Quick facts
Government - Monarchy
Religion - Asti
Ethnicities - Ocarillian, Azohican
Pinterest board - Ocaril
Earth biodiversity equivalent - Southwestern/Central North America
Ocaril is a bright and colorful nation that is often at tensions with Zemir over the river that crosses the border between them.
Ocaril is a theocratic monarchy, ruled by a monarch, also known as a Geire (masculine), Geila (feminine), or Geija (neutral). The monarch lives in the central city of Kejai-aike with their partners. The line of succession passes from ruling parent to firstborn child, and the child recieves a prefix in their name that denotes which parent the royal line came from. Mother - n' Father - m' Parent (neutral) - j' For example, the current heir to the throne is Kwei, daughter of Geija m'Taian, so when she becomes the Geila she will be known as Geila j'Kwei. The next level of government is in the form of Duili, or lords. They rule over sections of the land, and bring the news to the monarch. There are currently 18 Duili, but the number has changed in the past.
Ocarillian culture prides being attentive and respectful. Many learn useful skills from a young age, such as martial arts and sewing, and are expected to know their family's history and lineage.
Most towns are built in the Nigea style, a style popularized by Geire j'Nige, and a style that has been around for ~120 years. The style features visible thatching, woodwork, and elaborate arches. Most houses are made from grasses woven around wooden poles and covered in mud. Roof beams are left exposed, and sometimes wooden platforms are placed on the roof beams so they can be used for storage or sleeping. Modern architecture features brightly painted charms hanging from exposed beams and carved symbols, mainly around windows and corners, as these are believed to be places where spirits are most common.
Ocarilian clothing is simple but bright, sometimes compared to parrots. The traditional dress is a simple cloth that wraps around the waist and torso, held in place with a belt of woven reeds and ties that go over the shoulders. The cloth is typically dyed in bright colors and painted with many patterns. The colors have meanings attatched, such as yellow for youth, red for hunters and warriors, orange for farmers, and green for healers.
Ocarilian art is bright, due to the number of dyes they have access to. Cloth stamping is the most utilized form, since it can be used in clothing and decoration. Blocky, geometric paterns are popular, featuring squares, diamonds, and bold lines.
Ocarilian cuisine is known for being very sweet. The most common foods and ingredients include bread, honey, mutton, squash, and prickly pear fruit. The typical meal structure is a large breakfest with a small lunch and dinner. Meals are eaten with the full family, and take place at low tables surrounded by cushions. Traditional meals in Ocaril include: Jege rolls - mutton and sqash mixed together and put in flatbread pockets; Kgene - a sweet cornbread glazed with honey; and Aleok - a stew traditionally boiled over an open fire, consisting of mutton or goat meat, chopped squash, roots, and herbs.
Trade in Ocaril is fairly cut off, due to the Tower Mountains on the eastern side and the strict tensions with Zemir on the west. The only trade they have is with southern Azoh, with whom they trade fruits, cloth, corn, and dye.
People in Ocaril are known as Ocarillian. The main population is Ahuatl, with a small population of sukhet and myra in the coastal towns.
The Ocarilian form of the Asti religion is more focused on ancestor worship than on spirit worship, due to the importance of lineage to the people.