Culture
Birth status (n): A term that is native to Fusion, and is enforced throughout Dol’Phan. There is a cultural superstition that states that depending on when you were born throughout the day, you have a certain status assigned to you. Highest birth is High Sun birth (when both suns intersect), then noble Sun Birth (when Corna is in full reign), then low sun birth (born at dawn), then Dusk Birth (middle class), Dusk Moon birth (when one moon is in full reign), then Deep Night Birth (lower class)
Blade-scars (n): Scars caused from the cuts of Autumn-grass. Cuts are painful but never been recorded as lethal, unless infected.
Caps (n): A container normally used for alcoholic consumption, ranging from mid to high price. Caps are small single serving measurements, and are often used to hold heavy liquors. However, instead of glass shots, caps are cut from fragrant wood that help mask the unpleasant flavors of straight liquor. (Cedar, pine, juniper, willow, even cinnamon can be used)
Comptain: The equivalent of a mayor. Every town in Dol’Phan has one
Convent (n): A religious home for a yet to be determined continent wide religious organization. The convent is home to mostly children deemed significant by the church, and looked over by religious elders, known as either a great-mother or great-father.
Corna: The larger of the two suns of Helen, it begins the 24 day. Corna rises before Tarna, starting the warming phase of the day and also the Cornath Day. See Cornath Born. In the middle of the day, Tarna is often lost in the light of Corna, and the two suns can cause massive heat waves in plains and desert areas.
Currency, Orphan (n): The continent of Orphan relies on a primary coin system that is recognized through most developed cities and their regions. While some small local clusters may have variations of coin, barter, trade, and standard of wealth; the main coin denominations are normally still with-held:
-Half Grain: A small wooden coin, once called a Grain, but since damaged. The half-grain is the lowest denomination, being 10 parts to one Grain. (Half grains are not accepted everywhere)
-Grain: A small wooden coin with threshed grain pictured on one side. 100 Grains = 1 Hand.
-Hand: An iron coin, one side pictures a hand holding a sword, the other side is holding a branch. 100 Hands = 1 Chalice. (The hand is the closest standard to a dollar, but varies in wealth from town to town)
-Chalice: A large nickel coin with a jeweled goblet imprinted. 10 Chalice = 1 Crown.
-Crown: A silver coin with an elaborate crown embedded on one side. The other side depicts Forte. 10 Crown = 1 Blessing.
-Blessing: A golden coin with an embossed Cornucopia. On the other side is the first sun Corna. The Blessing is the highest denomination, only outweighed by gemstones, and objects of great value.
Daelgroban (n): A chess like game. Complicated, with many pieces that can be used in a variety of ways. Each piece has a rank, and even the lowest ranked pieces are vital components if used correctly. The main piece is a King.
Dibbit (n): Solid intoxicants, formed by the crystallization and compression of fermented sugars into small cubes/spheres/bricks/etc. The sugars are often collected during the filtration process of certain liquors, making them more potent than most brews. They are normally packed under the lip or tongue, until fully dissolved; excessive use has been known to rot teeth.
Disheka (n): A beautifully hand dyed dress that covers from the entire body from the neck down. It is worn exclusively by elder Journeymen woman, known as Matriarchs, and dyed to the appropriate color of their tribe.
Djerik (n): A musical instrument, Djerik’s vary in shape, size, and design. The originated on the plains, and each tribe has it’s own variation on the instrument. The basic design consists of five small strings attached at the bottom, all tuned accordingly over a small opening. Up the neck of the instrument is a number of small holes and pegs, which control an intricate amount of chambers and pathways within the instrument. As the strings are plucked and strummed, the player can use the pegs and the holes to reroute and misdirect the vibrating sounds sliding within the wood, allowing for an almost unlimited range of pitches and tunes. The resulting sound is a kind of ethereal, strumming sound. It is based on a combination of guitar and didgireedo.
Estate Draft (n): Used in Solstice Upper. Estate drafts are large maps drawn on parchment to assist in the navigation of the more complex manors and estates. Can be drawn in multiple levels, for example a servants draft would have servant quarters, and a visitors draft would leave areas absent.
Forte (n): The first moon of the 24 hour night. Forte is a white giant that gives descent light for a nocturnal source, it rises at the end of Dal Niente (See: Dal Niente), and is followed by Morendo, the smaller of the two moons. Being born under the light of Forte is considered good fortune, and individuals are expected to be good leaders and passionate visionaries.
Forte-night (n): The amount of time that it takes for Forte to rise, and set. Approximately 20 hours.
Grass-roll (n):Analogous to cigarettes. Each region creates its own distinct grass-rolls. Essentially, the smokeable plants of a region are rolled with grass, and smoked, giving the smoker a slightly relaxed feeling.
Holy Horizon (n): Believed to be the source of all life by many in ‘Harvesthome region’. It is believed that souls of the deceased pass on to the Holy Horizon where they dwell until given a second chance of life. If a particularly benevolent soul passes on it is said that the Creator plants their spirit in the soil, and tends it until the day of the holy harvest. The religion is a passive one, with very little devout practices or overzealous fanatics. It acts as a system to teach children morality, and steer people to do good in life.
Market-Note (n): A ledger of sorts, that imposes certain restrictions on trade/pricing/or the transportation of goods and services.
Modvaud (n): A raunchy melodramatic performance, generally done tavern entertainments. Though a loss plot ties the event together, stock characters and scenarios are generally tied together, all with the aim of getting to the next topless dance scene.
Morendo (n): The second moon in the 24 hour night. Morendo is Forte’s little sister, and glows with a violet light. It is speculated that the atmosphere affects the light from the following sun, Corna (See Corna). This gives the moon a violet glow that gets deeper as the night proceeds. Morendo follows Forte across the sky, and much like Tarna, sets two hours after its predecessor. However, because of Corna’s brilliant sunrise, Morendo has never been seen to set. Instead it fades in the light of the rising sun. Children born under the moonlight of Morendo, are considered timid but compassionate.
Narcotics (n): Red leaf (hallucinogenic), Pallamebs (stimulant), Dolcheels (stimulant), Troubrout (Sedative).
Obelisk (n): (Drug Paraphernalia) An elaborate and extremely intricate device used for extracting and inhalation of various narcotics. Each device can vary in shape and build, but generally they operate with the use of flame. Fire heats a chamber that boils water; the steam mixes with a metal catch that contains the narcotics and extracts the chemicals to form a thick smoke to be inhaled. An Obelisk is considered a device of great status and wealth, as well as ultimate luxury and excess. Uncommon.
Order of the Higher Cloud: Of which the Wisemen belong to. The Order has a panel in Fusion. Their central location is unknown, but believed to be near Wisemount (see Wisemount). Possibly tied somehow into the Convents and temples and such
Port Whores (n): A blanket term for the prostitues of Rafe. Due to the fact that the service almost exclusively sailors, they have become known as some of the filthiest and most diseased whores in all of Orphan. Sleeping with a port whore is generall inadvisible.
Rentis-Sphere (n): A dimensional realm said to exist in opposition of Helen, only inverted. Rentis-Sphere is an existence of constant death and suffering. Many religions have varying opinions of what it is, but most agree that it is the destination of damned souls. Some folklore call it the invisible moon, and say it only rises in the pitch of Dal Niente. Rentis-Sphere was so named after a historical figure: General Chalton Rentis. His greed for power and land turned him into an overlord, and according to legend he became involved with the un-natural arts. He sold his soul for immortality, and opened a spiritual pathway into another existence. As punishment for his folly, the creator banished Rentis and his twelve un-holy knights to the center of that existence, where the pressure of their sin could crush bone. Many adaptations have arisen, but Rentis-Sphere remains to be an analogy for the worst of all existences.
Rhodian Fighting (n): A highly dangerous sport, men train Rhodia in order to be able to ride them. Teams of seven then take to the field and attempt to score on another by getting a small leather ball into the other teams net. It has left many men dead, and far more seriously injured.
Sending (n): An event much like a funeral, where the process of disposing the body is of less importance than the action of the sending itself. While most sendings are burials, many have been set to pyres, or sent to sea. A sending is an act where the people who knew the deceased can gather and pray for the deceased’s soul. With a proper sending, it is nigh impossible for a soul to be dragged into Rentis-Sphere. Sendings are also very personal prayers for
the living, a final good-bye in case of death.
Surnames (Harvesthome): The Surnames of Harvesthome are different than most other cultures. Unlike most areas, the individual name does not always come first (ex: John Doe or Doe John). There are two situations in which the Surname comes first: 1) when only one parent is native to Harvesthome during the time of birth. This trait can cause two people of the same family to have different names, if the non-native becomes a native by the time the second is born. 2) The child of a person born with a Surname first, will have their Surname first as well. (Doe John has a son, and names him Albert. The son is Doe Albert). This is important for a few reasons but the most important is religious: Anyone born with their Surname first cannot enter the Holy Horizon upon their death. It is believed that only people born of pure Harvesthome descent can be planted in the afterlife. Culturally, this discourages the act of reproducing with those outside of Harvesthome; and though it is dishonorable, it is common.
(Some examples of Pure Harvesthome descent: Ronea Hobbin, Nor Makus, Ellis Tuln, Sana Lanson)
(Some examples of Non-pure Harvesthome descent: Harver Jun, Gather Yon-Yelso, Jore Jun)
Tarna: The smaller of the two suns of Helen. Tarna rises second, roughly 20 minutes after Corna, and begins the Tarnath Day. After Corna sets, Tarna stays low in the sky for nearly 2 hours, creating a perfect environment for festivals and Harvest parties to begin. In the middle of the day, Tarna is often lost in the light of Corna, and the two suns can cause massive heat waves in plains and desert areas. Children born under the light of Tarna are renowned for their carefree, humble lifestyle.
Utility nature (n): Any part of Fauna or Flora that can be used as a means to help humans lead a more efficient life. The term refers to: Light-caps, Glow worms, Thrush-rays, and any other form of nature that gives off light/produces fuel-like material/or can be incubated for its industrial affect. More common in far reaching regions.
Vows (n): Taken by members of the Royal Guard before initiation into the order. The ritual is unknown.