Exotic and interesting customs

[HeavyG]

Hello.

I am currently developping some exotic cultures for a campaign of mine and I'm at a lost. I want those cultures to have interesting customs, mainly with two effects in mind : 1) To underscore the fact that these are alien cultures (as in "weird and exotic", not in the "space alien" sense) and 2) maybe to generate cool and interesting plot twists or adventure ideas.

You see, my PCs are from a huge decadent and civilized empire but will be exploring many out of the way places in the future. So, the "discovery" angle is pretty important.

I'm having trouble thinking of really original ideas, though. So I am asking for help.

Do you have examples of mildly strange, wildly weird or just a couple of plain interesting customs you have seen or heard about ?

These can come from real-life cultures (sociologists and anthropologists, I'm looking at you ) or fictional ones (a rpg setting, novels, your imagination...). The game itself is fantasy but some ideas from the modern world can be adapted and others might be of use to other game masters so post away ! Also, they don't need to be huge differences either. Sometimes, small details are as important.

Note that I need ideas for both "civilized" nations and "barbarian" ones.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Well, here are a few I know. These may or may not be 100% accurate.

In arabic countries, it's rude to eat with your left hand or to point the sole of your foot toward someone (as when crossing your legs).

I think in Japan, it's conisdered rude if you're pouring drinks for a group and don't pour your's last.

In the book Dune, spitting on the ground at someone's feet was considered a very high sign of respect.

In the UK, if you're holding up two fingers, do it with your palm pointing toward the person. If you hold up two fingers with the back of your hand facing the person, you're basically telling them to "F" off.

Some people, myself included, still try to observe the standard "gentlemanly rules." Offer a lady your seat if no other is available, hold doors for people, call people "Sir" or "Ma'am" until they invite you do do otherwise, etc.

As far as creating some unique ones of your own, I think the Dune example is a good way to go. Find something either totally innocent or blatantly rude and turn the meaning into something else.

For example, in the US, men usually extend their right hands for a handshake when greeting each other. Maybe in the alien culture, this gesture means "I think you have a weapon, give it to me." Would that be any way to greet new people in/from a far-off land?

 

[Darth Shoju]

I think it was the ancient Cretians who would do the bull flipping; basically have a bull run straight at you and then flip forward over-top of the creature.

In my home province of Manitoba whenever someone is going to get married, the couple has what is called a "social". Basically you rent a hall or something, have a big party and sell tickets (basically $10 a pop) and also charge for the booze. The idea is for the couple getting married to make a little money for the wedding, while everyone else gets to socialize and have a good time. Not a super-weird or exciting custom, but I'm told it's unique to our province.

You could always incorporate something like the anciet Aztec (and other cultures) practice of human sacrifice. Pretty grim stuff, and usually gets a strong reaction from us players with our "modern" sensibilities (although I think the Spanish conquistadors were pretty upset over the practice too).

A culture that practices unique methods of mumification or burial would be cool too. I think some ancient south american cultures sent people high into the mountains to be mumified by the cold weather. A constantly-traveling friend of my dad went to an asian country (wish I could remember which one) where, when a relative died, they would put them outside in front of the house until a certain point of decomposition was reached.

Basically, any custom that is significantly different than what we are used in our modern world or the common customs of the medieval european settings of many D&D campaings. A good way to do it is to think about the geography inhabited by the culture in question, as that will heavily influence the way their culture develops. Then, extrapolate what customs might logically be developed b/c of that geography in relation to marriage (dowry, the ceremony, etc), property ownership and wealth, death, birth, and so on.

Good luck, sounds like you are in for some real fun!

 

[kenjib]

I believe there was an ancient culture that used to bury preserved corpses of relatives inside the furniture in their houses, and had a much closer relationship with the deceased. I can't remember who it was though. Heck, I might even be remembering it completely wrong, but even if I am I still like the idea. Imagine pulling grandma out of the trunk to share dinner with you during a festival of the dead, or to commune with her spirit for advice!

 

[Greatwyrm]

I believe there was an ancient culture that used to bury preserved corpses of relatives inside the furniture in their houses, and had a much closer relationship with the deceased.

"Wow, Sally, that's a beautiful cabinet."

"Oh, that? That's Grandma's cabinet."

"It belonged to your Grandma?"

"No, she's in there. It's Grandma's cabinet."

 

[Vanye]

Nothing all that exciting, but in the new Ghostwalk campaign I'm in, my character is from Bezzarene (spelling?), and I've decided that the writing customs of that land dictate that the first word after punctuation is capitalized, Like this. I don't know why I did it, It just seemed interesting to do, Especially as I am keeping a journal for the character...

 

[med stud]

A couple of RL customs:
-The only way to get to heaven is to die in battle (Viking)
-You should always remove your shoes when indoors (Sweden and Japan)
-Dance around a pole covered with leaves at midsummer (Sweden)
-Its extremely rude (an Englishman was almost killed for it once) to not drink alcohole to a toast made for the King (Sweden in old days)

 

[Planesdragon]

Some thoughts

Odd customs, eh? Decadent empire, eh?

Think about what the exotic cultures value, and what their worldview is. Customs can flow almost naturally from that.

Fer example:

* The Orcs of the Long Plain believe that all the world is a long, eternal hunt. Thus, they value items and characteristics that make for good hunters. Some notable customs of them, beyond their nomadic lifestyle, are the eating of their own dead (never turn down free food), nothing not carried by a person is that person's property (eternal-hunters don't have a home), and weapons are worn at all times (it's an eternal hunt, remember? Plus if you set down your weapon, someone else is going to take it).

* The dwarves of the Deep Mine are capitalists, and see all the world as either a market for their goods or resource to be exploited. All social relationships are a contract between their guild/house/family--the basic social structure, called "mughn" (accent the 'gh" like a grunt. Muh-gh-n, spoken as one syllabyle.) Because of this worldview, the dwarves's ceremonial greeting translates as "what is your worth", and is either answered by identification of their mughn, or some other phrase. If a mughn is not named, the dwarf names a price and considers the risk/reward ratio of aquiring the newcommer as a resource. Astute outsiders name their price--high if they want to be treated as approximate equals, and low if they want to get the dwarves to do something. (i.e., "I am worth two meals, but I know of a clan of wandering orcs who are worth three feasts and would take only two days to exploit.")

Oopps--got into language for a bit there. *grin*

 

[Yig]

What about a culture who have no emotions ? Like the movie Equilibrium...

The PCs could get in trouble real quick there.

 

[infax]

In the Earthdawn setting orcs, and in the Sword of Truth series Mud People, greeted strangers and newcomers by slapping/punching them in the face.

The punching person does so to demonstrate respect for the other's strength.

You may have trouble preventing your players from drawing weapons before they understand the custom, though.