Culture of Crystal Spires

Music

Main Page: Music of Crystal Spires

The music of Crystal Spires dates back to the Prehistoric Era with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the first evidence of the Northern Riders (1200 GLA - 256 GLA). Some of the oldest written music dates back to Eroth's time. The first major well-documented flowering of Spirean music was for the Pachalan. Traditional Spirean music is a complex study, and often bardic study is required to play it effectively, with many different kinds of rules on melody, harmony, beat, and expression. There are also many traditionally Spirean Instruments. Improvisation and composing is often a matter of advanced study, as it tends to involve more understanding of the different rules.

Arts

Different forms of art have swayed under the influence of great philosophers, teachers, religious figures and even political figures. Spirean art encompasses all facets of fine art, folk art and performance arts. Spirean ceramics were one of the first forms of art in the Golden Leaf period. Early Spirean music and poetry was influenced by the Book of Songs, and the Spirean poet and statesman Vane Lysande.

Spirean Art became a highly appreciated art in court circles encompassing a wide variety of mountains, sky, and water, reflecting a balance between land, air, and sea. There was also a very fierce devotion to facial symmetry and specialized styles such as Dynastic Painting Styles. There is also a reflection of magic in the mundane for the more modern styles of Spirean Art. Early Spirean music was based on percussion instruments, which later gave away to stringed and reed instruments. By the first Rɛgɑrberl dynasty paper cutting became a new art form after the invention of paper. Spirean Plays and shows would also be introduced and branched regionally in additional to other performance formats such as variety shows.

Fashion

Different social classes in different eras boast different fashion trends, and different regions also boast different styles. The color yellow and blue was usually reserved for the King, but was taken back by the Communist Revolution. Spirean fashion history covers hundreds of years with some of the most colorful and diverse arrangements. During the last imperial dynasty, a dramatic shift of clothing occurred, the clothing of the era before the final Dynasty is referred to as Spirean Clothing or traditional garb. Many symbols such as phoenix have been used for decorative as well as economic purposes.

Architecture

Main Page Forntian Architectural Styles

Spirean architecture, examples for which can be found from over 12,000 years ago, has long been a hallmark of the culture. There are certain features common to Spirean architecture, regardless of specific region or use. The most important is its emphasis on ordered repetition, radiating structures, and rhythmic, metric patterns. Fractal geometry has been a key utility along with rhythmic linear patterns.

Another important feature is symmetry, which connotes a sense of grandeur as it applies to everything from palaces to farmhouses. One notable exception is in the design of gardens, which tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Classical scroll paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduring flow, to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself. Another Feature of Forntian Architecture is use of column and arches which features the keyhole arch, which is said to represent changing realms from one room to another there is often a change of focus in design to enhance this feel of entering another world. There is a focus on the vaults, domes, cupolas, semidomes and columns to create threatening looking structures which radiate power and a feeling of great presence. And the use of air, land, and sea.

Cuisine

The overwhelmingly large variety of Spirean cuisine comes mainly from the practice of dynastic period, when King of the Skyborn would host banquets with 100 dishes per meal. A countless number of imperial kitchen staff and concubines were involved in the food preparation process. Over time, many dishes became part of the everyday-citizen culture. Some of the highest quality restaurants with recipes close to the dynastic periods include Treasure Palace restaurant in the Government District of Caltris and the Sky Pavilion in Merlon.

Leisure

A number of games and past-times are popular within Spirean culture. The most common game is a strategy came called stræges which is similar to chess. The same pieces are used for other styled games such as t͡ʃæs. Others include Mochalet, Fencing, Kite Flying, Sailing, various Card Games, and other Martial Arts.