Mage Culture (W2W)

In Welcome to Warmthorne, Mage culture is heavily influenced by both humans from Earth and the biology of Mages--although, like any culture, is still mostly social.

## Mage Beliefs About Humans

Humans are viewed as weak and needing protection. They are far and few in Warmthorne, often ostracized by society and pushed to live in smaller villages rather than cities. Some Mages propose laws that "baby" them in one way or another, while others think the best course of action would be to return them to Earth, "where they belong." Most simply want to avoid humans out of convenience or lack of understanding.

In countries where there’s a low human population, they’re often forgotten about instead of outright attacked. Buildings that have bathrooms rarely have ones accessible to humans. Unlike K Mages, most Warm companies don’t bar humans from applying for jobs, but many still choose not to hire them.

Warm law does not include measures to prevent this kind of discrimination against humans. However, it does offer them some protections. When reported, physical attacks against humans are taken more seriously and given harsher punishment than attacks against other Mages, since Mages are physically stronger than the average human. Buildings which specifically advertise themselves for human use are required to have human-accessible bathrooms. Doctors who are educated in human biology are not allowed to decline them medical service simply because they feel uncomfortable with humans.

## Cultural Differences

There are a number of cultural differences between Mages and most of the humans at SOL Academy.

### Clothing

Mages are expected to always cover their hands with gloves, Pure Mages typically wearing thin pairs and K Mages thick ones. It's common practice to carry multiple pairs in case of emergency.

Knee highs are considered hypermasculine, and over-the-knee socks and thigh highs are considered hyperfeminine. Meanwhile, loose-fitting and A-line dresses are considered gender neutral and are normal for men and boys to wear in hot weather. Ribbons are a symbol for Pure Mages and are worn regardless of gender as hair, neck, and shirt collar accessories. Very few K Mages wear these.

A popular article of clothing across the continent is a long, open jacket that goes down to about the knee. This is usually informal and worn over a tank top, button-down, or light sweater. Non-K mages rarely wear this. In Ashland (a predominantly K Mage country), thin, waist-length cloaks, with and without hoods, are also common. Wearing them in Warmthorne would draw suspicion, however.

In Warmthorne, bare nipples are not allowed in public regardless of sex or gender, with certain exceptions such as breast feeding.

### Relationships

Mages and humans are not allowed to marry or have sexual relations. This is because most Mage fluids are incredibly toxic to humans and could send them into shock. Platonic or strictly romantic relationships are legally permissible but culturally frowned upon. Mages who take part in this are seen as predatory due to the physical and social disparity between them and humans.

Apart from that, romantic relationships in most of the continent are assumed open unless discussed otherwise. It's common for Mages to have a single romantic partner but several sexual ones, or one sexual partner and multiple romantic ones. Complete polyamory is also more prevalent.

Marriage is not common. It's almost always reserved for royalty, celebrities, or other prominent figures. Asexuality and aromanticism are generally respected, except for members of a royal family, who are still expected to have long-term heterosexual relationships and children.

## Slang and Other Terms

**buenas** greeting, farewell -- an informal way of saying hello or goodbye

**pleasure** greeting -- a formal way of saying hello, especially to someone new

**on responding** adjective -- used similarly to *on call*; when a Warm guard is off duty but can be requested to work at any moment

**sunburn** noun -- when the sun is highest in the sky, used similarly to *sunset* and *sunrise*

**bit** noun -- one minute (used numerically, not as *a bit* or *some bits*)

**barter** verb -- to compromise on the price of an item or service

**sweet chocolate** noun -- milk chocolate

## Trivia

* Last names and titles are reserved for extremely formal settings. Using them in day-to-day conversations is seen as offensive.
* Middle names do not exist in Warmthorne.
* Due to a more blurry understanding of gender, most Mages will default to they/them and neutral terms until learning a person's gender.
* Bathrooms are typically divided into human and Mage, not man and woman.
* Handshakes are not common.
* Hearts represent sexuality instead of love and are often worn by sex workers.