Shimsharic

Because Shimshar and the surrounding climes are warm, temperate, and very sunny, the clothes the people of Shimshar wear tend to be loose and flowing, to better let cool air flow. The concept of 'winter' as Mira and Dalreme know it is foreign to them, as is the concept of freezing water aside from the sailors who make winter voyages up north.   Although the cuts and styles of fashion have changed drastically over the years, slowly becoming more congruent with their international neighbors, traditional Shimsharian dress involves sandles, flowing white fabric, and wide-brimmed hats to shield one's eyes from the sun. The men will wear a fabric belt dyed in a bright color, the pants made from a hardy fiber that resists not only the sweat of toil, but the corrosion of the salt air. Women's skirts will be loose about the legs and ankle-length, to deter biting critters. Their tunics will be dyed a bright color, and put over the undershirt to prevent it from tearing during their day work.   Festival wear features far more bright colors, carefully sewn together to tell the stories of their ancestors through color. As the Festivale of Glass became prominent, Women would sew small panes of glass into their skirts to catch the light in just the right ways, making their entire outfit sparkle in the sunlight. Men would have small metal baubles attatched to the shoulders and brims of their hats to match, also cathing the light. Beautiful embroidery decorated every piece of cloth, from the hat to the skirt to the belt.

Glass and Mosaic are chief amoung Shimsharic culture; Glassblowers and tile makers are among the most respected of the culture's artisans. The Festivale of Glass is the country's premire event; anyone wanting to find work in either trade finds their opportunity at the festivale. Doors are made with elegant stained glass windows built in, and colorful mosaics decorate the walls and city streets. With the advent of motor vehicles, which are naturally heavier than a horse and wagon even before cargo is added, certain artisans have been experiementing with natural rock and mixed cements, using the natural greys and reds to mimic mosaic designs in the road while creating something that can withstand high traffic.   Shimsharic buildings were rarely built with straight wood; clay and rock where the foundational materials, as it was plentiful and good for keeping homes cool in the summer. Airy windows were designed on all parts of a house to allow natural airflow from the sea. Wood, when wood could be carefully sourced, was used to build railings, awnings, and other accessories for a house. As trade began to open and wood became easier to access, small cabins were built along the shoreline as 'temporary' summer housing for visitors, although the temporary housing soon became permanent.

One of the oldest legends in Shimsharian culture is the The Queen of the Sea, a 'Tide Queen' that calls sailors out to the distant horizon, claiming them as her own. Although the public worship of the Tide Queen has faded in recent centuries, she persists in the myths, stories, and occasionally the architecture that survives from the olden days.   A more recent, and not near as pleasant a legend, is that of De Luca the Dreaded, a pirate who terrorized the eastern sea for almost ten years. Even with his recent demise at the hands of another pirate, Aramis 'Headwind', his dark shadow will haunt the oceans for years to come. Sailors used to say that to see the ash-grey sails of his ship, the 'Faithless Molly', was to see the cloak of the grim reaper.   Oddly enough, Aramis himself is the progenitor of many a legend himself. Namely, his start of piracy, in which he stole the dictator's prized new vessel, dubbing it the 'Admiral's Revenge', and taking to the high seas, taking the court mage with him. Some variations of the story claim he murdered the court mage before fleeing, others claim that he stole the dictator's personal harem as well, taking more than a dozen women with him as he fled the capital. Aramis himself laughed at many of these stories; he saw the court mage alive and well at breakfast this morning, after all. Sadly, with his recent reported death due to ichor poisoning, we many never know just how much of these stories were true.

People of Shimsharic descent are expected to let the woman, unlike their northern bretheren, make the first move in the courtship process. A man can make himself known to any number of women, and any woman can have any number of male courtiers; the people of Shimshar found that, since the women were typically the ones who stayed on land and raised the household, they should have the say in who helps form it.   Traditionally, the woman will offer a token of some sort to the man she wishes to court; a handkerchief or a locket with their portrait, something small and easy to carry, yet also easy to display as a symbol of 'claimancy'; this man is Mine. Should the man accept, the courtship process begins. Much like their northern neighbors, wealthy and noble families will have a strong influence in who the lady is introduced to and acquainted with, to better influence her choice. The token has also be used, either in deceit or to spread libel; many a woman has found themselves discgraced because their token was found in the posession of a man that was below their station to court.   Although this tradition has faded a bit in modern times, and men are more likely to come home from the ocean alive, many grandmothers will entrust their daughters and granddaughters with the token that has been passed down for generations, with a reminder to only give it to a man they trust with their heart, and their life.