Cultural Information: Carpathians

There are four different and distinct cultures on Varathusia — Varahs, Gadjhim Varagans, Gypsy Varagans and Carpathians.  Because of this, it is more difficult to quantify and categorise them.  In bygone times, each civilisation kept to its own cultural traditions but in the modern era, the differences have become less obvious.

Carpathians

Physical Appearance Carpathians place a great deal of emphasis on wearing the correct attire for every occasion and failure to do so is considered a faux pas at best and an insult at worst.  They also love to display their wealth and status by wearing expensive jewellery.  Carpathian men tend to grow their hair to collar-length or shoulder-length and keep it bound in a tail at the base of their neck.  Carpathian women usually have long hair, but how they style it depends on personal preference and current fashion trends.  Gender-fluid Carpathians usually adhere to formal dress codes when required.  The rest of the time, they openly wear their preferred manner of attire.

Society: In Carpathian society, the Inner Circle, which comprises of the ten most powerful families, dictates the law.  Interpretation of the law can be fluid and is often subject to bribes.  Knowing the right people can make all the difference when it comes to crime and punishment.

Lifestyle: Carpathians are very ostentatious in their ways and love to show off.  They are also very protective of their extended families and can be extremely generous.  Political manoeuvring is very common amongst the higher Echelons. Many marriages are by arrangement and usually to cement important family alliances.  Children are usually educated at home by relatives or friends of the family instead of being sent to school. They are groomed from an early age in how to run businesses and play advantages.  These subtle and complex strategies are sometimes referred to as the arts of Caarpagio — an ancient term derived from the same root as the words Caarpai and Carpathian, meaning to seize or grab.

Beliefs: Carpathians almost exclusively worship Iraevesh, the Goddess of Justice.  There are also some atheists in Carpathian society, although these are very much in the minority.  All Carpathians have a strong belief in enlightenment through ambition and self-advancement. Knowledge is of primary importance and most Carpathians rely on their extensive spy networks to provide them with information on their allies and rivals alike.

Art and Culture: Carpathians tend to be ambitious, materialistic and acquisitive in nature.  Thus their art and entertainment reflects this.  The wealthier families invest heavily in arts and entertainments.  It is quite commonplace for a Carpathian family (or an alliance of families) to own theatres, movie palaces, dance-clubs, music venues, brothels, sporting venues, bars and taverns, as well as being patrons for specific artists, entertainers and sports stars.  They have a sophisticated and highly developed theatre and movie industry which caters to all tastes.  Similarly, the written word is as diverse as the more visual forms of entertainment.