Fashion and glamor of the mercantile (left two) and noble classes (right two) of Ubibi.
The kingdom of Ubibi is the region between the Viper (an inland sea) and the eastern ocean. It is often mocked as the 'tail' or 'asshole' of the Viper, as it would be a critical port to the inland seas if only the waters actually connected (there is an approximately 30 mile gap between the end of the Viper and the coastline). While the building of a canal could theoretically be accomplished, such projects have historically been plagued with incompetence to a point that variations of 'digging out the tail' are a figure of speech denoting a futile fool's errand. While it is often the subject of mockery by wealthier coastal city-states and kingdoms, most its inhabitants have great pride in their kingdom and flamboyant means of expression.
'Ubiyan' describes the dominant culture of Ubibi, while 'Biyan' is a specific ethno-linguistic group native to the area who are historically disconnected from surrounding populations of Sea People ancestry. (Biyans likely descend from pre-historic migrating Sea Dain tribes far to the north). There are significant Biyan populations in diaspora across the Jade Coast to the south, and throughout the city states of Wardin to the west.
Ubiyan (and to a lesser extent Biyan) culture places heavy significance on beautiful dress and self decoration. It is also a highly class stratified society, where the royals, nobility, and wealthy mercantile classes advertise their social positions via dress. The peasantry and laboring classes follow some of these trends, but much more loosely.
Ubibi qualifies as a matriarchy, though is roughly egalitarian (in terms of gender and little else). There is a pronounced physical separation of men and women of the higher classes, however, with noble women spending most time cloistered within manors while their husbands and brothers engage in the public to enact their will. This division breaks down in lower classes, where women cannot afford not to labor or engage with the wider public.
Women of Ubiyan nobility cover their entire bodies when in public. Historically this was to avoid tanning in the sun (a signifier of agricultural labor), but skin tone no longer has class connotation to contemporary Ubiyans, and thus the veiling is a means to its own end, indicating separation and esteemed status. Noblewomen do not even show their faces in public.
Women of all classes wear face paint. Generally speaking, expensive blue or purple pigments (or highly saturated color in general) signify wealthier classes, while orange, red, brown, yellow and white are more accessible regardless of class.
Exposure of skin is typical for Ubiyan men across class, meant to advertise one's beauty and fitness, and to publically showcase wealth via jewelry. Many men paint their bodies as a means of sun protection while still allowing exposure (not pictured here). Men are also expected to shave their faces and bodies.
Ubiyan men typically carry walking staffs to be used in duels, a traditional means of settling disputes. These staffs contain hidden blades in the case of more fatal encounters. Tallness is prized in men, and most wear platformed sandals to accentuate their height. Most men also wear pheasant feather caps, a display of beauty and additional means to exaggerate height.
Upper nudity is considered normal regardless of gender outside of public settings, while the genitals and buttocks must remain covered in all settings. Noblewomen show off elaborate jewelry and vivid face paints in the semi-private context of the manor or palace.
