Cultures

Borost is inhabited by a number of different cultures, who hold different and unique customs.

This article will summarize the most important paradigms present throughout Borost.

Borostím
The culture of the Borostím, although largely homogeneous because of millennia of cohesion, has, as of recently, undergone a number of divisions. In Borost, many elves have embraced the ways of the Dwaerkar, while others have become radicalized by these developments. In the south, primarily in the Free Cities, the Borostím retain their traditions of Old.

Languages
Nearly all Borostím are fluent in Borostímat, a language standardized and developed during the reign of Tavres Ilsím. During their numerous sunderings and divisions, the Borostím have retained their use of this language, although many have learned other languages.

The primary new dialects learned by elves include Aalderdwaer, spoken in Helderen, Hyrost, and, to some extent, Tederland.

History
The Borostím view of history varies largely among several groups. There are three primary chains of thought amongst the Borostím, however: the Orthodox narrative, the Heterodox narrative, and the Free Cities narrative, also known as the Classical narrative.

The Orthodox historical account developed recently, the fruit of scholarly thought and development following the rise of the Dwaerkar. More recently, the Heterodox narrative has arisen to attempt to explain many of the legendary or contradictory components of the Orthodox narrative with a revised account. Finally, the Classical narrative is directly descended from the historical accounts of the Borostím of old.

Magic
Borostím universally accept the use of Magic, both in spells and sorceries. In fact, most converts to the Faith of Kel have remained supportive of sorceries, which has caused many problems for Dwaerkar priests and missionaries.

Magic is, undoubtedly, one of the cornerstones of the Borostím legendarium. Figures such as Orothost the Holy, Tavres Ilsím, and most of the other figures of Borostím legend were presumably among the most powerful sorcerers and spellcasters to live.

Politics
In Borost, views on politics pivot around the Fatherhood. In Tielsland freehold, dark elves are a tiny minority, and largely adhere to the strict rules enforced therein. In Helderen, there is a large population of Borostim, and the Fatherhood is well-implemented. In Hyrost and Westerbos, dark elves form a significant majority, and the Fatherhood is strictly implemented. In Vaalsebossen and Tederland, dark elves also form an important majority, but the Fatherhood is laxly implemented and enforced.

These various implementations of the Fatherhood have caused several responses among the Borostím populace. Laxer implementations have brought about a larger number of converts, who have nonetheless embraced Dwaerkar ways only half-heartedly. Stricter responses have brought the Borostím in line with Dwaerkar principles, but have engendered much unrest. In the cities, the Borostím dare not draw the ire of the Dwaerkar, but throughout the country, Borostím guerillas have begun operations against Dwaerkar interests. They attack missionaries, sabotage Dwaerkar-roads, ambush patrols, and rob and murder any citizens who align with the Fatherhood.

Religion
Borostím largely adhere to one of two religions. The majority of the Borostím remain enrolled in the Covenant, their faith of yore. Meanwhile, a significant fraction of the dark elves has converted to the belief in Kel, the god of the Dwaerkar.

Dwaerkar
The Dwaerkar culture is far less homogeneous than many observers would believe. On everything but a few points, the culture of the Dwaerkar has become sundered and splintered, which has spoiled the unity of the Dwaerkar and caused great contention throughout the Dwaerkar freeholds.

Languages
The Dwaerkar languages are spoken primarily by the Dwaerkar, with a number of secondary speakers among the other races.

The lingua franca of the Dwaerkar is Aalderdwaer, with numerous minor dialects spread throughout the freeholds. Ouwestadians and Tielslanders refer to Aalderdwaer as the 'primary language', which is controversial among the rest of the Dwaerkar.

The Dwaerkar made the mistake of not standardizing their language upon the rise of their culture, for which reason it has become sundered into a myriad of different dialects, which are only partially understandable by other speakers of the Dwaerkar languages.

History
The Dwaerkar view of history is largely homogeneous among Dwaer-kind, and is documented in the History of Borost article.

Magic
Because of their religion, the Faith of Kel, the majority of the Dwaerkar have strong views of Magic.

The use of spells is allowed and promoted in members of the intelligentsia, while the use of sorceries is forbidden under penalty of death. This is because Magic is considered the first of the Arts of Kel, which Kel used to create all the land. Hence, the use of Magic for destructive purposes is seen as a corruption of the Skeleton of the World, and is numbered among the vilest of heresies.

The Dwaerkar views on the necessity of Catalysts are a source of much friction with some Borostím academicians. The Dwaerkar believe that the universe is comprised of a number of different planes, two of which are known: the Material or Intranscendent Plane, and the Immaterial or Transcendent Plane. When drawing power from the Skeleton of the World, the Catalyst acts as a Medium by which Magic may flow from the Transcendent Plane to the Intranscendent Plane. The Theory of the Multiple Planes is anathema to the Borostím, who believe in the Singular Plane.

Politics
The Dwaerkar are principally sundered by their divided views on politics, and especially how they pertain to the implementation of the Fatherhood.

Redcaps
Redcaps (Rallkappern) consider themselves the champions of tradition among the Dwaerkar in Borost. They favor central, powerful, and authoritarian governments, as in the days of Old among the Dwaerkar, and a domineering interpretation of the Fatherhood.

This view is prevalent in Ouwestad, Bahyrst, and other places.

Their name hearkens to the defunct Moot of Ouwestad, in which traditional factions distinguished themselves with Red caps.

Whitecaps
Whitecaps (Ouistkappern) consider themselves to be the progressive Dwaerkar of Borost. They favor loose, delegated, and democratic governments, and a loose or pedagogical interpretation of the Fatherhood.

This view is prevalent in Scheveningen, Zuiderbaai, and other places.

Their name hearkens to the olden Moot of Ouwestad, in which liberal factions distinguished themselves with White caps.

Religion
Nearly all Dwaerkar, except for the irreligious, follow the Faith of Kel.