Culture of the Isles

While culture varies sharply between various ethnicity and locations, a few things hold true in large part due to the five-hundred years long reign of the White Witch, and the Aidelian Empire.

## ***Gender, Sex, Love and Marriage in the Isles***

The people of the isles hold rather egalitarian views on gender with both sex having the same rights, although the societies have some form of gender division of labor and roles, these are not inviolable and men acting in traditional feminine roles, or women in masculine roles are considered perhaps a little curious, but not scandalous.

Sex is not typically taboo among the people of the Isles, although whore mongering, and seduction with no intent to commit to a relationship are typically seen as poor behavior, and criminal offenses in some jurisdictions.

### ***Marriage and Family***

The common people of the isles typically marry for love rather than power or status, although this is different for the nobility. The people and the church of light recognize same-sex unions. It is also not uncommon for people to change their gender, which is blessed by the church and maybe accomplished by magic or alchemy.

Marriage within the isles varies greatly from culture to culture, but certain elements are generally shared among them. If the marriage was not arranged by a matchmaker, typically the suitors will get together and in turn ask for the blessing of the parents of their spouse-to-be. Once the blessing of the parents in laws is acquired both families typically get together to discuss the dowry to be paid; setting the new couple with what they will need for their new household such as tools, money, or land.

A marriage may involve more than two individuals so long as all parties consent to the union. Should these steps fail the couple may elope, forgoing their family and dowry in favor of their love of one-another. The age of marriage is 15 within the isles, although marriage of people of vastly different ages are frowned upon. In practice most marry later in life, being too busy learning a trade for matters of romance.

Once the parties are in agreement the wedding ceremony can proceed, headed either by a member of the clergy, village elder, or local alderman. Specifics of the ceremony vary wildly by culture, but It is traditional for the groom(s) and bride(s) to be wed within a circle of salt, an old tradition meant to ensure a fae had not secretly replaced one or both of the spouse-to-be.

Family names within the Isles is typically matrilineal and children bear the surname of their mother (or that of their birth giver in the case of transgender or non-binary individuals)

### ***Childhood and Adulthood***

Childhood varies greatly across the isles, but for the most part young children grow up with their family, learning the common language and culture, as well as those of their ancestors. Around five most children begin attending some light schooling provided by the Church of Light in most regions. In addition to this, most children start helping their parents and learning their trade.

At fifteen a child becomes an adult, which means they are free to leave their parents home if they desire to do so and become an apprentice, join the clergy, attend university, or enlist in the military. People in the Isles are still not considered full-adults however, this typically requires them to complete their education which lasts somewhere between two to seven years. In practice most children remain with their family, especially among peasants.

## ***Faith in the Isles***

The Dominant faith within the Isles is the Church of Light, worshiping Aideilia the white witch and mortalkind’s savior. The public face of the Church is divided between the Vestals, also known as Daughters of Adeilia, and the Fellowship of Light, composed of non-witchblooded mortals.

Still many pagan faiths remain active through the isles, and those who are considered harmless are allowed to go largely unimpeded. Such faiths include;

* Atheism
* Udun Ancestor Worship
* Yuani Animism

With the fall and the new darkness, a few schismatic group have formed within the Church. Such as the Sin-Bearers. The relationship between these and the orthodoxy can be tense at time but largely remain peaceful due to a belief they ultimately share the same goals and faith but not practice.

## Economy and Currency

By and large the nations of the Isles rely primarily on agriculture as the foundation of their economy, although a few places such as certain Sveniar free cities are primarily dependent on trade, or the pirates of the Bay of Klein make a living through piracy.

### Currency

During the Golden Age, the Aidelian Isles saw a reformation of currencies until one single monetary system became dominant across 90% of the isles called the Silver Weight. This system was based on the value of a standardized silver ingot which was divided into one gold crown, 20 silver crown, or a thousand copper pence.

A standard silver Ingot is 20 ounces of pure silver. A Silver bar is about 2” x 3.5” 1” in size and weights slightly under a pound. It is then subdivided into a variety of coins in silver and gold which had equal weight-to-face value used for large transactions, and smaller copper coins called the pence whose value is largely symbolic.

* 1/4s Quarter Pence
* 1/2s Half-Pence
* 1s One-Pence
* 2s Two-Pence
* 5s Five-Pence
* 10s Ten Pence
* 25s Silver Duke
* 50s Silver Crown
* 100s Electrum Duke
* 200s Electrum Crown
* 500s Golden Duke
* 1000s Silver Ingot
* 1000s Golden Crown
* 20000s Golden Ingot

Although the Empire has crumbled, the old monetary system largely remains out of convenience. Although gold and silver coinage may differ in shape and appearance, they retain the same weight-value as the old imperial coins.