Language
The people of Numyria are generally considered to be less refined than Myrians, though very few differences are actually noted between common Myrians and common Numyrians. Unfortunately for noble Numyrians, they are often the subject of social dispersions when compared to Myrian nobles.
Common Numyrians tend to use a simple dialect and vocabulary—in fact, it is not common for a Numyrian person to be recognized as such simply by his or her speech. Myrian people, however, also vary greatly in their speech. Those living along the western coast have a similar accent to the Numyrian people, perhaps for their proximity. People from the North (including Welland, North Point, and Ross) speak quickly. People from the great plains speak with a slow drawl, and many people from Peat’r have a nasally voice and are known for turns of phrase that only locals understand. In fact, the only places that are generally considered to have perfect, unaccented speech are people from Redefort and Braemoor. The
The Mombatans, from the Free Cities of The Cradle speak are usually multi-lingual, with a handful of tribal tongues native to each island, and a common Cradle language called Momba. Many are also fluent in Myrish for the great amount of trade and travel that occurs between the two societies.
Time
Due to the rotation of Myros around their central star, Persus, Myros enjoys a climate similar to Earth. The Myrosian calendar is divided up into 10 months:
- Numyren
- Labelen
- Padren
- Eren
- Myren
- Troden
- Regen
- Kroen
- Welten
- Enden
Each month consists of 6 weeks, and each week consisting of 6 days:
- Prio
- Duno
- Tero
- Quero
- Filo
- Soro
As such, the Myrosian year is exactly 360 days long. Each day, slightly longer than 24 hours in length (about 24.3 hours).
Each year is defined by five main holidays.
- Nuyear (1st-6th of Numyren): A festival of celebration surpassing that of Nightlife. It falls on the evening of the 36th of Enden, and extends well into the 1st week of Numyren. This is the largest celebration of the year, and mirrors many of the aspects of celebration found during Nightlife, only extending for days at a time.
- Birthday (1st of Padren): A popular day for mothers to give birth. This festival is a time for gaiety and the celebration of children. New life is springing forward everywhere, and a great many births are said to hurry on the summer. Many mothers attempt to time their pregnancy to get as close as they can to the first of Padren. As a result, many children are born on and around that date. Children born on Birthday are considered lucky.
- Nightlife (18th Myren): A celebration primarily for adults. This festival falls in the middle of summer, and as a result, is very lively and fun. Nightlife is the second largest celebration held on Myros every year. For many adults, it is a time to find love, and for others, it is a time to get drunk and celebrate. Festivities usually start after dinner on the 18th of Myren.
- Day of Rest (1st of Kroen): A day off from work to celebrate the hardworking people of Myros. It is also a popular day for those getting on in age to retire, passing the responsibility of provision onto younger hands. As a result, it is also a celebration of retirement. The holiday is rarely celebrated in Numyria.
- Deathday (18th of Enden): Contrary to what people tell their children to scare them, Deathday is not a day of physical death. It is a celebration of those who have passed, whether they have passed within the year, or as far back as one’s memory can reach. For some, this can be a very sad day, but for others, it is very happy, with celebration and heavy drinking. It is a popular activity to dress up like your ancestors, often wearing masks, and to live out your day as they would have.
Religion
Myrism is a creation-based religion, worship directed to the one great god, Myr. Myros was created by Myr millenia ago with the hope of creating a good place in the universe. The world He created was one of richness, wildlife, and beauty. On that planet, Myr planted thousands of seeds, each one sprouting into men and women. He gave dominion over Myros and all of its animals to His children, and asked only that they love Him from within.
Myrism is symbolized by the four pointed star. Each point represents a key virtue celebrated by Myrists:
- Justice
- Courage
- Compassion
- Veracity
Religious leaders are referred to as Deacons. There is no hierarchical structure, with no one deacon officially having any greater authority over another. Deacons may be male or female, although males are far more common due to the often nomadic nature of the calling. Many Deacons travel across the continent spreading the word of Myr, but most towns have at least one deacon whom has settled down and offers lessons and services in line with the teachings of Myr.
One of the primary tenets of Myrism is the ideology that the body is a temple. As such, suicide is strictly forbidden. Another consequence is that homage can be paid to Myr in any location. For this reason, Deacon’s services are often rendered outdoors, although it is not uncommon to find services occurring within the less than private home of a town’s deacon (called a Havyn) if the weather does not cooperate. Myrism relies heavily on faith. Deacons are supported exclusively by donation, though many Myrian governments of the past have found room in their budgets to make hefty donations throughout the year.
Myrism has remained the singular ideology within Numyria and Myria. Outside of Myria and Numyria, the Mombatans worship the sun god, Persus.
J.R. McConnery 