Reave Culture

[Kender Bard]

An In-Depth Look At
Reave

Temperament and Trending Traits

For a while in their history, Reave's people seemed as though they would set course for a cultural personality similar with Sensatia's--fearful and reclusive. Considering that they were a people formed of a nation destroyed horrifically by a vengeful 3-signer, it wasunderstandable. Fortunately, during the infancy of the nation's founding, the crystal dragon encouraged them to forgive their former enemies and start anew with the world.

As a result, the people of Reave, Rivens, try to present a peaceful face to the world anda level of welcomeness. However, they are not quite as quick to welcomeas some nations, such as Humontis. Furthermore, some people old enough to recall the destruction of Lacuna have become bitter, angry, or easilyfrightened and shy. Overall, though Reave strives to be open and
friendly, there's often an undercurrent of unease when Elementals come to visit. Admirably, most people strive to not let it get in the way of making good relations.

Finally, Rivens are often quick to assist and help one another at even the shortest notice. There's a strong bond between survivors of Lacuna and this fast closeness is oftenpassed on to their children. Most neighbors become good friends and anything can provoke a sense of patriotism often gets enthusiastic results.

Jobs
Unable to compete with Ilyamen as a major trading hub, and service jobs dominated by Sensatia, Reave has begun to steadily find their place as a major exporter of raw goods. Although there is still an impressive sized market, where aspiring merchants can much more easily find a foothold than they would in the competitive Ilyamen markets, most jobs are centered around gathering Reave's many export goods. Farming takes up most of this niche as Reave has copious amounts of open farmland, even more than Humontis (although without the Earth signs to grow multiple crops rapidly, they still don't manage to come as close to the Earth nation in terms of yearly yield.)

Other jobs include woodcutting, mining, textile productions, and hunting. Most of Reave's goods are sold to Sensatia and Ronduin, though a good portion gets taken to Ilyamen to be sold there by hopefuls seeking to make quick money in the markets. Because they are self sustaining, most of Reave's imports are luxury goods.

Education
Reave prides itself on the education of its children. Although many will not go on to mentally taxing jobs, schooling is mandatory for all children ages five through ten. Most of what is taught is traditional reading, writing, and sums but there's also a heavy emphasis on the history of Clears and the world in general.

A substantial amount of money in the early years of Reave went towards the funding of schoolhouses throughout Reave. Often, the schools will offer their own unique lessons depending on the skills and interests of their teacher (singular, as there is rarely more than one teacher to a school.) This can range from knitting to swordplay. As students grow older, if they can afford to, some may visit neighboring schools from time to time to sample other classes and better find a hidden talent they might possess.

Food

Although positioned to enjoy a variety of dishes in the style of Ilyamen, they actually seem to have adopted a style more similar to Humontis. As their farms are of plainer fare, their dishes reflect this.Favored dinners are often large dinners of a variety of vegetable dishes with a main entree of beef or pork, or sometimes fowl or freshwater fish. Desserts are normally orchard fruits prepared in almostany possible manner.

However, unlike Humontis, Reave has a greatlove of the unique spices that Naurorod has to offer. During the early years of Reave, when the two nations mingled and spent considerable timeside by side, the Naurites introduced a number of their own dishes. As aresult, spicy dishes are a national favorite.

Fashion
Reave's fashion is a hodgepodge made up of other fashions through it's turbulent history. There are still remnants of Lacuna's favored mode of dress, mixed with a little of Naurorod's (though not much, given the drastic climate differences), and a little of Ilyamen's. Overall, the effect is plain clothes with unusual embellishments. Men will wear a plain single-colored tunic tied off with a cloth sash of bright patternsfor a belt. Pants are worn long but baggy. Over this, during the coldermonths, is usually worn a cloak With two sides; one of a plain color and one of a brighter hue or patterned. Individuals can decide which side they wish to display based off their mood or the occasion.

Womenwear similarly plain dresses but with wider sleeves, the inside of which use the bright/patterned style. They also wear bright, sheer scarves about their head and the same type of cloaks as men.

Jewelryis typically eschewed unless wearing wedding bands or other items of sentimentality. Having an excess of jewelry or other adornments is frowned upon.

Leisure
Reave's favored activities vary wildly though rely upon the season. In the colder months, most people prefer to stay inside or to visit a warm tavern with friends for hot drinks. For this time of year, card games and board games are the favorite form of entertainment (though young children delight in playing in the snow.)

In the warmer months, outdoor team games are a great source of entertainment for all. Whether just watching or participating, all Rivens love a game. Origin doesn't matter either; the Rivens have been known to put together impromptu teams for any group sport from all over Naruta. This contains an echo oftheir Lacuna heritage; many slave owners enjoyed having their slaves play against each other in sports and as they wanted to see a good game,they'd allow the slaves to play games of their native homeland.

Family
One's family is precious to anyone in Reave. Virtually everyone living in Reave knows someone either friend, family, or more distant relative who perished in the destruction of Lacuna. Because of that, many people worry about losing their remaining, living family.

News of a death rocks not only those it personally affects, but much of the local community. In the smaller provinces outside the capitol, the whole community will often gather together for a funeral and to offer support to the bereaved's family. In the capitol, news of a death will travel fast and though not everyone will act on it, it isn't unheard of for even complete strangers to offer a token of kindness in some form if they cross paths with the unlucky family.

On the other side of that, births, weddings, and other such occasions are times of great joy and celebration. A newly wed couple or a family with their first child can expect to be showered with gifts from neighbors and friends. In the case of new children, many people are happy to help out in the raising of a young child, keeping an eye on them if the parents are otherwise occupied. A crime against a child is given the most severe penalty. In this way, Reave has come to adopt many of the stances that Sensatian Minds once did on the subject of family and children.

Religion
Religion is an important aspect to Rivens but not as all-encompassing aspect of their lives, like with the Humontins. Nor is it a separate, special part of their lives like with the Naurites. Instead, it is just a part of life. Most Rivens pay special homage to Worg and Efil, with few favoring Taed or Soahc.

There statues of the Forces are as follows:

Efil is shown as a young woman. In one hand she holds a jug pouring water. Her clothing is distinctively similar to that of her own priestesses. Her other hand is stretched invitingly and her face has been sculpted into an expression of serenity.

Taed is a man wreathed in flames. Parts of him seem skeletal although his face is whole, human, and slightly glowering, brows drawn down over an impassioned stare. His finger is pointed savagely forward, indicating that now your turn had come.

Etaf is shown as an androgynous figure in swirling robes with hints of femininity in the structure of her face. In one hand she holds a flogger and in the other hand she holds a jug of healing water. At her feet are two paths indicating good luck in life and bad. Though not cruel or or kind looking, she seems to be cold and distant from everything around her.

Thuoth, also an androgynous robed figure though slightly masculine, is shown kneeling in front of a stack of books. One hand rests reverently upon the tomes while the other is thrust out, fingers spread in a gesture of warding. The look on his face is a mixture of terror and fury, the look of one protecting something dear that might be lost.

Worg is depicted as a man, nearly nude as only scraps of clothing cling to his body. His body is covered in wounds, mostly burns. He stands with fists hand clenched and raised at his side, head tilted upward slightly and mouth open in a scream of defiance. while tears stain his face His feet and lower calves are buried in ash and bone.

Soahc is shown as a man with a crazed look in his eyes, his head tilted back in a wide-mouthed laugh. A slave collar is hanging loosely from his neck, broken. He is garbed in the old style of rich Lacunan slavers with flame designs. Coins slip out of his palms carelessly.