Sruon (sah ROH nee)

People of the Sruo Hayden Peninsula

The Sruon are a Sidobians speaking Human group of Normon descent, that dwell on the Sruo Hayden peninsula on the major continent of Ethae. They originate from early Ismon natives intermarrying with Capedian colonist. The early natives, who's cultural name and identify has been lost to history (though many historians believe the name Sruon originate from these people) struggled on a peninsula dominated by Scaro'are and later their Orc descendants. The colonization of Sruo Hayden's northern lands by Old Capedo changed this, giving the native humans a fighting chance. The Capedians introduced the horse onto the peninsula, giving advantage not only over the orcs, but the other creatures that seemed to thrive in the lands.

After the decline of Old Capedo the early Sruon, now largely identified as descendants of the Capedian colonist, became a nomadic people, after their cities were destroyed by orcs. There people fought once more for survival in a land overrun by the Umaybbad orcs. When the Umybbad fell to the budding Republic of Lakorth the Sruon finally had a chance to build their own nation under the Republic. The Sruon became some of the best cavalry fighters of the republic army.

With the decline of the Republic the Sruon found themselves on their own again, though this time better prepared to stand on their own. With the skill in the saddle, the Sruon cavalry keep the land relatively free. The Sruon joined the United Kingdoms of Novyum when it rose, though this was largely lip-service by both sides. Some Sruon riders joined the Novya army, but largely were left to their peninsula. With few resourses important to the Heartlands, Sruo Hayden was forgot as little more than a location on the map of the continen.

In the modern day the horse in part of everyday life for the Sruon people. Travel is on horseback rather than wagon or carriage, due to poor road conditions. Cattle ranching has become a staple of peninsula life due to the rich grasses that grow throughou. Entire communities migrating with the cattle throughout the year, due to weather and grazing availability. Rodeos are a central Entertaiment for the culture, with several famous troops traveling throughout Novyum showing off riding skills.

The Sruon do not differentiate between the sexes in cultural roles. Men and women take part in the cattle driving, rodeos and other daily life of the Sruon culture. This includes fighting service in the cavalry, though women often take on mobile archery roles, over the heavy cavalry roles of the men. Traveling rodeos in foreign lands often see larger numbers of female riders than men, as they are seen as more desirable to the men of the mainland as thus earn more coin in their shows.

As with the rest of their culture gender roles do not factor into family life. Both spouses are responsible for equal shares of household burdens. There is often an expectation of discussing marriage duties between the sexes during courting. A marriage is not consummated until these roles and expectations are defined. These duties include, who will earn the money in the family and who will stay home with the children. Families are expected to travel with their 'breadwinner' through the year, and many Sruon only own small homes in cities that are used in winter, while the family travels for ranching or rodeos.

Family units often gather in what could be called a tribe, with small families with less resources gathering around a larger rich family. These tribes are fluid, however. The small family often staying for a few years, before moving on to another opportunity. This is culturally acceptable and expected. "Doing what is best for the family," is a Sruon saying. It is usual for these tribal migrations for young Sruon to look for a spouse, form a family of his or her own, journey off to start a life with that family. Some of the wealthiest families often keep their generations within their tribe, growing their numbers and size. These are what could be considered the noble lines of the people with strong regional influence.

Sruon, being of dominantly normon descent, often have lighter hair shades, blondes or browns, and lighter skin tones. Some southern families, however, will have some members with darker shades. Eye colors are largely brown, though blue will be seen in the north, or along the Ajar border. Both genders keep their hair long and loose, finding the intricate hairstyles of the east tedious and unproductive. Natural colors are favored in clothing. Syles varies between region but are usually wool or leather in material. Riding is a part of life in the culture and clothing is styles around be comfortable on horseback. Women, to the shock of some Heartland cultures, will often wear pants, or thick, soft undergarments to allow for riding while wearing a dress.

Race: Human

Ethnicity: Normon

Homeland: Sruo Hayden

Alignment: While tradition is important to these peple, the culture and the individual pride themselves in their adaptability, giving the people a more neutral, or chaotic alignment.

Age: Sruoni have a slightly above average lifespan for humans, living to an age between 70 to 120 years.

Size: (Medium) Sruoni height varies greatly among their people, but is average for humans. Women usually stand about a head shorter than the man.

Language: The Sruoni speak the Sidubi language in their homeland. Those traveling with rodeos will learn the Common Tongue. As do those with professions that connect to the nations beyond their peninsula.