Kin
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Shared customary codes and values
Common Etiquette rules
Pronouns and Relationships
The Kin revert to "us" and "we" when discussing themselves in all but the most intimate conversations. Personal identity is considered a highly private matter, respected by all but shared with only a select few. As a result, the Kin hold little interest in the concept of gender and gender roles as understood by much of the universe, instead focusing on their personal roles and assignments within their Clan and caravan. The Clan in turn supports each member in these interests, finding ways to balance the caravan's needs with the skills and interests of its members. Personal conversations revolving instead around the pronouns "I," "me," and singular "you" are considered highly intimate, reserved for those with whom the speaker has formed a personally fulfilling relationship. To receive someone's personal pronouns is an act of trust and deep friendship, often in the hope of something more: marriage, to form a private family unit. Vardan marriages focus on a working partnership among all participants, rather than romance, placing a higher focus on the intellectual and, to a lesser degree, emotional relationship and intimacy between the participants, rather than a physical relationship. Marriages among Kin are therefore emotionally closed, frequently polygamous. They are also physically open, particularly in the case of those wishing to become gestational parents, in accordance with the Kin's emphasis on the genetic diversity of each new generation.Privacy
Vardan caravan ships are often cramped, with little personal space. As a result, the right to privacy is highly respected among the Kin. Each family unit is granted their own personal shared quarters, which are off-limits to all those outside the family unit, with exceptions made for small children. Additionally, the Kin refuse to acknowledge overheard conversations utilizing personal pronouns, instead pretending they never noticed the speakers or their words. As with all things among the Vardan, the usual rules of etiquette are followed with an almost religious zeal, for the sake of all Kin - unless doing so would endanger the caravan, Clan, or Kin.Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Pregnancy Among Vardan
In an effort to increase the genetic variance within the Vardan, when conceiving a child most gestational parents will select a genetic donor from one of the merchants' many planetary ports of call, rather than from among the Kin. These genetic donors waive all rights to any resultant children, or even the knowledge of whether or not the pairing resulted in a child, ensuring they do not grow up with split loyalties that would distract from their place as Kin. Upon a successful pregnancy, gestational parents are closely cared for by their family unit, with assistance as needed from the rest of their Clan-Kin. While expected to continue their regular responsibilities as best as they are able during the beginning of their pregnancy, as the unborn child's development progresses so to does their gestational parent's need for rest. Their family unit, as well as the rest of their Clan-Kin, will therefore jump in readily to take over the typical roles of their pregnant Kin, and to care for the medical needs of both the developing child and their gestational parent. The Kin believe each child is a gift, from the Void to the Clan. The perinatal care provided among Vardan caravans is considered among the best in Vazdimet.Birth and Childcare
Each birth is a cause for intense and prolonged celebration, among both the child's family unit and their Clan. Upon birth of a new child, their family unit is permitted a break from their typically shifts and duties in order to bond with their new family member. The newborn is presented to their family unit, with each member sharing a personal story from their own life accompanied by a wish for the newborn's future. Family members take turns caring for the gestational parent and the newborn, ensuring both receive all the meals and sleep they require. Provided the Clan is large enough, the family will be excused from their responsibilities for a full week, to instead care for their members. For smaller Clans or larger family units this duration is often shorter, or with staggered shifts for each parent, although in all cases the family unit will be granted at least a full day with no responsibilities to anyone outside the family unit. During this week the family will select the newborn's first name, while will be used to refer to them until they are considered of age and ready to select their own name. The family unit will present both child and name to the Clan, at which point the Clan begins their own celebration of the newborn. From this point on the Clan-Kin will assist the child's family unit in care for both newborn and gestational parent until both have recovered fully from the birth. Upon recovery, the gestational parent will resume their usual duties toward the Clan, while the Clan accepts full responsibility for the well-being of the child.Coming of Age Rites
Renaming Ceremonies
Beginning with their coming of age, a Kin is welcome to change their name as often as they feel necessary, as they discover more about themselves and their role within the Clan. These ceremonies are the only time an individual will use their personal pronouns when addressing the Clan, as with each renaming they are also redefining their role within it. Most renaming ceremonies involve only minor adjustments to the Kin's existing name, although for large life changes a Kin may instead choose an entirely new name altogether to commemorate the occasion. The Kin believe there is power in a name, as it is the portal to one's personal identify. Strong past memories are often evoked by calling an individual by a former name, most often with parents referring to their children by their original presentation name, or two adults in a marriage referring to each other by the names they held when they originally formed their relationship.Funerary and Memorial customs
Common Myths and Legends
Layers of Kinship
To the Kin, all Vardan are Kin, regardless of any past differences or squabbles over trade routes. One's Clan and caravan members are instead known as Clan-Kin, an acknowledgement of ties toward their shared communal needs and safety. A family unit consists of all members of a marriage, plus their children. This may include adult children who have requested to remain within the family quarters upon completion of their coming of age renaming ceremony. All non-Vardan are known simply as outsiders, although in special cases a Clan Lead may choose to name an outsider Void Kin. This is a great honor, usually signifying a major act of service performed in benefit to the Clan.Theme by Damion. Vazdimet and Magic Logos by Grace Gittel Lewis. Faction and Family Logos by tjtrewin. Subscriber boxes by Stormbril. Meet the Vazdimet team.
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I love the Varden so much. <3
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
Me, too. I'm so excited with how they turned out.
Necromancy is a Wholesome Science.