05-21-2020, 12:55 PM
The following will hopefully be a helpful explanation of Dothraki culture, for those who wish to interact with them or perhaps play one in the future. This isn't everything, yet; I will be adding on gradually as I get it typed.
Appearance
Physical Appearance
Dothraki generally have darker, copper-colored skin, and are lithe and muscular by virtue of their lifestyle. Their eyes are dark brown or black, as is their hair, which warriors wear braided and decorated with small trinkets (arrowheads, bits of armor) to represent their victories. Conversely, if a warrior is defeated in battle, their braid is cut so that the world may see their shame. Among khalasars with a history of interbreeding with outsiders, variants in physical appearance are present, but uncommon.
Despite their savage appearance, the Dothraki are a clean people, bathing meticulously and treating their hair with scented oils. If water for bathing is unavailable, they have been known to scrub themselves with clean sand.
Clothing
Leather tends to be the material of choice for Dothraki, though they are also known to weave cloth from horse hair, or even the grasses of their homeland. Trade (or more likely pillage) with other peoples has brought more traditional clothing into the khalasar, though generally only as minor accessories. The Dothraki have very little concept of modesty, and man and woman alike can be found in various degrees of nudity as the need or want arises. Even fully clothed, they tend to favor looser, less restrictive clothing, except for the thick leather armor they wear into battle.
Culture & Customs
Horses
It should come as no surprise to any who have come into contact with them, that the horse is central to Dothraki life and death. Even their name for themselves, "Dothraki," translates to "Those Who Ride." Riding a horse is the most basic marker of social status: boys learn to shoot a bow from horseback when they are only four, and pregnant women are expected to ride up until the point of childbirth. According to tradition, a khal who cannot ride, cannot rule, and will find himself quickly replaced.
Horses also provide their primary source of sustenance, and it is believed that consuming horseflesh will grant speed and strength. This belief has translated to an aversion to other livestock, so that the average Dothraki believes eating beef or pork will make the consumer slow or dull-witted. However, the bounty of wildlife in this new world has given them other options, and the Dothraki meal will often include venison or goat alongside horse.
The strength of a khalasar resides in its horses. As such, the herds are fiercely defended from outside threats. When in camp, the herd is cared for by slaves and adolescents, in addition to any warriors without a dedicated task. While each warrior has their own particular horse, there are a number of others, unclaimed and generally regarded as common property. Dothraki do not name their horses, though they may refer to them by their color, and have a great many terms to refer to different colorations, breeds, gender, and age.
Social Order
Dothraki travel in nomadic groups called khalasar. In their homeland, many khalasars roamed the great grassy plains; however, in this world they have condensed into a single group. The individual khalasars do not have names, but rather are referred to by their chieftain, or khal. The khal surrounds himself with several kos: generals, commonly called blood-riders, whose bond runs deeper than friendship or brotherhood. Tradition states that should a khal die, his bloodriders die with him, though this is not always observed.
There are two distinct types of healer found within the khalasar. Koalakheesi are female healers, generally barren women, who heal with herbs and magic. Koalak are male, generally eunuch slaves, who heal with knives, needles, and fire. In the harsh life upon the plain, both are crucial, and highly respected.
Traditionally, men enjoy greater social status than women, and warriors have the greatest status of all. However, with their numbers greatly reduced, the Cuiviénen khalasar has been forced to adapt. Both men and women are welcome and encouraged to serve as warriors, but this is not their only role. Every member of the khalasar, from the lowest slave to the khal himself, are expected to sustain the clan's survival, either by hunting and preparing food, providing weaponry, or performing other tasks required in their daily life.
Appearance
Physical Appearance
Dothraki generally have darker, copper-colored skin, and are lithe and muscular by virtue of their lifestyle. Their eyes are dark brown or black, as is their hair, which warriors wear braided and decorated with small trinkets (arrowheads, bits of armor) to represent their victories. Conversely, if a warrior is defeated in battle, their braid is cut so that the world may see their shame. Among khalasars with a history of interbreeding with outsiders, variants in physical appearance are present, but uncommon.
Despite their savage appearance, the Dothraki are a clean people, bathing meticulously and treating their hair with scented oils. If water for bathing is unavailable, they have been known to scrub themselves with clean sand.
Clothing
Leather tends to be the material of choice for Dothraki, though they are also known to weave cloth from horse hair, or even the grasses of their homeland. Trade (or more likely pillage) with other peoples has brought more traditional clothing into the khalasar, though generally only as minor accessories. The Dothraki have very little concept of modesty, and man and woman alike can be found in various degrees of nudity as the need or want arises. Even fully clothed, they tend to favor looser, less restrictive clothing, except for the thick leather armor they wear into battle.
Culture & Customs
Horses
It should come as no surprise to any who have come into contact with them, that the horse is central to Dothraki life and death. Even their name for themselves, "Dothraki," translates to "Those Who Ride." Riding a horse is the most basic marker of social status: boys learn to shoot a bow from horseback when they are only four, and pregnant women are expected to ride up until the point of childbirth. According to tradition, a khal who cannot ride, cannot rule, and will find himself quickly replaced.
Horses also provide their primary source of sustenance, and it is believed that consuming horseflesh will grant speed and strength. This belief has translated to an aversion to other livestock, so that the average Dothraki believes eating beef or pork will make the consumer slow or dull-witted. However, the bounty of wildlife in this new world has given them other options, and the Dothraki meal will often include venison or goat alongside horse.
The strength of a khalasar resides in its horses. As such, the herds are fiercely defended from outside threats. When in camp, the herd is cared for by slaves and adolescents, in addition to any warriors without a dedicated task. While each warrior has their own particular horse, there are a number of others, unclaimed and generally regarded as common property. Dothraki do not name their horses, though they may refer to them by their color, and have a great many terms to refer to different colorations, breeds, gender, and age.
Social Order
Dothraki travel in nomadic groups called khalasar. In their homeland, many khalasars roamed the great grassy plains; however, in this world they have condensed into a single group. The individual khalasars do not have names, but rather are referred to by their chieftain, or khal. The khal surrounds himself with several kos: generals, commonly called blood-riders, whose bond runs deeper than friendship or brotherhood. Tradition states that should a khal die, his bloodriders die with him, though this is not always observed.
There are two distinct types of healer found within the khalasar. Koalakheesi are female healers, generally barren women, who heal with herbs and magic. Koalak are male, generally eunuch slaves, who heal with knives, needles, and fire. In the harsh life upon the plain, both are crucial, and highly respected.
Traditionally, men enjoy greater social status than women, and warriors have the greatest status of all. However, with their numbers greatly reduced, the Cuiviénen khalasar has been forced to adapt. Both men and women are welcome and encouraged to serve as warriors, but this is not their only role. Every member of the khalasar, from the lowest slave to the khal himself, are expected to sustain the clan's survival, either by hunting and preparing food, providing weaponry, or performing other tasks required in their daily life.
![[Image: Raewyn-Signiture.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/T1hxSd2/Raewyn-Signiture.jpg)