town to be invited to familial festivals, such as birthdays, feasts, or deaths. In all of these music will be played, and most of them there includes dance. Festivals are very integral to Afespían cultural traditions.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Afespíans reject the notion of burial, as it traps the soul into the earth, instead they lay the body out in the forest, allowing for the person to give back to the world what they had taken from it in life. By allowing for nature to retake the body, they show their love of nature, and respect for all the life within their forests. Afespíans will put a special rock, with the name of the individual carved into it, within the person's hand to act as a tombstone for the family, and others, to return to the place of their death.
Historical figures
King Míreklmőt was the most influential Afespían in their history, having founded the first empire, and shaping their culture in positive ways.
Dda'aríss the son of King Míreklmőt and the third ruler of the Tőyōtkan Empire, he helped in shaping the close friendships between Men and Elves, Men and Cin, and even amongst other men.
Aemí Fathakh, one of King Míreklmőt knights, she gave her life for the conquest of Dení'a.
Aemí, the painted lady, was a general in Dda'aríss' army, and was one of the most successful, and led to the victory the Afespíans had over the Tunga.
Thinzení was the one who allowed the fleeing men from the city of Ssaegí'a, and all Afespían lands to the south, to make it onto the boats to the new state of Ōkalía, as well as south to the Elven kingdoms, which go on to found Quilanra.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
They have a love for the natural look of a human, however, they do like simple things like flowers in the hair or clothes.
They have an interest in people who look physically fit, for it seems like that person is strong and wouldn't expect you to help them constantly, but would be able to help you if you needed it.
Inner qualities such as kindness, wisdom, compassion, and the ability to guide and educate is highly regarded, as par with their philosophy.
Finally, confidence is very attractive.
Gender Ideals
Both men and women are considered near equal, as their cultural philosophy states that an individual deserves to have freedom. However, there is an expectation that women work with the children more constantly, if they have them. Ultimately, however, women and men are the same.
The concept of being transgender is non-existent to these people, however, they do accept people who cross-dress, as again, their philosophy is around the concept of freedom to do what you wish.
Courtship Ideals
When interested in courting another individual, the one with the interest will present little gifts of affection, usually something carved from wood made by their own hands. When person in question recieves these gifts it is their job to determine if they are interested in that person, and if so they will approach them and return the gift. This process will be done in secret, and only for the gifter to know of. If the gift is returned, then the gifter moves to the next part of the process, they will gift the person of interest with food, to which that person will cook something with it. From their, they meet and eat the meal prepared by the person of interest, and the gift from before is given back. From there they attend the festivals together and spend more time together until finally the one who initiated the courting process ends it by gifting the person in question with another thing with which is carved, however, carved upon it is a symbol, which is a combination of the symbols of their parents' and that is the question of whether they will wed or not.
Major organizations
The Afespían people originated in the Teass Forest along the river Afesp. They speak a language which comes from The Old Tongue, named Őntazra, or "Language of man."
Parent ethnicities
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations
