Reimaran Society:

Working Classes:

Reimar’s working classes are tenant farmers, labourers, and the like.  They enjoy moderate freedom of movement and the privilege of living in a wealthy society, even if they themselves seldom see any of that wealth themselves.  The monarchs of Reimar have typically arranged some free circuses for the common folk, and the dukes are long accustomed to hosting various fairs around their demesne.

Skilled Labourers and the Mercantile Class:

Reimar boasts a large number of guilds, who see that their skilled workers are kept well in privilege and pocket.  Blacksmiths and carpenters have seen a boom in business with the development of skyships.

Reimar has a burgeoning class of merchants, some of which are wealthy enough to fund their own trade concerns.  The Guild of Merchants and Lenders is the principal trading concern in Reimar, with royal charter to do business in any part of Reimar.

Nobility:

Reimaran nobles are fairly wealthy, and eager to let their peers know.  Most Reimaran dukes and other assorted nobles choose to situate their primary residences inside the main city of their respective province.  While country villas offer peace and quiet, Reimaran nobles are loathe to go without ostentatious displays of wealth and patronage.  Furthermore, many wealthy nobles are eager to commission beautification projects, especially Ilmarch and Valencia, whose inhabitants have begun to regard a profusion of fountains, gardens, and statues as a regular part of life.

Reimar’s nobility has historically regarded hoses as the affairs of the working classes, and as such Reimar’s nobles rarely keen fine horses in the manner of Arnish or Sharan nobles.  In the past, there has been a respectful regard of the working classes ability to train and manage these useful animals, but in recent years some court-bound lesser nobles have begun to sneer at what they see as dirty low-class animals being managed by just as dirty low-class people.  Instead of horseflesh, Reimar’s nobles concern themselves with falconry, seeing the elegance of birds as a fitting pastime to throw massive amounts of money at.

Common Languages in Reimar:

Arinholer is the principal tongue of Reimar, with Old Reimaran and Espinozan being common provincial languages.  In C.E. 412, Sendoa the First adopted Arinholer as the language of Reimar in order to foster better economic and diplomatic ties between other Iberan nations (Arinholer was at the time the most popular trade language in Iber).

Naming Conventions: To our ears, Reimaran names seem like an odd mix of Basque, Spanish, and Italian.  In Reimar, the naming conventions vary be region, with the north of Reimar (the original territories that came together to found the kingdom) varying with the more recent southern provinces.  As a part of surnames, “de”, “do”, and “di” are sometimes used.  However, they should not be confused with “du”, which is an appellation used to signify nobility.  By Reimaran law, only those recognised as nobles may bear that appellation.

Predominance of Trade:

Reimar functions as a major trade hub.  The reliability of the Reimaran Teal, sea access to the Zarranese Empire, and well-maintained land routes to most Iberan nations has historically given Reimar a good position for commerce.  More recently, a burgeoning skyship industry and control over the Helion puts Reimar in an unrivaled position.  With all the trade related wealth that Reimar can tax, it’s no surprise that Reimar’s nobles can throw money around as easily as they do.

Pastries:

Reimar has developed some implied meanings behind certain food items.  Primarily involving pastries, different dishes have different meanings.

  • Cinnamon rolls: a recent (decade old) invention in Reimar, as cinnamon isn’t native to Reimar.  They’re popular gifts between members of the mercantile classes, as giving one is seen as a wish for good fortune (especially in business).
  • Unground wheat rolls: nothing more than an insult, this lumpy mass of poorly-ground wheat and wheat husks is often proffered to a loathsome relative at a family gathering.  Giving someone such a roll is essentially telling them they aren’t worth even a decently made bread roll.
  • Strawberries: it is popular perception that strawberries look like female genitalia is cut in half, and like male genitals if held upside down.  Their bright red colour doesn’t help either.  Strawberry tarts are popular gifts with young couples.
  • Custard: if it’s in a roll, it’s a nice treat for children.  If it’s given to an adult, it’s seen as a bit generic (acceptable among Reimar’s lower classes, not impressive to most of Reimar’s nobles).  However, toasted cream, a custard-like substance made from eggs, cream and vanilla is immensely popular, especially with Reimar’s nobility.  It’s hard to make well, and fashionable variations on it change multiple times a year.
  • Apple pie: apples and apple pie especially are seen as being somewhat provincial.  Among rural fairs, however, it’s a reliable and unassuming gift to bring.
  • Chocolate pastries: chocolate is very expensive in Reimar, and only bakeries that cater to Reimar’s nobles bother stocking it for pastries.  Even important dignitaries from other countries are impressed to be offered these treats.  When Abarron du Tealdan was crowned, he threw a separate party for the common people in the streets outside the royal palace, and a sizable selection of these treats were available.
  • Blueberries: popularly believed to be good for health and digestion.  A popular get-well gift is a blueberry muffin, as foods that are too sweet are held to be hard to digest for someone who is ill.
  • Raspberries: widely held to look too much like nipples, and so they have a mildly vulgar connotation.  Giving a raspberry pie or tart depends on how well you know them – not odd for a family member or friend who likes them, moderate offence if given to a stranger.

Gestures:

The Hook: extending the left hand’s little finger and wiggling it at someone is meant to indicate that you have an advantage over them, like a worm on a hook.  I.e. “I have you now” or “I’ve beaten you”.

Rubbing your index finger and thumb together is a polite way to attract attention.  it can also be used in a conversation to emphasize what you are saying without raising your voice.

National Anthem:

The idea of national anthems first originated in Iltraya, with a court-sponsored composer being so well received that one particular song was declared the song of the nation, to be played at every major festival.  Reimar has adopted the basic idea but the implementation met a snag with different dukes preferring their own musical arrangements be used instead of the proposed score.  As such, Reimar has one set of lyrics for the national anthem but a variety of competing musical scores.

“No sea so deep, no land so sweet,

No sky so blue, no pride so true,

Reimar, Reimar, far and wide

Reimarans, Reimarans, side by side

Steadfast and proud!  Reimar!

Prosperous and grand!  Reimar!

Never to falter!  Reimar!

Never to fall!  Reimar!”