Shwazen - Revision history

Tom: /* Calendar */

2021-12-18T23:06:39Z

Calendar

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:06, 19 December 2021
Line 81:		Line 81:
	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".		In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".

	The year is split into 13 months, each month having 4 weeks of 7 days each. While there have been several attempted reforms to reduce the number of months to six and name them after the six gods of the [Faith of Nesra], the older traditions so far have prevailed, and each month is named after an animal. Unfortunately, there are small local variations in which animal names are used.		The year is split into 13 months, each month having 4 weeks of 7 days each. While there have been several attempted reforms to reduce the number of months to six and name them after the six gods of the [[Faith of Nesra]], the older traditions so far have prevailed, and each month is named after an animal. Unfortunately, there are small local variations in which animal names are used.

	=== Blue Flame ===		=== Blue Flame ===

Tom: /* Calendar */

2021-05-28T07:43:04Z

Calendar

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 28 May 2021
Line 47:		Line 47:

	=== Calendar ===		=== Calendar ===

	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".

	{\| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;float:right"		{\| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;float:right"
Line 80:		Line 78:
	\|style="text-align:right;"\| 13 \|\| crow \|\| chicken, coyote		\|style="text-align:right;"\| 13 \|\| crow \|\| chicken, coyote
	\|}		\|}

			In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".

	The year is split into 13 months, each month having 4 weeks of 7 days each. While there have been several attempted reforms to reduce the number of months to six and name them after the six gods of the [Faith of Nesra], the older traditions so far have prevailed, and each month is named after an animal. Unfortunately, there are small local variations in which animal names are used.		The year is split into 13 months, each month having 4 weeks of 7 days each. While there have been several attempted reforms to reduce the number of months to six and name them after the six gods of the [Faith of Nesra], the older traditions so far have prevailed, and each month is named after an animal. Unfortunately, there are small local variations in which animal names are used.

Tom: /* Calendar */

2021-05-28T07:42:41Z

Calendar

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 28 May 2021
Line 50:		Line 50:
	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".		In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".

			{\| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;float:right"
			\|-
			! month !! common name !! variations
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 1 \|\| deer \|\| snow hare, wale (at the coast)
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 2 \|\| fish \|\| eagle
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 3 \|\| bear \|\| ant
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 4 \|\| rabbit \|\| hare
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 5 \|\| frog \|\|
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 6 \|\| sheep \|\| goat
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 7 \|\| cat \|\|
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 8 \|\| boar \|\| pig
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 9 \|\| fox \|\| dog, wolf
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 10 \|\| horse \|\| ox
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 11 \|\| bat \|\| bird, crow
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 12 \|\| snake \|\| seal (at the coast)
			\|-
			\|style="text-align:right;"\| 13 \|\| crow \|\| chicken, coyote
			\|}

			The year is split into 13 months, each month having 4 weeks of 7 days each. While there have been several attempted reforms to reduce the number of months to six and name them after the six gods of the [Faith of Nesra], the older traditions so far have prevailed, and each month is named after an animal. Unfortunately, there are small local variations in which animal names are used.

	=== Blue Flame ===		=== Blue Flame ===

Tom at 16:15, 6 February 2021

2021-02-06T16:15:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:15, 6 February 2021
Line 28:		Line 28:

	In the larger towns and in the cities, this system breaks down as there are very likely several "John" and "Gregor"s around. So people add their profession, which in cities is more clear than in the village where half the people are just peasants. But "John the smith" is unique in most towns and smaller cities. In the larger cities, they will find a more specific term for their profession and may be "Jacob the weaponsmith" and if that doesn't work, "Frank the red dress tailor" if he is famous for the red dress he sewed for the baroness five years ago. In some places, the "the" is dropped in informal contexts and "John Smith" emerges.		In the larger towns and in the cities, this system breaks down as there are very likely several "John" and "Gregor"s around. So people add their profession, which in cities is more clear than in the village where half the people are just peasants. But "John the smith" is unique in most towns and smaller cities. In the larger cities, they will find a more specific term for their profession and may be "Jacob the weaponsmith" and if that doesn't work, "Frank the red dress tailor" if he is famous for the red dress he sewed for the baroness five years ago. In some places, the "the" is dropped in informal contexts and "John Smith" emerges.


			== Law and Crime ==

			Every man in a Shwazen community belongs to a local ''commune'', consisting of 10-20 individuals in most cases. Most communes represent a geographic location - all the men of a hamlet, the part of the village south of the road, a district or street in a town or city and so on. The concept of law and order within Shwazen cultures is communal - if a crime happens in the area of a commune, all its members are held responsible for the crime and will jointly identify and bring the culprit to the next court of justice. If they fail to do so, each of them will pay a fine for his failure to uphold the law. This concept makes crime personal - nobody will stand by and let a crime happen under his eyes. No police force is necessary, the men of a village will bring down the law upon a criminal.

			=== Crimes against Society ===

			Another unusual trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.


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	An unmistakable sign that you are in a Shwazen region is the '''Waystation''' outside every town, city and larger village. Probably hailing from dwarven roots, the Shwazen people do not welcome strangers into their settlements easily, and those merely passing through or wishing to trade or on some other business quickly resolved are guided to the Waystation instead. Depending on the amount of trade and travellers coming through, this can be a small building or a small market surrounded by several buildings of all sizes. There is typically an inn there as well as a trading post. Most business with outsiders is conducted in the Waystation, and only on complicated matters, long visits or if the foreigner needs to work on something that cannot be brought outside is he asked to enter the town or city itself.		An unmistakable sign that you are in a Shwazen region is the '''Waystation''' outside every town, city and larger village. Probably hailing from dwarven roots, the Shwazen people do not welcome strangers into their settlements easily, and those merely passing through or wishing to trade or on some other business quickly resolved are guided to the Waystation instead. Depending on the amount of trade and travellers coming through, this can be a small building or a small market surrounded by several buildings of all sizes. There is typically an inn there as well as a trading post. Most business with outsiders is conducted in the Waystation, and only on complicated matters, long visits or if the foreigner needs to work on something that cannot be brought outside is he asked to enter the town or city itself.

	~~=== Crimes against Society ===~~

	Another common trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.

	=== Calendar ===		=== Calendar ===

Tom at 12:28, 22 December 2020

2020-12-22T12:28:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 22 December 2020
Line 31:		Line 31:

	== Traditions ==		== Traditions ==

			=== Waystations ===

	An unmistakable sign that you are in a Shwazen region is the '''Waystation''' outside every town, city and larger village. Probably hailing from dwarven roots, the Shwazen people do not welcome strangers into their settlements easily, and those merely passing through or wishing to trade or on some other business quickly resolved are guided to the Waystation instead. Depending on the amount of trade and travellers coming through, this can be a small building or a small market surrounded by several buildings of all sizes. There is typically an inn there as well as a trading post. Most business with outsiders is conducted in the Waystation, and only on complicated matters, long visits or if the foreigner needs to work on something that cannot be brought outside is he asked to enter the town or city itself.		An unmistakable sign that you are in a Shwazen region is the '''Waystation''' outside every town, city and larger village. Probably hailing from dwarven roots, the Shwazen people do not welcome strangers into their settlements easily, and those merely passing through or wishing to trade or on some other business quickly resolved are guided to the Waystation instead. Depending on the amount of trade and travellers coming through, this can be a small building or a small market surrounded by several buildings of all sizes. There is typically an inn there as well as a trading post. Most business with outsiders is conducted in the Waystation, and only on complicated matters, long visits or if the foreigner needs to work on something that cannot be brought outside is he asked to enter the town or city itself.

			=== Crimes against Society ===

	Another common trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.		Another common trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.

			=== Calendar ===

	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".		In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".


			=== Blue Flame ===

			The '''Blue Flame''' is a common high alcohol drink in the northern Shwazen areas. It consists of ale covered by a layer of local spirit, carefully poured on the top so that it does not mix. The drink is ignited just prior to drinking, with the name-giving blue flame a test to ensure that the spirit is strong enough. Among younger men, it is popular to drink while the liquid is still burning. Accidents do occasionally happen if those drinking are already tipsy and manage to spill some of the burning alcohol into their beard or onto their clothes.


	== Clothes ==		== Clothes ==

Tom: /* Clothes */

2020-10-04T12:25:53Z

Clothes

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:25, 4 October 2020
Line 40:		Line 40:
	== Clothes ==		== Clothes ==

	Not unlike the nearby [[Tallian]] culture, both men and women wear tunics, robes and other dress-like garments. Trousers are considered to be riding and for some professions, working clothes. No Shwazen clothing is complete without some kind of head covering. For men, hats are a relatively new fashion that officials and clergy use while peasants typically wear hoods (on the head or put back to rest on the shoulders and neck, as occasion and weather require). Women prefer scarfs when not also wearing a hood. Unmaried women often wear only a headband or some ribbons and otherwise leave the hair long and open, while married women generally ~~tied~~ their hair in braids. Among those who can afford it, there is an entire set of different jewellery pieces to be worn in the hair, from hairpins with gems to tiaras.		Not unlike the nearby [[Tallian]] culture, both men and women wear tunics, robes and other dress-like garments. Trousers are considered to be riding and for some professions, working clothes. No Shwazen clothing is complete without some kind of head covering. For men, hats are a relatively new fashion that officials and clergy use while peasants typically wear hoods (on the head or put back to rest on the shoulders and neck, as occasion and weather require). Women prefer scarfs when not also wearing a hood. Unmaried women often wear only a headband or some ribbons and otherwise leave the hair long and open, while married women generally tie their hair in braids. Among those who can afford it, there is an entire set of different jewellery pieces to be worn in the hair, from hairpins with gems to tiaras.

	Shwazen clothing also commonly consists of three layers. Simple undergarments hanging from the shoulders are worn by all layers of society. Above this, a tunic, robe or dress is worn which is the main part of the visible clothes. The third layer is an overcoat of some kind, depending on the season and weather. Indoors, it is often a light shawl covering the shoulders and upper body.		Shwazen clothing also commonly consists of three layers. Simple undergarments hanging from the shoulders are worn by all layers of society. Above this, a tunic, robe or dress is worn which is the main part of the visible clothes. The third layer is an overcoat of some kind, depending on the season and weather. Indoors, it is often a light shawl covering the shoulders and upper body.

	It is considered lewd for a woman to show her shoulders or cleavage in public. For men, only working people show their feet and ankles, a gentlemen or clergy member will have it well-covered. Indoors, men's robes often hang to the floor and then some, just to make sure. Stumbling over them is one of the tell-tale signs of pretenders or upstarts who are not accustomed to wearing such clothing daily.		It is considered lewd for a woman to show her shoulders or cleavage in public. For men, only working people show their feet and ankles, a gentlemen or clergy member will have it well-covered. Indoors, men's robes often hang to the floor and then some, just to make sure. Stumbling over them is one of the tell-tale signs of pretenders or upstarts who are not accustomed to wearing such clothing daily.


	== Architecture ==		== Architecture ==

Tom: /* Traditions */

2020-10-04T12:23:47Z

Traditions

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 4 October 2020
Line 36:		Line 36:
	Another common trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.		Another common trait of Shwazen culture is that crimes against society or the commons are treated more harshly than against individuals. This is sometimes known as "both hands" laws where it has been codified, such as in [[Schap]] and some northern provinces of [[Biesen]]. The term goes back to laws stating that a thief who stole from someone will get his hand cut off, but a thief who stole from the commons, such as the village grain store, will lose both hands.

	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 5 o'clock day is always noon and 5 o'clock night is always midnight.		In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 6 o'clock day is always noon and 6 o'clock night is always midnight. It is also common to refer to the 10th hour of both day and night as the "last hour".

	== Clothes ==		== Clothes ==

Tom: /* Social Hierarchy */

2020-10-04T12:17:28Z

Social Hierarchy

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:17, 4 October 2020
Line 9:		Line 9:
	There are similar hierarchies within villages and towns, within guilds and other organisations, within the religious orders and so on. A Shwazen person identifies himself with his position in the various social hierarchies he belongs to. If asked "who are you?", he may answer something like "citizen of [[Ebruck]], master carpenter, vice-chair of the carpenters guild", or in another setting he might be introduced as the head of his family, or as the second-oldest son.		There are similar hierarchies within villages and towns, within guilds and other organisations, within the religious orders and so on. A Shwazen person identifies himself with his position in the various social hierarchies he belongs to. If asked "who are you?", he may answer something like "citizen of [[Ebruck]], master carpenter, vice-chair of the carpenters guild", or in another setting he might be introduced as the head of his family, or as the second-oldest son.

	Social mobility is even lower in Shwazen society than it is in other parts of the world ~~ond~~ one's position in the social hierarchy is largely fixed at birth. It is almost impossible for a peasant to die as anything but a peasant and a noble will always be nobility. This later bit is true even in [[Schap]], where the nobility has been stripped of its legal rights and replaced by clergy as the ruling class. Ancient noble families still managed to hold on to their wealth and power, either by transitioning to clergy or through influence and schemes. Even within the lower class, mobility is low and a farmhand is unlikely to end up with his own farm anywhere in life. It is possible to advance in crafts from apprentice to master, but those pre-planned and expected progressions are just part of the system.		Social mobility is even lower in Shwazen society than it is in other parts of the world and one's position in the social hierarchy is largely fixed at birth. It is almost impossible for a peasant to die as anything but a peasant and a noble will always be nobility. This later bit is true even in [[Schap]], where the nobility has been stripped of its legal rights and replaced by clergy as the ruling class. Ancient noble families still managed to hold on to their wealth and power, either by transitioning to clergy or through influence and schemes. Even within the lower class, mobility is low and a farmhand is unlikely to end up with his own farm anywhere in life. It is possible to advance in crafts from apprentice to master, but those pre-planned and expected progressions are just part of the system.

Tom at 12:14, 4 October 2020

2020-10-04T12:14:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:14, 4 October 2020
Line 37:		Line 37:

	In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 5 o'clock day is always noon and 5 o'clock night is always midnight.		In Shwazen culture, as well as in [[Tallian]], the day and the night are split into ten hours each. The length of those hours, however, varies by season, because both day and night are always 10 hours long. So in summer, day hours are longer and night hours are shorter, and in winter the other way around. 5 o'clock day is always noon and 5 o'clock night is always midnight.

			== Clothes ==

			Not unlike the nearby [[Tallian]] culture, both men and women wear tunics, robes and other dress-like garments. Trousers are considered to be riding and for some professions, working clothes. No Shwazen clothing is complete without some kind of head covering. For men, hats are a relatively new fashion that officials and clergy use while peasants typically wear hoods (on the head or put back to rest on the shoulders and neck, as occasion and weather require). Women prefer scarfs when not also wearing a hood. Unmaried women often wear only a headband or some ribbons and otherwise leave the hair long and open, while married women generally tied their hair in braids. Among those who can afford it, there is an entire set of different jewellery pieces to be worn in the hair, from hairpins with gems to tiaras.

			Shwazen clothing also commonly consists of three layers. Simple undergarments hanging from the shoulders are worn by all layers of society. Above this, a tunic, robe or dress is worn which is the main part of the visible clothes. The third layer is an overcoat of some kind, depending on the season and weather. Indoors, it is often a light shawl covering the shoulders and upper body.

			It is considered lewd for a woman to show her shoulders or cleavage in public. For men, only working people show their feet and ankles, a gentlemen or clergy member will have it well-covered. Indoors, men's robes often hang to the floor and then some, just to make sure. Stumbling over them is one of the tell-tale signs of pretenders or upstarts who are not accustomed to wearing such clothing daily.


	== Architecture ==		== Architecture ==

Tom: /* Social Hierarchy */

2020-09-24T08:08:35Z

Social Hierarchy

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:08, 24 September 2020
Line 9:		Line 9:
	There are similar hierarchies within villages and towns, within guilds and other organisations, within the religious orders and so on. A Shwazen person identifies himself with his position in the various social hierarchies he belongs to. If asked "who are you?", he may answer something like "citizen of [[Ebruck]], master carpenter, vice-chair of the carpenters guild", or in another setting he might be introduced as the head of his family, or as the second-oldest son.		There are similar hierarchies within villages and towns, within guilds and other organisations, within the religious orders and so on. A Shwazen person identifies himself with his position in the various social hierarchies he belongs to. If asked "who are you?", he may answer something like "citizen of [[Ebruck]], master carpenter, vice-chair of the carpenters guild", or in another setting he might be introduced as the head of his family, or as the second-oldest son.

	Social mobility is even lower in Shwazen society than it is in other parts of the world ond one's position in the social hierarchy is largely fixed at birth. It is almost impossible for a peasant to die as anything but a peasant and a noble will always be nobility. It is possible to advance in crafts from apprentice to master, but those pre-planned and expected progressions are just part of the system.		Social mobility is even lower in Shwazen society than it is in other parts of the world ond one's position in the social hierarchy is largely fixed at birth. It is almost impossible for a peasant to die as anything but a peasant and a noble will always be nobility. This later bit is true even in [[Schap]], where the nobility has been stripped of its legal rights and replaced by clergy as the ruling class. Ancient noble families still managed to hold on to their wealth and power, either by transitioning to clergy or through influence and schemes. Even within the lower class, mobility is low and a farmhand is unlikely to end up with his own farm anywhere in life. It is possible to advance in crafts from apprentice to master, but those pre-planned and expected progressions are just part of the system.