Vysokan Culture and Society

Vysokan Society

Vysokan society and its culture are generally considered to be more conservative by its Coalition contemporaries. The reason for this stems from Vysoka’s focus on numerous traditional practices, its dedication to its faiths, and claims of direct cultural lineage from the old Earth groups Vysokans are descendants of. Vysokans culturally are split into 3 groupings: Urbanites, Ruralites, and Hostmen. Whereas the Urbanites are generally more cosmopolitan thanks to greater off-world influence, much to the irony of the goals of Vysoka’s colonialists, the Ruralites and Hostmen are more rooted in the old ways brought over to the newer world. Their cultures can be wildly diverse owing to their sometimes isolated and insulated natures as well. Subcultures in the cities do appear and are generally oriented towards following off-world trends from places like Venus or Persepolis.

There are still many consistent practices planet-wide. Religious buildings and holy men are well-respected and regarded highly in Vysokan society. Donations are common even from lower-class peoples (though these are usually material and not financial) with these various priests, shamans, monks, and nuns having a high standing in their communities. Harming one is considered a terrible act no matter how justified. Whether or not this respect extends to alien faiths or newer ones such as the Trinary or Tribunal depends on the Vysokan.

Families are a core aspect of Vysokan life. Extended families are expected to rely on each other and assist another member without expecting anything in return. An elder normally functions as a matriarch or patriarch, a respected head of the family whose advice all are expected to follow. The birth of a new child is cause for a great celebration 40 days after the child’s birth to celebrate a new generation of the family. Extended families tend to live under one roof or close together in a community. Arranged marriage is normal and Vysokans tend to marry younger than other Coalition cultures. When a family member becomes a criminal the impetus is less on the state to rehabilitate them and more on the family.

Hospitality and gift-giving for Vysokans is an art. When a guest comes to a Vysokan house they are typically offered tea and the best food available in the house. As a sign of respect, a guest is expected to partake in the offerings - to refuse implies the homeowner’s gift was not sufficient. Harming a guest invited into your house is considered a grievous offense. Dinners see the most respected or revered guest, normally an elder, placed at the head of the table and furthest from an entrance. Great care is given to make sure that these people are most comfortable. Working hard and being diligent is one of the most valued traits a person could have in Vysokan society. Laziness is hated, and Vysokans keep themselves motivated in the workplace to try and do their best.

Urban and Rural Culture

Urbanite Vysokans are typically much more cosmopolitan than their counterparts. While cultural practices are still alive in cities they aren’t as heavily stressed as they would be elsewhere. Urbanite Vysokans are free to split off from their families, embrace a different lifestyle, and many in their youths tend to join some counter-culture scene before maturing or moving on. Arranged marriages in the cities are less common as more prefer to simply date and find love like that. The family unit is not as strong but still carries weight. Urbanite families will usually be centered around a block. A community’s elders are normally involved in organizing local fairs, managing community centers, or small political organizations. Easier access to these urban areas tends to mean that those in the cities make up most of Vysoka’s higher educated people if they can afford it of course.

In the villages of Vysoka, ruralites live their lives in strict accordance with their old ways. To step outside of the culture is to be shunned by the village at large. Elders hold enormous sway and regularly convene to discuss, pass judgments on cases, and lead the town’s affairs. The families are close-knit and live together underneath the same roof. The eldest or youngest of a family is always expected to take care of their parents when they become old and sacrifice anything for the sake of the family. Marriages are arranged with both families interviewing potential prospects before the groom or bride makes their choice. If there aren't any villages nearby, marriage between other members of the same village is fine. Neighbors are usually close to one another. A neighbor dropping by uninvited with food to share and a discussion to have is a common occurrence. Education is only marginally better here than for hostmen thanks to their connections to nearby cities. Because of the tendency for hosts to settle as villagers and vice-versa, hostmen and ruralite culture can often be similar in their outlooks and views.

Host Culture

Travel and survival among the hosts define their culture. Never sticking to one place they remain on the move as their ancestors did centuries or millennia ago. This life can result in some hosts viewing their way as inherently superior to those of any “settled” people. Life is almost entirely covered by tradition, however, the freedom that a hostman enjoys can overpower this. A family cannot look down on a member who goes against their wishes for their own sake of adventure or to find themselves. Hosts as a whole are closely linked to one another. Other hostmen know their fellow hostmen in and out. It is for this reason that marriage outside of the host is vastly preferred to marriage inside one. Typically, whichever spouse will join a different host is the one who will receive the dowry. Weddings are far more significant as it means that the one who marries into another Host will be away from their own people for months, maybe years at a time. Being of old age alone doesn’t invoke respect among the Hosts - experience and knowledge are. As elderly Hostmen tend to have plenty of both, they are referred to as teachers and oftentimes leaders of hosts. Priests in a host serve as teachers as well while also doubling as moral guidance. If a hostman needs a higher (or legally proven) education they will usually head towards a city. This is especially needed for those who intend to head off-world for a time.