Regional Cultures
Noxian | Nox/Braeyc ~ The Far North/Thorn Alcove
Architecture
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Victorian, Roman, Rich, Lacy
The regional and cultural architecture found in Nox and surrounding areas is lacy and reliant on stone laying. Bricks, keystones, arches, and it gives off a noisy yet rich aesthetic to it no matter how small the building. Beautifully sculpted domes and Roman-esce architectural techniques can be found in any major building. Strong oil stained wooden paneling can also be seen, along with a borderline Victorian era aesthetic influencing wallpapers and furniture choices. Almost all Noxian buildings have some form of plumbing and aura-capsule based electricity, with the only outliers being the oldest parts of the inner Steam City.
The architecture of Braeyc, Bolden, and Falhalt are reminescent of old Noxian building. This is because Nox took heavy inspiration from the creations of Braeycians, eventually adapting the style into what it is now. What should be new-age Braeycian architecture, Braeyc buildings are instead known as old-age Noxian.
Appearal
Farther north, in the cities, clothing tends to Victorian-esce. With laces, ribbons, buttons, and collars. Clothing is well-made and tailoring is common.
Farther south, in the Thorn Alcove, clothing is similar per materials but far less pompous. Cloth jackets and winding fabrics around feet, hands, and joints is common.
Relationships
In the north, Nox Kingdom encourages monogamous relationships. With so many rich families and a sense of kingdom superiority, keeping bloodlines easy to track for the sake of inheritance is ingrained in the people.
Settlements in Thorn Alcove have no encouraged relationship structures, but the city of Braeyc is known for having the most polyamourous couples in Ptitheros. This is likely due to the city's main noble, Aremani, being polyamorous with multiple husbands and wives.
Religion
In the Nox Kingdom, the official religion is the avoidance of religion itself. A kingdom founded on abandonment of the gods, Unaffiliate is the recognized "Affiliation" of the kingdom.
Due to proximity, dwellers of Thorn Alcove also make up a decent chunk of Unaffiliates. However, the region was built up by the ancient Affiliations (Sagekin, Ola'mel, and Sequn), so all three can commonly be found in the region too.
Mankian | Sequ'Manko ~ The West
Architecture
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Lofty, Self-sustaining, Biophilic, Exotic
The regional and cultural architecture found in Sequ’Manko and surrounding areas is known for being lofty and free-standing. Most residential buildings are built above ground in trees, either built upon custom platforms or hanging. Windows replace walls and sunlight flows freely through every angle. Buildings tend to be circular-esce to allow rainwater to wash off and help aura circulate easier. Using natural forms from trees and the hearth, architecture is formed around nature and never disturbs it, making a biomimicing and biophilic design.
Appearal
Accessories are almost a must in the Mankian region, but said decorations are usually minimal. The usuals include ponchos, beaded ascots, shawls, twine jewelry, turquoise anything, and lots of lightweight bracelets.
Relationships
For ancient Sequns, the love between partners was incredibly important. These old views have trickled down into modern day. The region values monogamy, but it is taboo to mark down such loyalty with anything other than words. To them, documents escentially say "I need written proof you respect me".
Religion
The central Affiliation of the region is Sequn, but Swavvel and Architectism is also common.
Galian | Wyndgale ~ North Maw
Architecture
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Sociable, Sophisticated, Lofty, Spherical
Highly inspired by Mankian culture, Galian architecture found in Wyndgale and surrounding areas is also very lofty, circular-esce, and focuses on a natural shape to each creation. Without the large trees, the pod-constructions form bubbling conglomerates around an original building, with platforms and ropes interconnecting everything. Because of the wide-open landscape, the Mankian style takes on a sophisticated appearance upon the landscape, and the deep interconnectivity of the architecture trickles down into the behavior of its residents too.
Appearal
Galian appearal is traditionally lightweight. Despite the cool temperatures, most citizens have a dense coat of fur/feathers or are used to the weather. Silken shawls, silver jewelery, and animal-fur cloaks and coats are common. For those a bit less content with the cold, wool sweaters are popular.
Relationships
Wyndgale has very simple relationship values; love who you want to love. The barriers between species and Affiliation relationships is near non-existent in the kingdom, making it the kingdom with the highest ratio of morshins.
Religion
The central Affiliation of the region is Sagekin because the kingdom was founded by gryphons fleeing from Chaveri. All other Affiliations can also be found in the region, with Tucruit and Sequn tying for secondplace.
Tucruitorian | Tucruitora ~ The East
Architecture
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Sun-baked, Central, Ancient, Modular
The regional and cultural architecture of Tucruitora and surrounding areas has many variations, but is greatly recognized for the modular, strong adobe architecture found in the capital. From the adobe, rich buildings in the capital, the mesa-carved ancient homes in Stilted, the underground grassy abodes in Solluhawh, and the sun-baked, wind-controlling units in Acaciia, the region is fond of taking advantage of what they have in their harsh environments. Tucruitorian design always involves a modular floorplan with small windows and a central room that air easily circulates through. Ladders on the sides of buildings are common and stacked residential homes make great use of space and allow for the popular use of miniature gardens within busy cities.
Appearal
Tucruitorian appearal is minimal. Aside from linin wraps for feet and gold jewelery, not much can be tied to the culture.
Relationships
The Tucruiorian culture has come a long way from what it once was: secluded and speciest in the past. Nowadays those old rules are only followed by the Radicals. The majority of the population is open to inter-species and inter-affiliation relationships.
Religion
The central Affiliation of the region is Tucruit. The East was once the homeland of the Ola'mels, so pockets of such are common. All other Affiliations can also be found, Sagekin is the second most common.
Zuaanian | Pab'Zuaan ~ Chaarm Bay
Architecture
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Colorful, Greek, Romantic, Coastal
Inspired by the inner city Tucruitorian architecture, the rich use of paints and stained glass was brought down to a commoner level and percolates every facet of Zuaanian architecture. Buildings are soft-looking, with natural curves and drooping from the heavy use of clay-laden materials. Spider eye windows and paneled roofs are common farther from the sea, buildings become a bit more sturdy closer to the waters and are propped up on stilts or platform docks. Anything is fair-game to paint with beautiful colors inspired by the ocean and ulhar caesin that surrounds the residents, and any window not covered in stained glass is essentially unfinished.
Appearal
Zuaanian appearal is flowy, just like the weather and waves. Loose jewellry, designed for cool temperatures and lightweight, typically slightly transluscent fabrics with intricate designs. It has a resemblance to Mankian appearal.
Relationships
Zuaanians are known for having no specific customs towards relationships, like Galians, it is simply; love who you want to love. Although, Zuaanian culture is often viewed as the most romantic culture, simply from its appearance and mannerisms. Or perhaps it is because their founding Cardinal, Swa, was attributed to love and fertility.
Religion
The central Affiliation of the region is Swavvel. The region was once home to Swa's people, whom they were very actively involved with, which made the culture very connected to their religion. Vedluns who never migrated south are also common, alongside Sequns who come from ancestors who seeked refuge during The Great Fire. All other Affiliations can also be found and are accepted.
Woariian | Woarii ~ The Southeast
Architecture
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Vast, Subterranean, Core, Clean
The culture of the Southeast Peninsula has had little time to develop compared to other regions, so most themes are taken from Chaverian architecture. Strong frameworks and stone cathedrals, corridors, and tall rectangular windows. The difference is, Woarrians work with these elements underground. The above-ground zones mimic Galian architecture more, with circular cavern entrance homes and many banners and colorful curtains to block out the weather. A large melting pot too, due to outsiders bringing their own ideas when they create their new homes in Woarii, merging their aesthetics with others’.
Appearal
Woariians don't have a staple appearal theme, they're just a big mixture. But, one common accessory is teal or blue ribbons or little flags, often attached to satchels or collars. It signifies their allignment with the clan.
Relationships
While Woariians have no partnership customs, they do believe in raising children as a "village", rather than all of the responsibility being put on the parents. However, they do no take kindly to neglectful parents who take advantage of the tradition and they will often be removed from the clan.
Religion
Woarii was formed from the Aurix Clan, which was a Sagekin-dominated group. Woariians who come from the original clan members are usually Sagekin, but because of how open the clan is to new members, Affiliations have become very mixed. Similar to Mankians, Architectism is a bit more popular than usual here, since no one religion has a dominating force on the culture.
Sollian | Psollo
Architecture
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Cabin, Fortified, Mundane, Picturesque
Sollian culture used to be a variation of Zuaanian, but the designs of Zuaanin architecture could not withstand the climate on Psollo, only the north coast docks still mimic their old culture’s dwellings. A fortified and simplistic style of architecture was developed that used the mass quantities of strong wood found in the Timberland. Cabins with dense walls and frost-resistant windows, with warming spells cast directly on rooms during initial construction itself. Many dwellings tend to be quite mundane, but such relies on who owns them, as many cabins can be both cozy and easily picturesque during a beautiful snowfall. Farther south in Howland, the same cabin structure was simply engineered inside of the mountains. A framed wooden platform entrance that opens into a cozy home anchored within cold stone.
Appearal
Psollo is a cold place, Sollians wear the most clothing traditionally compared to all other regions. Coats with furred insides, sweaters, stockings on arms, legs, and tails, fur shawls to drape over wings, and overall wind-blocking clothing is common. A lot of Sollians always have a thermal rune on them in case they get caught in a storm.
Relationships
Sollians have greatly interwined communities, many know one another, making the opinions of others on relationships a common trope. Two people may like one another, but if the friends of each do not like the pairing, it is unlikely the couple stays together. This does not happen too often, as Sollians are very welcoming to all types of relationships. The solid connections among Sollians means families always have godfathers and godmothers for their children and a strong support structure.
Religion
After Swa's dissapearance, Their kin had two different ideas on what to do. Swavvels believe Swa is gone, Vedluns believe Swa is waiting to come back or needs saved. From this argument, many Zuannian Vedluns migrated to Psollo. Since then, most of the Sollian population remains Vedlun or Vedlun-alligned. Still, it has no official Affiliation, so all kinds can be found there, and it becomes more mixed every passing decade.
Space Station
Architecture
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Biophilic, Braced, Modular, Oculus
The natural requirement for aura needing a biological base to flow through makes all space stations and craft architecture a mix of natural materials and strong metals. Adhering ivy, moss, biomass, allumnix, wood, and more are used to create the sleek, biophilic designs. Floorplans are designed to flow from a central hub, spanning out like a spiderweb on multiple levels using ladders and open zones for fliers. Large windows line the outer corridors and the more expensive residential units, but the bracing even there is formed from powerful allumnix hulls and rods.
Appearal
Station residents and workers are expected to wear the typical Diage spacesuit and own a set of gear. Aside from that, residents and workers can add anything they wish to their appearal. Many carry tailbags, belts, and goggles.
Chaverian | Chaveri ~ The Northeast
Architecture
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baronial, cavernous, labyrinthine, open-plan
Strong frameworks and stone cathedrals, corridors, tall rectangular windows, and a lot of nature inspired decor. Chaverian architecture is one of the most ancient styles in Ptitheros and still inspires the arcitects of present day with its baronial appearance. Even before the collapse, the buildings of Chaveri were large and cavernous, with giant doorways and columned halls. It was easy to get lost in the largest temples and complexes, but even though it was a maze of rooms, the layouts were very airy and induced a sense of freedom and encouraged one to spread their wings to traverse.
Appearal
Twisty, dense fabrics with nature inspired designs were the regular, but Chaverians typically did not wear a lot because of the temperate weather of the region. They frequented anything that mimicked the appearance of wearing ivy or flowers.
Relationships
Chaverians were not sticklers for relationships, although they were wary of partnering with those who did not follow the North Cardinal, fearful She would condemn them for mixing cultures between families. This fear died out slowly and was soon gone by the time of the Coil Leaiv.
Religion
Chaveri was the heart of the Sagekin Affiliation, for it was the home of the North Cardinal. Chaverian Sagekin were gifted arcanic protection in exchange for following Edenlline. Edenlline took her share of a soul when a Ptithian pledged oath in exchange for protection, most did so once an adolescent. Sagekin following Edenlline held loyalty long before the collapse, during the collapse, and continue to do so long after it.
Olamai
Architecture
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curtained, modest, sprawling, warm
Olamai settlements are nomadic and can be packed up and moved at a moment's notice. Their tents can be massive and curtained off to seperate various rooms. Decoration is modest and warm, but not sweltering when among the desert heat. A nice place in the shade, tents can sprawl a large area to make a little village protected from the sun or cold nights.
Appearal
Olamai appearal is similar to Tucruitorian because of the environments both culture groups predominately reside in; thus linin wraps and jewelery are common, but Olamai tend to wear linen around their neck and head more often than their fellow arid dweller counterparts.
Relationships
The Olamai have a single rule, that children raised in their groups have to be Ola'mel and taught all the traditions and proper history. This allows Olamai members to find partnership with anyone, even those of other affiliations, so long as any children they have are raised Ola'mel. Many Olamai prefer to have slightly bigger families than the average as a way to help save their culture.
Religion
The Olamai are almost entirely Ola'mel, a small Affiliation only concentrated in these nomadic groups. Ola'mels can be found anywhere, but the Olamai make up the most well known pockets. While other Affiliations are permitted by members, it is extremely uncommon and the outsiders usually join because they intend to become Ola'mel.
General Culture
Sleep
Most Ptithian beds are round with circular pillows near the top placed in stacks, allowing them to raise their upper body and account for wing folding space and tails. There is also a tendancy to have messy beds, with extremely poofy or fluffy blankets rather than sleek sets. Comfort and warmth is valued over a tidy aesthetic.
There also is no such thing as a "bed set", the whole "matress cover, sheets, blanket, quilt, pillow cases, etc". A matress is a matress and anything can e thrown on top of it to adjust for sleeping temperature conditions. Royals and rich will steer towards matching, aesthetically pleasing things though. Other sleeping arrangements include: on the floor, usually on a rug/ big floor pillow pile/ big beanbag/ hammocks/ lofted window cushions, etc.
Taboo
Any magic abilities involving flesh, such as blood or bone magic are considered taboo to the majority of Ptithians. Most monsters; vindiagos, windiages, phantom echoers, mokvels. Vampires and cannibals. Lindosts and all the parasitic, teeth, and eye symbology that comes with them.
Fame
There are famous/infamous names across Ptitheros, such as Vaia, an infamous monster hunter in the Wyndgale region. Royals and leaders are household names. There can be popular entertainers in a region who get hired more often because of the status, but Ptitheros does not have anything similar to classic celebraties, especially not in terms of lifestyle.
However, gossip about the well-known names and past ones does circulate. Often local fame drives this banter, and it is not uncommon for rumors, good and bad, to make its way through those who enjoy stirring drama or form obsessions. With flight and callrunes, hearing gossip is hard to escape for anyone living anywhere besides the foreign wilderness.
Daily Technology
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Ptithians use an array of aura-based technology in their daily lives. They do not live the classic medieval fantasy, instead, it is much more like an arcane sci-fi. From runes that regulate room temperature and fridges, kitchen appliances, gps devices, energy storage similar to batteries, sound players and production, photography cameras, radios, and callrunes; a runic device that works like a highly simplified touchscreen system.
Callrunes are the most recognizable piece of newer technology. They allow video calling, voice calling, document storage of all sorts of files and messages, and can serve the purpose of older radios but can display a screen. It's only downfall is everything must be real-time due to the nature of aura-signitures.
There are higher forms of technology, but they are not privy to daily use by the majority of Ptithians.
Ptithians have weights and obstable equipment, treadmills and similar machinery too, but nothing close to computerized equipment, as all their technology follows a biohull, steampunk-y theme. Although, said excercise equipment would not be super common, particularly found on the space station and at training centers in cities for professionals. This is because Ptithians spend so much time outside and burn energy naturally simply living their life.
Textiles
Fabrics for a variety of things include animal skin, leather, fur, wool, and all the usuals. Plus plant fiber, leaves, cotton, silk, and various mixed materials made from the aforementioned items and extra agents (chemical or magic). Such as spacesuits, which are made from tampered windiage skin, chemicals, and enchantments. Ptithians are well-equipped to make many unique materials and alternatives to modern synthetic fabrics. As long as there is no plastic involved, as they do not make or use plastic in any way.
Because they never created plastics, all modern equivalent items that have use other materials. Fabric bags, glass containers, paper products, tempered animal skin, etc, there are many substitutes in their society and they are good at getting creative with the enchantments they have at their disposal.
Illness
Ptithians take illness seriously, doctors and anyone in the healing profession are valued highly because of how complex the information is when it comes to healing someone from any sort of ailement, both physical, mental, or arcanological. The specialties are often viewed as a triangle, as a healthy Ptithian is balanced between their physical health, mental health, and aura system health. Having one doing downhill can lead to problems in other corners of the triangle.
Economy
Ptitheros is a predominately capatalist economy that stretches all kingdoms, creating a highly intertwined money system, workforce, and ease of transfer when it comes to working anywhere for any reason. There are no modern "big buisness", nor monopolies, only small businesses with the largest being the rare merchant family found in cities. Guilds can be argued, but they are mostly founder-funded or charity.
A large variety of occupations exist, many needed in all kingdoms, whereas some are more specialized. Jobs that require complex education are highly respected and artisans are valued for their skills too, as Ptithians believe natural talent is a myth and anyone is capable of being good at a skill with enough practice.
College is generally not expensive in Ptitheros, although some highly specialized education routes can get a bit pricey. When a kingdom needs more Ptithians in a specific occupation, education for said job is often offered for free/paid for by the kingdom in order to bring in those specializations.
Communication and Transportation
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Ptithians have no trouble communicating long distances, not even space poses a problem. They have access to callrunes, radio lines, recorded sound, file transfer, and more.
Transportation is easy too. From flying routes and grounded trade routes all across the continent, snapp taxis, trustworthy mount companions, blimps, small and large ships, and even the occassional aura-train.
Recreation and Leisure
Time off and play is plentiful and necessary to have a happy society. Ptitheros is full of outdoor recreational activities and oppurtunities at leisure. From hiking, flight hiking, spelunking, various sports, gladiator battles, fishing, trophy hunting, rock hunting, mountaineering, skiing, and more. To accomodate the recreational activities, buisness pops up to provide places to stay and places to relax. From guided tours, hotels, lodging buildings, cabin sites, campsites, beach boardwalks and private zones at lakes, grottos, beaches and more. On-the-move "hotels" on blimps and trains are also a fun vacation option.