SOCIETY & RELIGION
Greetings/Goodbyes: Generally, greetings between strangers and old friends all begin with a mutual arm-grasp, where both parties will grasp the other’s forearm. Goodbyes are generally made with a wide semicircle of the hand on an imaginary horizontal line, symbolizing the passing of the sun and the moon.
Manners, Mates, & Partners: In society, Arkaines are generally expected to be calm and polite. In public, modesty is not needed or even expected (especially in hot areas). It is common knowledge that each corner of the Prism Realm is different, and the entire world is a melting pot of different origins, upbringings, and interests. Sexuality is known to be fairly fluid and ever changing within the Prism Realm, and all sexualities and romantic situations are fairly accepted and treated normally, including polyamourous relationships.
Technology: Technology within the Prism Realm is quite limited, as most Arkaine inventions harness the magic from their crystals as an energy source so there is no need or desire for electricity. So far, the most intriguing technology is clockwork and small wind-up toys, as well as music boxes. Many Arkaine will wear a pocket watch somewhere on their body, although most Arkaines are skilled in telling time through the position of the sun/moon. Lighting is mainly achieved by the use of candles, and enchanted glowing crystals.
Enchantment: Enchanting items is a popular thing to do within the Prism Realm. This is done by harnessing the magical essence that is found in Arkaine crystals, bones, and blood. Bones and crystals are ground up into crystal dust, blood is dried into crystal dust. What items are mixed with an Arkaine's magical essence are directly related with what kind of Enchantment an object has.
Art & Music: Art is primarily done in paints made from natural pigments on stretched hide or canvas. Charcoal is commonly used for sketching on parchment, but sometimes ink and quill are used. Gold, Skymetal, and Silver flaking and ink is also very common within the Prism Realm in all art, as society favors beautiful and shiny items. Music is always live, as recording music hasn’t happened in Arkaine culture (other than on paper, of course). Many instruments are quite popular within the Realm, including hide drums, tambourines, lutes, harps, flutes, horns, and many more.
Science & Astrology: Arkaines who are studious and have done research can be fairly knowledgeable about the basic and magical chemistry of the Realm. Most science in the Prism Realm is based off of understanding the stars and the planets, and their effects. Arkaines have learned how to build extremely powerful telescopes; the largest telescope in the Realm can be found in the Prism Temple in Asari. The sky of the Prism Realm is vastly different than that of the Terrestrial Realm. In the Prism Realm, both the sun and the moon seem much closer, and seem to pulse with a vibrant, but not overbearing energy. The colors of the atmosphere, Aurora, and sunsets are always vivid and bridge, and at night time the sky is absolutely littered with stars, brightening up a night even when the moon is in hiding.
Cooking: Wood burning ovens are popular in bakeries and taverns, but at home, usually a cauldron that is on a tripod is used for cooking. A fire is built under the cauldron for stews and such, but fire can also be built inside the cauldron, while a slotted metal sheet is rested on top to act as a stove-top. Fresh mountain spring water is always available at Markets, but very clean fresh water can be found in any river or stream. Basic butchering skills are commonly known since many Arkaines hunt their meals before they cook them. Preserving meat is done by salting and drying, while jarred preserves or jams are made with fruits.
Communication: Communication within the Prism Realm is fairly simple; it’s limited to telepathy for short distance silent messaging. For long-distance, sending letters through the Prism Post is the most common way to communicate, although some can use the Message spell. (If a Terrestrial Realm Arkaine has had training in Telepathy, they would have this spell)
Transportation: Transportation within the Prism Realm is generally limited to wagons, carts, small boats, and mounts, although those who are wealthy may own a large sea ship. Most of these objects are made from wood, but some can be made from cast metal. As for mounts, horses are by far the most common, but some have more interesting mounts such as Rathilians, Gryyphs, and more. There are permanent teleportation circles in the Prism Temple of Asari, as well as in the Mooncrest Temple and the Sunkeep Temple.
Pets: Although the Prism Realm matches the Terrestrial Realm with the wide variety of animals, the Prism Realm also is home to a hybrid of animals and creatures. The two most favored pets in the Prism Realm are rats and cats! Taming both pets and mounts requires a lot of patience. Wild animals can sometimes become pets if they are willing to be tamed, and strays can easily be found in large cities. To purchase a pet or companion, you could also easily find whatever you're looking for in a large Market or Trading Post.
Architecture: Arkaine architecture is fairly unique, as most of the most famous Architects are very powerful in the art of Soulshaping, using their mage abilities to build, craft and carve their buildings. Both sloping and sharp edged work is popular; if it can be imagined and sketched, and you can use the materials available to you, it can be designed and built!
Weaponry & Armor: Weaponry and armor is fairly popular within the Prism Realm. Almost every family unit owns at least a small hunting dagger, and it's not unheard of to begin weapon training at a young age. Most weapons are made from Silver, Gold, or Skymetal. Both weapon and armor making is considered an art, and often a Metalsmith's pieces will reflect this. Basic armor can be made out of leather and wood, or even silver. Fancier armor is usually very intricate, and is made out of pure metals or very detailed and high quality leather. Because fashion is held in high regard in cities, many will get clothing custom tailored to their armor.
Schooling: Through ages 5-25, Arkaines are encouraged to attend classes at the nearest Prism Temple, although this is not mandatory. Young Arkaines are encouraged to attend at least three classes a day of their choosing. These teachings include general knowledge about the Prism Realm, creatures within, how magiks work, and much, much more. Peace of body and mind is taught through meditation, dance lessons, stretching, learning how to prepare meals and basic healing potions, and more. Creativity is encouraged, and if a young Arkaine seems to have an affinity for something particular, they will be encouraged to explore such. Knowledge is praised, and all students are taught about the stars, the sky, the weather, space, and the Gods. Students are taught basic exploration skills, as well as other basic living skills. Young Arkaines are taught the importance of peace, friendship, self-love, love for the earth, and basic knowledge and language. Older Arkaines are taught the more knowledgeable things, and often are sent to train with someone if they are interested in a certain path. Sometimes, seminars on the Terrestrial Realm will be held, in which any age can attend to learn the wonders of the Terrestrial Realm (usually this includes small bits of information that have been dug up in very ancient scrolls, or have been seen through scrying spells performed by high level mages).
♦ General Class Schedule:
♦ Sunrise - Body and Mind (Stretching/Meditation)
♦ Mid Morning - Basic Adventuring Skills (Hunting/Fishing/Gathering/Etc.)
♦ Noon - Baking, Tailoring, and other Basic Life Skills
♦ Mid Afternoon - Basic Weapons Training (Archery/Fencing/Self Defense)
♦ Sunset - Research or Religious Topic
♦ Midnight - Basic Mage Training
Housing: Depending on where you are in the Prism Realm, you will find different types of housing. In tribes, often smaller homes like huts and hide tents are used. In villages, homes are most often built from wood and stone. Larger cities usually build their homes and buildings out of stone and marble, as well as wood. However, home style and size often depends on both the wealth of an Arkaine, as well as the Biome they’re living in. Furniture also will vary between wealth, occupation, location, and more. The options are (almost) endless!
♦ In the Rainforest, many build their homes up in the trees away from destructive animals, and use vines, wood, bamboo, and banana leaves as building material.
♦ In the Savanna, many build their homes out of dried grass and mud, generally building them in a rounded, hut-like shape.
♦ In the Desert, it’s difficult to live anywhere other than the Capital or the canyon. In the Shimmering Scar Canyon, stairs and homes are often carved out of the canyon wall. In the Capital, homes consist of cloth tents, red sandstone homes, and large marbled mansions.
♦ In the Chaparral and Grassland, homes are often built out of logs and/or mud, and often are built into the side of dugout hills.
♦ In the Temperate Forest, most homes are built from logs or stone. Usually trees are too thin to hold treehouses, but in some places it is possible.
♦ In the Boreal Forest, most homes are built from logs or stone. Sometimes, homes are built in the tall evergreen trees that have been growing for hundreds and hundreds of years.
♦ In the Tundra, most homes are built from ice and snow, dug out from the ground or built from bricks of ice.
♦ Up in the Mountains, most homes are carved into the mountainside or built from stone and wood.
Fashion: Wealth and origin within the Realm will often heavily dictate how an Arkaine dresses. Depending on where you are in the Prism Realm, you will find Arkaines will wear different types of clothing in different styles. Common clothing material include wool, cotton, or silk. Common articles of clothing are vests, skirts, trousers, half-tops, baggy harem-style pants, dresses, robes, and much more. Fancier garments are generally very beautiful and well-made, often stitched with silver, gold, or skymetal thread. For formal events, fancy silk robes are the most commonly worn item. Clothing is usually always custom made, due to the unique individuality to each and every single Arkaine's crystals and placements, as well as needs. Occasionally tailors will mass-produce items, but usually these items are smaller items like gloves, hats, scarves, etc. If it can be imagined, and made with the materials available, it can be made and worn. The general populous is not worried about modesty; out in public you can show whatever you want to show off as long as the groin is covered. Piercings and permanent fur dye (tattoos) are fairly common, and jewelry is quite popular. The Capital, Asari, seems to have the most vivid display of fashion in the Realm.
RainforestIn the wilderness of the Rainforest, most clothing is made from animal hide, banana leaves, vines, or lightweight cotton. Those who are more wealthy may wear cotton or silk clothing. Banana leaves are commonly used to make make-shift umbrellas, as the rainforest has quite heavy rainfall, especially in the winter and spring. It is always fairly warm or mild here.
Savanna/Desert It is hot here, and although water is plentiful, the sun's rays are tedious. A wide variety of clothing is worn in the desert, especially in the capital, Asari, however cotton and silk tend to be the most popular material in hotter climates. When traveling outside of the main cities or towns, it's common to wear sheer cloth over the muzzle and glasses or goggles to protect from sand blowing in the wind. Lightweight capes are often worn on cooler nights.
Tundra/Mountains/Ice In the Tundra and Ice biomes, the summers are cold, and the winters are brutal. Because it's so cold in these biomes most of the time, often many layers of thick furs and hides are worn to protect from the harsh weather. Various animal hides are made into heavy boots, trousers, thick vests, and coats. Lighter materials like wool and cotton are used for under-clothing, or summer clothing.
Mountains / Boreal Forest / Temperate ForestAlthough Temperate Forests are usually a bit warmer than Boreal Forests, the general idea of both warm summers and extremely cold winters is the same for both, especially for those who are high up in the mountains. Summers in the Opal Mountains and the Flamesky Mountains are tepid, never getting too warm, and winters are harsh. In the summers, often Arkaines will wear wool and cotton clothing. In the winter they switch to wool, fur, and leather.
GrasslandsBecause the Grasslands have fairly mild weather, articles of clothing can vary, but cotton garments seem to be the favored choice. Winters are cold, but not harsh like in the forests or mountain areas; they bring a lot of snowfall, so animal hide and fur boots, as well as coats and other articles of clothing are popular for the short winter season. In the summers, cotton clothing, and occasionally satin clothing, is worn.
Religion: There is only one religion within the Prism Realm, and that is True Balance. True Balance is the belief that you cannot have good without bad, sun without rain, light without dark. The two deities who are worshipped are said to be siblings; living in tandem in space. History supports the commonly accepted notion that Kamales, the Sun, and Valontras, his sister the moon, decided to create Arkaines. It is undeniable that the Gods are indeed real, as it has been proven many times over the years in physical manifestations of them, as well as the centuries of research about magiks and visions. Because so many Arkaines experience a connection with the gods throughout their lives, either a few times or many times, the reality of the Gods is widely accepted. Still, most religious people are fairly casual about their faith, even those who are quite devout. It is not frowned upon to not have faith in the Gods, but if one were to say they did not believe in the Gods at all, they would certainly find themselves getting quizzical looks.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Kamales - The Sun God ♦ Kamales reppresents playfulness, excitement, joy, warmth, fire, daytime, warmth, wildness, chaos, and life. Lore says that Kamales breathes life into each Arkaine, putting a star--a waiting spirit--into an Arkaine when born. Kamales loves each of the children he has created, and loves that they are chaotic and loving like he.
♦ In dreams or visions, Kamales can most often be seen as a massive, pure white feral wolf. His white fur seems glitter and radiate light. A golden light that surrounds his body and shines through his crystals and eyes. Very seldom can he be seen in an Arkaine-like form. When in this form, is easily surpasses 15 feet tall, and he carries 3 sets of wings on his back. These wings are made of bright, golden light, and don't actually fuse with his body. To see Kamales in this form is supposed to be a sign of life, pregnancy, righteousness, or coming joy.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Valontras - The Moon Goddess♦ Valontras repepresents sorrow, anger, seriousness, cold, water, nighttime, calmness, order, and death. Valontras is said to guide the souls of the dead back to the sky, where they spend their time peacefully as stars, usually placed with their Blood Bond and loved ones. Unlike Kamales, she is known to be slightly vengeful - if you have lies that have not seen truth throughout your life, you may be placed in a lonely area of space. She is the final judgement of all, and intends to be respected as such.
♦ In dreams or visions, Valontras can most often be seen as a massive, pure black feral wolf. Her black fur seems to glitter and twinkle with the stars of the night sky. A white light surrounds her body and shines through her crystals and eyes. Like her brother, Valontras can selcomly be seen in an Arkaine-like form. When in this form, she easily surpasses 15 feet tall, and she carries 2 sets of wings on her back. These wings are made of bright, white light, and don't actually fuse with her body. To see Valontras in this form is supposed to be a sign of coming death of yourself or a loved one, or coming sadness.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Sita - The Earth♦ Sita is the earth, she is nature. Although she is not a god, she is the first creation of Kamales and Valontras. She was once a empty, barren rock, until Kamales and Valontras found her and brought her to life with foliage and creatures. Sita is her own being, and is said to be unforgiving, unwavering, and beautiful. Arkaines, no matter the level of their faith, are all expected to care for, and have great respect for Sita. Sita not seen in visions or dreams.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Important Ideologies:♦ The good or bad that you put out into the world will find it's way back to you.
♦ Put yourself in other's eyes. How do others see you? How do you want to be seen? How would you feel if your life was their life instead?
♦ Peace of mind is just as important as strength.
♦ If there is no Sita (nature), there is no us. Be kind to her.
♦ Give as much as you take.
♦ Your fate is your own.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Prayer♦ It is common for one to meditate when praying to the gods. Often, one will sit upon the ground with their back straight and their hands palm-up on their thighs. They will close their eyes, and breathe deeply.
♦ Prayers will be spoken out loud often by a leader if in a group, but prayers spoken in the mind reach the Divine Ones all the same.
♦ It is customary to say a short prayer of thank after a successful hunt, fight, duel, etc.
♦ Prayers can be about anything... whether it be to ask the gods for a bit of guidance, or forgiveness, or aid.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
Visions♦ Visions from either god can come to any Arkaine at any time... But usually, only Arkaines who are fairly devout will be able to make direct contact with the Gods. Both of the Gods enjoy speaking in riddles, as they believe it is up to the Arkaines themselves to create and become the master of their own lives.
♦ Visions most often come in the form of dreams, but can often be achieved through meditation and the placement of offerings for the Gods. It is very common for any Arkaine, whether in the Prism Realm or in the Terrestrial Realm, to dream about the Gods at least a few times within their lifespan.
━━━━⋆☆☽O☾☆⋆━━━━
OfferingsIf someone is seeking to receive a vision or a blessing from either gods, items or gifts will be placed within the palm of the Arkaine before meditation, or displayed in front of the Arkaine.
Items include... ♦ Lotus (Normal)
♦ Lotus (Sun)
♦ Lotus (Moon)
♦ Rose
♦ Iris
♦ Candle
♦ Incense
♦ Crystal
