Ânian Practices & Adaptations By: Merdoc Slumberwood, Duke of Rumvalia It is my intention to lay out a basic guide for the cultural expression of those from Ânia provinces who wish to show their pride for the homeland in the wider empire or those who wish to show some fondness or connection to the Vallachian lands. Additionally, I will request that all those attending The Gathering of the Stars make at least one attempt at the Ânian practices laid out here during their time at the event whether that be through fashion or some of the other possible avenues -The pieptar is a hardy garment well-known throughout Allachia, Rumvalia, and their neighbors as an icon of Ânian culture. Its wooly interior is able to keep cattle herders warm even in the harshest winds and snow, but not all climates are suited to such a significant garment. A nod can be given to the pieptar through adding floral embroidery to the edges of a jacket or even shirt in yellow, orange, or green colors. -The Ânian people are a superstitious one and given the relative lack of maritime borders along Ânian lands not many are familiar with seafaring. As such many try to bring something to connect them to their homeland while on the waters and ward off darker spirits. It is common practice for Ânians to bring a sprig of some plant native to their local village to keep with them or more prominently tuck behind their ear or in a jacket pocket. Popular plants include sweet-brier, primrose, and cowslip. -In the same vein of tradition, many Ânians stomp their right boot when boarding a ship in the hope that the sturdy heel will scare off any unfavorable winds or wraiths with its loud crack through the air. -When serving in some military-based position Ânians will often decorate their weaponry with silver. While the peasantry outside Ânian lands may not be able to afford such things, due to Ânian silver production almost every household has at the very least one set of silverware or some silver trinkets. These ornaments can range in shape and detail from a symbol from local folklore the person associates with to the fearsome visage of a wolf in the hopes they will be able to scare off foes in a manner similar to the stories of the Allachian wolves. -It is quite common for women to bind their hair with a darker headscarf when the nights are particularly dark, indicating astrological chaos and danger in the eyes of many, and a flowered red or orange headscarf during the time of the lightening of the sky to celebrate the end of winter or some unfavorable astrological event. This tradition likely developed due to a fear of wraiths and strigoi preying on easily spotted brightly-dressed women during the darker nights they roam. In cases where a headscarf is inappropriate many instead use a ribbon or bolt of cloth. -Finally, many Ânians wear pendants associated with creatures from folktales or their history. This is simply a show of local pride in many cases but some believe them good luck charms with things like the bat or a ram-horned hare bringing more prosperous agricultural yields due to their ties with the land. I hope this may inspire not only pride in those hailing from Ânian lands but also new connections with my homeland among those previously not familiar with it.
