Sjerti People
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The Sjerti People inhabit Sjertiva and its surrounding islands.
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Physical Characteristics
Pure-blood Sjerts are typically tall (5'10-6'4 avg. for men) with moderately dark hair and eyes. With exceptions for noble families and royalty, most Sjerts are mix-blooded. As other Aesmundian nations (And the Sigoyn People) mixed with the Sjerts over time, it became more and more common and acceptable for a Sjert to marry a foreigner (As trading and travel was and still is common). As such, the Sjert gene-pool became more and mixed. The average Sjert, over time, gradually started becoming shorter and darker-haired and darker-eyed. Due to the often-harsh nature of their homeland, Sjerts are often tolerant to the cold moreso than other people of other nations.
Sjerti men typically are roughly 5'11 on average, with either dark brown or black hair. Sjerti women are typically 5'3 on average, obviously much shorter than their men. As such, it isn't considered rude if a Sjerti bride has to stand on a stool to kiss her new husband at their wedding.
Fashion
Fashion amongst Sjerts has changed very little since the rise of the Koimtevi family.
General Attitudes, Behaviors, and Customs
Sjerts nowadays are often very dark. Many are pessimistic and cynical, and all share a morbid sense of "gallows humor". Sjert children are often desensitized to violence and suffering at an early age, both by their surroundings and by the government's propaganda programs. As such, Sjert soldiers are often viewed by the rest of the world as shockingly brutal and cruel.
Sjerti families are often very close, both emotionally and physically (They often all live under one roof, as per tradition and finance). The death of a loved one is a major occurance, and as such is followed by a customary mourning period of 5 months. The birth of a new child is also a major occurance, and the child's birthday is celebrated every month for the child's first year of life.
A kiss on the cheek between close relatives or friends is not viewed as romantic or sexual, and public displays of affection are often widely accepted to a certain degree. Hand-holding is widely accepted both as a symbol of love and frienship, and as such is not considered romantic either. Despite the horrible conditions most Sjerts live in, marriages often manage to last over a decade. Unfortunately, "Until death do us part" has a much different and prevalent meaning in a warzone.
Sjerti holidays are rare but greatly celebrated occurances. As the entire populace celebrates, there are often informal ceasefires between SPIM and Sjerti forces on these days.
Many Sjerts are xenophobic or biased in some way. Discrimination against Tyvero-Chivic people in some parts of the nation is common, but in areas closer to Tyveria it is much rarer. The Sigoyn People are almost universally discriminated against and stereotyped, and very few Sjerts are tolerant of them. Though few Sjerts have actually met an Antaran in person, numerous stereotypes, jokes (Many incredibly vulgar), and discriminating viewpoints exist against them. Most Sjerts who actually do get to meet an Antaran take the viewpoint that he/she is cultured or a "Weak-spined Gak".
Average Lifestyle
On the Mainland
Due to the Sjerti Inner Conflict, the average living standard in Sjertiva has dropped massively. All major cities in this area have been ravished by constant bombardment, famine (due to destruction of crops), and terror. The countryside in the Western Midlands has become the central battleground of the entire war, and the majority of the farmers living there either joined the SPIM or fled the area. In several tragic incidences, Loyalist aircraft bombed the refugee caravans, believing them to be SPIM troop formations on the move. Numerous incidences like this only further pushed Sjerts away from their government.
