Netherborn

(Born in sweltering heat, tenders of the Warped Forests of the Nether.)

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Netherborn Enders speak Middle Ender, a creole of High Ender and Nethertongue. It has a more “gruff" tone compared to the High or Low dialects.

Culture and cultural heritage

Netherborn are largely regarded as “castouts” by High Enders, and in turn they refer to the Highborn as “stuck up elitists." They tend to think of themselves as closer to their Piglin neighbours than their fellow Enders in other dimensions.

Common Etiquette rules

Netherborn Enders share similar rules of etiquette to the Highborn cousins in the End, namely that sustained, direct eye contact is only for those the Ender in question trusts implicitly, and that they prefer “Ender” over “Endermen” and “Enderwoman”. However, Netherborn have also developed a similar low tolerance for mindless prattle as their Piglin neighbors (with exception to their friends, family, and loved ones).

Common Dress code

As with all Enders, Netherborn have a sense of modesty, requiring the crotch area at minimum to be covered. Due to not having easy access to the light fabrics of High Enders, Netherborn settle for simple shorts and a handkerchief tied at the neck at minimum. Leather from hoglins and ghasts is a reliable and sturdy material for their clothes. They also weave cloth out of fibres from certain Nether plants, such as creeping and weeping vines. Like all Enders, they do not wear shoes, nor do they need to. The thick, leathery undersides of their paws protect their feet.
Netherborn Enders have a long-held practise of tattooing themselves with intricate designs. This habit was likely picked up from the Piglins, who have a similar practise. In Netherborn culture, marks depicting one's accomplishments are made on the shoulders and back. That way, one cannot fall into vanity by constantly looking at their own achievements, but their followers can. Family designs, or the names of friends and lovers, etc. are tattooed on the chest area, close to the heart. Images that reference one's interests go on the arms and hands. The tattoo designs of Netherborn are highly intricate and beautiful, making use of complex curls and weaves. Only Enders are supposed to get them; if humans or Piglins get Ender-style inking, that is considered cultural appropriation.
Similarly to Piglins, Nether-dwelling Enders use gold to embellish their appearances, but do so to a much more modest degree. They fashion curling bracelets (inspired by creeping roots, most likely) and diadems for the leaders of their hauntings, to show authority.

Art & Architecture

Due to the cramped conditions of the Nether, Netherborn are unable to construct massive pagoda structures which are typical of Enders. Instead, they construct simple villages on the ground. Unlike other Enders, who construct settlements with plenty of space and often eschew doors, Netherborn are likely to make hidden settlements in crevices and small caves. The reason for this is that the Nether is a hostile world full of enemies, and they seek shelter in hidden places.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Similar to most Nether-dwelling peoples, Netherborn give their dead to the Nether Sea. The body is lowered into the lava while the family and friends of the deceased sing funerary songs. Some hauntings have a practise of placing the prone body onto a strider's back and sending the animal off into the wilderness.

Encompassed species