Threats To Eden I: The Sorians

The Spirits of Eden campaign setting is a more civilized and safe fantasy campaign world than usual, but not entirely so. Not every road is safe, not every wild conquered. From the seemingly random whims of capricious spirits to strange animals and monsters, to the patient schemes of the aberration masters and the terrifying heritage of the Devas of the Ashura, from long-forgotten curses to hidden devices, the world of Eden plays host to many dangers. While it is generally safe within the guarded paths, off those beaten trails there are many dangers to be found. This series of posts will cover threats to the people and peace of Eden.

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The Great Tree: Arcane Study In Eden II

Becoming A Student

The Arcane student in Eden is a very uncommon sight. There are two sources of young magic users in Eden. The first are magic colleges. There are two large, successful colleges in Eden with their own regulations and methods. Then there is apprenticeship. Magic users are an eccentric lot and at times, do not get along with one another. Of total population of esoteric magic users we might say that only a quarter or less of it is actually in colleges and cities or actively engaging community in other ways. Many magic users become reclusive and vain, wanting to be the one who discovers something new and fascinating and – most importantly – gets all of the credit for it and most of the benefits from it. These folk will often begrudgingly accept apprentices to help them with menial tasks in exchange for teaching them some magic. But the colleges are the most effective producers of mages that can be a credit to society, rather than a detriment.

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Common Culture: Dress In Adel

Basic Dress Etiquette

•Don’t wear armor or weapons indoors. If you must, clap your hands and bow your head when entering.

•Robes are put on with the right side over the left side and then tied.

•Don’t wear a mostly white outfit except in funerals or in mourning.

•A sword can accompany any outfit. Blunt weapons are reserved for the clergy, who can wear such weapons proudly. The axe and polearm are best merely carried rather than actively worn and should be discarded indoors or when trying to have polite company, usually lain on the ground. Firearms can be carried in their holsters or slung around the shoulder or back when walking, but if sitting down for a meal or talk, they should be lain against a wall.

Common Wear

The outermost garment for most people is a t-shaped cloth or linen robe that is divided down the middle and tied with a cloth belt. They are worn as general clothing. Thinner or filmy versions might be worn to sleep, in private or with close company. These robes have either high or plunging necklines depending on the season can be long or short depending on the season. They come in a variety of colors and hand-sewn patterns and are usually hand-decorated for one’s personal style.

In the summer, common robes are worn with sleeves reaching to the elbow, and down to the thighs in length. The usually have plunging necklines that allow the clothes to breathe some in the hot climate. These are accompanied by high-cut, close-fitting undershirts, usually sleeveless, as well as short pants. There are also breastbands specifically for women to wear.

In very cold climates, these robes are paired not only with undershirts but with an additional robe, and robes worn are longer and of thicker material. The sleeves are worn overlong to wrap around the hands, unless the wearer is going to do a lot of work with them in the cold. The winter is the only extended period of time when it is culturally sound to wear a white robe as an outer-garment. The only other times are funerals and times of great illness or mourning. White robes are for the dead and dying, but Eden’s winters are a time where everyone is considered close to death.

Stylized Clothing

There are many variations on these robes. Some people wear them completely sleeveless, usually people performing hard labor. Some women wear them falling off their shoulders and upper chest, either with a sleeveless shirt beneath, or without one, being careful to bind the robe well so it still covers the breasts. Rural travelers often wear their robes with longer pants and long-sleeved shirts beneath to give off an adventurous look, and for convenience.

Robes are also worn for ceremonial purposes and as signs of industry. Arcanists wear robes along with high-necked shirts and long conical sleeves. Robes are a sign of advancement in the Clergy. A clerical acolyte dresses only in a sleeveless shirt and short pants. Only when he or she has learned all of the requisite prayers and proven him or herself will the acolyte, now a priest or priestess, be allowed to dress in the divine garb: a loose-fitting robe worn over the acolyte clothing. To progress to the next stage in the hierarchy, the young cleric must serve with dignity until he or she is presented with a high-necked, short-sleeved shirt to replace the sleeveless acolyte shirt. This is called “earning the collar” – the shirt is worn under the robe but the high neck sticks out of it, thereby displaying status. The final symbol of status is to shed the robe and wear a cassock.

Adelians make pigments for the face, out of mixtures of fruits, insects, minerals and fats. Lipstick and eyeshadow are common, and not just for high class women. Rural villagers, the ones who usually make the pigments in the first place, are also not above (or below as the case may be) wearing pigments to try to look their best.

High Culture

On way to display wealth is to wear something other than a robe. Dress shirts, vests, suits and capes are the dress of high class. Button-downs and cufflinks are unheard of for robes, and the very sight of a buttoned shirt means one is staring at either a military uniform, a church cassock or a suit. Arms are always a welcome accessory, but armor is a bit less fashionable, unless one wants to affect the gallant look of an officer, which of course requires more than just the clothes. Men often wear suits and express their creativity with all manner of smaller accessories, from hats to monocles to cufflinks of all sorts. Women can just as often be seen wearing suit and tie if it pleases them, particularly taller and slimmer women.

It is more common however for high class women to wear some style of dress. Traditionally large, ornate wear is available, often worn with a corset. These dresses are often multi-layered and require the assistance of servants to wear, and teasingly show only the smallest amount of skin. From the tropics come more sensual forms of dress, also quite in vogue. The single-layer garments of Periterim boast halter necks, back openings, narrow windows between the breasts or in other areas or slitted skirts – and sometimes, all of the above. Even in wintry cities like Oomash, classy, hip women will risk such dress, protecting themselves with heavy coats until they reach the warmth of a ballroom and can resume dazzling those around them.

These types of clothes, however, are rarely worn around the house, at least not in whole. In the privacy of their own homes most high class people revert to some kind of thin, loose robe. It’s just part of the culture – Adelians are made for robes.

Droemedae Wear

The Droemedae have a different dress culture than the Adelians. Droemedae are a bit more concerned about the contact between their skin and the outside world. They tend to wear rubber-like, skin-tight flesh or black colored suits as their closest layer of clothing, with heavy one-piece robes with square neck-lines. A cloak or a cape or even a second set of robes are worn over these as the outermost layer. Despite their germaphobia, Droemedae never cover their faces, even refusing to wear any armored helmets or hats. This is because of their antennae, as well as their general culture. Droemedae have adopted facial pigments from the Adelians and use them sparsely – both male and female Droemedae wear lipstick and other kinds of pigments. Because Droemedae do not observe gender roles, and particularly because their near-total lack of gender dimorphism – all Droemedae look effeminate – they tend to wear Adelian clothing of whatever style pleases them, be they male or female.