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Appendix: Ichili Titles
🕑 Added 2023-07-29 17:00:06 +0000 UTCUnfortunately, I don't have the Arbaian anatomy page or short stories for you now, but they will be coming soon! Meanwhile, I hope everyone enjoys the worldbuilding appendix for this week. This one was actually not a part of my original plan; I wrote it in response to reader requests.
I was undecided whether I should place them in alphabetized order, or the below, which is an attempt at a logical progression. The former is better for looking up a title, the latter for reading, hopefully. Open to feedback on this.
(Note: While I tried to include everything, it's actually possible I missed some rarely used title from the books, so speak up if you notice anything missing. Or if you have any questions, as I could still edit this before release!)
Anyway, the Wakespire release is next week, so everyone stay tuned!
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Appendix: Ichili Titles
A significant percentage of Ichili cultures (but not all) use titles to categorize everyone they encounter. These vary somewhat between regions and cultures, and as they are generally taken very seriously, nuances between regions can be critical. This list of titles is accurate for Fiyu and her relative.
Ichili children are taught about how to categorize others earlier, in order to distinguish between safe and unsafe adults. They may speak the titles aloud, but they are expected to outgrow this as they internalize the categories. The titles are a common referent in their societies, and they're addressed directly sometimes, but speaking them aloud is considered a bit childish.
Unknown: The default title for someone who has just been encountered, implying a high degree of ambiguity. Most Ichili are naturally uncomfortable with this and seek to categorize further, though it's more common in cities. Placing someone in this category for extended periods can imply suspicion, but it can also mean ambiguity in relationships.
Stranger: Someone who has been categorized as not an imminent threat, but has no negative or positive relationship to the individual. This is the most common title in large occupied regions.
Leader: A rare Ichili suffix title, as in "Stranger Leader" or "Ally Leader". This marks an individual who is more important than others of that category. Notably, this is in no way a term of respect and, in the case of unknowns or enemies, if often a sign of particular wariness.
Acquaintance: The Ichili use of this term is more aloofthan its use in some worlds. It refers to someone who has been encountered frequently enough that they are a known quantity, but they haven't acquired any other title or higher level of trust.
Associate: Companionship by association. Allies of allies, or members of a large group where there is common purpose but no deeper connection. While this is not a particularly affectionate title, it does imply that the individual can be trusted to some degree.
Ally: In contrast to Acquaintance, this title implies a higher degree of kinship than might be expected elsewhere. It is never used to refer to temporary allies or companions of convenience, but instead someone who can be trusted to be an ally in a broader sense. An Ichili will support an Associate out of professional obligation, but will feel a sense of personal obligation to an Ally.
Elder: As in "elder Relative". Not a true prefix title in Fiyu's culture, though it is in some others. This might not reach the category of formal title, but Ichili obviously distinguish between wise older Relatives or Allies and peers.
Adversary: Someone who is actively opposed to you, but without deep personal animosity. It is never used to refer to a competitor and generally not to rivals. The common example is an enemy soldier who is doing their job and has done nothing dishonorable, and it is relatively easy for someone to shift from this title to a more neutral one. A rival merchant with opposing interests could be an Adversary, but a rival soulcrafter in the same organization would never be.
Rival: Related to the above, a much less common title. This generally cannot be used for a friendly rivalry, only for someone who is consistently opposed without being a mortal enemy.
Enemy: Someone who is presumed to be maliciously working against your interests. If you aren't willing to kill them over your conflicts, they would be an Adversary instead. Ichili take this title extremely seriously and it is difficult to shed.
Betrayer: Another rare title referring to a breach of trust. Nearly all Ichili cultures, regardless of their specific boundaries for kinship or dealings, take betrayal very seriously. Someone who has broken an agreement due to negligence or incompetence is not a Betrayer - the title only applies if they acted maliciously and are presumed to continue doing so.
Companion: Though it sounds neutral in other languages, those Ichili consider Companions have achieved a high level of camaraderie. Unlike Associates or Allies, there is a strong personal relationship that is presumed to extend beyond the present circumstances. It could be read as "companions in life" instead of "companions on a specific trip".
Friend: A highly personal title involving a life-long commitment. Ichili may like someone a great deal, but they require high levels of familiarity and intimacy to grant them this title. By Ichili standards, many people on other worlds have no Friends at all.
Distantkin: Someone with a familial connection who lacks the trust or familiarity to be a Relative. Ichili value such relations more than most, but obligations to Distantkin are only similar to Companions, and unquestionably below Friends.
Relative: Dry as it sounds to some, Relative is the highest level of intimacy in Ichili society. The most common path to this title is a close biological relationship, but it also requires a high level of trust. It is rare for someone else to become a Relative, but if so they are considered no different than parents or children.
Ward: A specific sub-category of Relative. It refers to a substantially younger person who is being trained over a long period, and implies a life-long commitment. Parents would not refer to their children as Ward, even if they take on that role, but aunts/uncles or other relatives would. There is no reversed equivalent (at least in Fiyu's culture) because all elder Relatives are presumed to take a supportive and mentoring role.
Lifemate: A specific sub-category of Relative. Generally a spouse, though in rare cases there are platonic companions who use this title. Ichili obviously love their Lifemates in unique ways, but they are not considered closer relationships than other Relatives.
Comments
Sarah Lin
"Friend Leader" isn't common, because the Friend title implies a high level of closeness that would make it redundant. If anything, it could actually seem stiff or cold. Fiyu acknowledges that Theo often takes the lead, but in her mind it isn't a position of leadership so much as he's contributing his strengths because that's what Friends do.
AnythingAtAll
I'm curious. Why hasn't Fiyu referred to Theo as Friend Leader yet? Is it because she simply prefers Friend Theo, or because it's more affectionate than Friend Leader?
Runcible Technician
I eagery await the graphic novels in ten years.
Sarah Lin
Art resources limited (currently focused on the world species set), but maybe in the future!
PatienceHoney
I also get a kick out of Unknown Tythes. His classification is very much "this dude is iffy." I kind of picture it as Fiyu throwing shade in her exceptionally understated way.
Runcible Technician
This would make a great sequence of splash pages with a grey sketch of different characters behind the text. Relative Guchiro, Friend Theo, Betrayer Senka, ect.
Sarah Lin
I can't write supplementary material for everything, but I'm always noting the community's interests!
The Freigh
Oh wow, I think my question from a couple weeks ago may have contributed to you choosing it as this week’s topic! This is a really informative list and I like how it distinguishes between the way we use the terms in English and how Fiyu’s culture views them. Also I still laugh every time “Unknown Tythes” is mentioned in the books.
