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Sylvan Honorifics

Characters who speak Sylvan, the language of fey creatures, sometimes employ a system similar to honorifics in real-world Japanese.  These are not verbal, however.  Instead they are physical gestures meant to convey varying degrees of respect.    Casual   Casual acquaintances with no particular difference in rank or status tend to use no such gestures at all, however some of the more traditional common gestures are sometimes used, such as slight bows with the hands placed at their sides, or a casual head nod.  If the pair are well acquainted, then it is also common to place one foot directly in front of the other while conversing.   Respectful   More respectful relationships, such as those between close friends, family members, and mentors, place their right foot in front of their left and their right hand on their left shoulder.  Extra impact is sometimes added by combining this with a bow.  If one is feeling particularly dramatic, one can also raise the left foot off of the ground in the process, such that you are both bowing forward and balancing on one leg.  This position is difficult to hold for very long, and as such it is a typical trope in sylvan comedy for someone attempting such a motion to lose their balance and fall over in the process.   Deep Respect   To convey deep respect, one uses a similar gesture to the above, but the directionality is reversed.  In other words, the left foot is placed in front and the left hand is placed on the right shoulder.  Bows are much more common in this case, sometimes even mandatory, but both feet typically remain on the ground even if one is bowing to a god.  This motion is relatively rare, and is reserved only for those of much higher stature or intimate relationships.

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