Telvanites

Telvanites

The Telvanites have a Caucasian skin tone and predominantly brown hair, though other colors do show up from time to time. Red heads are rare yet considered very lucky.

Surnames

Telvanite surnames can get a bit strange, but are easy enough to identify if you know what to look for.
The imperial house is easily identified by its surname of Nilkarath. Taking their cue from that family, all the noble families in Telvan have a surname that begins with the letter N.
EX: Chounen’s surname in Najila, marking her as nobility

Another common characteristic seen in their surnames is a double ‘i'.
EX: Nahiro Tanthriil

Lower class surnames tend to be very short
EX: Nalshen Rael

Some surnames: Alvacy, Rael, Tanthriil, Najila, Nilkarath, Variel, Avirel, Sahiil, Devanaliil, Suthriim

Customs and Culture

Bread is one of the cheapest foods.
People with dwarfism are seen as normal rather than freakish.
Chariot racing is a popular sport.
In Telvan, red fabric is the most expensive kind to buy with white coming a close second.
People in Doval are under the impression that there's some sort of stigma against same gender couples.

The color white symbolizes death and is worn when in mourning. It’s not necessary to wear it head to toe. How much white you wear at a funeral or when in mourning is proportionate to how well you knew the deceased. If you didn’t know someone well, you’d wear a token amount, but if you were close to them or knew them well, you’d wear as much as you could. In the case of a public figure, you’d wear a great deal, especially if it was someone who was well-loved and widely respected. In the case of a member of the Imperial house, you’d dress all in white. No exceptions.

Food

Kalipa

Festival foods

Kalipa: a fruit-flavoured sponge cake covered with a layer of thick, beige sauce, eaten at summer festivals. It is decorated with small fruit pieces. It can vary widely in appearance. Nobles often have theirs prepared in elaborate fashions while the common folk use a simpler presentation.

Drinks

Dragonfire - one part Tenyu, three parts Hinyu, and four parts Kinkayu
Tenyu - clear alcohol
Hinyu - red alcohol
Kinkayu - yellow alcohol

Traditional foods

Ishtal - tomato and eggplant stew that can also be served as a dip or spread. Some cooks roast the eggplant first, which adds some complexity to the dish. Others simply peel, cube, and throw it in with the tomatoes. It is served with flatbread.
Dein - a type of pastry filled with fruit preserves