Dovalians

Given Names

Male Alesh, Anshrir
Binec
Etraiyen
Feron, Fion Gurein
Hanshujiar, Hejal, Hokiff
Ionar
Kieff, Kijain, Kijilin, Kilion
Lehenar, Leshmiir, Lokvar, Lonhar
Meshun
Nevar, Novar
Olidan, Orien
Poldan
Rejik, Rihan, Rijad, Riol
Taljiar, Tayvin, Tiodan,Tojek, Tomlen
Ufrejal, Ujalyen
Varshal
Xiren

Female
Ariss, Ashaniel
Ehalia
Feshanya
Heiala
Ishkalar
Jorene
Larjalen
Miasha
Peria
Rishala
Shaial, Shalia, Sharan, Shateren, Shokelle
Yuren

Neutral
Ariss, Aurrie
Eolk
Fion
Haeriin
Mauil
Taruul

Surnames

Dovalian nobility are easily identified by the characteristic apostrophe at the beginning of the name. EX: The surname used by the Imperial house is d’Wolvam. All nobles have a similar style, but only the imperial house uses the letter d at the beginning.

Other characteristics seen in Dovalian surnames are a doubled ‘u’ EX: Ashaniel Maruuq

Surnames: Maruuq, d’Wolvam, n’Varis, Lidol, Dubar, Eleis, Kaluus, e’Laris, Adruus, Falcorsi, Rualii, n’Tariil, i'Velidon, Oruuth, n’Afiil, Taruul, Lenuss, Daliil, Rueii, Saruuq, o’Fathil

Customs and Culture

Same sex affections are frowned on but generally alright. People in Northwall frown on it heavily.
Touching the top of someone’s head is quite rude.
It’s traditional to have a big party towards the end of the year as a way to close the year off on a positive or high note and ensure that the new one starts off well.
Offering a tree leaf to someone is an invitation to spend the night with them.

Funerals

Blue is the colour of mourning.
The Dovalians bury their dead in boxes with stones marking the grave’s location.

Marriage

Marriage proposals are made by taking a leaf from the family plant or tree and placing it in a pendant. The leaf is encased in either glass or a type of resin. Glass is more durable but more expensive.

Dovalians offer a small branch to someone they have feelings for. It’s generally preferred for this branch to have leaves or buds on it, but in the winter that’s not possible. A branch from a plum tree is especially significant as it’s the favoured tree of Kal Kiterr.

A bride’s shoes each have a coin in them to ensure prosperity. What kind of coin varies widely and depends on what the families can afford.

Homes

Noble houses have an ancestral tree planted on their property. Gifting cuttings, branches, or items made from this tree holds deep meaning. Families without large properties have a special plant in their homes that they tend to with great care. It occupies a spot of honour inside the home. It’s customary to give a cutting of this plant to a newlywed son.

International Relations

Dovalians consider the Telvanites to be inbred.

Food

Dovalian food is characterized as being heavily spiced and seasoned. They primarily eat venison and pork. Fish is a delicacy and often only reserved for the nobility and very special feasts. Commoners will also eat rabbit and often raise a large kind of jackrabbit called rajit for that purpose.
Dovalian food in general is spicy
Don’t add salt (or any other seasoning) to your meal. It’s insulting.
Fish is one of the cheapest foods.
Potatoes don't grow in Doval.

No one drinks anything while in the process of eating a dish. It is only after a dish was done with that they'll have anything to drink. It's polite to say little during a meal except to complement the food. It's disrespectful to say anything negative about the food while at the dinner table.

Supper dishes
Chaia – a kind of soup made with roasted venison in a meat broth with small cubes of vegetables thrown in and seasoned to taste.
Kareshti – a traditional Dovalian dish made from chopped vegetables fried in spiced oil with thin strips of pork. It can be really overpowering if you’re not used to the heavy spices.
Djiryen – fried, thinly cut strips of rabbit, a common dish among the poorer people of Doval
Shida – boiled brown grain cooked with cubed vegetables
Lieven – a dish made from white fish fried whole. The eyes are removed and replaced by a small, twirled biscuit. It is served on a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce and surrounded by raw sliced vegetables.
Torsen – pastry pockets filled with spiced meat
Jilon – vegetables wrapped in thin, crunchy pastry
Jisen – a mixture between jilon and torsen: pastry rolls filled with both meat and vegetables. The meat is usually beef though pork is sometimes used.
Oshe – a dressing typically put on krishti made with oil, vinegar, and sweet spices
Krishti – a kind of salad made with fruit and vegetables
Elia – boiled eggs that are cleverly cut and arranged, typically in floral patterns. This dish was invented by Imperial chef Nevar.
Geron – sliced and boiled potatoes in a thick brown gravy
Riava – a kind of very sweet alcoholic beverage made from red diatho grapes. It's a strong drink
Teshana – a milky beverage that is made from steamed milk, apple juice, and a cinnamon-like spice called kisha that is imported from Shanshiire
Karehsti -

Breakfast foods
Kalana – a soupy concoction of boiled grains, honey, eggs, and either fruit or vegetables depending on the region
Jildos – a thin, crunchy pastry filled with fruit and a thick syrup
La'hai sausages
Doughy buns filled with bean paste
Plain, buttered buns
Yairo steaks (imported from Telvan and only eaten by the wealthy as importing them is expensive and not many people can cook them properly)
Aloyn – fruit salad
Hashun - cooked eggs that had been scrambled and mixed with bacon, mixed vegetables, small pieces of la’hai sausage