Zalites
Zalites
The Zalites are most commonly red haired, though blonds are rare.
Surnames
Nobility here tend to have long and complex surnames.
EX: The longest on record currently is the Imperial family’s: Calvethalen de Zavriel-Ensiyu
Common:
Travoy, Demyal, Najey, Prityel, Alvey, Esyin, Fillon, Pemannon, Krinnys
Upper Class:
Maslyn, Lothanis
Minor Nobility:
al Lyraeg
Nobles:
Calvethalen de Zavriel-Ensiyu, Fonyne de Ganerin
Customs and Culture
Same sex affections are frowned on in Zalityu but not banned outright. There was an emperor who tried that but failed. So now it’s not done to show affection in public regardless of your preferences. Familial affections—such as towards children—are exempt from the rule.
Arriving on time for a social gathering is seen as incredibly rude. It’s generally understood that guests are expected to arrive a minimum of 15-20 minutes later than the stated time, although as late as 30-40 minutes is also acceptable.
It’s customary to allow your host to pay for a meal. Requests to allow you to pay any portion of the meal will be seen as polite but will ultimately be rejected. To repay your host, its suggested that you invite them out to a similar meal.
Traditional greeting: Please, come in and be welcome. My home is your home for however long you should choose to stay with me/us. Response: I/We accept your offer of house and hearth.
Romance
As a token of affection, Zalites give each other pretty rocks, though not necessarily gemstones. A gift that holds great meaning is a small metal vial with a little bit of earth from your hometown.
Same sex affections are frowned on in Zalityu but not banned outright. There was an emperor who tried that but failed. So now it’s not done to show affection in public regardless of your preferences. Familial affections—such as towards children—are exempt from the rule.
Marriage
It’s highly frowned on to have children out of wedlock, even more so for a woman to raise a child by herself.
Family
Family is typically very important to the Zalites. They have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. Children are reared to remain close to the family upon adulthood and incorporate their future family into the larger network.
Funerals
Zalites build shrines in honour of their dead, keeping them near their house or in large plots of land dedicated to such things, depending on their wealth. The ashes of the deceased would be placed in an urn and set at the heart of the shrine for up to a year before scattering them over the earth. The shrines were visited on the anniversary of the person's death and, when death came too early, on the birthdays of the deceased until enough years had passed that the dead would have grown to a ripe old age.
These shrines came to be known as hajina, named so that their lost princess would never be forgotten by her people.
Yellow is the colour of mourning
Zalites float paper lanterns downriver to commemorate historical events or to remember the loss of a loved one. It’s similar to a funerary custom practiced by the Jiinalese.
Food
Wine and cheese are central to Zalite life. Fish, potatoes, rice, sausages, peppers, and pork are common ingredients.
They believe that food is best enjoyed with quiet and that conversation should be reserved for after.
Foods
Naji