Etiquette

The Kalderani follow the same conventional rules of personal social behaviour as the Malantheans.

The only serious exception is that it is forbidden to pat or touch an adult or a child on the head in public. This gestures possibly recalls the act of coronation (crowning a king or queen) or is reminiscent of the Aranite ritual Arawn’s Eternal Rest.

Naming conventions in Kalderesh

Individuals are identified by name, which consists of two parts: a first name and a family name. When adults are married, they select by mutual consent which family name they will adopt: that of the husband or that of the wife. In some rare cases, both family names are retained and used in compound form. Thus, Mr Rider and Ms Piers may become the Riders, the Piers, the Rider-Piers or the Piers-Riders. The compound form of the family name, when it is adopted, is considered an Upper Class custom. In the case of a person with a compound family name marrying a person with a regular family name, the option exists to deconstruct the compound name and use one of the names in the new family name. Thus, Mr Piers-Riders and Ms Biggs may become the Piers, the Riders, the Biggs, the Piers-Riders, the Rider-Biggs, the Biggs-Piers, etc.

Children share the family name of their parents. The first name of a child is given by consensus of all the grand parents (or by a parent if the grand parents are no longer alive). First names are sometimes chosen from first names commonly found in the history of the families, but could also be based on the name of prominent or favoured individuals.

These naming conventions are adapted from the Malanthean tradition, for obvious reasons, so certain family names will be found in both Kalderesh and Malanthea. Specifically, family names relating to occupations (warriors, garment makers, farming, crafters, merchants, food makers) and places (woods, towns) are common to both. Uniquely Kalderani are family names inspired by the ocean, rivers, and islands.

Family names for the elite classes (monarchy, nobility, aristocrats) generally follow the same conventions, but can be highly variable. The youngest child of King Maynard and Queen Adelicia is nominally Raimond Maynard Kalder. However, he is commonly known as Raimond of Kalder, and his son is called Grifon Raimond-Kalder.

See also

1. Symbolism
2. Currency
3. Weather
4. Calendar
5. How Much Do Things Cost?
6. Getting Around
7. Where To Find Out Things
8. Where To Stay
9. Entertainment
10. Language