Ogygians (Oh-jih-jee-uns)
Overview
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Agni, Chara, Eleonora, Elpis, Evangelina, Helene, Kallisto, Klio, Maria, Nymphodora, Sophia, Viktoria
Masculine names
Agathon, Christos, Daniil, Drakon, Elias, Grigoris, Leonid, Loukas, Marinos, Myron, Nazar, Taras
Unisex names
Alexis, Charis, Maria, Nomiki, Orfeas, Sasha
Family names
Argyris, Baran, Chayka, Megalos, Holub, Medved, Stavros, Tkachenko, Xanthopoulos, Zyma
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Ogygians live in a tumultuous nation, and as a result, strength of body and mind have become the greatest of virtues in Ogygian society. Ogygians are trained in combat even before they can hold a weapon, and smaller towns often hold their own contests of athleticism open to all who wish to participate, consisting of marathons, wrestling, shot put, and log-throwing, as well as other regional variants. There are no restrictions on age, gender, or species in these contests; if a young human man wishes to pit himself against an elderly cyclops, then his peers would cheer him on and bet on his success - or failure.
While revelry and friendly competition may surround these virtues, it is understood by all that strength is a requirement to survive in this society. If a raiding army comes to conquer a town or a ravenous chimera attempts a desperate feast, every citizen must be prepared to defend themselves. If a warrior-ruler decides that his lowliest servants would be more useful in the colosseums, those servants must be able to fight for their lives. While diplomacy and comradery are built where possible, every Ogygian knows that the only thing one can truly trust is one's own fists.
Art & Architecture
by 朽縄
Despite their almost necessary focus on combat, Ogygians are not strangers to art and beauty. Ogygian settlements are frequently adorned with pottery, murals, and reliefs, usually in stark black paint against earthen backing. The subject matter ranges from natural scenes of birds, animals, and fish among lush vegatation (marine life being a choice subject, especially closer to sea), to depictions of powerful monsters and heroes facing them down, to athletic humanoids in battle or repose. A sense of expanse and scale is often felt in Ogygian art, conveying the feeling of being a lone individual in a massive and threatening world, yet still enduring despite it all. Even with the fear of the nymphs in place, there is an appreciation for the wilderness and nature.
by Ben Fleuter
Pottery is a remarkably common trade in Ogygia, particularly among the lower class. Stoneware both painted and unadorned is regularly used for storage, drinking, and eating, and even the more lavish designs are easily affordable with a day's wages. It is not uncommon for families to use the same stoneware for generations. Metal utensils and dishes, meanwhile, are the domain of royalty;
