Satuvan

Minaurv Kassigren, an Eilesa, Satuvan ambassador to Louisia. Their surname means Rusted Plow

The Satuva are a quick, punctual, and fierce naval power who use every resource on every piece of land they can. Sustainably, so that they can continue to use these resources in the future, Satuvans find creative and unique uses for anything at hand. This resourcefulness is often used as an excuse to occupy land, claiming that its previous inhabitants did not make good use of it, ungrateful for its wealth.

Things are tense between the Satuva and their Northern neighbors, the Gabura. Gaburan lands originally stretched down into the grassy and marshy areas that the Satuva now inhabit, with the Satuva as a minority nation hugging the coastline and being primarily a naval force. At the beginning of the modern age, as mass media such as the radio began to both shrink and widen the world, the Satuva decided to expand into Gaburan territory and lay their claim on a section of the map, making a name for themselves in the global ledger for the first time.

Today, with Gaburans a small minority in the Southern portion of their native land or crowding further Northern cities, the Satuva insist that the swath of marsh they now occupy was always theirs. Satuvan families have lived on this occupied land for generations, now too entertwined with it to return it to its original stewards without completely uprooting Satuvan livelihoods.

The world over, Satuvan-made paints are renowned for their smoothness, pigmentation, and evenness. The culture of pigment and paint crafting is substantial, however, there is not much of a painting culture.

## Naming Traditions

### Family names

Uniquely, Satuvan family names refer to objects. Families have a representational object/artifact used as a symbol for their ancestry and history. Often, if the bloodline has a unique trait such as iridial heterochromia or a genetic trend towards twins or triplets, their symbol represents this in some way, in varying degrees of subtlety. Examples include Lasuhrka (sea urchin), Me'arollu (ancient/inherited'forged ring), and Cliausda (hair ornament, also used as a colloquial name for a certain kind of saltwater eel in some regions). Names are inherited from the birther, as is the norm of those cultures of Paan Atta whose family names are inheritable.

### Other names

Unlike the majority of cultures of Paan Atta, Satuvan personal names have gendered connotations. Names are taken at the traditional age of adulthood, 24. Before then, children are referred to by who their parents are, their basic physical features, or what they are doing at the moment.

Names of the elegant and scholarly Eilesa have an emphasis on humming or drawn-out vocal tones. Examples include Dieral, Sueavar, and Lanovan. Names of the eager and encouraging Vidcka have an emphasis on individual consonants. Examples include Zodavit, Gizura, and Mistka. Names of the skeptical and humorous Andjiga sometimes reference family history and are longer than other personal names. Examples include Nisaba-Anani, Lorencruta, and Distuda-Dakvisi.

## Culture

### Major language groups and dialects

The Gaburan dialect is a significant minority, primarily in ancestrally Gaburan lands. It is stigmatized, with a norm of code-switching. Aside from ethnicity-related dialects, the Satuva are generally homogenous as a nation with a relatively small spread.

### Common Etiquette rules

Withholding one's political ideas among the Satuva is seen as a major weakness and cowardice, as is lacking or claiming to lack such opinions. Amicable and extensive debating is a major cultural ideal, especially with young people, foreigners, those without local jobs, and travelers.

Mentioning what time of day you were born or under what phase of the moon is superstitiously very bad, said to give an opening to harmful and deceptive spirits.

The number 3 is generally regarded as bad luck for mythological reasons, and thus having more than two children is seen as strange, but in modern times is generally taken much more lightly.

### Foods & Cuisine

Interestingly, the cuisines of other nations are highly prized by the Satuva, with extensive replication, importation, and consumption. Traditionally Satuvan dishes often include very little dairy, with bodily intolerance thereof a common ethnic trait. The skins of potatoes, eggplants, and similar fruits and vegetables are often fried, made crispy, grilled, or similar and mixed throughout dishes or placed on top of them for flavor and texture.

### Common Customs, traditions, and rituals

Playing harmless tricks and practical jokes on visiting foreigners is a time-honored custom, with many tourists being encouraged by this and finding it fun. Those visiting on business often find it refreshing on an otherwise serious trip.

## Ideals

### Beauty Ideals

Eilesa are expected not to tan or have skin marked in any way by the sun, often wearing broad brims, long sleeves, gloves or partial gloves, and tall boots. Their hair is ideally long, but usually tied in some way, oiled, and well-kept.

Vidcka have short hair, with an ideal on volume and "fluffiness", as well as brushing, combing, and a lack of oil and perfume. Larger hands are idealized for this gender, as are longer legs.

Andiga have mid-length hair that is ideally frequently trimmed and partially tied, partially down. More intricate plaits or similarly detailed styling is the ideal preparation, contrasting with the simple tying of the Eilesa. Darker skin and smaller noses are idealized for this gender.

### Gender Ideals

The Satuva have three gender roles, more based on sociality and personal attributes than a craft or occupation. A role is officially chosen at 24, the traditional age of adulthood, although roles are usually leaned towards, hinted at, and gently encouraged in childhood.

The Eilesa are scholarly and focus on the study and perfection of their craft or trade. Socially, they are elegant and reserved with humor to be gentle. They ride side-saddle, even if a saddle is not in use. Their clothing is more robelike and physically restrictive, generally, but of softer and more comfortable material. Their reserved mannerisms involve a posture of knees that need not be tightly closed but are not to be set wide.

The Vidcka are encouraging and social, admiring others and encouraging their potential. The expectation on them physically is of preparedness, and they have the largest and most abundant pockets, belts, bags, and weapon sheaths. Their belts are set at their hips rather than their waist, and bags hang at this height or lower. They keep their feet on the ground when they sit.

The Andiga are skeptical and nuanced, expected to correct others and challenge illogical or overly fixed ideas. Their clothing is sashed, taken in, belted, or otherwise smaller and/or more colorful at their waist. They generally sit with both feet up in some way and are the gender seen fit to discipline/train animals, rowdier children, and the inebriated. Ideally, they do not marry another Andiga. For reasons of temperament, they are the only gender with any such restraint.

### Courtship Ideals

In a traditional Satuvan courtship, both partners initiate around the same time, with neither in the lead as that is seen as an unhealthy power difference. Public demonstrations of affection are romanticized and encouraged, and in their absence, a partnership is seen as strained.

### Relationship Ideals

For the Satuva, the ideal romantic relationship is between people who work together professionally in the same role, craft, or trade. Working together towards a goal or deadline is the romantic ideal, with friendly competition encouraged when not to detriment or rush the work.