Altara
| Altara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Political information | |
| Capital | Ebou Dar |
| Demonym | Altaran |
| Government type | Monarchy |
| Ruler(s) | TBD |
Altara is a country located in the south-central part of the Westlands.
Contents
Description
In theory, Altara is ruled by the person who sits on the Throne of the Winds, although this monarch's real power does not extend much beyond the capital city, Ebou Dar. Ebou Dar celebrates more festivals and feastdays than any other city on the map. Even so, it is still a wild and dangerous place, especially in the Rahad, where the poorer classes live. Outside the city, the country consists of inhabitants who associate themselves with a particular town or lord rather than the Queen or Altara, and there is little national unity.
Altarans are polite, but also quick to take offence. Duels are a common sight, even between women, and are fought over insults or potential mates. A person who refuses a challenge to duel may be disowned by his or her mother. Street brawls and impromptu challenges are also common, since all people, noble or peasant, male or female, are on an equal ground in duels.
The sigil of Altara is two golden leopards, one above the other. Its banner is the Golden Leopards on a field checked four-by-four in red and blue.
Culture
Clothing and Appearance
Altarans, as a people, generally have a medium skin tone and are average in height, with dark hair and nearly black eyes. Some men wear their beards cut square with long moustaches.
Men dress in long vests of bright colours, often with no shirt beneath. Upper-class men wear vests of brocaded silk, over pale, wide-sleeved shirts. They wear silk coats slung over their shoulders, with chains of silver or gold strung between the narrow coat lapels, which are embroidered with flowers or animals. The coats are too small to wear as coats, they are worn more like capes. These men often carry long, narrow swords.
Women wear pale dresses with very deep and narrow necklines. Their skirts are gathered up to the knee on one side to expose brightly-coloured petticoats. Noblewomen's dresses have falls of lace at the wrists and above a woven gold collar, though still cut to have a very low neck. The hem trails a pace or so behind them.
Women of all classes wear the marriage dagger. All women, and most men, wear large hoop earrings, and rings set with coloured glass. Both genders wear long, curved knives at their belts.
Phrases, Sayings and Adages
- Stab my liver
- Lean back on your knife and let your tongue go free. (Take your ease and speak your mind. The only way to insult someone who says that is to lie.)
- The Light's blessing on all here.
Names
The list of names below come from Altaran characters created specifically for the Grey Tower.
- Male names: Devrin, Jaryd, Jip, Kiellan, Rillas
- Female names: Chyane, Ghilde, Ithica, Kailitha, Vibyka
- Family names: Aramonde, Cairayende, Daesuro, Imorien, Kosari, Liale, Lomore, Tierael
Italian names are suitable for Altarans. You may find inspiration at Behind the Name.
Rulers
The current Monarch of Altara is TBD.
Noble Houses
Altara has a number of noble Houses. House TBD is the current ruling house.
