Floorplan of the Coral Palace
The equatorial Borgim are of the Thisitonim genetic grouping, and their culture is primarily rainforest based. They have primitive slash and burn agriculture and do a lot of hunting and gathering, but they are also skilled woodcarvers and weavers, can cast brass (and other metals), and maintain trade routes not only between the far flung villages of the rainforest, but also with all the neighboring peoples. Although Borgim calls itself an Empire, it's main political unit remains the nomadic village of the common people. The villages donate a part of their produce to support a very small aristocracy, whose sophisticated cultural life centers around the Coral Palace, official residence of the Emperor.
Bazomi, from Cantata in Coral and Ivory
This is a sketch of the character Bazomi from Cantata in Coral and Ivory. She is a romheli, an 'eligible' young woman of good family, and she acts as an attendant to her cousin Pesodi, a lady of title and high position. This illustration shows the typical dress of a lady of the court (although most ladies wear more elaborate hair arrangements, even more richly embroidered clothing, and a variety of jewelry.) Although a vest and gisgir are the standard wardrobe for all classes, only court ladies wear their gisgir full to the ankle as shown in the sketch -- peasants wear theirs at knee length, and gentlemen at this period wear theirs nipped in at the knee, and bound to their calves with fancy cords or jeweled chains. (Gisgir is neither pants nor skirt, but sacklike garment that is a sort of a cross between the two.)
Cinasor, from Velvet Lies
This sketch depicts Isde Cinasor from Velvet Lies, who is wearing the costume of a gentleman of the court from a later time period. The fashion is no longer for a gentleman's gisgir to have pant legs, and they are now worn to midcalf. Notice the somge (handscarf) in Cinasor's left hand. This variation on the common handkerchief is the latest court rage, it has its own language, much like the 'language of the fan' in european courts. Later, in Pavane in Pearl and Emerald the handscarf is no longer a necessary fashion accessory, but instead has become a key part of the court dances.
The following Links with take you to more invormation about the Borgim Culture.