Marrlan Culture and Religion

[Artsy Astra]

Marrlan culture is built on its forefathers. Sailors, Fishermen, Citizen Soldiers, and other honest workers. Its core tenants of freedom, responsibility, individuality, and a highly defensive stature permeate every corner no thanks to its extensive martial history. It shares some pillars and other elements with Norkland, but remains distinct. Following the independence war against the Tsardom, the freed peoples of Marrlan and Norkland agreed to amicably split but retained great ties and are culturally bound, in a way few other nations can replicate.

The sea and its bounties are a core part of Marrlan culture. Partly due to the union of Human and Shazza'k Culture, partly due to the nation's humble beginnings as fishing villages on the coast. Crabs are a large symbol of the country and are commonly associated with it. Fishing is one of if not the largest export and Marrlan restaurants are almost always surf and turf with some form of seafood always being sold in them. This fascination with the sea has also spawned a specific sect of sailors that hunger for the deeps challenges. This started with the discovery of Deep Fright crabs and has evolved into a full cultural agenda to keep the waves safe and achieve glory along the way. Hunting deep-sea creatures that can pose a legitimate threat to sapient life. This is so prevalent that a section of the Marrlan navy has a fleet and Marine/Diver force dedicated to this endeavor. Within sailing culture specifically, considering someone a part of one's crew is akin to proclaiming a best friend. Trust among the waves is greatly valued in Marrlan culture. Marrlan also has a very defensive nature borne of their conflict with the Boorish fief dom in ancient times. This mark is felt throughout their whole culture, and its ramifications are evident in many things such as language as they have 4 words dedicated to the act of defense.

Temi = "Defend/Defense/Protect/Guard"
Potemi = "Hold and Fight here!"/"Defend Here!"
Hiotemi = "Defend!"
Cantemi = "Stop and defend!"

A less war oriented focus of the word is Gratemi. A way for one to show compassion to a friend either in times of woe or in celebration at success. 'Gratemi! Keep on this track and you'll pass the exams for sure!' 'Gratemi Ethel. I'm sorry that he's gone.'

Gratemi = Hold strong/Hold strong to this

Shazzak culture is one of order and justice. Although they do not necessarily have a sense of honor, their culture is built on the founding principles of adhering to law justice, and debate. They are natural debaters as laws change with the people's conceptions of right and wrong and as such there must be a medium for ideas to be transferred amicably. For this reason, Shazzak make great Diplomats, Judges, Lawyers, Police, and Military Officers as they almost always adhere to the guidelines they are given, though it makes them more rigid when it comes to change at times without debate on the law/guidelines encumbrance upon them. Shazzak communities are based on Noba which translates to unit. These Noba normally encompass roughly 4 family units but larger and smaller Noba have been observed. These Noba's are comprised of friends and family within the area. Within them they have 2 prominent roles in the social order. A Vilden or Advisor and a L'nae or Mediator that the families roughly orbit. The L'nae is usually picked by their good relations with all members within the Noba and the Vilden is typically an older member though this is not always the case. There are also the Anoba which translates to 'wanderer' or 'someone without unit'. They wander socially from different Noba until they find one or simply do not directly join one and choose to be alone. One universal rule however, is that all Shazzak always have at least 1 sibling. These siblings are not always bound by blood as the closeness of Noba mean that family within this unit may bond as deep as those of blood relation. This ability to allow closeness even without blood greatly assists Shazzak integrate into other cultures as they care not for what the individual is, only for their trust and friendship.  The color pattern "fingerprint" of an individual is also important in Shazzak Culture as it marks where an individual comes from down to their very genes with patterns being radically different from region to region. Similarities begin within a region but only with larger commonalities like color or some shapes. At a simple glance, unless they have full body coloring as a result of interspecies parents, one can tell at the very least the region another Shazzak is from. If that Shazzak is from the same region, maybe even down to the town they call home.

Rel culture is quite migratory and encourages individuals or families to travel. Hailing from their scavenger ancestors they frequently explore new places and have a drive to have new experiences. Because of this, they are quite friendly open and inquisitive about other cultures and are scene in many places in the world and make great travel guides. Their explorative nature also lends them as great scientists and historians as they will go to any length to explore and discover new things. They in the cases of Rel that prefer more familiar areas, they are homesteaders through and through and prefer frontier areas with low infrastructure, or developing areas with a new environment every time a new construction is finished. Familial ties are strong over great distances and Rel commonly make many friends on their adventures they remain in contact with usually for life as they are quite communal.

Anguis culture is very sedentary and conservative. They stick to their guns and while curious tend to respect the old ways more than anything, it is not uncommon to see some Anguis still following social etiquette from the late 1870's. They are also a very polite and very boisterous, second only to Shazzak in their ability to be direct though they retain more tact usually. Like the Rel they are a very sociable people, they just have a harder time understanding other or newer practices and ideas. They are Marrlan societies good natured stick in the mud uncle. The majority will try their best, but change for them is very hard. Familial units are very important to Anguis but not in the traditional way. The blood of the covenant is how they traditionally approach things, with young being communally raised and finding their own family in their local community and among peers. This helps negate the distaste for change as it forces them to interact with other people with new ideas who are not always their primary caregivers or parents.

For generations some of Marrlans people have revered Duke Fisheron, Mackerrel, Shurpis, and Meredith, in the psuedo-panthodic practice of Anglecism. Lords of the sea and coast who have watched over sailors and soldiers alike as long as Marrlan identity has been thought of. Though primarily told as a force of the sea it is said, Mackerrel, a flying fish, had come to bless the land of the people and teach them allowing them to thrive in ancient times. He is portrayed as a flying fish who holds a tome of teachings, or Mihi for short, in a satchel on his back. Their father The Duke, a Shazzak man wielding a verberavit harpoon and adorned in Chalcolithic era coral armor, created them after finding the seas lonely and rough. The mother of the coast Shurpis is the protector of all Marr peoples. A warrior god borne of the struggles endured with the Boors, who was originally an ordinary woman who ascended to her status through sacrifice and merit. She is portrayed as a traditional Rel Hostarom, with full or partial hedge plate, a verberavit harpoon, traditional Ferum Membri, a Machete length sword, a Marrish Greatsword and a Turrim a tower shield. The Final god, Meredith, is the tinkering spirit of Marrish peoples. A blacksmith and inventor, she forged the very first Ferum Membri, and crafted the first Turrim. She is portrayed as a human woman with early coveralls, a warhammer, a satchel full of tools, and a Ferum Membri. The psuedo-pantheon is olde and has not changed much since then but is practiced by a considerable amount of Marrish people. Many ancient Fanums or holy sanctuaries remain standing  and are constructed to this day and continue to be places of worship for followers. Though there is no set communal day for group activities in the Mihi with the only words being "Look to ones neighbor for such times, as ones family and community knows best the time for harmony.". As such, they are locally made depending on the town or city. The most popular hymn remains the "Cantus Communis" or "Chant of the Commoner", detailing ones plight but through ones own merit and a sprinkle of help from Mackerrels teachings they prevail over whatever hardship the individual(s) are praying for.

Rough Culture map