The Dongui

"Some peoples fought till they were destroyed or were subjugated. Some readily bent knee to the Imperial Throne. The Dongui.... they fled... and never stopped" - Master Viceno Ralishin, Imperial Historical Society

Ove the course of the Imperial expansion city states, independant communities and kingdoms fell into two catagories those who fought, either to utter destruction or submission and those who submitted without battle. The Dongui were the exception. When it became clear that The Empire would soon turn it's eyes on them the Dongui chose to flee, en mass.
The Dongui were a mercantile people with a single city-state, Deidev, located on the northern shore of Lake Keitok. The great Belley River flowed down from the far north just to the east of Deidev. On the south eastern shore the Belley continued heading far to the south and the sea. The Dongui had an excellent location in which to engage their prefered activity. Trade. Almost everything in Dongui culture was transaction based. Great store was also set in favors owed and being known as one who paid back a favor was a compliment of highest caliber in Dongui society. When The Bendil Empire started drawing near frank and pradmatic conversations began happening in the trade halls, from the smallest to the Grand Trade Hall where the council of Master Merchants ruled the city and it's people. It seemed only a matter of time before The Empire moved to take Deiddev. It's location, so beneificial to commerce was also of great strategic value. Holding Deidev would allow a much more rapid push south.
One of the new member of the Council of Master Merchants, Nex Vondre, came up with an alternative solution to fighting or submission. They were merchants, peddlers and traders. They did not need a permanent city to do such things. Nex Vondre observed that the best cast scenario for staying was they would have to conduct buisness under Imperial Beuracracy which was adamantly opposed by the Dongui who valued the freedom to trade where they wishe and with whomever they wished.
The idea was debated. Numbers were run. Debates continued and new calculations made. In the end the decision was made in the Council of Master Merchants that the city of Deidev and lands it controlled would be left and ceded to the empire. The Dongui would become nomadic traders. Each Master Merchant would take command of either a grand caravan or a small flotilla of ships. Master engineers were contracted to design vehicles to assist with this transition and production began. In three years time Deidev was abandoned. The Council had sent to the Empire requesting an Ambassador. One was dispatched with an escort of five Legions. They were greated by a single man, Nex Vondre, who awaited at the open gates of the city astride his horse.
He greeted the Ambassador warmly. The Ambassador, wary of some sort of ruse or trap, demanded an expanation on where the Dongui were. Legend says Nex Vondre replied "Ahh yes... well we decided we no longer needed this city and it's attendended lands. Since we have need of them we have decided to make them a gift to The Bendil Empire. We hope the Empire thinks kindly on us in return for this favor." And handed the Ambassador a declaration signed by the 9 Master Merchants of the Council, cedeing Deidev, everything still within it's walls and it's lands to the Bendil Empire. Nex Vondre wished the Ambassador well, mounted his horse and left. He was not challenged as the Ambassador commanded his escort to stand down.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

A Dongui Caravan or Flotilla tends to a multilingual organization. Every Dongui will know Barspak, the ancient language of the Dongui, not often used in the presence of non Dongui. In addition knowing how to communicate allows one to conduct good trading so learning new languages is a cultural expectation and given enough exposure a Dongui will begin to learn the native tongue and dialect.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Transaction based nature of their culture and society allows for a rather cold look at life in terms of breaking everything down to a transaction. But this is also paired with a fierce desire to be free to conduct such buisness with any who wish to trade with them. It has allowed for a warm and welcoming society to form that is largely accepted in all the known world.

Shared customary codes and values

The Four Trade Laws followed by the 5 caravans and 4 flotilla's.
1. Trade wherever your wheels or Sails can Take you
2. If no Trade is to be had, Leave and seek elsewhere.
3. Never Offer more then you have or can gain.
4. What is Agreed is what is Owed.

Common Etiquette rules

With them being a mercantile people it also made them a rather polite people as well. This has aided them in their personal transactions so much over the millenia that good manners is just a default position for any Dongui. That is to say one cannot be angry or cutting... just that it will be delivered in  a very polite, and direct way. ( Think.... 'Bless your heart' delivered in a southern drawl )
A ritual of greeting has developed for seeing again someone that one knows, whether former customer or friend... or rival for that matter.  It begins with an exchange of time of day specific greetings by name or title. A wish that they have found good trading since last seen and a report whether that has been the case for themselves. Rivals who are doing well have been known to seek out their own Rival in hopes at being able to show off how well they are doing to an opponent.

Common Dress code

Utiltarian Kilt or Dress. Emroidery and lace for formal occaisions.

Art & Architecture

The Dongue have developed a great oral tradition this has led to use of song as a way to continue to pass the stories on down the generations. Dongui singing is known throughout the world. A Caravan or Flotilla drawing near a new city does so under song coming from the throats of thousands. Minstrals and Bards are not uncommon among the Dongui and can command high prices as they move from city to city, bringing fresh entertainment to the masses.

Historical figures

Nex Vondre, the Master Merchant who first came up with the idea that led to the formation of the Grand Caravans and Flotilla's.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

"As one must decide what one wishes to trade then one must decide for oneself what is pleasing to the eye" - Dongui proverb

Gender Ideals

There are no traditional Gender rolls in Dongui society.

Courtship Ideals

Marriage is a contract in Dongui Culture. Therefore courtship has always been seeking that which would make a good partner and investment. Some place more emphasis on the latter or former as personal desires dictate. This leads to a lot of shared experiences, often done on the move. The Grand Caravans have their dedicated routes so while courting, the caravan is either in transit or set up to conduct business. So if you cant impress a potential partner while moving or conducting trade then your options shrink considerably.

Relationship Ideals

The Dongui tend to create long term relationships that usually originate in intial trades of one type or another. Long term trading partners mean potential long term profits and profits are what keep the Caravans rolling and the Ships sailing.

Related Items

• Wagon Cakes

Related Locations

• Deidev