Darkhive Worldbuilding (Part 10) - I See Who You Are

I've temporarily added the cultural elements to the two major cities in the setting, as well as basic elements for smaller villages and border settlements on the edges of dangerous zones. These may be subject to change s new ideas are developed for the setting. The important thing to note here is for the most part I haven't gone out of my way to "feminize" these assorted cultures, and except for the type of clothing worn and the housing arrangements, I haven't really applied anything gender specific anywhere. There will be a post or two dedicated to men in the setting shortly.

Like the pirate/steampunk setting developed last year, this now gives prompts for how religion might play out in the Darkhive, and starts to give us new ideas for details about governing systems and authority structures, and aesthetics in the setting.

Main City Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Street Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Mien/Personal Honour

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Renaissance-Era bodices and flowing skirts (or doublet and hose), typically in bright colours and often elaborately embroidered.

4 Valued Concept: Dignity

5 Common Pastime: Haggling in the market or watching the gladiators

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Justice

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Lust

J Religious Beliefs: Divine Order of the Holy Empress

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: The Imperial Matriarchy

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Tendency to wear too much makeup

Secondary City Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Street Panaho

2 Valued Possession: Personal Garden

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple ancient-Greek styled flowing dresses (or togas) in plain but striking colours.

4 Valued Concept: Tranquillity

5 Common Pastime: Working in a garden or entertaining friends

6 Housing Arrangements: Large family – possibly a pair of sisters and their children (maybe half a dozen) in a self-contained single cell.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Love

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Charity

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Lust

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Gluttony

J Religious Beliefs: Sacred Path of the Fungal Way

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Council of the City

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Never wears jewellery or adornment

Village Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Low Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Family Heirloom

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Utilitarian clothes with few adornments, often in muted colours.

4 Valued Concept: Community

5 Common Pastime: crafting handiworks or entertaining friends

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in pairs of adjacent cells, where one cell is restricted to sleeping and private quarters while the other functions as cooking/entertaining/work space.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Diligence

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Wisdom (thought this may vary on the village)

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Wrath

J Religious Beliefs: Local Angel Superstitions and Ancestor Worship

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Local Council of Elders

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Varies by village (examples: always wears village crest, superstitions)

Small Settlement Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Low Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Map of the nearby cells and passages

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Plain clothes, typically in dark colours, greys or browns.

4 Valued Concept: Survival

5 Common Pastime: Patrolling nearby cells and passages or crafting goods/weapons

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in single cells, often sharing cooking and communal areas in an adjacent cell with similar families.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Bravery

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Chivalry

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Wrath

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

J Religious Beliefs: Local Superstitions and Ancestor Worship

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Quasi-Military Structure

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Varies by settlement (examples: always armed, always masked, travels barefoot)

Nullan Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Street Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Family Heirloom

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Plain clothes with a blend of simple styles unique to the individual

4 Valued Concept: Community

5 Common Pastime: Gathering with friends or watching the gladiators

6 Housing Arrangements: Large family – possibly a pair of sisters and their children (maybe half a dozen) in a self-contained single cell.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Charity

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Envy

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Sloth

J Religious Beliefs: Local Angel Superstitions and Ancestor Worship

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Tries to prove themselves exceptional in some skill to make up for a lack of genetic advantage.

Khar-Tui Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Khar-Tui-Go

2 Valued Possession: Oldest textbook

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Elaborately embroidered flowing robes often depicting family crests and personal icons

4 Valued Concept: Curiosity

5 Common Pastime: Reading or crafting handiworks

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell that doubles as a laboratory or library.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Wisdom

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Patience

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Gluttony

J Religious Beliefs: Agnostic

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Geniocratic Council

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Pet Animal of Some Type

Riven Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Rivani

2 Valued Possession: Heirloom weapon passed down from mother

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Functional leathers, although some prefer to wear armour at all times

4 Valued Concept: Integrity

5 Common Pastime: Displays of martial prowess or exploration of local passages and cells

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in pairs of adjacent cells, where one cell is like a dormitory of sleeping quarters, while the other functions as cooking/training/work space.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Bravery

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Justice

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Wrath

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

J Religious Beliefs: Order of Sho-Seth-Eenh Goddess of Battle

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Kratocracy (Power to the strongest warriors and strategists)

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always carries at least two weapons

Kithling Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Kithspeak

2 Valued Possession: Artwork

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Rarely wear the same clothes twice, and if so, they always shift the way their clothes are worn

4 Valued Concept: Continued Transformation

5 Common Pastime: Carousing with friends or Theatre

6 Housing Arrangements: Live alone, typically sleeping in the same cell as their workplace, often near the middle of a settlement.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Love

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Lust

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

J Religious Beliefs: Path of the Sacred Trickster

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Theocracy (Hereditary Priesthood)

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always wears a mask

Ichthyan Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Ichthyani

2 Valued Possession: Piece of Jewellery

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple functional clothes, often treated to avoid water damage

4 Valued Concept: Harmony

5 Common Pastime: Fishing or Gambling

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in pairs of adjacent cells, where one cell is restricted to sleeping quarters surrounding a central pool/bathing area, while the other is functions as cooking/work space.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Diligence

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Sloth

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

J Religious Beliefs: Old Elemental Gods

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Tattoos

Panaho Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: High Panaho

2 Valued Possession: Collection of fungal spores

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple ancient-Greek styled flowing dresses in plain but striking colours.

4 Valued Concept: Growth

5 Common Pastime: Farming or Meditation

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell that doubles as a garden/greenhouse.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Patience

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Cunning

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Lust

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Despondency

J Religious Beliefs: Sacred Path of the Fungal Way

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Elective Monarchy

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Often prefer to remain silent unless specifically addressed.

Xelani Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Xelani

2 Valued Possession: Relic item from the furthest distance away

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Dark Robes, often trimmed with symbols and sigils of personal significance

4 Valued Concept: Purity

5 Common Pastime: Meditation or Crafting handiworks

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in single cells, often sharing cooking and communal areas in an adjacent cell with similar families.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Faith

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Loyalty

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Gluttony

J Religious Beliefs: Divine Order of the Holy Empress

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Theocracy (Elected Council of Priestesses)

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Superstitions

Endoss Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Musical instrument

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple clothes in non-descript style, often in dark dreary colours

4 Valued Concept: Secrecy

5 Common Pastime: Gambling or playing music

6 Housing Arrangements: Live alone, often on the outskirts of a town in small tents and “lean-to”s that they carry around with them.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Cunning

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Sloth

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

J Religious Beliefs: Tabernacle of Rust

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Anarchism

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Like to be the centre of attention through storytelling or musical performance

Scavenger (Eyes) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Low Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Most valuable thing scavenged so far.

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple, functional clothes or leathers, possibly light armour.

4 Valued Concept: Skill

5 Common Pastime: Exploring nearby cells and passages or crafting handiworks

6 Housing Arrangements: Live alone, often on the outskirts of a town in small tents and “lean-to”s that they carry around with them.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Diligence

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Patience

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Envy

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Fortune

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of the Eye

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always picking things up to examine them

Warrior (Fist) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Rivani

2 Valued Possession: Weapon won in battle from a formidable foe.

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Protective armours typically adorned with a family (or local militia) crest.

4 Valued Concept: Glory

5 Common Pastime: Feats of martial prowess, or watching the gladiators.

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in pairs of adjacent cells, where one cell is like a dormitory of sleeping quarters, while the other functions as cooking/training/work space.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Bravery

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Chivalry

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Wrath

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Battle

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of the Fist

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always wants to test martial prowess against new people

Zealot (Heart) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Street Panaho

2 Valued Possession: Holy symbol

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Brightly coloured robes adorned with the symbol of a deity or faith

4 Valued Concept: Love

5 Common Pastime: Meditation or helping others

6 Housing Arrangements: Extended families of a grandmother, her daughter(s), and grand-daughters (up to a dozen) in pairs of adjacent cells, where one cell is like a dormitory of sleeping quarters, while the other functions as cooking/praying/meditation space.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Faith

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Charity

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Despondency

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Purity

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of the Heart

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Hates conflict

Scholar (Brain) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Khar-Tui-Go

2 Valued Possession: Personal library

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Functional clothes, often well-worn and out of date.

4 Valued Concept: Truth

5 Common Pastime: Reading or Theatre

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell that doubles as a laboratory or library.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Wisdom

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Patience

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Sloth

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Knowledge

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of the Brain

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always questions things

Diplomat (Tongue) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: High Nullan

2 Valued Possession: Family coat of arms

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Elaborate clothing in bright colours according to the season’s style

4 Valued Concept: Honour

5 Common Pastime: Theatre or haggling in the market

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Justice

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Wisdom

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Lust

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Beauty

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of the Tongue

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Hates getting dirty

Trader (Blood) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Street Nullan

2 Valued Possession:

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Simple clothes, but often adorned with small jewels and subtle symbols of wealth

4 Valued Concept: Wealth

5 Common Pastime: Haggling in the market or crafting handiworks

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell that doubles as a trade stall or shop.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Hope

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Justice

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Pride

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Travel

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of Blood

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Always looking to get a better deal

Strategist (Bone) Cultural Elements:

A Language most commonly spoken: Rivani

2 Valued Possession: Family Heirloom

3 Type of Clothing Worn: Well-fitting clothes suitable for action at a moment’s notice

4 Valued Concept: Wisdom

5 Common Pastime: Entertaining friends or playing music

6 Housing Arrangements: Small family - mother and two to three children in a self-contained single cell that doubles as a laboratory or library.

7 Primary Virtue – strives to do this: Patience

8 Secondary Virtue – strives to do this: Courage

9 Primary Vice – strives to avoid this: Greed

10 Secondary Vice – strives to avoid this: Despondency

J Religious Beliefs: Worship of the Angel of Strength

Q Acknowledged Authority Structure: Meritocracy of Bone

K Unusual Cultural Character Trait: Never rushes into anything without thinking of two plans