A complete guide to the proper ways of aesthetics and behaviour for the model aristocrat
This text was most humbly written by Iter Einiau ky Dohan Hananhal, with no purpose or aim other than to teach about the proper ways to all who may be interested and seeking of a higher way of life, that of the gentleman, that where one is the most polite and sophisticated, that where one is seen as an example to follow by all.
Part 1: On aesthetics
It is of paramount importance that the aspiring gentleman understands beauty and is able to replicate it upon themselves, for politeness needs to be combined with a pleasing appearance in order to be properly useful. Should the reader not understand this, I invite them to think of the Myth of
Enrain.
The fisherman Enrain met during his journey was an excellent person, moral and full of virtue (arguably more so than the hero), but was so hideously deformed the surrounding villagers feared him and thought he was a monster with no good in him. In this way it becomes clear that beauty is key to success and being seen positively.
Thus, in the following chapters I shall expose both how one should ideally look and how one should attempt to fit into that model.
Chapter 1: On height
Those who belong to the superior kind, regardless of gender, role or social affiliation, should aspire to look as tall as possible, this being essential to symbolize their superior nature and position over the commoners. To achieve this goal one is encouraged to do as much as they can, for nothing can be truly excessive in this regard.
I highly recommend walking on tiptoes whenever one is in the company of others, as well as wearing tall hats and headdresses. However, these should never be too large, as then it is likely they will make the wearer look smaller, and thus less respectable. Another simple way to be seen as taller is to be thinner, so the height is more pronounced than the width.
Furthermore, head binding is also a possibility, particularly worthy of consideration in lineages whose members' height has historically been problematic, as this ensures a certain stature will be gained regardless of how someone's body grows.
Advice on head binding
To obtain the best results, the process should be started shortly after the baby's birth, as the skull becomes tougher and harder to mold as time goes on. It should also be undertaken by applying great force to both the front, sides and back of the head while leaving the top undisturbed, this being so that the brain and bones have no way to go but upwards.
In addition, I strongly recommend that this is all supervised and organized by a shapeshifting shaman, as they are likely to use their skills to make the change of shape faster and the results more beautiful.
Chapter 2: On colour
The ideal skin tone is similar to that of oakwood, neither too pale nor too dark, and anyone who wishes to be seen as a gentleman worthy of admiration and respect should strive to achieve this most perfect shade by any means necessary, from powdering to taking more or less sunlight.
The ideal eyes should be green, the more intense the more beautiful. Sadly, this is a trait that is impossible to fake or change, and thus those who were not born with it must do as much as they can to hide it. I advise this is done by distracting the attention of onlookers to other, more desirable, parts of the body or face.
This is extraordinarily important, for any other coloration is likely to be interpreted as a sign of belonging to a lineage of commoners, for it is well known among the civilized nations of the world that Nature gave the aristocrats its sacred colour to identify themselves as superior and be distinguished from those they rule.
Hair should also be as dark as possible (pitch black being the best shade possible) or non existent. Luckily for those who were not lucky enough to be born with it, dying or wig-wearing are fairly easy things to do, and thus it should not be a major concern.
Teeth should be black, and they should be dyed that way as soon as a child's adult teeth have grown in. The more permanent the treatment is, the best, for it will require less upkeep and the chances of being caught pale will be lower.
Chapter 3: On hair
It is key that people from all genders and ages keep their distinctive hairstyles. Children, regardless of identity, should have it cut short or be clean shaven, a style that should be kept until they are introduced to proper public life, moment in which specialization should take place according to gender.
Those who become men should never cut the hair on their sides, which they should keep braided, the longer the better. Otherwise the rest of their hair should be kept short. Furthermore, facial hair should be left to grow until its length is half of that of the neck, moment in which it should be trimmed.
The children who become women, on the other hand, should do the opposite, keeping their sides short while leaving the rest to grow freely. I also advise braiding to make it all look better.
On the anhai
Those who, by the grace of initiation, become
anhai, deserve special mention. Members of the
rainiai should braid and never cut their hair, unless it is facial hair (should they have the ability to grow it in the first place).
Those who, on the other hand, belong to the
kainiai should have their entire bodies clean shaven in order to represent their special status in society.
Chapter 4: On tattooing
To be inked is mandatory for anyone who wishes to be seen as following the superior ways. Once a child becomes an adult and enters public life, it is key that they have their first tattoo made, which should be done in a grand ceremony as according with the ancient rituals.
For good etiquette, most drawings should be placed on the limbs, below the knees and elbows. This is paramount, as a gentleman should never wear clothing shorter than that, and having tattoos on areas that should usually be covered would suggest that the wearer likes dressing like a peasant. Furthermore, only the kainiai are to have their heads inked.
Men should use black ink, while women are to be tattooed in blue and anhai should display shades of red. Personally, I also recommend that these procedures are carried out by a shapeshifting shaman, for they may use their powers to make it look better, using a needle made of sacred redwood and the sharpened antlers of a sacrificial deer.
Part 2: On behaviour
Once the everything related to general aesthetics has been explained, the reader is finally ready to learn about how a gentleman is meant to behave in civil society if they are to be seen by all as examples to follow and people worth praising and admiring. One should, however, be wary and careful, as how one should act depends greatly on the context of the interaction. Should this prove hard to comprehend, I invite them to think of the tragicomic mishaps of
Yrokui.
After seeing how the nobles at the square acted and learning how to replicate such behaviour to perfection, he thought he had learnt all there was to know about politeness, thus thinking he could seamlessly blend in with the aristocrats (provided he got a more royal outfit). However, if the following chapters of his story reveal anything, it is that he was profoundly ignorant in the ways of etiquette.
Thus, in the following chapters I will expose how one is to follow the adequate protocol at all possible times and events.
Chapter 1: On relations with inferiors
It is key that the aspiring gentleman knows how to properly interact with those belonging to inferior ranks and lineages, for one simply cannot imagine a polite person not knowing such a thing, the same way one cannot imagine a bird that doesn't know how to fly.
When dealing with underlings, specially with those of commoner status, one should never let them think they are equal to them, let alone superior in any way. This, however, does not mean they are to be treated with gratuitous disdain, for, in the words of the spiritual master to whom I owe my wisdom:
''Those who belong to the superior kind should treat those that depend upon them not as criminals but as their sons and daughters: deciding what is right for them and forbidding them from doing things deemed immoral, treating them with kindness but never being shy from chastising them for their own good''.
Thus, using terms such as 'laku', when referring to them is not advisable or recommended, for it gives them the false illusion that they are above the gentleman in rank, even if they are not. Furthermore, the polite aristocrat should never abstain from making their disagreement with a subject known, the more directly it is said, the better it will be for all.
Advice on punishment
When chastising the deeds of an underling, I suggest the aspiring gentleman thinks of how they would punish their own child, so that the pain imposed is fair, wise and benevolent. However, should this not help, I recommend the aristocrat seeks the advice of someone who is wise in the ways of law so that they may use their skills.
Should this fail too, and should all mortals be unable to decide on the nature of the pain imposed, I advice the noble brings the case to an oracle, so that the gods may judge.
Chapter 2: On relations with superiors
As important as knowing how to behave with those below oneself, knowing how to behave with those above one in rank or quality of lineage is paramount for anyone eager to learn the ways of politeness and be seen as an example to follow.
The concept that should guide all interactions with superiors is subordination, which should be more or less pronounced based on the difference in rank between the aspiring gentleman and the person they are addressing. In order to show this subordination, the model citizen should never look at their superior in the eye, address them by any personal names unless they explicitly allow it (the extent of this rule being based on the difference in status) or directly show any disagreement with their deeds or thoughts unless they say:
''Dekaisos''.
Which should be interpreted as an invitation to debate or give advice.
Advice on disagreement with one's superiors
Should the need arise to express disagreement with a superior, the gentleman should make their disapproval known indirectly, so as to not go against protocol and commit an offence against honour. The best way to do it is to put one's concerns on somebody else's mouth, this way the elevated one will not feel they are being challenged.
Another possibility is to veil the criticism with a story that illustrates why their ideas are wrong and should be changed, although the subtlety of such tales is something that depends on the difference of rank, as those who are closer can afford more bluntness than those far below.
Chapter 3: On relations with equals
The aspiring gentleman would also be wise to learn the proper ways in which to interact with those belonging to the same rank as them, regardless of what their own status in society may be, for otherwise they are likely to be seen as either arrogants who refuse to recognize their equals as such or as serviles who are not aware of their own worth and think of themselves as inferior to their equals.
The guiding principle in such occasions is neither subordination nor paternal domination, it instead being that of respect. It is respect for their opinions, which should not be discriminated against, respect for their accomplishments, which one should never try to belittle and respect for their lineage, whose quality should never be questioned.
This differs from subordination in that the noble one should never shy from showing open disagreement, provided it is done without directly attacking their honour or personal reputation, for those types of attack are way below what is acceptable for even the most novice of gentlemen, as they show only a lack of character on their behalf.
Words of praise for the accomplished ones
I dedicate my highest praises to those who have successfully read the whole book and learnt all of its contents by heart, thus becoming gentlemen themselves and proving to be worthy of this high way, this way of politeness where one is seen as an example to follow by all who are wise.
I also rest calmly at night, confident in the knowledge that these new gentlemen I have helped raise through this book will succeed in later life, achieving greatness for themselves and improving the quality of their entire lineages, for I am sure it will be a great honour for all but the most foolish to be associated with a superior one.
Lovely article! I love how it became important for aristocrats and the general public :0
Thanks!