Dutorian first names are typically of scandinavian/nordic origin (including Scottish and Old Norse names). It’s common to reuse names, naming children after respected historical figures or noteworthy ancestors.
Surnames are based on the names of flowers, such as Rose, Nightshade, etc.
Some examples of Dutorian names are:
Surnames are based on the names of flowers, such as Rose, Nightshade, etc.
Some examples of Dutorian names are:
- Njord Beebalm
- Ulla Tithonia
- Douglas Evergreen
In the name of Blóm and tradition, Dutorians build small boats for their dead and set them out to sea in the belief that the sea will carry them to the edge of the world where the goddess resides. To build one of these boats takes one week and must be done properly. During this time, the body of the deceased is cleaned, prepped, and dressed for a long ceremony hosted by their families. During this ceremony, the family of the deceased place the body in the boat. As this boat is being set, they light the area around the body within the body ablaze and finally push the boat out to the expanse.
If the deceased’s remains are unable to be located, it is customary to place a large amount of the flower their family was named for into the vessel instead.
This period of mourning lasts for a week. During this time, the family of the deceased ‘pray’ their last words to Blóm in hopes that she delivers their messages, plant flowers in their name, and feast in their honor.
If the deceased’s remains are unable to be located, it is customary to place a large amount of the flower their family was named for into the vessel instead.
This period of mourning lasts for a week. During this time, the family of the deceased ‘pray’ their last words to Blóm in hopes that she delivers their messages, plant flowers in their name, and feast in their honor.
Dutorian architecture follows the same style conventions as that of medieval Scandinavia. Wood and thatch are the most common building materials, with piled stone occasionally used to provide firm foundations.
Personal homes are usually made of wood, using large logs harvested in the Forest Province to build up solid walls. Rooftops are often covered in soil to help provide insulation, with grass and flowers allowed to grow overtop to protect against erosion. For Dutorians involved in agricultural work or farmsteading, their housing is divided between “Innhus” (personal living quarters and food storage) and “Uthus” (indoor space for tools and animals/their food - essentially barns). Larger Dutorian families may build their homes in the longhouse style, of wood/wattle and daub with stone footings, ranging between 15 and 75 meters in length depending on the needs and wealth of the occupants. Other common structures to see in Dutorian cities are boathouses (by coastal towns) and fortresses known as “trelleborgs”. Dutorian boathouses, made of wood with stone piled at the base and often dug into the earth as well as built upwards, are designed to house ships during the winter, or whenever it is not possible to sail. These protect vessels from the harsh winters their lands face, and Dutorian ports will often have rows upon rows of these by the waterfront. Trelleborgs are fortified structures that became extremely common in Dutoria during the War of Seasons. Not all of them are still maintained today, but they can be seen across the land in regions most affected by Hovellian raids. They are always built in a circular shape, with gates and roads leading out in each of the four directions. Walls are made from thick timbers planted overtop raised mounds of earth. |
Examples of Dutorian architecture. Images sourced from Unsplash.
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Visual arts is the most common and widespread of the arts in Dutoria. It's not everyday you don’t see kids painting the streets with dyes made from berries or groups of people working on bright murals of flowers that span entire city blocks.
Music is also common in Dutoria. Some nights, some high classmen hold small symphonies usually made up of only string instruments for the enjoyment of the public. Along with the symphonies, Dutorians also have small vocal musical groups that often perform at the House of Life.
Music is also common in Dutoria. Some nights, some high classmen hold small symphonies usually made up of only string instruments for the enjoyment of the public. Along with the symphonies, Dutorians also have small vocal musical groups that often perform at the House of Life.
Foods and diets are usually the same across all of Dutoria thanks to the kingdom-wide trading service.
- Those closer to the seashores usually hunt fish and seals or their meats.
- Those from the province of Pesal supply the kingdom with all varieties of cold-weather veggies and fruits as well as cattle. Yeep’s milk is also a wide-known delicacy from Pesal.
- Those looking for other woodland meats can look to the people of Boryth for supply. Stags are widely hunted and small-game animals are not uncommon either here.
Dutorian society consists of three sections: the nobility, the high class, and the middle class. People in Dutoria who would technically be considered as low class don’t stay with that title for long. It is encouraged to help those who are less fortunate, so when people see someone in rags on the street, it isn't uncommon for someone to take them home and do whatever they can to help them.
The Nobility are the descendants of the founding houses of Dutoria. The main ones are house PrimRose, house Rose and house Dahlia. They are seen as the top of the high class and mainly live in wealthier cities such as Dura and Aurora, usually claiming housing in the more decent parts of the city. They are highly respected by most Dutorians despite their class and given special privileges because of that. The Nobility hold titles including Lord/Lady of Dutoria and the Counts/Countesses.
It is sometimes said that the nobility looks down on the other classes, mainly being the middle/lower class.
The high, but usually non-noble, class is comprised of the wealthy of Dutoria. They are the ones who can afford the luxuries that they live in. All cities and some small towns all have their own high class. The high class members are usually city leaders or people who have inherited their ancestors wealth. The high class are seen as just regular people who would rather pay to do anything that the class below them can’t.
Holds some minor-noble families such as house Daisy and house Snapdragon.
The middle class is everyone in Dutoria who isn’t largely wealthy or of royal descent; regular people who are above the poverty line. Seen as lowly by some members of the higher classes.
The Nobility are the descendants of the founding houses of Dutoria. The main ones are house PrimRose, house Rose and house Dahlia. They are seen as the top of the high class and mainly live in wealthier cities such as Dura and Aurora, usually claiming housing in the more decent parts of the city. They are highly respected by most Dutorians despite their class and given special privileges because of that. The Nobility hold titles including Lord/Lady of Dutoria and the Counts/Countesses.
It is sometimes said that the nobility looks down on the other classes, mainly being the middle/lower class.
The high, but usually non-noble, class is comprised of the wealthy of Dutoria. They are the ones who can afford the luxuries that they live in. All cities and some small towns all have their own high class. The high class members are usually city leaders or people who have inherited their ancestors wealth. The high class are seen as just regular people who would rather pay to do anything that the class below them can’t.
Holds some minor-noble families such as house Daisy and house Snapdragon.
The middle class is everyone in Dutoria who isn’t largely wealthy or of royal descent; regular people who are above the poverty line. Seen as lowly by some members of the higher classes.
The Spring Festival (March 20)
A celebration that commemorates the end of winter and the start of the spring season or ‘the season of new life’. This is a giant festival hosted in just about all parts of the kingdom to celebrate the new season and to give thanks to Blóm for bringing new life as she usually does throughout the year. One can expect to see most people wearing more comfortable and more colorful attire.
The Winter Ball (December 21)
A celebration that commemorates the start of the winter season. This ball is hosted across the entire kingdom, some just being hosted in town squares if the weather is not bad and is quite favorable. One can expect to see most people wearing their most elegant attire, with most choosing to wear white to represent Blóm bringing in the winter winds. The ‘main’ ball, however, is hosted in Dura and everyone (Including dignitaries being the Princes/and Princesses of Meros and Lords/ Ladies of Xocrium -And the rest of their nobility if they so choose to attend) are invited for a good time.
A celebration that commemorates the end of winter and the start of the spring season or ‘the season of new life’. This is a giant festival hosted in just about all parts of the kingdom to celebrate the new season and to give thanks to Blóm for bringing new life as she usually does throughout the year. One can expect to see most people wearing more comfortable and more colorful attire.
The Winter Ball (December 21)
A celebration that commemorates the start of the winter season. This ball is hosted across the entire kingdom, some just being hosted in town squares if the weather is not bad and is quite favorable. One can expect to see most people wearing their most elegant attire, with most choosing to wear white to represent Blóm bringing in the winter winds. The ‘main’ ball, however, is hosted in Dura and everyone (Including dignitaries being the Princes/and Princesses of Meros and Lords/ Ladies of Xocrium -And the rest of their nobility if they so choose to attend) are invited for a good time.
Dutoria primarily worships the goddess, Blóm; the all-mother; goddess of the north or goddess of rebirth as seen by most Dutorians. Blóm is usually depicted as a young girl with bright, pale hair with a crown of yellow primroses atop her head.
The people of Dutoria and those that celebrate the all-mother in Pruina hold her principles and teaching in a very high regard; Much if not all of Dutoria's laws are based solely off of her principles of peace, compassion, and tranquility and despite the War of Seasons - with all sins many had to commit to fight in the war -, most rarely deviate from that no matter how loose their beliefs truly get. Many Dutorians will tolerate the coexistence of deities from other cultures across the realm but will forever see their dear Blóm as the highest above all others
The people of Dutoria and those that celebrate the all-mother in Pruina hold her principles and teaching in a very high regard; Much if not all of Dutoria's laws are based solely off of her principles of peace, compassion, and tranquility and despite the War of Seasons - with all sins many had to commit to fight in the war -, most rarely deviate from that no matter how loose their beliefs truly get. Many Dutorians will tolerate the coexistence of deities from other cultures across the realm but will forever see their dear Blóm as the highest above all others
The Children of Blóm
The priests and priestesses said to be sent by Blóm herself to enact her will upon the world. They closely follow Blóm’s principles, acting as artists, teachers, poets, writers, etc. of Blóm. Some Children of Blóm, usually being the high priest/priestess, become trusted advisors to the Lords and Ladies. Children of Blóm can be identified through their long veils with embroidered flowers on them. It is even rumored than some high priests/priestesses drink a potion that slowly turn their skin color to a soft purple. No one knows why they do this or if it is even true.
Dutorian cities and villages usually all have large buildings that are dedicated to schooling Dutoria’s youth.
If one can not afford for their children to attend school or doesn't want to send them (the latter of which is very rare), one can simply teach their children themselves. After the age of 19 (the maximum age of youth when they decide to leave school, the minimum being the age of 15/16 ), advanced schooling in more complicated fields are offered in the capital, Dura.
If one can not afford for their children to attend school or doesn't want to send them (the latter of which is very rare), one can simply teach their children themselves. After the age of 19 (the maximum age of youth when they decide to leave school, the minimum being the age of 15/16 ), advanced schooling in more complicated fields are offered in the capital, Dura.
Just like most civilizations in the realm, Dutoria requires a wide range of skills and jobs in order to provide the daily necessities for its citizens. Common occupations are as follows:
- Fishermen
- Boater (sometimes meaning a person who makes boats or uses them a lot)
- Designer (interior designer, clothing designer, etc.)
- Traders/Merchants
- Architects (Fun fact: most people favor Archies who worked for the crown)
- Ranchers
- Farm Hands
- Gardeners
- Historians (Tasked with keeping and storing the history of Dutoria)
- Artists (singers, musicians, etc.)
- Hippogriff Tenders (Ones who care for young hippogriffs before they are sent to Aurora for training)
- Military (Minor medics, soldiers, suppliers, etc.)
Family is a powerful thing in Dutoria. It can be a lifesaver to some or a burden for others. Respecting the values of your family is a great thing to do, but in Dutoria it is neither forced or expected of you.
While the majority of Dutorians speaks the realm's Common Tongue, they also speak a more historic language; North.
North can be traced back to the time of the ‘Duric Tribes’ - the original name of nomadic northerners before Lady Iris founded Dutoria as a nation. While the language has greatly evolved since then, much if not all of Dutoria learns to speak the language alongside the realm-wide language. North can be described as sounding a lot like Icelandic but using a combination of larger words such as ‘boryth’ - which in North means Hunter - and smaller words such as ‘Ros’ - which in North means Rose but is also used as a general world referring to all flora or just as Flower.
Such example words are as follows:
North can be traced back to the time of the ‘Duric Tribes’ - the original name of nomadic northerners before Lady Iris founded Dutoria as a nation. While the language has greatly evolved since then, much if not all of Dutoria learns to speak the language alongside the realm-wide language. North can be described as sounding a lot like Icelandic but using a combination of larger words such as ‘boryth’ - which in North means Hunter - and smaller words such as ‘Ros’ - which in North means Rose but is also used as a general world referring to all flora or just as Flower.
Such example words are as follows:
- Nor - Male
- Nori - Child
- Nora - Female
- Noc - Nonbinary or refers to a person or entity in general
- Nov - Refers to older person; Also used to identify an authority figure such as nobility or mentor
Dutoria doesn’t really have a negative or positive outlook on dragons as a whole. Even when they were ruled under the Elder Drakes, they really didn’t hold any strong or long-lasting grudges against dragons.
The only dragon species they have encountered were Darklings, Moonvipers, and even happened to hear legends of Fireworms and Sundrakes from Xocrium. There was one encounter that was recorded during Lord Gunnar’s reign that showed dragons in a more positive light. A young lost Moonviper who was traveling from the kingdom of the Sundrakes was found wandering the streets of Dura. Guards took the lost dragon to Gunnar, who then proceeded to show him where he would need to go to get back to his people. The Moonviper thanked him and flew into the night, never to be seen again. The only thing that they have from this encounter is a small glowing piece of candlestone, gifted to them by the great dragon.
Dutoria regularly trades with Meros, and the two are undergoing preparation for an alliance in the coming future.
A long-time rival of Dutoria, they and Hovell have constantly been at war with each other due to Hovell’s power-hungry leaders. Only 11 years ago did the war come to an end, crowning Dutoria as the victor. Now with their young ruler, Dutorian leaders are secretly coming up with a legitimate peace treaty that might call for peace among the two nations
A mighty ally of Dutoria, they and Xocrium aided each other during the war with Hovell. Dutoria and Xocrium regularly trade and gift resources when they can. After Padwell succeeded in their revolt and escaped from Xocrium, Dutoria has agreed to aid Xocrium in their fight for Padwell, but only with resources, not military aid.
Dutoria and Padwell are not enemies, but certainly not friends, either. Padwell is wary of Dutoria and hopes that they do not side with Xocrium in any future wars they may have, but because of Dutoria's relations to Xocrium, one can already see why that is unlikely to happen. In recent years, the Queen of Padwell has made preparations for a possible alliance with Dutoria or even a possible peace treaty between them. Though it has not been officially shared with Padwell's officials, Dutoria has already allied themselves with Xocrium and does not seek to be in their crossfire.
The only dragon species they have encountered were Darklings, Moonvipers, and even happened to hear legends of Fireworms and Sundrakes from Xocrium. There was one encounter that was recorded during Lord Gunnar’s reign that showed dragons in a more positive light. A young lost Moonviper who was traveling from the kingdom of the Sundrakes was found wandering the streets of Dura. Guards took the lost dragon to Gunnar, who then proceeded to show him where he would need to go to get back to his people. The Moonviper thanked him and flew into the night, never to be seen again. The only thing that they have from this encounter is a small glowing piece of candlestone, gifted to them by the great dragon.
Dutoria regularly trades with Meros, and the two are undergoing preparation for an alliance in the coming future.
A long-time rival of Dutoria, they and Hovell have constantly been at war with each other due to Hovell’s power-hungry leaders. Only 11 years ago did the war come to an end, crowning Dutoria as the victor. Now with their young ruler, Dutorian leaders are secretly coming up with a legitimate peace treaty that might call for peace among the two nations
A mighty ally of Dutoria, they and Xocrium aided each other during the war with Hovell. Dutoria and Xocrium regularly trade and gift resources when they can. After Padwell succeeded in their revolt and escaped from Xocrium, Dutoria has agreed to aid Xocrium in their fight for Padwell, but only with resources, not military aid.
Dutoria and Padwell are not enemies, but certainly not friends, either. Padwell is wary of Dutoria and hopes that they do not side with Xocrium in any future wars they may have, but because of Dutoria's relations to Xocrium, one can already see why that is unlikely to happen. In recent years, the Queen of Padwell has made preparations for a possible alliance with Dutoria or even a possible peace treaty between them. Though it has not been officially shared with Padwell's officials, Dutoria has already allied themselves with Xocrium and does not seek to be in their crossfire.