Kingdom Caelium
Winds

Superstitions
    If the first leaves of autumn blow northward, it means something good will happen.
    If during a violent storm, a tree falls over and it's pointing southish, it's bad luck.

Death and the Afterlife
    They are in favor of cremation. They  believe that is only right and proper to give someone a 'final flight' on the winds after death.

Mysticism
    See it as harmless, mostly for entertainment. Some of the priests are inclined to take the advice of mystics now and then, but not often.

Priestly Marriage
    Previously, did not condone it on a lawful level. After merging with Maelstrom, has elected to ease off the 'lawful' part and make it a social problem.

Storms

Superstitions
    They are not particularly superstitious people, however they do have a couple. The first is that when a Storm dies, a two day period of celebration is held before the burial where those who knew the Storm talk publicly of that warriors victories and his strength and skill in combat. This is to honour the Storm and to ensure he is not forgotten as well as inspiring children to live up to the Storm's example so that he can live on through them and their deeds.
    The other superstition is not held by everyone, but the general belief is that spending the night before any form of large scale combat in a temple and praying to Taed will earn them greater strength while partaking in the battle.

Death and the Afterlife
    The Storm bury their dead in accordance with their superstitions.

Mysticism
    Storms are about the same as wind types. Most of the population considers it nothing more then entertainment but some view it as worth consideration.

Priestly Marriage
    Maelstrom didn't disallow priests to marry, but generally the practice was highly frowned on and a married priest was considered less worthy of respect then a single priest. It was only slightly better then a storm marrying a water or wind type.

Khelek Crystalands

Superstitions
    If the first snow falls before the start of Winter it's good luck.
    Stepping on cracks is bad; any cracks, not necessarily ones in ice.

Death and the Afterlife
    Given that it's hard to bury the dead in solid ice, usually bury their dead in a type of 'snow/ice coffin' in their designated cemeteries.

Political Structure
 

    The Ice types elect a leader who they call the Master after a speech is given by each candidate. Any Ice type can give a speech, but two signs are more likely to win then one signs. The Master of Ice has final say in legal, political, diplomatic and economic matters. There are official aides of the Master who help out with research and aid in the development of plans or act as messenger. There are a couple of more local people who help make sure the Master is aware of everything that is going on and settle cases that do not need to be brought before the Master. Military and religious leaders are also higher politically than the common population. Aside from the aforementioned ranks, all those who have reached the age of adulthood are about equal.

The hierarchy within the government is as follows:

• The Master of Ice
  Military officers of the rank of Colonel and above; Council of Advisers- only gathers when called
  Religious leaders- the one highest in the religious hierarchy for each Force
  Official aides
  Everyone else

Summary of Political Rights
Master of Ice

• Final say in all political matters
• The rights that come with being an adult citizen
• Can appoint and dismiss advisers and aides whenever the desire to do so is felt
• Can call the Council of Advisers into session at any time
• Basically an elected absolute monarch
• Once elected, remain in power until death
• However, candidates to become Master cannot vote in the election to determine who gets to become Master.

Military Officers of Colonel and Above; Council of Advisers; The Highest Ranking Priest of Each Force

• Can present any matter they wish at any time
• Can interrupt meetings of any group their rank or below for any reason
• Can interrupt meetings between the Master and any group their level or below for urgent reasons
• Of all the levels below Master, this one has the most ease in being granted audiences.
• The rights that come with being a citizen

Official Aides; those placed in charge of individual cities or towns

• Can also present any matter they wish at any time
• Can only interrupt meetings between the other groups for important reasons
• Greater access than the common people have to government documents
• The rights that come with being a citizen

Regular People

• Can petition the government
• Can vote for all elected offices
• Can serve in any office, if qualified and chosen
• Can attempt to acquire audiences with those of the other levels
• Free speech

Military Structure
    There are four generals, one for each quarter of the military and generally the people from the same quarter of the Crystalands tend to be assigned to the same quarter of the army. Each general has three colonels under their command. For every fifth unit, there is a lieutenant colonel in charge of the five units who answers to one of the colonels. Answering directly to the lieutenant colonel who is in charge of their unit and four others are the captains who lead individual units. Each captain has two lieutenants to act as aides and to lead the unit if the captain is killed. For every fifth of the amount of soldiers in a unit- which can vary based on condition of the unit and the situation surrounding the unit- there is a sergeant who trains and acts as a representative of the fifth which they are assigned to. Those who aspire to be sergeants and those who are noticeably more experienced then their peers are called corporals and have slightly higher authority and respect than common soldiers. The rest of the unit is mostly comprised of soldiers who have no other title than just soldier; with the exception of any recruits who are at the lowest link of the chain of command.

Religious Practices
    Even though there are priests and formal religious services on important days, religion is generally practiced privately rather than publicly. Though certainly not frowned upon, overtly religious behavior, especially if it runs contrary to common sense is fairly rare among those who are not priests or performing ceremonial duties.

Effects of Being Married on Priests
    Though not encouraged or officially discouraged to, priests are permitted to marry. After marriage, there is no gain or loss in where the priest stands in the religious hierarchy; even though single priests are seen more often by the common people. The exception is if there is a priest who has declared they intend to perform mostly weddings or blessings upon people's home, those priests are encouraged to marry and the amount which they are visited remains roughly the same. To put it simply, priests can but it does affect how likely it is for the common people to see that specific priest.

Mysticism
    Mystics are consulted about the comparative severity of the coming winter or about the sincerity of those who seek alliances but their advice is generally only one of many things considered and, depending on the personality of the Master, speaking to the mystics might only be done out of tradition. To put it simply, divination is acceptable as is predictions of the future; however, anything to bend the will of the Forces or alter future events, more than knowledge of what is to come would, is strictly forbidden.

Social Classes
    Ordinary people are fairly equal, the differences come mainly due to the nature of those involved. People who stand around and do nothing are snubbed by most for not having any sort of desire to be self-sufficient. Independence is rewarded, but they don't ignore each other for obvious reasons.

General Meanings and Themes of Names
    Generally the meaning of given names reference the cold, snow or ice. However, families with a military tradition or linked to officers tend to give names with military meanings. Families linked to people who are of high status in religious hierarchies tend to give names with religious meanings. Though there are exceptions, the exceptions are generally related to foreigners or the children of those who wished to make their child as unmistakable as possible, even if only in name. "K"s, "A"s, "E"s, "C"s and "L"s often appear in names regardless of meaning.

Myths
    Centuries ago the Ice types where much more scattered across Khelek. Their Master at that time, however ruled over all of the Crystallands just as today. During the reign of Master Tuyet, a great silver dragon descended to land before him while he was hunting and lowered it's head to look into the three sign's eyes. Though startled, Tuyet inclines his head in respect for such a mighty creature.
    "Look up, young Master of the Ice elementals. The time has come for your people to form into a true city-state rather than a scattering across the land..." the great dragon purrs. "And to find your true home. Speak to me like you would to your people, I have no appetite for needless formality."
    "Dragon, what do you mean by 'true home?' I have thought Khelek was our home," Tuyet replies, tilting his head, puzzled.
    "Gather your people and you shall see where in Khelek your people will find home and glory."
    Tuyet complies with the dragon's request and brings his people to gather before the dragon. Most of the people are either frightened or awed by the great beast...
    Though still lowering itself to try to look less intimating the dragon says, "Those who bear the sign of Ice, I am Glacia and I have come to lead you to where your destiny awaits. Rest assured, I mean no harm, only to guide."
    Glacia spread its glistening wings and flew slowly so that the people could follow; and follow they did. Finally, the dragon reaches a certain spot and unleashes a roar which clears that spot of land so that the building may begin.
    "People of Ice, this is the spot where your capital should be. Now that I have guided you to this spot, I will now return to my home far to the north of here," Glacia purrs before flying swiftly out of sight.
    Tuyet orders for the building to begin and thus the current capital was built at its present location. Though he died not many years later, he was the first Master to reside in the current palace.
 

Ronduin

Superstitions
    If the water doesn't ripple when you look into a pool of water, it's good luck.
    Falling into mud puddles is terribly bad luck.

Death and the Afterlife
    They go for the whole funeral pyre boat thing, where they set a body on a boat, shove it out to see, and then sometimes set it on fire. Otherwise they just go out and put it in the ocean or river. If no large source of water is readily available, then the body is placed near a source of water, such as a spring or a creek.

Mysticism
    Indifferent, and generally ignore the practitioners.

Humontis

Superstitions
    The first of course is that all life is linked to the earth. They believe that while their symbols are a direct channeling, anyone can call upon the earth if they devote themselves to it, for the earth gave them life and the gifts they were given.
    Due to this there is equality amongst all life and usage of their direct channel to the "earth mother" (their name for the lifeforce of the planet) should only be utilized when absolutely necessary.
    One of the biggest superstitions as tied to the word deals with the tallest peak of mount Humontis (consequently, the area that they consider most sacred and the shrines of the forces are carved here). This is passed from elder to younger to tell the temper of the forces, it only links to the four main elements though (earth, wind, water, fire). It is said that whatever looms over the mountain at any given time is what the forces themselves are feeling.
        Fire (in the form of lightning): The forces are angered at them, striking forth with retribution
        Water (in the form of rain or snow): The forces are desolate and sad, whether because of their actions or events in the world
        Wind (tricky to determine high winds over normal, priests divine this): This is dependent on direction as well. North means that there is an abnormally high level of flux in the plain of existence for the forces, very rare occurrence because of the mountains shape. East is time for celebration, times when things are abnormally well... farmers work on harvest at these points. South means turmoil in the world. West means major change in the mortal world whether good or bad.
        Finally Earth (no abnormalities): This simply means that the elements are in balance and peace reigns through the land. Most favorable condition.

Death and the Afterlife
    The Earth types bury their dead as well. 'From the earth to the earth' is chanted in the ceremonial earth ancient tongue. The deceased is then buried with use of symbols on the bodies of all the closest Kin (one generation away). Then if there is a successor to the dead in whatever form, he or she is nominated and given the family heirloom passed by the deceased. If no close kin then dead are buried in a place divined low in nutrients by plant types in order to supplement this area. This is actually seen as a great honor and those with kin request the same done to them very often. No grave markers either, once buried you become part of a greater whole.

Mythological Creatures
    There are two stories that all the earth children know at a young age about mythological creatures.
    One is the guardian of the grand force, buried beneath Humontis itself, a chimera whose heads represent the four major elementals in perfect balance, only a story of course, never confirmed. But one can see some of the failed tunnels dug by some of the Earths who got a little too curious.
    Another is especially for the plant types, this one speaks of a doppelganger of sorts that can envelop any form but human unless the human consents (this is usually done by causing a mental breakdown in the host). Never truly confirmed, but there have been many contact stories and any claiming to have been 'possessed' in such a way are seen as insane.

Mysticism
    The earth people are led by a theocracy rotating around the earth mother. To some extent with the ceremonies and ales and many other things the earth people developed, mysticism and it's idiosyncrasies have existed to them since time's beginning. However, to call upon the forces at a whim, to try to bend the angels of the earth mother to you would be seen as blasphemous. So things such as fortune telling and prayers to the forces would be widely accepted. But the profane methods would be seen as against everything their people stood for.

Priestly Marriage
    Well, here is the fun of a theocracy. Marriage is not allowed under the theocracy of Humontis. That would be 'cheating' on their special bond with the earth mother. Priests getting married lose all privileges of the position, and are considered 'untrustworthy'.

Priesthood Hierarchy
    1) Top is the temple of the Earth Mother
    -High Priestess (always female) and overall highest honored voice on the mount is the Scion of the Earth mother.
        a. Position currently filled by Silver (played by Acadia)
        b. Only holy person that can marry - in fact it is encouraged as the line of the Scion is passed from daughter to daughter. Spouse is encouraged to be a non-earth affinity.
        c. If position is void it is handed to a woman fitting description of the Scion, usually soft, young, beautiful, mixed signs.

    -Earth Mother holy men and women are treated just like priests but their say is regarded as higher then the other priests

    Holy books of the earth mother:
        (1)Holy Barks- This is basically the bible for the earth people, tells heroic stories, teaches lessons, and gives the origin of people as well as the end.
        (2)Sermon of the Oaks- Sermon where most of the law of the Earth people comes from. Contains the commandments of the Earth mother and several lists on behavior.

    2) All other forces fall equally beneath: The forces are seen as angels and servants to the Earth Mother, who is the origin of all life on Naruta. All priests tend to honor just the rules of their particular parish with some slight differences on Humontis.

    Rule #1: Priests outside of the Scion cannot marry for marriage is seen as destroying the bond between a priest and their force.
    Rule #2: As a priest you are living like nobility on Humontis, you are seen as a higher say then even River and the Senate, although imposing views over total political affair is frowned upon

Naurorod

Superstitions
    Various alignments of the stars determine certain occurrences in fate, both good and bad - the Fires are strong believers in astrology.

Death and the Afterlife
    Fire types are in favor of cremation. The reason is rather obvious - ashes to ashes.

Mysticism
    Curiously, they find it worthy of use. Though they might not make any weighty decisions based off the results (save for the superstitious) they do tend to take the answers given via mysticism into consideration, and take it seriously. Mystics with a knack for accuracy are sometimes considered valued members of the clan.

Myths
    Long ago when the world of Naruta was young and the current system of rulership in Naurorod had barely been put into place, terrible monsters roamed the desert of Naurorod and the Fires were in danger of being overwhelmed. Not wanting to see his people brought to such an end, a three sign priest of Taed by the name of Flammar prepared himself to set out to attempt to bring an end to the invasion.
    "Flammar, are you certain there is no other way? Neither your fellow priests, Honored Leader, nor myself wish for you to give your self up as a sacrifice," the leader of Flammar's clan, Nakata, says as he approaches the other man.
"Elder Nakata, if my death will ensure our future, then I am more than willing to die." Flammar gently requests after a few seconds, "Please take after everyone for me."
    The Elder nods his consent, feeling no real desire to argue and sensing the other's determination.
    Chanting a prayer to the Elements themselves for him to save his people over and over again, Flammar brings both Fire signs on his wrists to the Earth sign on the center of his forehead as he walks. Once he reaches the center of Naurorod his prayer is answered. Flammar's body becomes heavy and seemingly rooted to the desert sand as he stands alone. His voice grows louder and changes into the rumbling bass of a volcano's roar and seconds later the man's body fades out of existence while the volcano forms where he stood. At the instant of forming, the new Naurorod volcano erupts which drives of the monsters and permits the continued survival of the Fire types.
    It is said that encased in obsidian on a shelf near the core of the volcano, Flammar's body still exists. His spirit lives on within the volcano to watch over his beloved kin in Element and to protect them should they find themselves in another time of great need.

Naming
    Naming in clans goes as follows: Technically, there are no surnames in Naurorod. If a Fire's name is John, and his father was named Bernard, he would introduce himself as "John, son of Bernard". In society outside of Naurorod, this can be adapted to "John Bernardson". For girls, it is different. If a female Fire's name is Anita, and she belongs to Clan Char, she would be introduced as "Anita, Child of Char". In other socities, this translates to, "Anita Charchild".

Reave

Mysticism
    Varies between the people, most don't mind it, some don't care for it, and others practice it. Mostly the old who at times try to teach it to the young.

Sensatia

Mysticism
    Split, as a society, over how to broach the subject. Half take it very seriously and vouch for it to become a taught subject to the young. The other half thinks it's nearly blasphemous and want it completely eradicated.

Marriage
    In order to ensure the continued growth of Minds and the general population of Sensatia, a marriage lottery has been installed. Every year, in Spring, a great festival is held in honor of the young adults in the community. Everyone fifteen years and older who is without spouse, or a planned marriage, is to put their names into the lottery wherein randomly assigned mates (of similar ages) are assigned to one another. After this, there is a grace period for the new couple to get to know one another, or trade off engagements with others, in hopes of gaining a more favorable pairing. Fifteen year olds, as they are not yet considered adults, have a full year in which to get familiar with their future spouse. Adults, sixteen and older, have six months. Another method of gaining marriage that is highly encouraged is arranged marriages.

Other
    Due to the extremely low population, Minds are given substantial financial support from Sensatia's government coffers for every child they have.