Leisure, Arts, and Entertainment in Brevoy

The people of Brevoy enjoy their free time immensely, but importance is placed on completing one's duties before retiring at the end of the day to enjoy revelry. "Do what you must, then what you want", the saying goes. Brevic recreational activities, going hand in hand with the widespread (yet largely unofficial) presence of Cayden Cailean's faith, tend to favor boisterous, often physical pursuits: archery, boating, casual sex, dancing, drinking, fishing, gambling, horseback/cart/foot racing, hunting, friendly brawling, sports, swimming, and winter games (including snowball fights, skiing, sledding, and "walrusing" [diving into ice-cold water, naked]).

Drinking at taverns and visiting communal baths (not gender-segregated) is a traditional way to unwind, catch up on gossip (Brevans love tongue-wagging in more ways than one), make business deals, and get a "massage" from a tavern/bath wench. As Brevic political and mercantile dealings are often literally cut-throat, many people prefer to discuss such things in circumstances where no party has a chance to hide a dagger up their sleeves.

Appreciation of art and culture is a sign of wit and sophistication, and even lowborn, poor Brevians will take time to discuss the merits of ancient epic folk stories ("byliny") with their peers. Oral tradition is strong, with many stories and anecdotes being passed down from older generations. Traditional instruments include the balalaika and the accordion, but flutes, drums, and tambourine-like instruments are also common. Brass instruments are usually used for war songs or to inspire troops. Brevoy has many elaborate traditional dances, and in fact, some of the dances are cleverly disguised combat-training routines.

In the summer, pleasure barges in the likeness of colorful Linnorms ply their way up the Sellen river, bringing news, trade, hedonism, and intrigue aplenty from the River Kingdoms, and keeping Brevoy connected to the south.