Dyrmarin
Social Structure and Family Life
The Dyrmarin culture is build on a foundation of strength, honor and loyalty. Typically a settlement will consist of several clans, each with a hersir, a war leader, as the ruling authority of the clan and one family would be considered the royal family, as determined by blood, with their ruling authority being a jarl who owes his own allegiance to a king of the country they reside within. For the clans, each has a deep focus on their kinship bond, an unbreakable connection with their family, only taking second place to a blood bond. The clans live together in longhouses large enough to house multiple families and each longhouse act as the heart of that family group's community as they gather to share stories, meals and celebrate together.Relationship and marriage
Courtship and marriage are both considered sacred concepts among the Dyrmarin. A pair of lovers aren't simply lovers, but the future of their clans and families, which is not taken lightly. They are however not expected to prove themselves, except that they can work together. This often takes place as a betrothal that lasts well over a year as the pair grows close, until a marriage ceremony is held between them in which rings are exchanged and the couple's hands are bound together with a ceremonial cord to symbolize their unity. This is then followed with a feast and gifts from their respective clans, such as weapons, jewelry, livestock and most importantly: A kitten or a puppy is to be gifted to them, as no household is considered complete without one.Clothing
During the winter, clothes tend to be designed for warmth and protection against the harsh northern climates, while in the summer they are lighter. In both cases, they are also used to display status, clan affiliation and for those who can afford it, their achievements. The clothes are typically made from wool, leather and fur, which is then dyed to the appropriate clan colors. For those who can afford it, they have their clothes embroidered, with runic designs being particularly favored to earn protection from various ills and to receive good luck. Jewelry is also favored, with bracelets and rings being common, but one favored by older Dyrmarin is special rings designed to be used to hold braided hair or beards, often ones denoting their status in their clan. Every adult male, and most females, own a cloak, a set of armor and a weapon. The designs vary depending on individual taste, but the most common types of armor are leather and scale-mail. Helmets are also common, typically designed to protect the wearer's head, face and nose, while leaving the lower jaw unhindered so that they don't need to take it off to eat.Arts and Crafts
Metalwork and textile work are common crafts, with woodworking coming as a close third. Dyrmarin metalworkers are revered for their skill in creating weapons, armor and jewelry. Especially the swords, axes and shields are typically adorned with runes and animal motifs to protect the wielder and enhance the weapon. These designs are one of the few known ways that blend the art of runeform with primal magic, requesting the aid of their ancestors without the force typically associated with runeform magic. Another part is the ceremony in creating the metal, as bones are sacrificed and prayers uttered during the making of the iron, creating superior iron compared to many others. In reality, what they create is an early type of steel, though the concept of steelmaking has yet to be discovered, and it is instead known as runic iron. Other things created by metalworkers are bracelets and brooches, often from silver and bronze as well as common tools from iron, and particularly runic iron ritual knives given to people who have done great deeds, or are considered heroes. Textile work, in particular weaving and embroidery, is a common household chore during the harsh winters where many stay inside when it is possible. They typically create clothes, as well as banners and tapestries, with designs from mythology, clan histories or representation of the natural world as seen by the Dyrmarin, with a focus on wild animals and the flow of rivers. The banners are flown in the settlements of the clans, and in battle and during ceremonies as a source of unity. Woodworking is another skill that many are used to. From shepherds to many during the winter months, to the skilled artisans. Totems and tools carved with images of ancestors and creatures are common, with more skilled artisans also being renowned for their skill at creating longships, with depictions of great beasts and monsters on them. The most revered of the artists, are those who not only possess woodworking skill, but also stoneworking and can create runestones, imbued with magic and acting as a object of reverence towards the gods and their ancestors.Education
Education is a combination of the practical, oral and spiritual, with the aim to prepare individuals to contribute to their clans and uphold the values of their people. Early on, kids will be taught the basics of the people, with a particular focus on the values of the Dyrmarin, how to handle a weapon, math and writing & reading both their language and runes. Once they become teenagers, young Dyrmarin begin to be taught from a master within their clan. Typically boys will learn from their father or another man they are close with, and girls the same for their mother or other woman. They will also both be taught how to be warriors, with the teacher being a veteran of the clan who teaches every child in the clan, and who was also the one to teach them how to handle a weapon. This training does not simply include how to fight with a weapon, but to use strategy, the physical conditioning and lessons in courage, honor and loyalty. He is also the one to prepare them spiritually for becoming adults, knowing the common rituals of the clan and the Dyrmarin and how to revere their ancestors and gods.Food
Dyrmarin cuisine is varied, with staples including pork, beef, mutton and fish for the more carnivore inclined members and root vegetables like turnips, carrots and onions for the herbivore inclined. Both tend to be served with sides of the other, with most meat being smoked, dried or salted for preservation for the winter months. In both cases, barley and rye grains are used for bread, porridge and ales almost year-round and cheese and butter is equally common.
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