Culicarti

A Culicarti woman, as illustrated by KurmaRumaPortrait of a Culicarti woman, as illustrated by KurmaRumaThe Culicarti are a humanoid race/species in Vanquera with shining, ebony skin that is decorated with metallic markings all across their bodies. Similar to that of the Almanari, they rank themselves by the type of metal in their skin.

## Customs

### Dress

Culicarti wear textiles made from the fibers of a special plant that only grows in regions nearby. They use these plants to weave a soft cloth that they later dye with all sorts of vibrant colors. This cloth is then cut and stitched together to form dresses, shirts, pants, and the like. They are then decorated with elegant markings reminiscent of the plants they are made from.

The Culicarti generally do not wear jewelry made of metal, as to them it is the equivalent of wearing their own bones. Doing so is a big taboo in their culture, even for non-Culicarti.

Contrary to popular belief, however, their distaste for metal jewelry does not dissuade them from wearing armor of metal or clothing adorned with metal markings or fastenings. They recognize the usefulness of armor, and will use it if it means protecting themselves. In battle, their armor is traditionally decorated with metals in a similar pattern to those embedded in their own skin. This functions both as a means of identification when fully armored, but also as a way of indicating rank at a glance.

### Marking Reading

In Culicarti culture, some like to indulge in a practice of interpreting marking styles. This practice is taken less seriously than others and is not always considered factual.

Outside of the type of metal, there are two major ideas:

#### Rounded Markings

Rounded markings indicate a fluid personality. A person with a fluid personality is more likely to be persuaded by others. If a person has more rounded markings than sharp, it's thought that can be an indication of excessive gullibility or credulity. The more of these types of markings, the more sympathetic the person is thought to be. They are more willing to forgive. Fluid leaders will be more lax on enforcing and establishing laws. They seek to change and be changed, allowing their opinions to be influenced should they be presented with evidence they find compelling.

#### Sharp Markings

Sharp markings indicate a rigid personality. A person with a rigid personality will take a lot to be persuaded. If a person has more sharp markings than round, it's thought that can be an indication of excessive stubbornness and apathy. The more of these types of markings, the sturdier the person is thought to be. These people have a hard time letting go of things, tending to seek revenge for wrongdoings. Rigid leaders enforce their laws heavily, never relenting without exception. They hold firm to their beliefs, unwilling to change their minds for any reason.

Generally, a mix of the two is thought to be ideal.

## Culicarti Paralysis

Culicarti paralysis is a rare form of Culicarti-specific disease in which the metal markings in one's body form together as lumps that disable movement at certain points in the body. There is no known cure, but remedies that involve injections to reduce metallic growths and surgeries to cut apart and remove stuck metal are often used as temporary solutions. If left untreated, this disease can become fatal, depending on how and where the disease propagates in the body. The Almanari can become afflicted with a similar disease.

## Culicarti Mana Deities

As all Mana Deities are wholly organic, many Mana Deities formed from Culicarti will lose their distinctive markings. As such, Mana Deities are seen as evil entities in the eyes of the Culicarti. While some Culicarts may disagree with this idea, sharing such an opinion will result in being permanently exiled from Culicarti society. Any Culicart caught experimenting with Mana is stripped of any and every metallic marking on their body, leaving them with permanent scars should they live through the experience.