Goldrock’s culture Q&A’s

A note on Goldrock: Goldrock's society is characterised by a deeply entrenched class system, which significantly influences various aspects of life. Consequently, certain topics are addressed from multiple perspectives to reflect the experiences and norms across different social strata.

1/ Family and Friendships

1.1/ What is a normal family unit?

In Goldrock, family units typically consist of two parents and an average of six children, although families can grow into the double digits. Large families are not uncommon, primarily due to the financial and practical advantages they provide. Children are seen as potential workers, contributing to the family’s income. Additionally, the high mortality rate means that the loss of a child is less financially damaging in large families, although the emotional pain remains no less severe.

1.2/ Do people marry for love or other reasons? What reasons?

Marriage in Goldrock is driven by a combination of love and practicality. While love is valued, especially for the wealthier classes, marriage is often influenced by social, economic, and family considerations. The families of both individuals play a significant role in the decision-making process; if one or both families disapprove, the marriage is unlikely to proceed, unless the couple decides to elope—though such an act would be seen as a scandal.

Regardless of how the couple meets, marriage is usually preceded by a brief courtship followed by a lengthy engagement, often lasting several years. During the engagement, the families take time to get to know one another, discussing practical matters such as finances and whether the couple can support themselves. Following this, the marriage occurs, and the couple establishes a home together.

For the Middle and Upper Classes, prenuptial agreements are common and tend to be arranged by the families, sometimes without the couple ever meeting. The Lower Class, on the other hand, tends to focus on a family’s good reputation rather than financial matters, as they have less to offer.

Gift exchanges are traditional, with rings often given on the wedding day. Among the poorer classes, locks of hair are commonly exchanged instead of expensive gifts, as it is seen as intimate and affordable.

1.3/ Are the genders treated differently?

The ideal in Goldrock society is for one partner to manage the household while the other works outside. This arrangement is common in wealthier families. However, for the poor, both partners must work to support the family. During childbirth, one parent usually continues to work while the other stays at home. Wealthier and some Middle Class families may have the luxury of one partner staying home, but for the working class, this is not a practical option.

1.4/ Who raises the children?

In the Lower Class, one partner may take on the responsibility of child-rearing while the other works to earn a living. The wealthier families can afford to hire caregivers or nannies to raise their children, while the Middle Class typically handles it in a more balanced manner, with both parents working and sharing child-rearing responsibilities.

2/ Social Rules

2.1/ What is a gesture of respect (bowing, saluting)?

In Goldrock, gestures of respect depend heavily on one’s social standing. Lower-class individuals are expected to doff their hats or gesture to those of higher class, while the higher classes may curtsy or shake hands. A handshake is appropriate among people of the same class or between a higher and a lower class. Nodding in acknowledgment is reserved for those of equivalent or lower class. Raising a glass in a toast is also a sign of respect for individuals of equal or lower class.

2.2/ What is considered a rude gesture?

There are a few behaviors considered deeply disrespectful in Goldrock. Calling someone of a higher class by their first name is viewed as impolite. Failure to acknowledge a respectful gesture or reciprocate it is also a breach of etiquette. Using coarse language in front of those of higher class is also frowned upon. Additionally, discussing one’s own income or wealth, particularly if one is of lower status, is considered inappropriate.

2.3/ How do they curse? Gods? Body parts?

Cursing in Goldrock typically involves references to the Profane, body parts, and animals.

2.4/ What topics of conversation are controversial?

In Goldrock, certain topics are regarded as controversial, particularly those that challenge the established social order. Discussions about workers’ rights, unionisation, and any deviation from the class system can spark intense debates. Scandals and the behaviors of the upper classes can also be topics of controversy, especially if they involve breaking social norms.

2.5/ Which topics of conversation are safe?

Safe topics of conversation include food, art, fashion, the latest advancements in technology, business matters, and sport. These subjects are universally acceptable and are typically seen as neutral or pleasant.

2.6/ What constitutes a social faux pas?

Social faux pas in Goldrock are typically associated with acting or speaking out of place, deviating from social norms, or showing disrespect for one’s position in society. Failure to follow the established manners and expectations of each class can lead to social exclusion or censure.

2.7/ Do people live in happiness or fear?

The experience of life in Goldrock depends on one’s class. The wealthy live in comfort and happiness, enjoying the fruits of their labor and wealth. The middle class are generally content, though there is often a sense of insecurity about maintaining their status. The poor, however, live in constant fear of disease, starvation, and the looming threat of destitution. Many lose sleep over the possibility of being sent to one of Goldrock’s infamous workhouses.

2.8/ Does the culture value strength or compassion more highly?

Goldrock society places a much higher value on strength. Compassion is appreciated, but it is generally seen as a secondary virtue, especially in a world where survival depends on one’s ability to endure hardship. The concept of strength varies between classes, with the rich seeing it as the ability to maintain power and influence, while for the poor, it is more about survival and resilience in the face of adversity.

2.9/ Does the culture value wealth or generosity more highly?

Wealth is highly valued among the rich, and their obsession with accumulating more wealth is a defining characteristic of their class. The middle class values wealth but is not as fixated on it as the rich. The poor have very little wealth to speak of, and their pride often prevents them from accepting charity. They would rather endure the hardship of wearing a worn jacket they earned than accept a brand-new one that they did not.

3/ Food

3.1/ What does a feast look like?

For the working class that could afford it, a meal of roast beef, with root vegetables and plenty of potatoes for filler, followed by a plum pudding, is had on New Year's Day, cooked by themselves. Some families join ‘goose clubs’ to save up for a goose throughout the year as no single working-class family could dream of buying their goose in one go.

The middle class would have roast beef every Saturday. New Year's dinner, when they want to spend a little more, would be a goose or turkey and even possibly a selection of meats, accompanied by a nice selection of roast vegetables and potatoes. Plum pudding and a small selection of desserts would also be served at the same time. Middle-class families have cooks who would prepare this for them.

The Upper class would have their meals prepared by chefs, often hired from Wheatstan, served to them by servants from the side, not on the table like other classes. The meal starts with several courses as follows: A choice of soup. Fish. Entrées. Fancier dishes such as sweetbreads and mutton cutlets, or poached meat with a rich sauce. Selection of stuffed roast meats with vegetables and potatoes. Roast game shot on the estate is obligatory. A large selection of small fancy cakes and mini plum puddings is the last course.

3.2/ What does a basic pauper’s meal look like?

A poor meal for the working class would be something inexpensive like bread and cheese or porridge, soups are also common.

That is until you get to the workhouses where breakfast is a thin watery gruel and a piece of bread (or just bread if you have misbehaved), followed by either meat and boiled potatoes or soup and bread, with suet/rice pudding alongside (unless you have misbehaved where you get a single boiled onion).

3.3/ Do people mostly eat meat, fish or vegetables?

The upper class have a varied diet, possibly leaning towards more meat. The middle class have a varied diet possibly leaning towards a bit more veg. The working class have more veg but do get some meat/fish. Potatoes and root veg, as well as bread, are the main bulk of their diet.

3.4/ Do people eat plain or heavily flavoured food?

The upper class have heavily flavoured food. The middle class have fairly flavoured food, but not to the same extent as the rich. The poor like to flavour their food, but this is not always possible. Salt and pepper and the odd herb are the go-to seasonings.

3.5/ Do people eat together or separately?

Together predominantly, but the poor might pick up something from the street vendors on their way to or from work/the pub.

3.6/ Do people eat in small or large groups?

Predominantly the family eats together, and they have large families. The middle and upper classes will also invite others to dine with them.

3.7/ What utensils do people use to eat?

Knife, fork and spoon, with separate ones for each course for the middle and upper classes.

3.8/ Are there many restaurants? Who goes to them?

A few for the rich in the capital, but these are more tea houses and clubs rather than dedicated restaurants. There are pie shops and chip shops for the poor.

3.9/ Are there street food sellers?

Yes, but only used by the poor.

3.10/ What do people drink?

Tea is ubiquitous amongst all classes. The working class will also drink beer, cider and Gin. The middle classes can afford nicer drinks, like whisky, cherry, wine, port, white rum and brandy. The upper classes enjoy much the same drinks as the middle, but of much higher quality. Sparkling wine served chilled is a popular drink to follow entrées.

3.11/ Is the water generally clean enough to drink?

No, the upper classes can afford to have their own well, and sometimes serve the water chilled at breakfast. But they predominantly drink alcohol. Their staff can drink as much water as they like.

3.12/ Are some foods poisonous to certain people?

In Goldrock, workers typically consume their meals either on the factory floor or down in the mines, depending on their specific roles. While the food itself is generally of acceptable quality, the environments in which it is eaten often lead to contamination. Consuming food in such settings can expose workers to various health risks due to potential contamination from hazardous substances present in these areas.

3.13/ What are the tables like? Shape? High or low?

Tables are rectangular and able to be sat at with chairs. All tables will be dressed for meals, but this differs greatly depending on class.

4/ Art

4.1/ What forms of art are there?

People have paintings (or photographs for the rich) of their loved ones about their house. The size, quality, and number of these will depend on class. The rich enjoy architecture and will often embellish their homes, factories, and mills with interesting patterns and designs. The upper and middle classes also like gardening, paintings, and flower arrangements.

4.2/ Do people value art?

They value the image of their loved ones, but the poor have no means to see or afford art as such, thus have no true love for it. The middle and upper classes do enjoy art.

4.3/ Can everyone afford art, or only the wealthy?

Only the wealthy really, but the poor will exchange at least one picture of themselves, as part of their wedding engagement. The middle class might display a set of plates or possibly have a few ornaments.

4.4/ What subjects does art concern itself with?

Normally, the rich might have a painting of their factory or their house. Famous battles or other such military paintings can also be found, as can paintings of family members past and present.

5/ Architecture

5.1/ What are the cities like, if any?

They are numerous, large, dirty, overcrowded, crime-ridden, and noisy. The cities of Goldrock are the industrial heart of Saxum. Oddly, despite the vast difference in living quality between the classes, you might only have to walk a couple of streets to go from the worst of slums to the opulent streets of the rich, with trees on either side of the street and the finest of carriages waiting to transport the rich about town.

5.2/ What are the houses like?

The poor, for the most part, do not live in houses but rather small apartments of no more than two rooms, sometimes only a single room (there could even be two families sharing a single room). The poor have no real choice, as only the rich can afford property. The poor do not have indoor plumbing and will often have to share outdoor facilities with several other families, possibly the rest of the street. The middle class can afford nice homes to rent, often two-up and two-down terrace houses, with their servants sleeping in the loft. The upper class can afford several homes, often having one in the city and a country home to get away from the city from time to time. Their houses are large, sometimes four stories, detached, and have multiple indoor toilets, gas lighting, fine wallpaper, and everything else the poor could dream of and more.

5.3/ Is architecture indulgent or functional?

The architecture is first and foremost functional but still has a certain element of style. Key features of Goldrock architecture are high ceilings, stained glass, large bay windows, and beautiful fireplaces. The colour palette is dark and consists of rich, deep colours of maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown, and blue. These colours are used to convey a sense of luxury and sophistication. Obviously, the slums have very little of this, predominantly consisting of bare red brick or flagstone walls. Plain slate or dark clay roof tiles are used, depending on the main industries surrounding the particular town or city, with the rich being able to import whatever materials are needed. Another key feature of Goldrock is its ironwork. You simply cannot walk down a street without seeing either an iron street lamp or, in nicer streets, iron railings. There are also some wonderful iron bridges.

6/ Clothing & Fashion

6.1/ What do people wear?

The poor have very few sets of clothes. But the middle and definitely the upper classes have multiple sets. Please refer to the kit document for a better idea. Hats – flat caps for all classes, the upper class will also wear bowler and top hats. Head scarves and bonnets are also common. Coats – sack coats and sometimes fitted coats with large shawl collars for the working class, the middle and upper classes have a lot more variation and tend to be fitted better. Waistcoats – single or double-breasted. Shirts – collared and collarless. The upper class and some middle class can afford fancier shirts with separate attachable collars. Ties – simple wraps for the working class (that can double up as a rag), nicer neckties, bow ties, and cravats for the middle and upper classes. Trousers – full length and normally held up by bracers, although belts are not too uncommon. Skirts & dresses – various styles but all full length, designed to be comfortable and long-lasting. Shoes & boots – While real-world heeled boots would look amazing, please remember the common saying that LARP stops at the ankles. Wear a good pair of outdoor boots, with ankle support, and worry about the look after. Plain brown or black hiking boots are perfect.

6.2/ What is in fashion this year?

Wearing a flower in a hat or jacket pocket, or a handkerchief in a breast pocket is quite the style. People wishing to show their interest in courting might match the colour of their flower or handkerchief to one worn by the person they wish to woo.

6.3/ What was in fashion last year?

Much the same as this year and has been for a few years. Fashion changes slowly in Goldrock.

7/ Entertainment, Celebrations and Festivals

7.1/ Is there theatre? Is it common or reserved for the wealthy?

There are both theatres for the upper and middle classes, as well as ‘quarter’ theatres, so named because they cost a mere $0.25 to enter. Whilst the theatres the upper and middle classes attend will feature fine music and classical stories, performed by some of the best musicians and actors from across Saxum, the quarter theatres for the poor are a theatre in name only. Often consisting of dancing, debauched songs, and comic acts, where lewd behaviour and filthy language that would make a sailor blush are not only expected but demanded by the audience. These are less sophisticated plays and more akin to pantomimes.

7.2/ What’s the most popular form of entertainment?

The poor have little time for leisure. Drinking is what most do to pass the time, with the occasional trip to a penny theatre. The middle classes tend to have hobbies to spend their free time on, with the rare trip to the theatre or a weekly game with family or neighbours after dinner. Taking a walk to the local park is also a nice change of pace. The upper classes have a lot of options—cards, hunting, clubs, reading, going to the theatre, hosting lavish dinner parties, and attending dances, to name but a few. A less popular form of entertainment but one that still occurs is ‘slumming’, where the rich will dress as members of the lower class and venture through the slums to see firsthand how the poor live.

7.3/ What are the major festivals?

Details on religion of Goldrock can be found here: Religion in Goldrock

7.4/ Describe a wedding.

Weddings are always performed at the local church by either a priest or nun. For the middle and upper classes, this is followed by a reception and then a honeymoon away. The poor cannot afford to throw a party or have a honeymoon, so will go to their new home to have their first meal as a family. As the poor work six days a week, their weddings tend to occur on Sundays or New Year’s Day. Churches often offer a discounted rate for ‘New Year’ weddings, holding several in one day. Recently, photography has started to become popular in Goldrock, and even the poor will have at least one wedding photo of the newlyweds.

7.5/ Describe a funeral.

For the wealthy, the burial of a loved one is as much about “being seen” and doing things “properly” as it is about the process of grief and mourning. However, things are a little different for the lower class. Due to the high death rate (particularly for children), many lower-class families plan and save money to ensure that the deaths of their children are handled in an appropriate manner. Funerals are so costly, yet so important, that lower-class families often go without the necessities of life because they refuse to spend their funerary funds on things like food, clothing, and shelter. Ironically, by refusing to use the money at their disposal to help ensure the survival of their children, families are almost ensuring that they will need their funeral funds.

There are a few traditions and superstitions that are common across the classes:

Families draw the curtains and stop the clocks at the time of death. Cover the mirrors throughout the house to avoid trapping the spirit of the deceased in the looking glasses. Paintings and photos of the family are turned face down throughout the house to prevent the deceased person’s spirits from possessing relatives and friends. If several members of the same family die, everyone and everything that enters the house will wear a black ribbon to prevent the deaths spreading even further. This practice even applies to dogs, chickens, cats etc. The family hang a simple wreath, often laurel and yew or boxwood, tied with black crepe or ribbons, on the front door as a signal that a death had occurred. The bell knob or door handle is draped with black crepe and tied with a ribbon – black if the deceased was married or aged and white if they were young or unmarried. When the body is removed from the house, it is taken head-first, so that it is unable to call others to follow it. The body is then taken to a church by horse drawn hearse where a priest or nun performs the service, and the body is buried.

The Goldrock Anatomy Act, enacted to combat the body-snatching epidemic of earlier years, legalises the dissection of people who die in prisons, asylums, or workhouses. Unless a relative comes forward within seven days of an inmate’s death, prepared to pay for a coffin and a churchyard burial, the inmate’s body can legitimately be sent to a teaching institution for dissection. This “donation” is made in return for a fee to be utilised in the institution from which the body came (or pocketed by a corrupt institution official).

Currently, there is movement in Goldrock for a ‘Poor Law’ Act, which, amongst other things, will mandate local authorities to conduct a ‘pauper’s funeral’ at their expense to combat the corruption surrounding the selling of inmates' bodies. To date, however, this has not passed.

7.6/ What are special celebratory foods?

Sweet treats and desserts, in particular plum pudding on New Year's Day.

7.7/ What sort of clothes do people wear on special occasions?

The smartest they can muster; this, of course, depends on class.