Mulan

The Mulan were a human ethnic group non-native to Toril, typically found in east Faerûn.
Mulan were typically tall and thin with a sallow skin tone and brown or hazel eyes. Lower-class Mulan of Thay, Mulhorand, and Unther frequently had significant Rashemi or Turmish blood, resulting in darker complexions. Pure Mulan features were rare in Chessenta because of mixing with the nearby Chondathans. Mulan often had little body hair, ranging in color from black to dark brown, and all nobles and many other Mulan of both genders shaved any hair they did have. Mulan generally preferred simple, unadorned clothing, particularly those that worshiped the god-kings, so as not to outshine them. Other differences in appearance varied by region; for example, Mulan Red Wizards of Thay were often heavily tattooed.
The history of the Mulan was deeply intertwined with the history of the nations of Mulhorand, Unther, Chessenta, and Thay. 
The Mulan were first brought to Toril in −4366 DR, through twin gates to another world created by wizard rulers of the Imaskar Empire. They were used as slaves and for many years their fervent prayers went unanswered because of the magical Imaskari barrier. However, with the help of the overdieties, powerful beings believed to be mortal avatars of the slaves' deities were able to circumvent the barrier and defeat the Imaskari in −2488 DR.
Following the fall of this empire, the Mulan fled from Raurin, eventually settling around Wizards' Reach and the Alamber Sea. They displaced the Turami people and under the leadership of Enlil established the nation of Unther. Over time they either killed or drove out many of the area's native demihuman and humanoid races, as well as humans.
For many generations, the god-king avatars ruled these empires and this led to the development of a powerful priest class. Those who practiced arcane magic struggled under their heavy-handed rule and eventually rebelled, forming the independent nation of Thay, ruled by Red Wizards of Mulan descent.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Mulan spoke Common as well as one of the many tongues of the Rauric languages family, depending on their homeland. Untheric was spoken in Unther and used Dethek runes as an alphabet. Mulhorandi was spoken in Mulhorand, Murghom, Semphar, and Thay and used the Celestial alphabet, except in Thay where it used the Infernal alphabet. Chessentan was spoken in Chessenta and the Wizard's Reach. It used the Thorass alphabet as well as Dethek runes and was closely related to Untheric.

Shared customary codes and values

Mulan were a generally arrogant, conservative group, resistant to change and convinced of their cultural superiority over all others. In Thay, many even believed they were above the gods. Mulan felt they were more civilized, inventive, and capable than other ethnic groups and believed strongly in the values of order and discipline. All upper- and middle-class Mulan received at least some education, and apprenticeship at a young age was common. Mulan followed the rigid class structures of their society, and the practice of slavery was commonplace. They also had a strong tradition in the use of magic, but disagreed over the pursuit of arcane versus divine magic. The arcane arts were lauded in Thay, but distrusted in Mulhorand and Unther.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Unusual for a human culture, Mulan generally believed that the afterlife would be a mirror of the mortal realm, and thus prepared for it obsessively.