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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 36 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-