#humanposting

Generally speaking, Krytans live in Kryta. Shocker, I know. But even in the same country, there are differences in culture and customs and dress and the manner of living; so someone from the Reach may not necessarily have 100% the same manner of dress as someone from Kessex Hills, or make cook the same way.

Even before the time Searing came to be and a lot of Ascalonian refugees came to Kryta, there were differences between the northern and southern regions. Kryta sees a lot of immigrant and refugee groups from all over Tyria (human-wise) and different peoples settled in different places and shaped the place where they settled.

So this means that Ascalonian influence on Krytan culture is mostly felt in northern Kryta, although not entirely just them, and Orrians and Elonians have influenced the south of Kryta, due to access to the sea.

Over time, Souther Krytans - which is to say, Krytans of Krytan, Orrian and Elonian ancestry combined - formed as a quasi-formal group. I say quasi-formal as they still consider themselves Krytans, belong to the country of Kryta, but in the country itself have been recognized as having their own customs and traditions distinct from those of the north.

Do note that this does not mean there are no Orrian or Elonian communities elsewhere. The Orrian community, in this view, while small, does exist in the Reach and forms around a couple of noble families that weren't present when Orr sank. There's a vibrant Elonian district, Ossan Quarter, in the Reach. This also doesn't mean that they haven't left a mark in the cultural melting pot that is Divinity's Reach and Queensdale; DR is its own beast, and I'm talking about less cosmopolitan communities here.

All this means to say is that their influence is more felt in the south, where there are genuine, authentic Orrian and Elonian communities (modified by distance and time) in Greenriver.

I may change the details on Canthan influence at a later date.

THE HOWS

So, what are Verderrians like? What sets them apart?

For one, they have their own dialect, bordering on a language. Lines are blurry, but what is certain is that you can definitely hear a highly specific way of speaking here. We're talking phonetic changes - my mind goes to vowel shifts and how different vowels are spoken, and also to digraphs that make a different sound than they would in the north - lexical changes and maybe even a different system of accentuation.

Further influences on the language include relationships with the hylek, and the Counts of Greenriver have historically maintained a good relationship with the local hylek tribes that want cooperation, but have had conflicts and skirmishes with more hostile tribes.

They have their own literature. Certain literary forms - in a real world parallel, think perhaps a lai, or a picaresque novel - thrive in Greenriver, and belong amongst its culture that emphasizes tradition without rigidity, concept of heritage, and a certain lack of courtly decorum which is present in the literature of northern Kryta (and with that, less emphasis on chivalry as a theme.) Sea and sea-faring is a common theme amongst their folk tales. 

They are a sea-faring culture that forms the bulk of Kryta’s navy. Southern Krytan navigators and admirals are highly sought after. 

They have their own architectural styles. I am not visual but hey. I trust y'all will be able to picture things.

picture things.

They practice a culture that appears different to the one seen in the Reach, as it is less influenced by Ascalonian settlement, and therefore tied to older Krytan cultural practices. Counts of Greenriver have been very vocal against the Reach’s unified humanity narrative, as they view themselves as Krytans first and foremost; they are proud of their heritage and view themselves as Krytans first, humans second. 

Counts of Greenriver have also, historically, not been huge fans of Queen Jennah and her politics as Queen. One of the key things they take issue with her for is the destruction of the Canthan district of the Reach and its rebuilding into the Crown Pavilion and have been demanding an investigation, although no real attempts have been made by the current government. 

They have their slightly different practice of worship to the Gods, carrying over Orrian rites that survive only here. They value knowledge and curiosity and make some of the most highly educated Krytans because of this.

Culture be culturing, after all.

NAMING SYSTEM