Culture/FC Archive

2016 September

Masculine Bias in Lithmore

Despite the Decree of Sodality, while legally women are equals to men, the social times have yet to fully catch up. Women have less freedom to behave as they please and the concept of propriety binds them as strongly socially as the old laws did economically. For example, women who wear their hair loose are usually considered to have loose morals, and frequently it's a signal that Lithmorran prostitutes use to ply their trade. Equally, however, men are expected to act the gallant or may lose esteem in the eyes of his peers. Ultimately, men and women enjoy very distinct gender roles, despite the equality inherent in Lithmorran law.

2016 October

Contributions in Vavard

As a society focused on both wealth and appearances, public contributions have become a popular way to show one's importance. The more visible and glamorous the cause, the more favor it finds with the Vavardi elite. Thus the arts, public monuments and the church see much more in the way of contribution than do simpler causes like the poor, who try to hide their needs. A person wishing to gain recognition will often go to elaborate lengths to make their giving large and noticeable, and anonymous contributions are viewed as foolish and suspect, rather than noble. This custom has built up Vavard as a center of culture and refinement with names and histories attached to nearly everything.