Silver Culture

• Government
  The Silvers have the most unusual of all Igmonian cultures. Although there are many great ruling houses among the Silvers, there is no king. The houses gather twice a year to discuss the going-ons of life, and to make any new laws that are necessary. They do these by secret ballot voting. Each house then inforces the new laws in its own lands whichever way it chooses.
  Some Silver houses fell during the battle with the Blacks. Decendents of these houses are held in high estem because of the loss their family suffered. Often they are more well off than some in the still-ruling houses, although they are not allowed a vote in lawmaking.
• Common Life
  The Silvers who do not belong to a ruling house are still very well off. None in the Silver society is ever without any nessessities, and most enjoy luxuries as well. The Silver commoners are the master artesians of the Igmonian races. They often work with wood or metal to creat beautiful and useful peices of work. Many great musicians, singers, songwriters, and actors come from the Silver race as well.
• Specific customs
  When a Silver is born they are given a "child name." This is the name they are called until they reach their 162*nd birthday. This name often reflects what the child is hoped to become. A female with the name of Ka'bosch is thought to become very beautiful, if lacking in the intelligence. Often these names prove correct, mainly because of the deep steriotyping that goes with them.
  At the 162nd birthday the young Silver is allowed to choose his or her "youth name." The youth name is something that reflects what the youth would like themselves to become. This name is usually held until the youth reaches their 573rd birthday.
  Upon this date they are considered a full adult, with all adult laws and responsibilities. At this time the youth is given a new name, the one they shall keep for life. It is often given by the elders, and symbolises what the youth has become.
• Mariage
  In Silver culture, the approprate age for marrage is between one's 600th and 900th year. One must remember that Silvers are the shortest-living of all the Igmonian races. The average life expectancy of an average Silver is 1900 years. When a Silver officially becomes an adult, they are allowed to begin looking for a mate. The mate is usually another silver, although rarely there have been intermarrages. The female is always older than the male. When a female finds a male that she would like to spend her life with, she talks to her father, who in turn speaks to the mother of the male. The mother then speaks to the male, who fianally asks the female to mate. In using this methiod, not only in marrage but in other affairs, the Silver society has hidden the fact that it is mostly controled by females.
• Death
  To die at an age of over 1900 years is a horrible punishment. At that age, any worthy Silver is put to death at a great celebration. Death is part of life, and as a birth is celebrated, so should a death be. Usually, the methoid of death is burining, although the draining of blood for friends and family to partake of is also widely used. When a Silver is burnt, a great meal is prepared and seasoned with the ashes, that all of the friends and family may live the rest of their lives with their loved one with them always.
• Education
  Every silver, no matter their station in life or their background receives an education. All schooling is free, and manditory. Silvers continue this schooling until they reach their adulthood. Some choose to continue this education past that point, and often becoem teachers of the younger ones.
  Silvers learn much of what is taught in other races' schools, science, technology, math, art, and language, as well as some subjects not as widely taught. Some of these are acient cultures, occoult, alien races, etc.

  *All years are expressed in Earth terms