Highguard culture and customs

“A pure soul in a pure body.”

Washing and Cleanliness

Cleanliness is important to the Highborn. Highborn bathhouses are complex affairs with steam rooms, massage parlours, cold plunge pools, as well as heated baths. A Highborn’s first impulse on arriving somewhere after a journey is to clean away the dust of the road. Small fountains are commonly found outside Highborn chapterhouses, and even individual homes, so that those entering can perform a token cleansing of hands and face. Scented finger-bowls are common between courses at a meal.

In foreign lands or on campaign, cleanliness can be more difficult to maintain. If limited clean water is available, most Highborn will preserve the ritual aspects of washing, such as flicking a few drops over head and shoulders, dabbing a little on the eyes and forehead, or merely wetting the tips of fingers. If no clean water is available, symbolic gestures are performed instead; raising both hands to the face, then passing them over the head is a gesture that means “I would wash myself if I had water.” This gesture is occasionally used to mean “I wash my hands of this situation” and can even be used during an argument to express a sentiment roughly equivalent to “I am tired of you and want you gone”.

History and Memory

Personal, as well as national history is important to the Highborn, and a regular custom is the sharing of recent and distant memories, often while sharing fine wines. It is traditional to compliment the food or drink of a host by expressing how much it reminds you of other enjoyable memories: how the smell of fresh bread recalls a childhood home, or the bouquet of a fine wine brings to mind the first night of a delirious and drunken romance. Time is made at every social event to renew and reinforce the bonds of friendship and family by sharing stories and reminiscences. The greatest compliment to give to a host at the end of a meal is to tell them that you will always remember this occasion.

Combining memory and history, some Highborn keep journals. These journals take many forms, but on death they are usually bequeathed either to a favoured family member or to the Stewards of the Dead, to form part of the library at the heart of the Necropolis. It is considered a great honour for an individual’s thoughts and experiences to be preserved as an inspiration and guide to future generations.

Competition and Skill

Not all Highborn are warriors, but most enjoy competition, whether tests of fitness, skill or intellect. Especially popular at present is the Cathleon, a challenge based on the training of the Ministry of War and consisting of a footrace, javelin throws, a second footrace and then a contest of archery. The entire event is run in a single sequence, testing speed, skill and endurance. To win, the victor must throw three javelins through a fixed hoop, then finally loose three arrows into the target. There are no set distances or target-sizes; the competitors agree these details before a Cathleon begins.

Physical prowess is not the only way to earn respect from Highborn. Skill in tactical games such as chess engenders a great deal of prestige, as does artistic talent. Highborn musical traditions favour the flute and other wind instruments. On days when the wind is high, a chapterhouse resounds with the song of wind chimes, aeolian harps and bells.

The Cowl

Before the dissolution of the Patrician Council, the tradition amongst the Highborn was that those carrying out funerary rites went hooded when doing so as a mark of respect. When the Navigator dissolved the Council, he did so hooded, a gesture believed to indicate the Council’s “death”. Since that time, a practice has arisen amongst some Highborn, particularly those in authority, to wear hoods or cowls, usually in the colours of their Chapter. The custom has it that when the hood is down, the wearer is speaking informally as themselves, but with the hood up they speak formally, such as representing others or passing a judgement. The act of raising or lowering the hood can, in such cases, change the atmosphere in a room significantly, and there few sights as intimidating as a group of hooded Highborn moving with purpose.