Tribe
Ever a WIP, ever subject to change. Primarily based on Finnic cultures of which I am not an expert, if you are and I've gotten something terribly wrong, don't be afraid to give me a nudge.
Table of Contents
Social Hierarchy
Highest to lowest:
Women (oldest to youngest) → Mentor Men → Other Men → Kits
Men who teach kits the ropes of Wood-warding are typically of similar standing to low-standing women, but individual attitudes towards them will vary.
Women (oldest to youngest) → Mentor Men → Other Men → Kits
Men who teach kits the ropes of Wood-warding are typically of similar standing to low-standing women, but individual attitudes towards them will vary.
Kærleikr
By definition, physical affection performed to establish social standing and develop goodwill between two people. The one of higher social standing will initiate by bowing their head, kneeling, or otherwise lowering themselves. The one of lower social standing provides some kind of physical affection, usually petting, nuzzling, and kissing but can be any kind. This affection is distinct from romantic affection, being light and chaste.
Kærleikr is a part of greetings, and is intended to develop over time. An important part of it is watching out for reactions to specfic actions. When meeting someone for the first time, kærleikr is often very short but will become longer as the lower party begins to grasp the higher party's preferences better. This is often used as a marker for closeness.
While not technically the same, it's very common for women to do kærleikr to men of lower social standing they're fond of. This is generally considered patronizing, and never initiated by the man. Because men rarely interact with each other, they rarely do kærleikr but it isn't unheard of. Kits are given affection similar to kærleikr by anyone as they begin to learn the manners, when they are are old enough to be seperated in/out of the village they're expected to have a decent grasp on it. Broadly speaking, it goes:
Arseni is extremely fond of kærleikr. He associates it strongly with safety, as it only happened when he was a kit and the scarce times he was allowed in the village. He often does it on instinct to those he is comfortable with, especially younger people. For people he's very close to or those who have a similar practice, he will usually explain the basics (intentionally leaving out the hierarchical nature) and then constantly demand kærleikr.
Kærleikr is a part of greetings, and is intended to develop over time. An important part of it is watching out for reactions to specfic actions. When meeting someone for the first time, kærleikr is often very short but will become longer as the lower party begins to grasp the higher party's preferences better. This is often used as a marker for closeness.
While not technically the same, it's very common for women to do kærleikr to men of lower social standing they're fond of. This is generally considered patronizing, and never initiated by the man. Because men rarely interact with each other, they rarely do kærleikr but it isn't unheard of. Kits are given affection similar to kærleikr by anyone as they begin to learn the manners, when they are are old enough to be seperated in/out of the village they're expected to have a decent grasp on it. Broadly speaking, it goes:
- Giver → Receiver
- M → F = Standard kærleikr
- F → M = Kærleikr type affection, but without hierarchical intent nor initiation from the receiver
- M/F → Kit = Pseudo-kærleikr, to familiarize them with the concept
- Kit → M/F = Standard kærleikr, though often improper due to inexperience
- M → M = Standard kærleikr, but rare
Arseni is extremely fond of kærleikr. He associates it strongly with safety, as it only happened when he was a kit and the scarce times he was allowed in the village. He often does it on instinct to those he is comfortable with, especially younger people. For people he's very close to or those who have a similar practice, he will usually explain the basics (intentionally leaving out the hierarchical nature) and then constantly demand kærleikr.
Urospari