Elements of Gaia

♦ Gold {Goldenrod#2}, Black, & Orange {DarkOrange2}

♦ Adulthood is 12-13
♦ Military age is 13-14
♦ Marriage age is 18

♦ Most Aerans have compact builds and light hair or hair that fades to have light ends.
♦ Eyes are commonly shades of brown or blues. Gold is rare
♦ Skins tones rang from peach to dark brown
♦ Average heights are from 5’5-5’11

♦ Females and males are seen as equals.
♦ There are more women in their military with men staying more to defend the home front.
♦ Leader positions are nearly evenly held by both genders.

♦ A very open society that accepts many sexualities.
♦ Only about half of their population ‘experiments’.

♦ Sex is seen as a common and healthy baser instinct.
♦ Sex before marriage is common and accepted.
♦ Aerans only marry if they are completely certain they are in love and wish to spend their lives with their spouse.
♦ Aerans sometimes participate in multi-spouse marriages.
♦ Orgies are not uncommon, though they are restricted to private residences or specialized club areas.
♦ Sex can be between people of the same or opposing genders.
♦ Having children before marriage isn’t very common, but well accepted.
♦ On average Aerans have 2-3 children.

♦ They have leisurely paced lives with little stress outside of the wars.
♦ Grudges and issues are expected to be dealt with quickly. There are places set up for Aerans to spar to help release tensions between each other.
♦ Dating is usually short-lived as they believe one can tell if they are compatible early on.
♦ Soldiers and those who leave to defend their land are respected since they are the reason Aerans can live so freely.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Hair can range from shaved to hip length.
✓ Common length is cropped or shoulder length.
✓ Most common style is French braided or down.

♦ Male
✓ Hair can range from shaved to hip length.
✓ Common length is either shaved or down to hip.
✓ Most common style is a stop braid.

♦ Both
✓ It’s common for them to dye or bleach the ends of the hair.
✓ For formal events they often braid feathers, beads, or ribbons into flowing styles.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Casual clothing can range from jeans and tank tops to mini-skirts with stockings and vests.
✓ Heals or heeled boots are generally formal

♦ Male
✓ Casual clothing can range from jeans and tank tops to just jeans or shorts.
✓ Fancy boots are formal wear.

♦ Both
✓ General fashion resembles very ‘rocker’ apparel.
✓ Netting is fashionable, but not really practical. They know this.
✓ Formal wear has very free flowing and layered designs.
✓ Boots are the most common footwear.
✓ Their fabrics are water resistant to accommodate their flying.
✓ They have ‘undergarments’ but do not view them showing as shameful.

♦ Theology
✓ Aerans believe their spirits were born from the winds and when their time is over, their spirit rising to soar in the sky with their ancestors. In accordance with this belief it is tradition to cremate their dead and scatter the ashes during the Winter Solstice Festival.
✓ They believe the sun is the birthplace of souls and the moon is where souls may rest from their long day of flying through sky.
✓ They believe all souls are born from the sun and that each elementalist’s powers comes from the path their soul took on their way to the womb.
✓ It is accepted other beliefs are out there, some Aerans believe the other cultures are allowed to be wrong. Other Aerans have a genuine curiosity and consider that maybe non-Aerans do have a different resting place in the afterlife.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Communal bathing- Throughout the mountain regions Aerans prefer to habit are natural hot springs they have built public bath houses around. Many believe the hot springs contain mystic healing powers.
✓ Orphans are raised by a community with two leaders as the ‘Prime Parents.’
✓ Festivals—Aerans do not need much reason to have a festival. These festivals include much dancing, singing, banquets, and general merrymaking. They do have 3 ‘sacred’ festivals a year for the summer and winter solaces as well to honor life.
✓ Small dragons are commonly kept as companions in Aer.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Desserts—Aerans love desserts. They have a type of donut that can be dipped in many different sauces ranging from sweet ones to spicy ones and even bitter sauces.
✓ They have lots of poultry dishes prepared in special glazes and herbs native to their mountains.
✓ Alcohol—Aerans love to drink wines, especially those imported from Ingenium.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ Elected officials are chosen by the people and referred to as ‘Wise Ones.’
♦ These Wise Ones lead until they are either removed by demand or return to the great sky.
♦ There are seven of them, usually but not always, four females and three males.

♦ Allies
✓ Obrizus—
--Cultural similarities: Obrizus and Aer are both open minded and believe in the improvement of people. Aerans through skill and Obrizusians through medical science.
--Trade Advantages: The Aeran mountains are home to some of the richest ore mines on Gaia. Through their treaty, Obrizus gains access to these metal ores and Aer gains access to goods such as bionic wings.

♦ Enemies
Aer is the only country fighting a completely defensive war.

✓ Terra—
--Defensive: Cultural differences and a desire for the mountains has kept Aer fending off Terra for centuries. {More details in Terra’s section}
--Specific Targets: Field commanders to end the battle quick or anyone who seems to throw the biggest boulders.

✓ Fulgur—
--Defensive: More than mere cultural differences keep Aer at war with Fulgur. They are also fighting for their freedom as those in Fulgur wish to enslave them.
--Specific Targets: The mecha suits that are in the air with them or those charging up clouds for thunderstorms.

✓ Pyro—
--Defensive: Aer defends their land from Pyro to avoid enslavement and protect their hot springs the Pyroans desire.
--Specific Targets: The field commanders or cannon operators.

✓ Cryo—
--Defensive: Aer is just one of many countries defending themselves against Cryo’s conquest to reform the world.
--Specific Targets: Anything they can see moving in the blizzards Cryo tends to bring.

♦ Neutral
✓ Ingenium—
--Cultural Similarities: Ingenium and Aer are the two most peaceful and leisure oriented countries of Gaia. Each loving and respecting the natural order of life and the inner peace freedom brings.
--Trade Routes: Aer enjoys the benefits of Ingenium’s many exotic fruits and medicines while Ingenium is granted access to materials and minerals scarcely found outside of Aer.

✓ Unda—
--Silent Agreement: Aer doesn’t really interact with Unda, but remains neutral with them through a silent agreement that neither truly wants war with the other.

♦ Aer, Terra, Pyro, & Obrizus have roughly the same populations.
♦ They live with high numbers in more enclosed areas.

♦ It is common for Aerans to read and speak Aeran, Gaian, and Obrizusian.
♦ Their basic education usually finishes around the time they are 15, though many continue on into formal colleges or self study and attend classes at their leisure.
♦ Education in Aer is seen as something to be passionate about and pursued as an interest.

♦ A little too accepting of things. They're pretty stagnant in their development since they don't see a need to improve on what works.
♦ This also leaves many of them apathetic to the moral standings of other kingdoms.

♦ Chocolate Brown {Sienna4}, Orange {Orange1}, & Blue {RoyalBlue}

♦ Adulthood is 15-16
♦ Military age is 17
♦ Marrying ages vary from clan to clan with 20-24 being the most common.

♦ Mostly medium to large builds. Many are either overtly muscular or plumply proportioned.
♦ Eye colors range from browns to greens.
♦ Hair colors are generally in darker shades of browns or blondes.
♦ Skin tones are most commonly in the darker spectrum of browns and tans.
♦ Average heights for females are 5’10-6’10 and males 6’1”-7’6”
♦ A birthmark in the shape of a three pointed mountain can be found on a rare amount of Terrans.

♦ Males and females are seen as equals.
♦ Most of the Elders are men, but it is not uncommon for a woman to be an elder.
♦ Most clans are patriarchal, but there are some that are matriarchal instead.
♦ Either gender could pursue most jobs.

♦ They are strictly heterosexual and see pairs outside of male and female as against the natural order of things.

♦ Sex before marriage is taboo.
♦Sex is seen as an act between two people to show intimacy or bear children.
♦ Courting can be long or short, but is always for the purpose of marriage.
♦ Marriage is generally reserved for those who have found their soul mate.
♦ Re-marriage is frowned on, but not unheard of if a spouse was lost before children were born.
♦ On average Terrans have 3-5 children.

♦ They live steady lives, generally filled with day to day tasks or work.
♦ They’re expected to handle issues on their own and if they can’t, they are to take it up with the elders.
♦ If one is not working, they are generally considered lazy and a burden to their clan. {The exceptions to this are the elderly, young children, or the unwell.}
♦ Most of what they do is intended to be productive, even hobbies tend to revolve around productiveness such as gardening or pottery.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Hair can range from shoulder length to right above the posterior.
✓ Shorter hair is usually styled straight while longer hair is pulled up in practical style.

♦ Male
✓ Length can range from shaven to mid-back.
✓ Their hair is generally wavy or straight, but always natural.
✓ They wear their hair down or in a braid.
✓ Sometimes their beards are also braided.

♦ Both
✓ Hair can be decorated for festivals.
✓ Though they don’t often wear ornate styles, their hair is almost always clean and well groomed.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Long dresses or simple skirts with blouses are the common wear.
✓ Dresses can either come with built in corset strings or corsets can be worn over them.
✓ Vests are also common as well.
✓ Formal wear is often dresses of finer materials that are decorated with ornate embroidery.
♦ Male
✓ They generally wear breeches or trousers with tunics or blouses tucked into their pants under jerkins.
✓ Not as commonly, but some men wear closed vests alone with their pants.
✓ It’s frowned upon in the company of women, but when tilling the fields, men occasionally disperse with their shirts all together.
✓ Formal clothing almost always requires fine breeches, a blouse, decorated jerkins, and a fine coat.

♦ Both
✓ Barefoot or boots is the usual style for most warriors or workers.
✓ Soft small shoes can be worn around the homes for comfort in daily work or crafting.
✓ They are a modest society when it comes to their clothing.

♦ Theology
✓ Terrans believe that long ago, Gaia was created by a goddess. She was beautiful and loving in her creation of the planet.
✓ When she was done, she and her lover decided that Gaia needed people to tend it. So from the Earth she created humans and taught them to survive. Her lover then taught them how to make creations of their own so they could be like the goddess.
✓ Her work done, she went to the biggest mountain and lay down to sleep, becoming the earth. From there she continues to give her children souls to live, love, and create.
✓ Her lover then cried tears of happiness and sorrow for his missed her. These tears became the oceans and seas. He then lay in the ocean beside her and fell asleep, letting his body become the waters.
✓ As the goddess and the god’s souls were intertwined with never a temptation to be separated, Terran believe they also have a single lover out there whom can never be replaced.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Mud Wrestling Festivals— Every spring after the snow melts, there are large areas of Terra covered in mud. Terrans view this as a symbolic reunion between the goddess and the go whom created their people. In their honor, for a day the young adult Terrans throw away their modesty and wrestle each other in the vast muddy pits. The winners are crowned King and Queen of the mud and receive a special place at the head of the feast that evening.
✓ Soul Mates— Terrans believe there is one soul mate for everyone. If one is a man, their soul mate is a woman. If one is a woman, their soul mate is a man. If their soul mate dies or they never meet them, they are to remain single forever.
✓ Courting— A Terran only initiates courting if they firmly desire to marry. The one being courted usually takes much time in deciding if they truly love the one seeking their hand.
✓ Exchange of Treasures— A few times a year, Terrans from different clans at a marketplace near the center of their continent. There they exchange items they worked hard crafting and decorating. This exchange is done to honor, remember, and show the god and goddess the hard work that the Terrans value so much.
✓ Bears— Bears are often kept as companions and guards of the home in Terra.
✓ There are sometimes small skirmishes between clans, usually settled by the Grand Council.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Stews—Terrans are known for their meaty stews filled with vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and peas.
✓ Roast— They are also known for their honey glazed roasted boars often served during the feasts alongside stews, salads, and fresh rolls.
✓ Ales— Though Terrans enjoy milks and juices, they are known for their ales, brewed and fermented in caves near their homes.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ Terrans are governed by the grand council of elders, made up of leaders from the primary clans of Terra.
♦ They have a unified inter-clan army, primarily built up from volunteers. If their numbers are too low, clans are required to send a minimum amount of soldiers to help out. The amount is based on clan population size.

♦ Allies
✓ Ingenium—
--Cultural similarities: Their elements and beliefs are similar in a way. They both believe in the natural order of things and Ingenium’s element is attached to the cycle of life.

✓ Unda—
--Friend of a friend: Terra recognizes that water is the largest natural source in the world and thus respects Unda’s life in it. They have gained an alliance do to Ingenium, but Terrans are grateful for it.

♦ Enemies
Terra is trying to make the world a better and more moral place.

✓ Aer—
--Offensive: Aerans can fly with their control over the air. That by itself is unnerving, but no reason for the Terrans to wish war on them. However, their alliance and use of Obrizusian bionics has earned them the ire of Terra. Even before Aer allied with Obrizus, Terra has sought to take control of Aer’s mountains where it is believed mystic hot springs reside. Many Terrans think those hot springs may be where the god and goddess became part of the world.
--Gains: The mystic hot springs, teaching Aerans proper modesty.
--Specific Targets: Any Aeran who appears in charge of their flock.

✓ Pyro—
--Offensive/Defensive: Terrans have very little interest in Pyro’s land or their crusade to change the way the world functions. However, Terra refuses to stand by while Pyro makes slaves of their people. Instead, they choose to take the fight to Pyro and fix the few ‘issues’ the Pyroan culture kept.
--Gains: Peace of mind, stopping an injustice, and some very fertile land.
--Specific Targets: The field commanders or cannon operators.

✓ Obrizus —
--Offensive: Cultural Differences: Obrizus is involved in by far the most unnatural experiments. What’s worse is that these are normalized and accepted by the entire population of Obrizus and even other countries. Plus they operate a slave trade. Terra has an exceptional dislike and hatred for Obrizus.
--Gains: Stopping their experiments and access to new minerals land.
--Specific Targets: Wiping out bio-engineering and slave traders.

♦ Neutral
✓ Fulgur—
--Mutual Benefits: They respect the natural way the body works and appreciate the fine craftsmanship of Terran jewelry. Fulgur also seem to understand the better way to negotiate trade is through peace.

✓ Cryo—
--Cultural Similarities: Terra and Cryo both have strict and sacred views of marriage, families, and love. As Terra is not a country of war mongers and Cryo has yet to try and invade, they happily remain neutral.

♦ Aer, Terra, Pyro, & Obrizus have roughly the same populations.
♦ Their population is a bit wide spread with lower numbers in concentrated areas.

♦ It is common for Terrans to speak Terran, Gaian, or Ingenium.
♦ Their basic education finishes around 13, though they often continue their education beyond that.
♦ They often take apprenticeships and primarily focus working on the trade that greatly effects their livelihood.

♦ Terra is very closed minded to outside morals or ideals.
♦ They are connected to the very earth that all life resides on and they have little interests in the beliefs of peoples who would deny that.

♦ Lavender {LightSteelBlue}; White; Light blue {DeepSkyBlue}

♦ Adulthood age is 17-18
♦ Military age is 17
♦ Marrying age is 17-24

♦ Fulgurans tend to be medium to large sizes with ‘squishy’ builds being more frequent.
♦ Eyes colors commonly range in the blues or browns spectrum.
♦ Hair colors are generally blondes and silvers with white being uncommon, but not rare.
♦ Generally dark shades of peach with very tans here and there.
♦ Average heights for females are 5’2”-5’6” and males are 5’4”-5’9”
♦ On rare occasions, a Fulguran can have a Spirograph like birthmark.

♦ Sexist in the favor of men.
♦ Fathers are the heads of the family.
♦ Women are the heads of the home/estate to reduce the stress on their husbands.
♦ A woman of nobility or royalty can only marry on her level or higher, but it is acceptable for a man to marry lower.
♦ All occupations are open to both.
♦ Both are allowed to own property.

♦ Fulgurans are accepting of all sexualities as it is seen as a natural part of who they are.
♦ However, if the queen married another woman, they would be required to find a man suitable to act as King and produce an heir for them.
♦ The reverse is true for a King marrying a man.

♦ It is acceptable to have sex before marriage to their fiancée/betrothed.
♦ However, if they have sex before marriage and then wish to dissolve the arrangement, that is a social no no.
♦ Sexual promiscuity is something nobles and royals simply do not do.
♦ Those of the lower classes however can do so without too much social repercussion since their heirs lineage is not seen as important.
♦ On average Fulgurans have 1-4 children.

♦ They tend to try and live fast paced lives. Issues should be settled quickly. Hurt feelings should be pushed aside, buried, or gotten over since grudges are a waste of time.
♦ They're not foolish enough to believe in ignoring slights. There is wisdom in the past and for example, they wouldn't be quick to trust a known liar.
♦ The exception to quick living would be nobility choosing their spouses because political ties are serious business and their heirs affect the future more so than peasants.
♦ Nobility & royalty are more valued than peasant/merchants/lower class. Technicians are however equal to nobility, though not royalty.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ High class—Long elaborate hair styles, not down. Anything else is a sign of laziness and neglect.
✓ Low class—Shoulder length or longer. Wearing hair down is fine and is in fact the norm. They try to emulate the style of nobility.

♦ Male
✓ High class— Shoulder length hair, often styled and well kept to demonstrate care and attention to hygiene. Shorter is also acceptable and common. Long is slightly frowned upon, but still acceptable.
✓ Low class— Short hair is common and expected. Medium length is seen on occasion, though frowned upon as it shows a desire to copy high class men which is seen as more desperate amongst men than women.

♦ Both
✓ Slaves—Heads are usually kept shaved or very, very short. Masters can choose to let their servants hair grow out. Anyone not a slave with shaved or bald heads are highly frowned upon and considered committing a taboo.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ High class—Layered dresses with corsets and cinches.
✓ Primarily wears heels or heeled boots.
✓ Low class— Layered dresses with built in corset straps or cinches.
✓ Primarily wears heeled short boots.
✓ Both— Can be seen in pats and formals jackets for running errands around town.

♦ Male
✓ High class—Blouse, vest, jacket combinations.
✓ Fitted pants or slacks.
✓ Primarily wears buckled shoes or boots.
✓ Low class—Generally wear vest and blouse combinations.
✓ Both— Fitted pants or slacks.
✓ Primarily wears buckled shoes or boots.

♦ Both
✓ Primarily Victorian era garb.
✓ Though they do import a few other fashions {Mainly from Pyro or Obrizus since their fashions are more in line with the modest morals of clothing. Aer and Unda wardrobes would give a few of them heart attacks} for manual labor/practical uses.
✓ Women and men adhere to clothing rules of modesty. Either gender walking around topless would be scandalous.
✓ Formal attires are generally just more ornately embroidered or decorated forms of their everyday clothing.

♦ Theology
✓ Fulgurans do not believe in souls.
✓ They believe there is a spark that keeps them alive and that it courses through all life.
✓ They respect the Pyroan belief of ‘soul flames’ because from Fulguran viewpoint it does make sense, even if it’s wrong.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Balls and celebrations— Common in Fulgur as they are a way of showing status and wealth.
✓ Courting— Fulgurans tend to place much effort into finding suitable matches. They buy expensive gifts and show their commitment through personalized jewelry or hair pieces.
✓ Trinkets—They have little things to help them in everyday life. For example, electrically powered shoes with retractable wheels and tiny motors. Hologram communications, 3-d tv & video games. They have the fastest internet speeds of the 8 kingdoms, portable computers ex—laptops, the small computer we call ‘droid phones’
✓ Dancing—Fulgurans participate and know many formal dance styles from their allies as well as their own styles.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Casseroles—Fulgurans are known for their many kinds of casseroles. From chicken casserole to cheese and broccoli.
✓ Muffins—Another Fulguran delicacy is there fruit flavored muffins. Banana, apple, blueberry, and strawberry are their most popular.
✓ They enjoy teas, sweet wines, cow’s milk, and ales to drink.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ Fulgur is ruled equally by a King and Queen.
♦ The King and Queen are always a partnership, though not always married.
♦ The position is usually inherited, however they do occasionally ‘retire’ a King or Queen who have become unfit for their station.
♦ In the event a replacement is needed, the position goes to the closest living relative.
♦ There are 8 noble houses of Fulgur, 9 if one counted the royal house.

♦ Allies
✓ Pyro —
--Cultural similarities: Fulgur and Pyro share a similar hierarchy for their rulings classes and similar moral standards. Their elements also run along similar origins and abilities.
--Slave Trade: Both countries use slaves and take prisoners of war as slaves during their battles.

♦ Enemies
Fulgur wishes to further their own country, warring with those who can give them a great advantage.

✓ Aer —
--Offensive: Cultural difference: Fulgur sees Aer as one of the countries in need of being civilized and reformed. Their hedonistic ways are inappropriate and probably cause lots of unnecessary grief.
--Gains: Aeran slaves are highly desired as they have lots of stamina and a lagre variety of skills. They also do not shy away from wearing less... modest slave attires. Land; They live around natural hot springs.
--Specific Targets: La Sirene because of her status as the most deadly soldier in all of Aer.

✓ Cryo—
--Defensive: They mainly fight Cryo to keep them from taking over Fulgur and to help Pyro defeat them.
--Gains: The potential for longer life spans. Good Slaves: They live an extra long life and so long as they're not too powerful, outside of their cold environment their energy sucking isn't all that impressive.
--Specific Targets: The high priests who have the most medical power to try and get the slow aging knowledge. Though really, they hate all Cryoans.

✓ Obrizus —
--Offensive/Defensive: Cultural differences: Fulgur feels the biogenetics performed by the Obrizusians are unnatural and an act against the natural workings of the body. Their lack of a respectful hierarchy is disturbing. Fulgur intends to implement one. Plus they take Fulguran slaves and that is not acceptable.
--Gains: They happen to have access to the best and purest metallic materials such as Mythril and Obsidian. Plus they control it. Conquering them would give Fulgur control over such materials. Though dragon scale is still up there as one of the bests, it's not as malleable.
--Specific Targets: Wiping out bio-engineering and slave traders.

♦ Neutral
✓ Terra—
--Cultural Similarities: Terrans respect the natural order of their bodies, much like Fulgurans. They also produce exquisite pottery and jewelry the Fulguran enjoy wearing.

✓ Ingenium —
--Medicine: Fulgur respects the medical advancements Ingenium doctors have made. They see the wisdom in keeping them as allies and also enjoy the food and medical care their merchants and doctors provide.

✓ Unda —
--Healthy understanding: Wet things may conduct electricity well, but Fulgurans understand water itself does not. And when the majority of the planet is covered in it, they find it safer to allow the storm to pass over them instead of trying to control it. Even if it is savage.

♦ Fulgur has the smallest population since they tend to have smaller families and live in more concentrated areas.
♦ They also have the lowest out of wedlock birthrate. {Rivaled only by Terra because of their belief in soul mates}

♦ It is common for Fulgurans to speak and read Fulguran, Gaian, and Pyroan.
♦ Their basic education continues until they are 17. Then they enter specialized schools which teach them the more specific knowledge they need for their stations in life.
♦ Example of these schools would be finishing school for ladies and lords; business for merchants; medicine for doctors; ect.

♦ Judgmental and they view other countries as backwoods, archaic, stuck in the dark ages, ect.
♦ This leads to them viewing most other peoples as beneath them and thus secondary beings fit for slavery.
♦ They also tend to get so wrapped up in progress forget to live in the present.

♦ Red {Brown3}, Gold {DarkGoldenrod 2}, & Violet {DarkOrchid4}

♦ Adulthood age is 19
♦ Military/Apprenticeship age is 19
♦ Marrying age is 21

♦ Pyroans tend to be either compact or overtly muscular with few in betweens.
♦ Eye colors are commonly shades of blue. Royal Pyroans have always had violet eyes.
♦ They general have hair in shades of blond, brown, or red.
♦ Despite their near constant exposure to fire, Pyroans are usually peach toned with darker tones coming from mixed blood with their slaves.
♦ Female height range from 5’3”-5’6” with male heights being 5’7 to 5’10”

♦Though ruled over by a Queen, Pyro still maintains strict gender roles.
♦ Men are more often warriors and politicians with women ruling over the homes and families.
♦ Both genders fill the military as they view power over fire to be unisex.
♦ Women handle the finances and stress of the home so their husbands can focus on war.
♦ Switching these roles is uncommon and treated as odd, though there are no laws against it.

♦ Pyroans do not understand homosexuality as there is no hope of producing children.
♦ Bisexuality is accepted as children can still be gained even if an outside donor is required.
♦ Outside donors are never spoken of and are paid discreetly through a third party.

♦ Sex before marriage is acceptable so long as it produces no children.
♦ Only sex between two people is accepted.
♦ Sex with slaves is considered tacky, but not taboo or forbidden.
♦ It’s more accepted for men to be promiscuous than for women to be.
♦ Have a strong faith in love and passion. However, the belief in pride and duty is stronger.
♦ This leads to nobles and royals marrying for political reasons.
♦ If their children fall in love, that is taken into account for the final pairings. Otherwise they may risk an affair that would hurt the political partnership more than a canceled betrothal.
♦ They don’t believe the heart can love more than once at a time, but they do believe love can be found again.
♦ Royalty doesn't marry below nobility.
♦ Noble men can marry below them, but women can't.
♦ Peasants are pretty free to marry anyone, though the sex & no kid thing is still there.
♦ On average they have between 1-4 children.

♦ Their lives are generally leisurely paced with little stress outside of the wars.
♦ Slaves or servants usually tend the hard labors, leaving nobles and royals freedom to run the country and estates.
♦ Most slights in honor are handled with a duel or spar, however slights older than a few years should be let go for self-progress.
♦ Courting, whether for political reasons, emotional reasons, or both can be short or long, but is always taken seriously and generally includes gifts to both parties.
♦ Slaves are seen as secondary humans and therefore are never Pyroans or Fulgurans.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Usually long, above the waist is rarely seen.
✓ Most common styles for Royalty are up dos with ornate hair pieces.
✓ Nobility often wears their hair in simple style, but with ornate hair decorations.
✓ Peasants leave their hair down or in simple styles.

♦ Male
✓ Usually long, but shoulder length is not uncommon.
✓ Most common styles for royalty are to have the top shorter and styled to spike like flames while keeping a long braid.
✓ Nobility often keeps their hair braided or sports shorter styles.
✓ Peasants usually keep shorter hair styles for easier maintenance.

♦ Both
✓ Slave hair styles are at the discretion of their owners, usually kept in easily maintained styles.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Wear long usually flowing skirts or dresses.
✓ Backless tops, strapless wrap around the necks are also fashionable.
✓ Stomached are generally covered up, though some cleavage is acceptable.
✓ Heeled shoes are generally reserved for formal occasions.
✓ Formal dresses are more ornately decorated and almost always feature flame like embroideries.

♦ Male
✓ Pants are expected at all times.
✓ Wearing vest or shirts that have deep v-necks are acceptable and fashionable.
✓ Being completely topless is reserved for outdoor activities or working out/with powers.
✓ Formal wear usually consists of fitting pants and a blouse with a vest or jacket over it.
✓ Vests or jackets almost always feature flame like embroideries.
✓ Fancy boots are generally formal wear.

♦ Both
✓ Dressing outside of their gender, with the exception of soldiers is scandalous and taboo.
✓ Royalty also tend to have jewels embroidered in their formal wear.
✓ Neither gender tends to wear a lot of layers since they frequently work with fire.
✓ Short boots of typical footwear.

♦ Theology
✓ Pyroans believe all souls begin with a small flame. Over time the flame is nurtured and gains in strength until it becomes a baby. Once a baby is born, their soul is supposed to grow stronger and brighter throughout their wholes lives.
✓ Once a person dies, their flame is extinguished to make room for the next flame to begin and grow. Their body is then cremated, otherwise they believe that flame cannot be reborn.
✓ The brightest souls produce the strongest flames and are to be the most respected of people. Having the strongest fire powers, therefore the brightest souls, is why the royal family has always stayed in power.
✓ They also believe passion is one way to increase the flame of their soul.
✓ Pyroans believe other peoples must be born different as their have no connection to their souls flame. However, they do believe Fulguran souls must hail from a similar birthplace as their sparks are similar to Pyroan flames.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Tradition: Tradition and the natural order of things is important. They believe people are meant to be led, Cryoans are unnatural cause of their taking away energy, and the body needs no severe improvements.
✓ Courting: Pyroans tend to place much effort into proving themselves to their ideal lovers. They buy expensive gifts, before grand romantic gestures, and show their commitment with golden rings.
✓ Summer Ball: Every summer the grand royal palace is opened up to the public for a grand ball celebrating life, love, and Pyroan pride. Everyone is allowed to attend, the country’s specialties are served and music is played.
✓ Slave Trade: Slaves are almost never of Pyroan blood. They are mainly prisoners of war. Pyroans aren't against slavery, they just see themselves above being slaves. Slaves are usually used for manual labor or housekeeping/serving. Sex slaves are illegal, though have sex with one's slave isn't.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Spicy— Pyroan specialties usually involve their famous hot sauces made from a special Pyroan pepper.
✓ Chili—Made with the Pyroan pepper and beef, their most famous dish is chili. It can be prepared a number of different ways, but almost all of them leave foreign mouths watering.
✓ Alcohol— They prefer wines to hard liquors, but have been known to down meads.
✓ Drinks—Their most common beverages are wines, juices, or milk.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ Their leader has been a Starborn since Pyro was founded.
♦ If there are multiple siblings, the eldest daughter usually ascends to rule.
♦ However, it is not taboo for a son to gain the throne. He is expected to marry when taking it and to heed his wife’s advice. This tradition was started when the first King left for war and his wife was left to rule. Since then the King has been leader of the military and the Queen the leader of the country.

♦ Allies
✓ Fulgur —
--Cultural similarities: Fulgur and Pyro share a similar hierarchy for their rulings classes and similar moral standards. Their elements also run along similar origins and abilities.
--Slave Trade: Both countries use slaves and take prisoners of war as slaves during their battles.

♦ Enemies
Pyro fights a primarily offensive war

✓ Aer —
--Offensive: Fear: They present one of the larger threats to Pyro as Pyroans have a disadvantage to stronger Aerans who fly without bionic wings and can steal the fire's strength with the vacuum abilities. The average Aeran soldiers aren't that big an issue though as Pyroans target the wings and depending on individual strength could make more fire than the Aerans can put out.
--Gains: Aeran slaves are highly desired as they have boundless willpower and fighting spirits. They also do not shy away from wearing less... modest slave attires. Land; They live around natural hot springs.
--Specific Targets: La Sirene because of her status as the most deadly soldier in all of Aer.

✓ Terra —
--Offensive: Culture difference: Terrans are backwoods to Pyro. Their culture is seen as behind and archaic in comparison to Pyro. Fear: They live underground and have control over the very dirt Pyroans live on. That's not okay with the Pyroans. The idea the Terrans could invade and crush their cities before Pyroans could fight back is terrifying.
--Gains: Loot. They have the best craftsmanship in the world. Their weapons, their pottery, their jewels, all highly exquisite and desired.
--Specific Targets: The Grand Council of Elders to destroy their leadership.

✓ Cryo—
--Defensive/Offensive: Fear: Sure Unda & Ingenium are considered the strongest world forces, to Pyro they're not threats since they're neutral with everyone. However, the enemy who can steal their very flames? Yeah, that's not okay. Plus they naturally outlive them, so much no.
--Gains: They're hoping to force the Cryoans to giving them longer life spans as well. After all, in ancient times the Cryoans' life spans were just as short. Good Slaves: They live an extra long life and so long as they're not too powerful, outside of their cold environment their energy sucking isn't all that impressive.
--Specific Targets: The high priests who have the most medical power to try and get the slow aging knowledge. Though really, they hate all Cyroans.

✓ Obrizus—
--Offensive: Cultural differences: Pyro would consider the bionic research unnatural. One should be proud of their body, small physical changes such as tattoos, make-up, or piercings to enhance natural beauty is one thing. Genetically inserting little nano-bot things or bionically fusing their skin to the metal... that's going way too far. Also their total lack of peasants and nobles/royalty is disturbing. How dare they mix blood like that.
--Gains: They happen to have access to the best and purest metallic materials such as Mythril and Obsidian. Plus they control it. Conquering them would give Pyro control over such materials. Though dragon scale is still up there as one of the bests, it's not as malleable.
--Specific Targets: Just the materials and to wipe out bio-engineering.

♦ Neutral
✓ Ingenium—
--Medicine: Pyro may find passion and honor in battle, but they respect the peaceful ways of Ingenium. They find comfort in a culture that has so much love for each other and that makes the best and most effective healing remedies.

✓ Unda—
--Not suicidal: Pyroans recognize Unda’s power and the fact they just want to be left alone. Pyro can live with that.

♦ Aer, Terran, Pyro, & Obrizus have roughly the same populations.
♦ They live with high numbers in enclosed areas.

♦ It is common for Pyroans to speak Pyroan, Gaian, or Fulguran.
♦ Their basic education is finished around the age of 16.
♦ After that they begin the apprenticeships or move on to specialized schools.
♦ Nobility and Royalty are also expected to learn world history and politics.

♦ Super prideful and passionate which tends to lead to rash and ill thought out decisions.
♦ They also have a greedy mentality of needing everything and anything.
♦ Out to conquer the world.

♦ White, Violet {Indigo}, & Blue {DodgerBlue2}

Cryoans age the same as the other kingdoms until around 14 when they begin to age at 1/3 the rate.
♦ Adulthood age is 21-22
♦ Military age is 22
♦ Marrying age is between 35 & 50

♦ They tend to be long and slender with a few being overtly muscular.
♦ Their hair colors are usually in the dark ranges. Dark brown, dark red, or dark purple.
♦ Eyes are usually either very dark or have no color around the pupil at all.
♦ A rare trait for Cryoans is to have pointed ears.
♦ Their skin tones are generally light, but could be peach, brown, or green. Likely natural camouflage.
♦ Average heights are 5'5"-6'0" for females and 5'6"-6'1" for males.

♦ Males and females are seen as equals.
♦ Sometimes they do have lower opinions of females from other countries.

♦ Since they see men and women as completely equal, they are open to most sexualities.
♦ Even so, most do not experiment outside their comfort zone.

♦ Sex before marriage is practically unheard of.
♦ Marriage is a sacred bond that eternally tied two people together.
♦ Sex is seen as a sacred act to be used for romantic intimacy or an attempt to have children.
♦ Having children outside of marriage is looked down on as its understood children need two parents.
♦ Once a Cryoan soldier marries they are expected to retired until their child is of age.
♦ They consider themselves lucky to have 1 and exceptionally lucky to have 2.

♦ They have leisurely paces lives with little to worry about and a lot of time on their hands.
♦ When one is slighted or crossed they can either handle it right then, or take time to cool off and talk it out afterwards. Rarely do they just let things lie or forget their grudges.
♦ Courting is a very long process since the hold it to the highest standings of importance.
♦ They also hold knowledge and education to a high level of importance.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Long is the most common hair length, but some women shave their heads. It is accepted, though still odd.
✓ Their hair is usually down or in ornate braids and styled up-dos.

♦ Male
✓ They wear their hair anyway they choose with shoulder length being the most common.
✓ Usually they have a top braid or leave their hair down.

♦ Both
✓ Soldiers tend to leave their hair unstyled or in simple braids to be kept out of the way.
✓ It is not uncommon for soldiers of either gender to maintain short hair for practicality’s sake.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Their formal wear consists of long dresses with fitted corsets, often embroidered with rosemaling.

♦ Male
✓ Their formal wear is generally elaborately decorated tunics and fitted pants.

♦ Both
✓ Their top ranges from short tunics, long tunic, and flowing robes.
✓ Their bottoms are generally fitted pants, or layered leggings and pants.
✓ Their footwear is almost exclusively boots.

♦ Theology
✓ Cryoans believe there once was a higher power, but that it has in time frozen and possibly even died.
✓ They are divided on the matter with the more cynical of their kind believing it is long dead and that they are on their own.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Reformation of prisoner— Cryoan PoW camps are like schools where they try and teach their enemies the way of Cryo so they can understand the folly in their own cultures.
✓ The Winter festival— Once a year in the middle of winter a festival is held to celebrate their love and appreciation for the element that has brought them such strength and prosperity.
✓ Temporary retirement— To prevent orphans and broken homes, Cryoans are expected to retire from any life-threatening jobs once they start conceiving children until their children are of adult age. They usually take safer temporary jobs to continue supporting their family.
✓ Pets/companions— They generally keep wolves, snow leopards, or other medium sized mountain creatures for pets. These could also be viewed as companions.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Their primary sources of meat are bears and rabbit.
✓ They are best known for their rabbit stew and their roasted bear, which has been described as spicy.
✓ Alcohol— Their alcohol is usually harsh and bitter.
✓ Milks or water are their primary drinking sources.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ They are led by a King, chosen through lineage.
♦ He does have three advisors and commonly listens to the advice of his queen.

♦ Allies
✓ Obrizus —
--Cultural similarities: Both countries strive to improve their own people through experimentation on the human body.
--Trade Advantage: Not only does Cryo gain access to some of their bionics, such as bionic hawk vision, they also gain access to minerals and herbs from Obrizus’s other ally, Aer. For these advantages, Cryo overlooks the Obrizusian slave trade and hopes to someday reform it.

♦ Enemies
Cryo is fighting an entirely offensive war in their attempt to conquer portions of the world.

✓ Aer —
--Offensive: Cryo seeks to gain control of Aer’s land and to reform their hedonistic ways. They wish to tame the chaos of the Aeran people and to help them further their culture.
--Gains: Access to rare herbs and minerals and land.
--Specific Targets: La Sirene because of her status as the most deadly soldier in all of Aer.

✓ Pyro—
--Offensive: The Pyroan’s love of war and tendency to make slaves of their prisoners are plenty reason for Cryo to take over.
--Gains: More peace in the world and the spreading of the Cryoan way of life. Also, access to a nearly unlimited amount of energy.
--Specific Targets: The field commanders, cannon operators, or those who try to increase the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.

✓ Fulgur—
--Offensive: Seeing that Fulgur just helps to fuel Pyro’s war habit, Cryo hopes to cripple Pyro by taking their only ally. Cryo also seeks to reform Fulgur and abolish their slave trades.
--Gains: More peace in the world and the spreading of the Cryoan way of life. They would also gain better access to another source of energy and cripple Pyro.
--Specific Targets: The mecha suits with flame throwers and the leaders coordinating the enemy battalions.

♦ Neutral
✓ Terra —
--Cultural Similarities: Like Cryo, Terra has strict and sacred views of love, marriage, and families. As they less work to do to reform Terra and Terra seeks nothing from them, Cryo has kept peace with Terra.

✓ Ingenium—
--Respect: Though Cryo would like to take over Ingenium and help teach them a better way of life, they respect the advances and improvements Ingenium has made to the medical field.

✓ Unda—
--Wisdom: There is just too much water on the planet for Cryo to freeze, though they greatly believe Unda is in need of their ‘help’ the most. They’re not willing to die for it though.

♦ Cryo is the second smallest population on Gaia.
♦ They have longer lives and have a slightly lower birthrate as a side effect of the Cryo magic that slows their ageing.
♦ It's nearly impossible to invade their lands, which makes it pretty easy for them to live spread out despite their lower numbers.

♦ It is common for Cryoans to speak Cryoans, Gaian, and Obrizusian.
♦ They highly value education and ensure their children attend schools until well into their adulthood.
♦ Even after they have begun their careers, it is common for Cryoans to continue their education through self-study.

♦ Meet 'Rome' {Egypt, China, England...ect}. Cryo are judgmental crusaders, convinced they are right and the rest of the world needs to be converted to their way of thinking and living. After all with their longer life spans, they know best, right?
♦ They tend to be haughty and condescending to others. Especially those they view as ignorant or uneducated.
♦ Out to ‘reform’ the world… through conquering it.

♦ Silver{Azure 4}, Red{Brown 2}, & Blue {blue}

♦ Adulthood age is 18
♦ Military age is 18
♦ Marrying age is 19
♦ Old maids/old bachelors age is 35

♦ Obrizusians range from compact builds to large and squishy ones.
♦ Bionics have been in their gene pool so long the original natural colors for eyes, skin, & hair are unknown.
♦ Hair colors can range from browns, blonds, and reds to vibrant pinks, blues, or greens. Most commonly found are shades in the red spectrum. In rare instances their hair could naturally be pure black.
♦ Eye colors also range from browns and reds to vibrant pinks, blues, or greens. Most commonly found are blues or browns.
♦ Skin tones tend to remain in peaches and browns, though sometimes an Obrizusian can be seen with green, blue, or purple skin. Not very common though.
♦ Women tend to be 5'0"-5'7" while men tend to be 5'6"-6'.

♦ Men and women are said to be seen as equal, but are not treated as such.
♦ Women are held to a harsher beauty standard.
♦ Bioengineering positions are generally held by men while women are more inclined to positions at home or in service industries such as cooking and healthcare.
♦ The Council of Elders is entirely made up of old men.

♦ Outwardly accepts the sexuality of their allies and those they are neutral with.
♦ However, their people are expected to be heterosexual or homosexual.

♦ Sex is an act reserved for those in a relationship.
♦ Sex before marriage is common and accepted, though not outwardly spoken of.
♦ Obrizusians tend to marry for love first or possibly love-less companionship if the reach the age considered past time to marry.
♦ Marriages can be between people of the same sex or opposite, but are strictly monogamous.
♦ Having children before marriage is uncommon and not well respected.
♦ They tend to have between 1-2 children.

♦ Obrizusians usually go about their day in a rush.
♦ Being so rushed to get to work or get the latest bionics, they often send their slaves to handle their menial errands.
♦ Though their slaves have no rights, they are generally treated well.
♦ Sometimes people hold grudges, sometimes they yell and fight, other times they have to let it go. They understand different slights can have different levels of reactions.
♦ Being so busy with their lives, they sometimes forget to handle their heart. Matchmakers are commonly used in place of courting.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Ranges from short to very long.
✓ Shaved heads are rare, but not unheard of. It’s not a well accepted style.
✓ Common styles include leaving it down, simple braids, and buns.

♦ Male
✓ Ranges from short to medium length.
✓ Long hair is uncommon and generally frowned on, but accepted.
✓ Common styles are swept to the side, low ponytails, and lightly gelled.

♦ Both
✓ Hair styles are not a big deal in Obrizus. Most consider them to be an a way to express themselves.
✓ It is however considered unprofessional to have their hair outside of their gender zone.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Wear anything from t-shirts and jeans to dresses, or skirts and blouses.
✓ They mainly wear dresses or skirts and blouses for formal wear.
✓ Some women wear business suits for formal occasions.
✓ They have a wide range of footwear, from sports shoes to heels.

♦ Male
✓ They wear short or jeans for bottoms.
✓ For tops they have a variety of t-shirts or tank-tops.
✓ Their shoes are primarily sports shoes or dress shoes.
✓ They almost exclusively wear tuxedos for formal wear.

♦ Both
✓ Most of their clothing is made from cotton based material.
✓ They do import some fabrics from Aer or Ingenium for their less mainstream fashions.

♦ Theology
✓ There may have been a great power that created the world. But Obrizusians believe that power left the world to it’s own devices long ago.
✓ Many Obrizusians deny that there was ever a ‘being’ who created the world or humans.
✓ Those who do believe in something greater often look to the religions of other lands to fulfill their beliefs.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Bionic Transplants/Fusions— From major organs to the simple ability to change their hair color, it is common for Obrizusians to have nano-bot implants or fusions. This is in fact so common, some of their natural pigments have been altered by the centuries of fusion.
✓ Match Makers— Many Obrizusians become so lost in their work that they neglect their own love lives. When it comes time for them to start families, instead of bothering with the long lines at dating services, they give a matcher maker their personal profiles. The Match maker then arranges dates, their success rates are very high.
✓ Raves— In accordance to their fast life styles, Obrizusians party fast. Their raves are often preplanned, loud, dark with neon lighting, and with lots of drinking.
✓ Slave Shows— Obrizusians take pride in the competence and skills of their slaves. They often give them fine clothing and keep their very well groomed. The uninitiated might not be able to tell an Obrizusian slave from an Obrizusian.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Barbeque— Obrizusians are known for their food style known as barbeque. Where they slather their meat in special sauces and grill them over fires. These meats are often accompanied by sides such as corn, beans, and coleslaws.
✓ Fast Food— They have created a fast way of cooking and distributing food. Primarily beef, chicken, and potato products.
✓ Sodas— They have drinks made from sugars, carbonated waters, and syrups. They come in a variety of flavors.
✓ Whiskey— Though they have several different kinds of alcohol, they are most well known for their whiskeys. Whether bitter or honeyed, they are popular.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ There are two levels of leadership. The first is a group of five elected leaders who oversee their city.
♦ They answer to the council of Elders who reside in the largest and main city.

♦ Allies
✓ Aer—
--Cultural similarities: Obrizus and Aer are both open minded and believe in the improvement of people. Aerans through skill and Obrizusians through medical science.
--Trade Advantages: The Aeran mountains are home to some of the richest ore mines on Gaia. Through their treaty, Obrizus gains access to these metal ores and Aer gains access to goods such as bionic wings.

✓ Cryo –
--Cultural similarities: Both countries strive to improve their own people through experimentation on the human body.
--Trade Advantage: Obrizus gains access to special metals found in the Cryoan mountains. Plus they love to import the boars from that region for barbecuing.

♦ Enemies
Obrizusian interests in war primarily focuses on resource gain.

✓ Terra —
--Defensive: Cultural Differences: Obrizus has no real problem with Terra, though they do believe them to be archaic.
--Gains: Though they don’t necessarily need them, they could gain minerals and resources.
--Specific Targets: Field commanders to end the battle quick or anyone who seems to throw the biggest boulders.

✓ Fulgur —
--Offensive/Defensive: Cultural differences: Obrizusians are trying to stop Fulgur from attacking Aer. They also must keep them from trying to take over Obrizus as Fulgur hates almost everything about Obrizus.
--Gains: More slaves for their slaves trades and direct access to better technologies they otherwise must import from a third party.
--Specific Targets: Their mecha suits and anyone trying to start storms.

✓ Pyro—
--Offensive/Defensive: Cultural differences: Pyro disagrees with Obrizus’s genetic modification. Obrizus doesn’t agree with Pyro’s need to conquer and reform peoples. Plus, Pyro is trying to take over Aer and Obrizus really dislikes that.
--Gains: Extremely useful and well maintained slaves. Access to the minerals and other materials, along with direct access to their fabrics, foods, and vast amounts of energy.
--Specific Targets: Their field commanders and cannon operators.

♦ Neutral
✓ Ingenium—
--Agreement on Evolution: Ingeniums understand that as life goes on, certain things change. If it is within the power of Obrizusians to further along their own evolution, then that is okay with Ingenium. That is similar to how Ingenium became such great doctors after all.

✓ Unda—
--Disinterest: Obrizus has no need for warring with Unda and understands it would be a losing battle. As Unda wishes to remain at peace, they are okay with this.

♦ Aer, Terra, Pyro, & Obrizus have roughly the same populations.
♦ Their population is wide spread with lower numbers in concentrated areas.

♦ It is common for Obrizusians to speak, Obrizusian, Aeran, Cryoan, and Gaian.
♦ Their basic education finishes when they are about eighteen.
♦ They then go into specialized schools. Some take a few years, others take longer.
♦ Once the specialized education is complete, they begin internships or apprenticeships.

♦ Apathetic. Having become obsessed with the improvement of the human body, they have lost a small sense of admiration for it. Sometimes they even have a hard time separating machine from human.
♦ They have a disconnect with their heritage and ancestry, there for they don’t really value most spiritual beliefs.
♦Obrizusians can also suffer from a bionic addiction where they try to get so many implants they begin to overload their cells.

♦ Green {MediumSpringGreen}, Gold {Gold}, & Pink {Deep Pink2}

♦ Adulthood age is basically whenever one hits puberty because they recognize that in the animal and plant world that's when things are matured.
♦ Military age is 20.
♦ Marrying age is 20-40.

♦ Ingeniums come in all shapes and sizes. From small and compact to large and beefy or squishy.
♦ Their eyes can range from light pinks, browns, blues, or purples.
♦ Hair colors are usually dark shades, but can be red, blue, purple, or brown. In rare instances, their hair could be silver white in color.
♦ Most commonly tan, however peach and darker browns are sometimes seen, as well as shades of green.
♦ Females average heights are 5’7”-6’5” and males average 5’5”-6’0”.

♦ Males and females are seen as equal, but different.
♦ Women are respected as life-givers, but are not restricted to the role of care-givers.
♦ Men are generally less modest in the attires, but it’s not taboo for either gender to be immodest.

♦ They are open to sexualities as they are just a natural part of humans.
♦ Few feel the need to experiment since they just go with their feelings.

♦ Sex is seen as a common and healthy act.
♦ Sex before marriage is common and accepted.
♦ They don’t believe there is an inappropriate time to have children, though they do still use protection if they’re not ready.
♦ Marriage is generally a concept they indulge in to keep peace with the standards of their allies.
♦ They tend to have between 4 and 8 children.

♦ They have exceptionally peaceful lives and love to take time to enjoy the roses.
♦ Though they still try to be productive most days.
♦ Romance is seen as both something that is quick and fleeting or something deep and lasting.
♦ Traveling to every country is a luxury afforded to the Ingeniums that some partake in. Those who travel usually do so to spread their medical knowledge or to explore the world.
♦ Disagreements are generally handled as diplomatically as possible. The Ingeniums look down on war and those who would instigate deadly violence. Though spars and small fights or skirmishes are seen as a healthy way to relieve internal tensions.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ Hair length ranges from mid-back to below the hips.
✓ Usually kept down or decorated with flowers.

♦ Male
✓ Hair is commonly kept short and well groomed.
✓ Usually styled with special organic gels that also condition.
✓ Not uncommon for older men to have long hair decorated with flowers by their children.
♦ Both
✓ They tend to only wear their hair in ornate styles for formal occasions.
✓ For formal events they also tend to have hair ornaments made from live plants.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Usually wear long skirts or animal hide leggings.
✓ Their tops usually cover their torsos to protect from thorns or stray branches.
✓ Their formal dresses are more revealing and tend to bare the mid-drift, arms, and up to the knees.

♦ Male
✓ They wear either animal hide pants or wrap around kilts.
✓ Their tops are primarily tunics or jerkins.
✓ For formal wear, most of the men wear kilts without their tops.

♦ Both
✓ In general they dress modestly to protect their skin from sharp branches, thorns, or brambles.
✓ For formal attires they wear less as a sign of trust and peace.
✓ Shoes are not common in Ingenium and often only worn by those who travel outside the nation.

♦ Theology
✓ Life begins with a seed, but not all seeds become life. Ingeniums understand and respect that fact as the beginning of the life cycle.
✓ Seeds that are nurtured and tended to grow strong and thrive in the world.
✓ At the end of life, it is returned to the beginning and feeds the new seeds.
✓ The same is believed for humans. Ingeniums believe that all life forces are fertilized by specific forces. Aerans by the air, Terrans by the earth, ect. And in the end their souls return to those sources.
✓ For Ingeniums, their life forces begin in nature and when they die, a plant, be it bush, tree, or vine are planted over the dead.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Communal Raising— It is common for Ingeniums to help raise all the children of the community. They believe this level of open interaction and agreed raising techniques creates a more unified civilization less prone to the ravages of bullying and prejudice.
✓ Festivals of Life and Death— On the first day of spring and the first day of fall the Festivals are thrown to celebrate birth, life, and death. They often dance and perform special rituals honoring the ten great spirits of the world.
✓ Return to Nature— It is customary for them to place plants over the plots where they bury their dead. They do this to represent the balance and cycle of life.
✓ Running of the boars— Once a year the young warriors of Ingenium run through the jungles and forests with dire boars. The goal is to run amongst them and leave without getting hurt or harming the boars. It is reckless and accepted as less than wise, but it’s a tradition kept and enjoyed nonetheless.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Wines— Ingenium wine is the best wine throughout the eight kingdoms. They have the sweetest sweet wines and the bitterest bitter ones. They greatly enjoy and love their wines, alcoholic and non alcoholic alike.
✓ Fruit Desserts— Having a talent for talking plants into growing, Ingeniums have plenty of time and resources to try out different types of desserts. They are most famous for their pastries and their tarts.
✓ Fried Basilisk— In some kingdoms, Basilisks are a danger and a problem. In Ingenium they are a mild annoyance as it is very easy for someone bitten by one to be cured. Ingeniums did discover that the meat is supple and tastes best with steams fruits added alongside it.
✓ Breads— Another beloved delicacy of Ingenium are their fresh breads. Some are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Some sweeter than others, but all delicious.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ They are ruled over by a council known as the ‘The Lords.’
♦ The council is made up of elected representatives from each section of Ingenium.

♦ Allies
✓ Terra —
--Cultural similarities: Their elements and beliefs are similar in a way. They both believe in the natural order of things and praise life and living.

✓ Unda —
--Cultural similarities: Ancient Undans and Ingenium made a pact to always respect the natural order of the world and to maintain peace. They have kept this promise and allegiance into the present.

♦ Enemies
Ingenium has maintained an entirely peaceful stance in the wars.
✓ —

♦ Neutral
✓ Aer —
--Cultural Similarities: Ingenium and Aer are the two most peaceful and leisure oriented countries of Gaia. Each loving and respecting the natural order of life and the inner peace freedom brings.
--Trade Routes: Aer enjoys the benefits of Ingenium’s many exotic fruits and medicines while Ingenium is granted access to materials and minerals scarcely found outside of Aer.

✓ Fulgur —
--Medicine: Fulgur respects the medical advancements Ingenium doctors have made. They see the wisdom in keeping them as allies and also enjoy the food and medical care their merchants and doctors provide.

✓ Pyro —
--Medicine: Pyro may find passion and honor in battle, but they respect the peaceful ways of Ingenium. They find comfort in a culture that has so much love for each other and that makes the best and most effective healing remedies.

✓ Cryo —
--Respect: Though Cryo would like to take over Ingenium and help teach them a better way of life, they respect the advances and improvements Ingenium has made to the medical field.

✓ Obrizus —
--Agreement on Evolution: Ingeniums understand that as life goes on, certain things change. If it is within the power of Obrizusians to further along their own evolution, then that is okay with Ingenium. That is similar to how Ingenium became such great doctors after all.

♦ Ingenium has one of the two largest populations since they aren't really losing people to the wars.
♦ They also lose a lot less people to illness or disease.

♦ They take their education seriously since it is ignorance that is a danger.
♦ Their basic education finishes around the time they are 13. Then they move on to secondary school and pick specialized schools after that.
♦ All Ingeniums are trained in at least basic first aid since they believe it is one of the most usual skills in the world.

♦ A Naïve. Remaining outside the war, they maintain a lack of knowledge for what is going on outside of their country.
♦ Many of them cannot empathize or sympathize with those who choose to constantly send their people to their deaths.

♦ Blue {RoyalBlue3}, Green {Green3}, & Purple {BlueViolet}

♦ Adulthood age is 12-14
♦ Military age is 18
♦ Marrying age is 16-35

♦ Undas are generally tall with medium statures, but muscles builds range from compact to beefy.
♦ Eye colors can range from blues to greens, usually on the lighter side.
♦ A rare trait for Undans is to have pointed ears.
♦ Hair colors are generally light blondes, browns, and occasionally black.
♦ Skin tones range from tans to darker brown, rarely light shades.
♦ Average height of Undan females is 5’8”-6’1” for males it is 5’10”-6’4”

♦ Unda is a very hunter, gatherer society.
♦ Men usually do the hunting, while women tend the homes and hearths.
♦ It is uncommon for the reverse to happen.
♦ Nobles and leaders tend to be male.
♦ The few females in leadership positions are political powerhouses.

♦ As a hunter/gatherer society they traditionally believe in heterosexual marriages, but do not judge others.
♦ Non-heterosexuals are not common, but not looked down on in Unda.

♦ Sex before marriage isn’t a large taboo.
♦ However if children are born outside of marriage it is tradition for the parents to marry.
♦ Undan’s have a strong faith in love and family environments.
♦ They marry monogamously and very rarely divorce.
♦ They generally have large families with anywhere between 3-15 children.

♦ Though not in the wars, Undans lives still revolve around survival.
♦ They try not to bother with grudges and believe most problems can be settled diplomatically.
♦ Undans have a laid-back attitude tied to their way of life.
♦ Young romances are seen as cute, but older romances are taken more seriously.
♦ They tend to keep their children on the shores in homes built close to the shores to keep them safe from the denizens of the deep.
♦ Anyone who protects their people or who are trained to deal with foreign diplomats are highly respected. Even if they’re not well liked.
♦ {More info may come}

Hairstyles
♦ Female
✓ They decorate their hair with beads or shells.
✓ Uncommon to have long hair, but if long it’s usually bound in layered braids.

♦ Male
✓ They don’t mess with their hair much.
✓ Uncommon for them to have long hair, when they have it they usually keep it in simple braids.

♦ Both
✓ Tend to be short.
✓ They generally style their hair to be curly or spiky.

Clothing
♦ Female
✓ Common everyday wear usually consists of flowing skirts and half tops under shawls.
✓ Leggings are worn in the colder regions.
✓ Their formal wear consist of flowing layered skirts and dresses.
✓ Shoes are worn both casually and formally.

♦ Male
✓ Common everyday wear usually consists of pants and vest-like tops.
✓ Their formal wear would be water resistant pants and long coats.
✓ Shoes or boots can be worn casually or formally.

♦ Both
✓ Either could walk around topless without being embarrassed or see as shameful.
✓ It is generally understood to wear something to cover the crotch.
✓ Undans live underwater a lot, so in warm/nice waters little clothing is preferred. And in cold waters, well insulted and warm clothing is preferred.
✓ Most of their clothing is made from water resistant or waterproof fabrics. {Much of their fabric is imported from Aer through Ingenium}

♦ Theology
✓ Undans understand and believe their people started life on the land and that all human life started there.
✓ At some point, before the wars, the souls of eight chosen were blessed with control over the elements. The Undan given this power, became known as ‘the blessed one.’ The ancients weren’t terribly creative.
✓ While the rest of the world slowly devolved into warring Kingdoms, Undans practiced the gift the Blessed One shared with them.
✓ And thus their souls became intertwined with the soul of water and they learned to live both on land and within the realm of the oceans and seas.
✓ Since then, they have always respected all elements, though none so much as the water they are intertwined with.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Customs
✓ Friends of the Deep— Undans have the good fortune and opportunity to make friends with their neighbors of the oceans and seas. Each year they offer food to the migrating whales, dolphins, and other large creatures as they stop and rest near Undan underwater settlements. In this way, Undans ensure their homes are protected by themselves and the creatures of the water.
✓ Moon and Ocean Festival—Understanding that the moon affects the tides, the Undans have a great respect for the celestial body. Once a year, when the tide reaches what is considered its highest point, the Undans throw a large festival with great feasts and much drinking.
✓ Hunting Packs— Due to the large sizes of their most common prey and the vastness of their hunting grounds, Undans rarely hunt alone. Instead, they always hunt in packs with one hunter at the lead. These hunters are highly respected in the communities.
✓ Land Politics— All of their politics are handled on land in a large hall guarded by many sentries. Foreign diplomats are well cared for and catered to when they visit.
✓ {More to come}

♦ Food
✓ Fish— Undan delicacies are primarily food from the oceans. They are most known for their grilled fish with fried fruit and rice sides.
✓ Fried Kraken— Killing Krakens and frying them is something Undans do exceptionally well. Fried Kraken is one of their most famous delicacies.
✓ Drinks—Since Undans live in water then prefer to drink most other things. Most commonly juices made from fruits that grow on trees by shores in Unda.
✓ Desserts— Undans make a special drink referred to a ‘fruit smoothies’ that are very popular with their visitors.
✓ {More to come}

Leaders
♦ They are ruled by a council of Elders who gain their position through wisdom and experience.
♦ The council of Elders assigns the noble title to special educated Undans to handle foreign diplomats so they don’t have to.

♦ Allies
✓ Terra—
Friend of friend logic: Unda doesn’t approve of much of Terra’s reasons for being at war. They have only allied with them to appease Ingenium diplomats.

✓ Ingenium —
Cultural similarities: Ancient Undans and Ingenium made a pact to always respect the natural order of the world and to maintain peace. They have kept this promise and allegiance into the present.

♦ Enemies
Unda has no official enemies.
—

♦ Neutral
✓ Aer—
Silent Agreement: Unda doesn’t really interact with Aer, but remains neutral with them through a silent agreement that neither truly wants war with the other.

✓ Fulgur—
Healthy Understanding: Unda remains at peace with Fulgur because Fulgur understands Unda’s power and doesn’t wish to challenge it.

✓ Pyro—
Not Suicidal: Unda wishes to maintain the agreement that neither they nor Pyro interfere with each other. Pyro has yet to break this agreement.

✓ Cryo—
Wisdom: Unda knows what Cryo thinks about them and is please that despite their feelings, Cryo remains too afraid to start war.

✓ Obrizus—
Disinterest: Obrizus has no need for warring with Unda and understands it would be a losing battle. As Unda wishes to remain at peace, they are okay with this.

♦ Unda has one of the two largest populations since they aren't really losing people to the wars.
♦ Plus Unda has both land and the oceans/seas to populate/live in so they're not really wanting for space.

♦ Many Undas are fluent in Unda, Gaian, and Ingenium.
♦ Their education is learned primarily through oral history.
♦ It is uncommon for Undans to learn to read and write. Those who do are usually record keepers, Elders, or nobles.
♦ There are some Undas who learn to read for leisure, though it’s not a popular hobby.

♦ Their culture is a little stagnant.
♦ Formal education tends to be reserved for those who lead, barter with Ingenium, or plan to become nobles.
♦ They have a low opinion of anyone outside of Ingenium or Unda because they've been fighting pointless wars for years. Though Undans are pretty sure the wars are fueled by greed.