Aratacian People

The **Aratacian People**, also referred to as **Aratacians** or **Aratacei**, are a Drodo ethnic group and the dominant group comprising the Kingdom of Aratacia.

## Origins

### Prehistory

The origins of the Aratacian people are somewhat murky, however a combination of historical research, archaeology, and myth analysis have partially reconstructed the early, pre-spacefaring past of the Aratacian people.

The Aratacian people were an offshoot, like all other Drodo societies, of the Original Drodo Civilization, which gave the Aratacians their most basic sociocultural institutions, such as patriarchal family structure and emphasis on martial and masculine virtues. It is believed that the Aratacians' immediate ancestors were a copper-age herding society, who descended from the steppe of Coron's main continent and conquered a large swathe of territory along the temperate, forested west coast, attempting to assimilate or displace the hunter-gatherer and sedentary societies already present.

These original, pre-Aratacian societies, which were largely matriarchal and continued the tradition of Star Goddess worship from the ODC, largely ceased to exist under the pressure of the violent, copper-using proto-Aratacians. These proto-Aratacians had retained the patriarchal structure of the ODC but had since begun worshipping a pantheon of warrior-gods, each of whom represented worship of a particular weapon, such as the bow and arrow, or sword.

### Bronze Age

After this point, the proto-Aratacians settled down and began to both herd and farm. The land was good for both, and the proto-Aratacians soon began smelting bronze and writing for the first time under the influence of more civilized societies to their south. Combined with the first recorded writings of Ancient Aratacian, an early form of Aratacian civilization had at last emerged.

Having settled down it appears from the mythological and archaeological evidence that bronze-age Aratacian society splintered into thousands of tiny tribe-states, ruled by warrior-kings who wielded tyrannical power over their subjects from the tops of fortified hills, and frequently fought wars of honour with other warrior-kings.

In Aratacian mythology, this period is symbolised by the tale of *Aratis and the Many-Eyed King*. In this tale, a young herdsman named Aratis ventures to take on the Many-Eyed King, who had eyes all around his head and whose gaze could render men impotent and impoverished. The King used this power to maintain an iron grip. Aratis, with help from the God of the Shield who promised Aratis the throne should he succeed, crafts an iron mirror-shield that reflects the King's gaze back onto himself, and using this weapon overthrows the tyrannical monarchy and replaces it with a just one.

It has been theorised that this story-- beyond being a recurring motif symbolising the fine line between tyranny and monarchy into the modern day-- is a dramatic retelling of the major cultural transformation that occurred among the Aratacians starting in the iron age, when the monopoly on precious copper and tin maintained by the petty-kings was broken by cheaper and more plentiful iron, which allowed for larger armies and larger states, ruled by more distant and accountable monarchs.

### Iron Age, Kingdom

As power consolidated into larger and larger states during the iron age, agricultural and civic technology also progressed, allowing for larger populations and the bureaucracies to effectively manage them. Warfare also evolved, with increasingly large and professional armies that were able to successfully fend off and even pillage and conquer the more settled and populous states to the south; in no small part due to copying what was effective regarding the southerners' ways of war. However, the primary opponent of the Aratacian people remained themselves, and while Aratacian politics had consolidated, it had only consolidated into a couple dozen states rather than a couple hundred.

One man changed this. Sevrasi I Bolov, king of the Bolovi state, was a gifted general and statesman who took an impoverished nation on the northeastern fringe of Aratacian civilization and turn it into the sole Aratacian state, and one of Coron's superpowers and do so within one lifetime. In large part, this was possible because of the spate of foreign invasions and plagues that had struck the Aratacians but had left the Bolovi largely unharmed due to the state's marginal status at the edge of the known world.

Taking advantage of the weakness of his enemies, he went on a vicious series of campaigns, rapidly conquering and consolidating his new holdings. His army, while small, was unmatched in quality; it was well-supplied on the strategic layer by an intricate series of roadside supply depots, set up ahead of his army by forage detachments and friendly states. On the tactical layer, Sevrasi's army was the first among the Aratacians to make use of the then-new muzzleloading, matchlock musket *en masse*, giving them a distinct advantage against the armies of heavy infantry and cavalry then-common in Aratacian warfare.

Within thirty years, the Aratacian people had been united for the first and final time under one government, which was fittingly called the Kingdom of Aratacia. In the seven-thousand years since then the particulars of the Kingdom's government have changed, but the state itself has remained the same. Therefore from this point onward the history of the Kingdom and that of the Aratacian people largely become one and the same.

## Physical Characteristics

While the Kingdom of Aratacia is a diverse society, and many Aratacians have non-Aratacian and even non-Drodo ancestry, some physical features are nonetheless considered quintessentially or traditionally "Aratacian".

Aratacians typically have a medium height and build by Drodo standards, with an average height of 5'5" for males and 5'2" for females. Like with most Drodo, Aratacians have physiques that tend towards wiriness as a consequence of high metabolisms and active lifestyles. Aratacian skin and fur colour varies from brown to white and grey-blue, however almost all ethnic Aratacians are distinguished by their mono-colour, unpatterned skin and coat in contrast to other Drodo races.

Aratacians typically have narrow, long antennae, green or blue eyes, prominent noses and foreheads, and thin lips. Aratacian hair is universally black or blue-black, and can be straight, wavy, or curly. Some features, such as the nose and eye colour, are recessive, and differences in these features-- such as darker eyes, or small or button-noses-- often come about through admixture with other ethnic groups.

## Familial Structure

### The Tli

The oldest, most important institution in Aratacian society is the extended family unit, called the *Tli.* A *Tli*-- which is translated most commonly as "clan", "tribe", or "commonwealth"-- is a large, tightly-knit social unit who share a surname passed down through the male line. These clans are comprised of many households, which are themselves comprised of a husband and wife, their unemancipated children, and any other dependents such as servants or clients, who when part of such a household adopt the surname of the *Tli*.

The husband-wife pairing of a household are its masters, and have unilateral authority over the household's affairs and over their dependents. Generally speaking, the master(s) of an individual household have autonomy in determining that household's rules, inheritance (which customarily goes entirely to the eldest son), and management of its constituent members.

*Tlis* are lead by a patriarch, known as a *Tlivet*. The *Tlivet* is typically a rather loose leader, who acts as the family's moral centre and as the person who is customarily given the final say on familial matters-- such as marriage, divorce, and the acceptance of a new child or dependent into the *Tli.* *Tlivet* legal authority on these matters varies from time and place, but for most Aratacians it is considered highly taboo to defy the legitimate ruling of a *Tlivet.*

*Tlis* are very hierarchical, with an established, unwritten pecking order existing between its constituent households and individuals based largely (but not entirely) on age and relative social station. It is expected that older and better-established individuals and households will look after their less well-off and younger *Tli* members, and in turn these lower-ranking members and families will defer respectfully in a client-patron relationship. At the top of the *Tli,* there is always the *Tlivet* and his household. This hierarchy is is very flexible and changes often with the shifting fortunes of *Tli* members.

Client-patron relationships even exist between entire *Tlis*, with whole clans pledging their loyalty and owing favours to another, typically aristocratic, clan, who in exchange assists the lesser clan economically and socially.

This same hierarchical relationship also exists between the children of a *Tli*. Though there are discrete households within a *Tli,* because of the closeness in which the family unit lives, little practical distinction is made between one's siblings and one's cousins, who Aratacians typically live right alongside and know just as well, if not better, than their biological brothers and sisters. A pecking order exists among the young people of the *Tli*, in which each child is expected to command the respect of and act as a secondary parent to their younger siblings and cousins, and in turn respect and defer to their elder siblings. This pattern continues into adult life, with the various households in a *Tli* being in large part made up of those who grew up together and know each other very well.

Due to the tight-knit nature of Aratacian family life, *Tlis* typically live in the same geographical region. *Tlis* may occupy a large village of their own, a section of a larger apartment building, or be spread out over a city block or a whole town. This geographical closeness is far from universal, and at any given time members of the *Tli* will be far away from home for reasons of business or travel. This is especially true of Spacer *Tlis*, who typically almost always lack a discrete "home" and instead maintain contact over large distances, meeting at certain times of the year to exchange family members, trade stories, and observe holidays and other celebrations.

### Courtship and Marriage

Aratacian courtship is typically an affair that involves the entirety of both *Tlis* rather than simply the romantic partners involved. While Aratacians are typically free to seek their own partners, the parents and other relatives of the couple take active roles in monitoring the relationship for its long-term viability, and managing the course of the relationship when necessary. It is expected that both partners will be introduced to their respective *Tlis* and be assessed by the *Tlivet* himself later on, which is a rite of passage that can guarantee or doom the relationship based on his approval or disapproval. These courtships are exclusively heterosexual.

The marriage proposal is always initiated by the man, at a time of his own choosing (though often only after seeking the advice of his relatives). The proposal is made by leaving a braid of horsehair containing a gold coin at the front-door of her parents' house in the middle of the night-- a traditional Aratacian sign signalling the desire to negotiate. The next day, both *Tlis* enter brief negotiations over the date of the ceremony and bride-price. While in earlier periods these negotiations were very real, in the modern period concepts such as bride-prices have become dated, and therefore these negotiations have become highly-ritualised ceremonies meant to offer gravitas to both families as well as a chance to maintain face.

Typically, the parents of the couple lead the negotiations under the advisory of their *Tlivets*. The parents of the bride-to-be are expected to aggressively drive for a high bride-price for the family member they are losing from the *Tli*, at which point the parents of the groom, in an act of generosity, are supposed to give in to a compromise favourable to the bride's family. Typically the "bride-price" agreed upon is a token meant for ceremonial purposes, but the purpose of the negotiations themselves are to maintain the honour of both families.

After the negotiation ceremony is completed, the families agree on a date for the marriage and depart. The date is typically some months away, as the arrangements for an event as grand as an Aratacian wedding are complex. An Aratacian wedding brings together most or all of both *Tlis* in a getogether of potentially thousands of people. Larger weddings may be an occasion to see multiple marriages and be many days-long affairs.

The marriage ceremony itself is complex. Aside from the hundreds of regular guests, both bride and groom accrue significant entourages who are expected to play a role in the multitude of pre-wedding rites and help the guests. The groom's entourage is comprised of his close male friends, often a dozen or more, who act in the role of groomsmen for the wedding and accompany the groom in the final wedding ceremony. Just as well, the bride has a similarly-sized entourage of bridesmaids, who, along with the bride's father (or closest equivalent older male relative), accompany the bride in the final ceremony. The culmination of days of partying and carefully-proscribed rites is presided over by a Rhyan priest: wedding vows are exchanged, as are rings, and the couple is considered, officially, to be married.

## Names

Full Aratacian proper names are comprised of four parts: a given name, a Rhyan name, a *Tli* name, and a patronym.

The *given name* is assigned at birth by the parents, and it is the only name which the parents choose. This name is typically a traditional ethnically-Aratacian one. Traditional male names include *Aratis*, *Tevvivisc*, *Kartes*, and *Sevrasi*. While male names come in many forms, traditional Aratacian female names are typically bisyllabic, ending with the feminine suffix *-an.* Examples include *Viran* and *Irsan.*

The *Rhyan name* is given by the priest who baptises the child, which is customarily done three days after the baby is born. This is the name of a Rhyan saint, and the name chosen is said to be revelatory of the child's fate later in life, with some part of their life story being a reflection of their namesake's. Though uncommon, some Aratacians choose to go by their Rhyan name, such as Vivian Molvisc.

The *Tli name* is the surname, and is derived from the *Tli* into which they are born. *Tli* names are almost always patrilineal, as it is typical that women marry into their husband's *Tli* and not the other way around. However, those born to single mothers take their mother's *Tli* name, as naturally do those who are born in the unique arrangement of a husband taking their wife's *Tli* name.

The *Patronym* is the name of their father given the *-filu* ("son of-") suffix if male, and *-filan* ("daughter of-") suffix if female. Where no father figure is present, an Aratacian may take the name of their mother or that of another older male relative, mentor, or guardian. This is also often done in the case of adoption, and may be done as a unique and rare method to honour a mentor, especially if one's biological father is departed or estranged.

An example of a full Aratacian name would therefore read: *Tevvivisc Augustine Molvisc Teddelicfilu.*

## Religious Beliefs

The majority of Aratacians are Rhyans. The specific denomination native to the Aratacian people is the **Aratacian Metropolitan Church of Rhya**, which is a Lessoan-derived sect followed by 85% of the citizens of Aratacia. Aratacian Metropolitanism is notable for its veneration of saints, multitude of rituals, hierarchical structure (which ultimately answers to the Patriarch on Lessos), and unique architectural and aesthetic motifs. Aratacian metropolitan churches are ossuaries, where the bones of many thousands or tens of thousands of former members of the congregation are arrayed in and on the architecture in displays often unnerving to outsiders. Compared to other sects, Aratacian Metropolitanism is intense both in ritual and in doctrine and highly communal in its expression.

## Dress

As a rule, Aratacians take pains to present themselves in public in a formal and dignified way. Men's fashion is dominated by two- and three-piece suits in the slimming Aratacian cut. Favoured materials for pants, jackets, and waistcoats include tweed (typically in darker or muted colours), corduroy, and cotton. Suits are generally worn with thin ties (often made from a coarse, textured linen), bowties, or cravats of silk or a similarly soft and sleek material. Shoes with either a pointed or squared tip complete the outfit. In more casual settings, the jacket is usually eschewed and only the waistcoat and dress-shirt are worn, or both are replaced for a sweater.

There is a degree of unisexuality as regards Aratacian fashion in that it is not uncommon or unusual for women to wear pants, dress shirts, or waistcoats, particularly in a casual or work setting. The realm of exclusively women's fashion is predominantly taken up by single-piece dresses: loose, practical, and comfortable, they are typically richly coloured and made of soft materials. Dresses are seasonal, with their overall design, colouration, and choice of material changing with the change of the seasons. For instance, summer dresses tend to be slightly shorter, sleeveless or with short sleeves, and made of a breathable material like linen or silk. Typically, they come in soft but bright yellows, greens, and oranges.

Traditional Aratacian ethnic garb consists of trousers and a buttoned shirt for men, and a loose, flowing dress for women, with both sexes pairing this with a sleeveless vest and a cloth cap with a forward-facing fold called an *Aratem*. While the traditional costume in its entirety is not uncommon, more often than not elements of this garb, such as the vest or cap, become integrated into outfits.

## Miscellaneous Notes

* The Aratacians are notorious throughout the galaxy for their superstitious nature. Beliefs in bad luck, unbreakable taboos, good and bad spirits, and monsters abound, as do the little rituals Aratacians perform to appease these mysterious forces. Most of the superstitions are many millennia old, with their origins forgotten in the deep pagan past.
* Most Aratacians are religious. Most are well acquainted with the Rhyan holy texts and can cite important chapters and verses from memory. A unique feature of Aratacian religiosity is their veneration specifically of Rhyan saints, to whom Aratacians regularly appeal to for guidance and help.
* As a rule, Aratacians speak and write in a manner vaguely reminiscent of nineteenth and early twentieth century English. This is to say: close adherence to formal grammar rules, use of older definitions of words/older terms dating to this period, complex sentence structure, reduced use of contractions and compound words, and relatively little presence of slang and obscenities. The most formal communiques make use of even more archaic conventions. It's important to note that there are many exceptions to this rule among Aratacian characters which may be due to their social or occupational background, their experience with other cultures, or their present circumstances causing them to adopt a new way of speech.