WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK 0038 0038
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one’s name for the first time. Attites close their eyes
when listening, especially when absorbing the wisdom
or experience of an elder; other humans find this odd
or off-putting. Not closing one’s eyes sends the pointed
message that they are purposefully not listening. Mating outside the race is forbidden, punishable by banishment or death. Attite women eat separately from the
men as a matter of cultural preference, and each finds
it embarrassing to be seen eating in the company of the
other.
Children are reared communally but disciplined at
home. After coming of age, one Attite girl per family
is turned out to find another community on her own;
these temporarily defenseless girls often face harsh
treatment until they find the protection of another
family, but the freedom for Attite women to choose their
future husbands mitigates this. Attites bury their dead.
Out of necessity of late, some have begun a practice of
rendering the bodies first to retrieve water, though most
find this barbaric.
Attites also share these peculiarities:
• Alush Yal Concentration: Attite spell casters
perform calming rituals they call the alush yal
that improve concentration. They derive these
lengthy but effective techniques from the writings of the Calming Voice (Bin-tith). A mind
so prepared sees clearer relationships between
time, cause, and effect.
• Gifts: Adults often exchange gifts of jewelry upon
meeting, usually nothing more than a tiny stone
or wooden trinket; craftsmanship and attention to
personal detail are valued more than the gift’s expense. A cut stone from a place where two people
first met makes a valued token of friendship. Ganshyer, the black steel alloy that resists the Iron Virus,
is especially prized.
• Brick Builders: Attites are brick builders where
they establish permanent settlements. Youths gain
strength stomping in clay pits and carrying heavy
bundles for their artisans and masons. Their decorative brickwork designs hold intricate varieties
and shapes of brick to form magnificent mosaics.
• Tents: In the wilderness or open desert, traveling
Attites tend to modestly space their camps of single-family tents, their fabrics stitched in elaborate
patterns.
• Bahnmi Bread: Attite bakers make Bahnmi, spongy
bread that absorbs and intensifies the flavors of the
other food eaten with it.
• Mauxan Jewelry: Mauxan is exotic greenstone jewelry traditional to Attites that fetches high prices
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due to its reputation as an intensifier of romantic
experiences.
Rumors & Secrets
Prophecies and many-layered rumors about all the
scattered human tribes abound among the Attite people.
• Attites suspect the Gare Attessa of subtle manipulations, which holds true for the most part. One day,
an Attite prophecy claims, a betrayed Gare Attessa
will cry until the seas are refilled.
• Attites know the story of the Dragon King Chroma’ano
well, and are ever watchful for the Vittarrans, want-
