Cost: 1 Essence
In addition to the common cultural exposure to the Steel Realms character, The Saelish has its own Cultural Experience of The Saelish, known as “Saelisnean” (say-liz-nee-an). Characters from The Saelish are NOT required to accept the specific Cultural Experience, though must accept all elements if they chose it. A group of characters can come together to form a shared Cultural Bond.
COMMON NAMES: Masculine > Mikael, Micholaev, Krespar, Keeth, Ivan; Feminine> Irina, Erinov, Paulina, Tamyo
Saelisnean vs. Bronzefolk: The folk of The Saelish are aware of their ancestry, but have made a very acute and specific distinction of their culture from their ancestors. One is anchored in the past, the other is looking to the future. They know their deep (but mostly forgotten) ties to the Celestine of Helca, the great animal spirits (the Wyld Horde), and the land itself was stronger and more powerful once, but are resolved to find their own way outside the accomplishments of the past.
Community: The biggest factor in life is community – and it takes work. It creates safety, stability, and consistency – allowing everyone to thrive (and they do). Success is dependent on the overall health and opportunities of the community at large, not one specific locale or family. They see themselves as a higher animal, but animals are seen as part of the family – and have many rights. Even domesticated livestock are treated with kindness and respect, and their deaths are as painless and anxiety-free as possible. They are not naïve though, and understand how life works outside their communities (even teaching everyone the trade-tongue of Mercat), adapting as appropriate and not trying to foist their own ideas on others – merely to promote their success as something to emulate. Their overriding ideal is “Be Kind”. This applies to all by default. Movement is encouraged among the larger area, ensuring a stronger genetic diversity as all individuals of the culture are all seen as “family” and free to travel and seek their fortune outside of the place where they are born. Those falling outside the community minded, who exploit the support of the community are not cast out, but simply not allowed positions of power, not given anything extra, and generally will not find a partner.
Fashion: Like all places, this place has slight regional environmental variations of the “fashion houses” of The Merchant Cities as well as Gladnor, and cheaper local fashions, though much of the working class make and maintain their own clothes with purely practical considerations in mind. Saelisnean fashion colors are red, orange, yellow, bronze, tan, and bright green.
Insular, oddly happy, stoic, strange, beast-lovers, touchy-feely; Traditions are strong in The Saelish. They keep their composure under stressful circumstances. They venerate freaks – the animal headed “gods-children”, an affront to nature!
Saelisnean folk have a slight distrust of outsiders. They don’t see them as malicious, but more as wayward children. The competitive nature of outsiders is bothersome – why can they not just live more in harmony with the world around? Of course it is slightly more work, but it pays off in the long run. Locals don’t make sharp distinctions over other races – they are all outsiders equally. They are welcome to their own (usually seen as extreme) ways, as long as they don’t interfere with The Saelish. The folk of The Saelish are always on guard to safeguard their culture and lands – the spear is the “trusted friend” of every Saelisnaen member.
Attribute Emphasis: Wisdom over brute-strength.
Aesthetic and Arts: All practices are encouraged to develop an artistic flare. From masonry, smithing, cooking, and weaving – all crafts emphasize function and form both. Personal creativity is strongly encouraged, each finding personal expression in whatever it is they do and making every outcome slightly unique.
Racial Composition: Human (dominant; [latent] Merovin 2% of humans), half-elf (6%), dwarven (3%), dozens of Duatine/Celestine [Aasimar/not ‘Fallen’]
Communication: The folk of The Saelish are known as excellent communicators and speak with a [Czechoslovakian] accent; approximately 65% are literate to some degree. They speak Gladnorian (Expert) and Mercat (Fluent) by default. There is a tradition of some (15%) families of teaching their children Celestine (spoken only; Basic level).
Emphasis on Knowledge: Like the Ducateon, Saelisnean culture strongly values the recording of knowledge. There is a cultural library in the city of Averul named Brayfhayl. Apprenticeship is open to all who wish to try their hand, some service to the community is expected in return. Education: Children are encouraged to be curious, and to be very physical at a young age. The concept of mind and body are as one – a healthy one facilitates the health of the other. Regardless, the community emphasis of the culture creates a safer, more stable place. Knowledge for its own sake is seen as merely expanding the opportunities of exploration and production of new outcomes in all fields.
Gender Roles: There is no emphasis placed on gender for specific roles and functions other than pregnancy itself and specific limits of individuals in size, strength, speed, personality, and intelligence. There are as many, if not more, males assuming the role of primary care giver in the early development of clan members. They are seen as stronger and better physical protectors of the young, but the female-minded are seen as better shepherds after the first several years. “Adoption” is commonplace, in that because all are seen as family in the larger culture, there is no emphasis on bloodline. Homosexuality is accepted and orphans are most often placed with such families and all are part of the community.
Celestine Veneration: The core cultural experience requires the character choose a Divine Principal from among the Ascended Celestials as their faith. The ways of the Celestine are seen as better for the world. Although casual worship is part of the Bronzefolk and Saelisnean culture, the direct emphasis is more on the ideals they represent than the individual themselves. They are seen as guides of spiritual development, less as sources of power (though they are known to manifest directly at great ceremonies). Many commune with these ideals and entities (if they have Conviction) using Meditation and find a form of enlightenment; the root of the composure they are famous for.
Adherence to Law: The spirit of the law is more important, but there is a legal code. The laws of the High King are recognized and followed as well. Nothing is more chafing to the culture than loss of personal freedom. Fines are near non-existent, penalty is almost always prison time and loss of access to community resources and a ban from social events. Poverty is nothing to this. Transgressions are cumulative and tracked. Eventually, obvious malcontents will be outcast. The worst are considered a threat to the world at large, and imprisonment for life is an option – though are given a choice of a painless death from poison over suffering this pronouncement.