The people of Ironbrook have both first, middle and surnames, of Russian, Bulgarian, Siberian (or adjacent regions) origin. Parents tend to carefully choose names for their children depending on what sort of virtues they hope them to hold in the future. It’s also common to reuse names, such as naming their children after their parents.
Brookian middle names are chosen based on the parent’s name; a son would have their father’s first name as their middle name, a daughter her mother’s, etc.
Last names tend to be hyphenated, with the mother’s name first, then the fathers, though parents are allowed to agree upon a singular name if they’d prefer. It’s rare for Brookians to change their own surname when marrying, and instead the altered names are passed on to any children they might have.
Examples:
Brookian middle names are chosen based on the parent’s name; a son would have their father’s first name as their middle name, a daughter her mother’s, etc.
Last names tend to be hyphenated, with the mother’s name first, then the fathers, though parents are allowed to agree upon a singular name if they’d prefer. It’s rare for Brookians to change their own surname when marrying, and instead the altered names are passed on to any children they might have.
Examples:
- Dafo Kuznetsov-Petrov
- Hristo Anton Sidorovsky
- Bisera Minskey-Levin
- Radomira Maya Markoff-Morein
Burial depends on stature in Ironbrook. At the top of the mountains and in most of the cities, when someone dies, they are taken to an embalmer, who takes the organs out and either a. Donates them to someone in need or b. Take them to a lab for testing. Everyone is an organ donor, no matter who they are. Then, the body is burned and given to the family as an heirloom.
Art is very important to Ironbrook. Only the best pieces of art make it to the surface, as every occupation is a difficult and competitive world.
Food is produced by the lower cities to provide a job and a role. It’s also easier because there aren’t as many animals on the summit or near the higher cities. Food is farmed, bred and harvested, then transported to the larger cities. There are also synthetic plants grown in remote areas of Ironbrook near the top. These plants are grown faster with more nutrients, then they, too, are exported to the cities. Usually they are grown within large greenhouses that can span for miles. The same goes for animals that bred for specific reasons.
While some would argue there really isn’t a class system, there is an elite group of people who live in the higher cities and a middle class. There are a few people below the middle class, but they are only there because they do not have the ambition to join the ranks of the elite.
While there are minor religions to other gods and deities, the overall religion is the devotion to the Augury, who founded Ironbrook in all of her merciful glory. She has protected them for centuries and as far as Ironbrook is concerned, she will always be there. Right now, there are a few major holidays in Ironbrook. The Augury’s supposed birthday, the origin day of Ironbrook, the Necromancer’s birthday, etc. However, usually deities don’t have national celebrations, as it is not the Ironbrook way.
Education is incredibly important in Ironbrook. It dictates where you live, what your income is and how important you are. That’s why from a young age, children are enrolled into prestigious schools. They wear uniforms and some schools are even boarding as the children get older.
Your status in Ironbrook also depends heavily on where you go to school. If you live in the lower cities of Ironbrook, you aren’t as likely to climb the social ladder. Thankfully, many of the schools located in the higher cities of Ironbrook allow children from the lower cities to enroll on scholarship, some schools even allow boarding there for scholarship children.
After school (there’s Primary school, Secondary school, Tertiary school and even in some places, students can choose to either stay in Ironbrook or go abroad to other kingdoms and countries!
Your status in Ironbrook also depends heavily on where you go to school. If you live in the lower cities of Ironbrook, you aren’t as likely to climb the social ladder. Thankfully, many of the schools located in the higher cities of Ironbrook allow children from the lower cities to enroll on scholarship, some schools even allow boarding there for scholarship children.
After school (there’s Primary school, Secondary school, Tertiary school and even in some places, students can choose to either stay in Ironbrook or go abroad to other kingdoms and countries!
Ironbrook is not short on occupations. Doctors are a revered occupation, as are politicians, engineers, scientists, teachers/professors, business owners, inventors and anything anyone can think of, Ironbrook has an expert in that field going above and beyond to make a difference.
Ironbrook’s currency comes in several shapes and materials. All coins are marked with Repel and Illusion runes on one side, to protect against forgeries, and a face on the other.
These coins are as follows, sorted from least to most valued:
These coins are as follows, sorted from least to most valued:
- Tin kopek - a small coin made of aluminum with the Augury’s face on one side. Equivalent to a single cent.
- Brass kopek - a larger brass coin with the Augury’s face on one side. Equivalent to a quarter.
- Copper kopek - a medium-sized copper coin with the Augury’s face on one side. Worth about a dollar.
- Mances - a medium-sized coin made from tin, with the face of the current necromancer on one side. Worth about five dollars.
- Auguries - a small platinum coin with the Augury’s face on one side. Worth about fifteen dollars, and is usually only used for larger purchases.
Family life in Ironbrook is nothing to sneeze at. Children are brought up with the expectation they do great things. Most of the time, children are pitted against their siblings by parents, teachers and other adult figures. Oftentimes this leads to turmoil in families, but it's all for the greater good and expansion of Ironbrook. Down the mountains, the people are more relaxed, expecting less of their children partially because there's less they can realistically achieve.
Ironbrookians are taught many languages. Many Ironbrookians are able to become diplomats and ambassadors to other countries and live among some species of dragons because of this.
In Ironbrook, there is little that is frowned upon when it comes to magic and magical properties. While yes, magic does have its limits and there are basic ethical rules that must be adhered to, overall there is little that stands in the way of magical progression. Both necromancy and harvest magic are entirely legal in Ironbrook, and there are many schools that teach the crafts of alchemy and runesmithing.
Up in the higher cities, magic is performed and used in all business, districts and fields. Sciences and engineering are well versed in Alchemy and Runes. The military is well versed with runes, but they know their fair share of combat magic as well. The Augury herself is well acquainted with all types of magic, and even has her own pet Necromancer.
In Lower Ironbrook, familiars are an uncommon sight. They wander the forests between the villages and towns, sometimes bonding with the citizens...or not. Familiars have fascinated upper Ironbrook for centuries, and oftentimes, they and their chosen partners are invited to join the society of upper Ironbrook.
Necromancy is celebrated and feared in Ironbrook. It is celebrated because without Necromancy, they would have lost their beloved Augury by now. It is, however, feared because Necromancy is the magic of the dead. Currently, the official Necromancer is a boy named Arius. He often stays with the Augury, only coming out to make public appearances. The citizens of Ironbrook try to look at the positive side of things: The Augury will never die because of this boy.
Up in the higher cities, magic is performed and used in all business, districts and fields. Sciences and engineering are well versed in Alchemy and Runes. The military is well versed with runes, but they know their fair share of combat magic as well. The Augury herself is well acquainted with all types of magic, and even has her own pet Necromancer.
In Lower Ironbrook, familiars are an uncommon sight. They wander the forests between the villages and towns, sometimes bonding with the citizens...or not. Familiars have fascinated upper Ironbrook for centuries, and oftentimes, they and their chosen partners are invited to join the society of upper Ironbrook.
Necromancy is celebrated and feared in Ironbrook. It is celebrated because without Necromancy, they would have lost their beloved Augury by now. It is, however, feared because Necromancy is the magic of the dead. Currently, the official Necromancer is a boy named Arius. He often stays with the Augury, only coming out to make public appearances. The citizens of Ironbrook try to look at the positive side of things: The Augury will never die because of this boy.
The Windwyrms once were a friendly race of bird-dragons, but in recent years, when Ironbrook has tried to interact, they have eaten the ambassadors sent their way. Until further notice, the Augury has forbid further contact with the savage beasts.
For the past hundred years or so, Ironbrook has exchanged goods with the Stormheralds. It has been a very beneficial relationship, even though both Ironbrookians and Stormheralds are aware that their agreement is business only.
In the eyes of Ironbrook, Hovell is the land of barbarians and a waste of good potential. To Hovell, Ironbrook are the aristocratic godlings that live on their mountain. They are both aware that they need each other, but the relationship will forever be on thin ice.
Ironbrook is aware of the carnivorous manta dragons living in the depths. Ironbrook finds them fascinating and have in the past, captured and tested the beasts...in secret.
Ironbrook has tried to stay neutral with their fishy neighbors, the Southern Shipwreckers. But with the pirates and the Pirate Queen not controlling her pirates, eventually the Augury did what was best and severed the relationship.
Ironbrook views the Springsingers as fairly harmless. They are aware of their hedonistic ways and while they do have open communications with the small dragons, they are unsure what to make them.
For the past hundred years or so, Ironbrook has exchanged goods with the Stormheralds. It has been a very beneficial relationship, even though both Ironbrookians and Stormheralds are aware that their agreement is business only.
In the eyes of Ironbrook, Hovell is the land of barbarians and a waste of good potential. To Hovell, Ironbrook are the aristocratic godlings that live on their mountain. They are both aware that they need each other, but the relationship will forever be on thin ice.
Ironbrook is aware of the carnivorous manta dragons living in the depths. Ironbrook finds them fascinating and have in the past, captured and tested the beasts...in secret.
Ironbrook has tried to stay neutral with their fishy neighbors, the Southern Shipwreckers. But with the pirates and the Pirate Queen not controlling her pirates, eventually the Augury did what was best and severed the relationship.
Ironbrook views the Springsingers as fairly harmless. They are aware of their hedonistic ways and while they do have open communications with the small dragons, they are unsure what to make them.