Tribal Culture

Language Notes

Those native to the United Tribes of Mare'n speak mainly Vasati, though some are also taught Common. One of the biggest differences in written language and pronounciation between Vasati and Common is how double vowels are treated. In Vasati, double vowels are pronounced as the long version of the single vowel, and the second iteration of the letter is dropped entirely from written language in favor of an apostrophe. Some examples:

"Khaar" is written "Kha'r" and pronounced "Care"
"Mareen" is written "Mare'n" and pronounced "Mare-een"
"Hariit" is written "Hari't" and pronounced "Hare-ite"
"Mooven" is written "Mo'ven" and pronounced "Moe-ven"
"Bhouun" is written "Bhou'n" and pronounced "Bo-yune"

Naming Traditions

All tribespeople have a given (first) name and a tribe or family (sur) name. In large tribe, a person may have a family and tribe name, in which case the family name is used as a middle name.

Tribe and Family Names

Tribe and family names generally follow one of two name conventions. One is the use of a Vasati word with the suffix "-din", with the rough translation being "of". So, for example, the name "Rathdin" would roughly translate to "of the Rath". The other common convention is compound words, often simplified to common for outsiders; these usually take the form of "noun-er noun" or "adjective-er noun" though less commonly you will also see "verb-adjective". On rare occasions very traditional tribes or tribespeople will keep their un-translated Vasati compound names, such as Amborlantyr.

Examples: Nightweaver, Agladin, Brightrunner, Trollkardin, Amborlantyr

First and Given Names

First or given names are greatly varied from tribe to tribe and across the country.

Feminine Examples: Isha, Dianthe, Faidra, Evri, Juma
Masculine Examples: Tomas, Halim, Yan, Hadosh, Firat
Unisex Examples: Seren, Emery, Antier

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Dyed hair, tattoos, make-up, and other self-adornment are well-known and accepted parts of tribal beauty culture. Being well-groomed (no matter if you are choosing to be plain or ornate in style) and having good hygiene are almost always of more importance than actual physical appearance. Some tribes tend to dress and style alike, or share certain adornments and accessories, while others have more variety.

While it is generally considered distasteful to judge another on their outward appearance, there is a common standard of appearance amongst the tribespeople much like any other society. The vast majority of tribespeople have a complexion ranging from a golden tan to a deep brown, with the darkest skin tones tending to be found in the most secluded of the jungle tribes. There is a tendency towards rather angular, sharp, or aquiline features. Most have dark hair, though some tribes have a variety of natural colors. Eyes in every color have long been known and admired. Tribes who take in fewer outsiders are more homogenous, while tribes who are more open to immigration have become more varied.

Gender Ideals

The tribespeople do not subscribe to strict gender ideals. Rather, their ideal is that an individual will excel in whatever occupation or vocation they have chosen. They also expect everyone to be conscientious of their own health and safety and the welfare of the those around them.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship practices and ideals vary from tribe to tribe. Gift-giving, spending time with the person's family and friends, and showing off skills are very common.

Relationship Ideals

The expectation of a healthy relationship within a tribe is twofold - that it benefits the individuals involved in the relationship, and that it does not cause undue discord within the tribe. If a relationship as it is being maintained by the involved parties is not meeting these requirements, they can and will expect their community to get involved and force resolution to bring all parties to the best possible solution to make sure that both every party involved in the relationship is content, but also that harmony of tribe is maintained. There is little expectation of privacy in these matters within the tribe.

Relationships are not expected to be monogamous or permanent within a tribe, but communication between all parties is expected and required. It is equally as likely to see a couple who bonds for life, casual partnerships, or carefully negotiated polyamorous arrangements, and these exist side-by-side. Youth are not expected or allowed to make long-term commitments to any partners until they have reached their majority.

Raising children is very much a whole tribe activity; while the act of having and raising children often happens inside the unit of a happily committed family of adults, children are considered the tribe's as much as their parent's, and single parents or parents who don't have traditional partner structures are not looked down upon in any way or less supported by the community.

The Culture of Mare'n

pronounced mare-EEN

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Countries/Locations

United Tribes of Mare'n

Alternative Name(s)

Mare'n
The Tribes

Language(s)

Vasati
Common

Sub-Ethnicities

Jungle Tribes
Plains Tribes

Religion(s)

Way of the Stars

Demonym(s)

Tribesmen/Tribeswomen
Vasatidin

Primary Races

Vasati
Humans
The Folk

Related Items

• Hillstone

Related Locations

• Westra

List of Known Tribes

Brightrunner (Plains Tribe, Nomadic)
Ehkni'din (Plains Tribe, Nomadic)
Nightweaver (Plains Tribe in Kha'r)
Rathdin (Plains Tribe, Nomadic)
Wildwalker (Jungle Tribe on Almas Isle)

by David Riaño Cortés

Jungle Tribes

The Jungle tribes are those that reside primarily on the islands on the edge of Mare'n, isolated both by choice and geographically. While they are happy to mingle with the plains tribespeople, they have a reputation for being distrustful and quite avoidant of outsiders. It is thought that the most secretive of Vasati magics and traditional practices can still be found in the depths of the jungle tribes. They are known as master hunters, raising birds and big cats, and also expert craftspeople in the few things they are willing to export.

by Brett Sayles

Plains Tribes

The Plains tribes are the primarily nomadic tribes that reside primarily on the Mare'n mainland. They are known for breeding and raising horses, hounds, and hawks. The people of the plains tribes tend to be more accepting or knowledgeable of outsiders, and they sometimes venture of of Mare'n entirely for trading.