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Physical Traits

The people of Vhaluran are likely one of the most diverse races in the world. Due to their open society, the traits of many bloodlines of the world have converged within this city. Some families or individuals often favor the traits of one race or another. Within the city limits, one can see larger, hulking pale individuals, clearly favoring Tyrean heritage, or smaller, darker people favoring the presence of Azhuran blood in their family. While there is a mixed heritage in Vhaluran, these traits are quite naturally muted.

On average, a Vhalurian male is roughly 5'10" with body weight usually proportionate to their frame. Women are usually smaller than the males, a sure sign that, over the ages, most physical hardships have been endured by the males of the city. Eye colour ranges from pale blue to dark brown, and hair colours can be seen anywhere between blonde and black.

 

Appearance

Being adapted to a mild, temperate climate, Vhalurian fashion is quite varied. Thinner, loose fitting clothing is quite common in the summer, while, during the winter months, when the plains freeze, the people go through their days usually bundled tightly in thick woollen clothing. A simplistic people, Vhalurians often prefer dark, earthen colours suited to the dirty work of manual labour and battle. Tunics are quite popular among the nobility and commoners alike for their loose, comfortable fit. Cloaks are quite uncommon in the warmer months, as any labourer can attest to the heat of their work. Few Vhalurians wear much jewelry, with the exception of wedding rings, which are often incredibly expensive. A young male might bankrupt himself trying to honour his bride with the most exquisite token of love he can purchase. These are displayed proudly by their brides, while the men often wear simple gold bands. This is because weddings are sacred to Elysia, and most men fear possible impiety in not sufficiently honouring their bride, ignoring the decor of their own tokens.

Ear piercings are common among the women, while spurned by males. Most assume when they see a male with ear piercings that they are either some manner of criminal or simply effeminate, both equally detrimental stigmas. The same can be said for skirts of all kinds. The men in Vhaluran truly do wear the pants, leaving the skirts and dresses to the women.

A notable exception in Vhalurian fashion is the vast gap between nobility and common folk. While most commoners live lives of hard work and service, the nobility are often able to avoid these hardships. While this does not mean the nobility are layabouts, it does mean they can afford to wear more vibrant colours and delicate materials on a day-to-day basis. Not all the nobility observe this difference, however, as some Houses prefer to live a simplistic life, like their common brethren.

In addition, the clergy of the city are also a bit outside the fashionable norm. While there is no day-to-day dress code, clergymen often wear simplistic robes. During ceremonies and battle, they often wear ornate and majestic ceremonial robes, all the better to glorify their gods.

Soldiers, on duty are expected to wear the currently prescribed uniform, which is always in the colour of the city. Similarly, when acting in the capacity of their knighthood, Knights are expected to wear their uniforms, while most of them prefer the colour of their Houses in other situations.

 

Hygiene

While they are orderly, systematic and dedicated to excelling in their lives, Vhalurians are not very clean. The commoners tend to look down on a man who is not filthy at the end of the day, with the exception of the clerics. The people of Vhaluran do bath, but mostly only when filth is clearly visible on their bodies or a malodorous stench is present. Oddly, the commoners are likely the cleanliest of the lot, as the dirty nature of manual labour and service forces them to bath more often than the easier living nobility and clergy. This difference is not usually noticeable, as the nobility can often afford pleasant perfumes if they choose to use them.