Gentleman's Guide

The Gentleman’s Guide is an Espalese book which describes the proper care of a man's beard in the country.[1]

Excerpts
"Precise beard braiding patterns may vary according to style and taste. There were once specific braids for different professions, but these are less rigidly kept in this modern age. Gentlemen who prefer other gentlemen do still wear the reverse braid at times, but the overtness of this signal has led to a recent decline in popularity. The errant’s knot is commonly worn as a concession to the realities of combat, though a longer braid is a sign of confidence."[1]

"One’s beard must be kept tightly braided in public, cared for only in the presence of close friends, and never displayed unbraided near unfamiliar women. In this, the gentlemen of Espal distinguish themselves from the uncouth tangles of Portant, the crude cuts of Wahleen, or the shaven jaws of outsiders."[2]