Fuírén

Originating from the fertile lands of Fuíguo, in Eastern Galisea the Fuírén are a multispecies ethnic group composed of goblinoid peoples inhabiting those regions. Traditionally dominated by the hobgoblins, the Fuírén have slowly adopted a more egalitarian approach, at least in the more cosmopolitan cities along the coast. Tradition reigns in the hinterlands of Fuíguo, and especially in the exiled clains of the Liúwáng Zhě.

Established in the valley between the eastern Indric Mountains and the Honghe River, the Fuírén formerly controlled a broad swath of territory. Centuries of losses to the humans of Guandao, and Lirkuth saw their territory and influence shrink steadily. Eventually however, the ascent of the of the Terruk Mal and their invasion of the Fuírén territories ultimately destroyed their state, and cast a number of the more traditionalist warrior clans into exile.

In the present era, the Fuírén are facing the possible extinction of their culture, as foreign influences and foreign domination have forced most of the people to adopt foreign customs, and abandon traditional social structures. In particular, the demands for taxation from the Terruk have dramatically disrupted traditional Fuírén economic and productive systems.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Fuírén speak the Fuí dialect Haoshé, a language native to northeastern Galisea and spoken by most of the settled peoples there. The Fuí dialect in particular is one of the eldest Haoshé dialects, and one of those most aligned with tradition, and for foreigners, one of the most impenetrable languages in Galisea. As a result, the experts who can speak Common among the Fuírén are highly sought after for communications with outsiders.

Shared customary codes and values

Fuírén people traditionally favored tight nit extended family structures, and interlocked systems of mutual aid to support the functioning of society. Generally these structures were strictly hierarchical, with matriarchs given enormous powers over other members of their clans. There was also a relatively strict racial caste system that strongly favored the hobgoblins over the bugbears, and especially over the goblins, with other nongoblinoid races being treated as foreign guests, or invaders, but almost certainly never as members of the local community.

Common Etiquette rules

Fuírén people are expected to maintain social grace, and a certain appearance of honor and trustworthiness, though that appearance is generally more important than actually maintaining those traits. Obedience to one's betters, and observance of the duties of one's station is deemed highly important. Likewise how one acts as, or treats guests is also quite important, with the upholding of certain traditions being how the Fuírén people measure that activity.

Common Dress code

Fuírén people are generally relatively conservative dressers, with people generally expected to cover most of their bodies, save their heads, at all times. One of the key ways that traditional social structure was enforced, was in how people were clothed. Generally certain colors were restricted to certain social classes and professions. In particular, colors such as blue, green, and gold were tightly limited to members of the ruling and martial clans, and to certain heads of clans, with those wearing this color not belonging to those classes punished severely for their transgression.

Art & Architecture

Fuírén favor simple functionalist architecture in their construction, working with whatever materials are at hand. Often this includes a mixture of wood, mud, and stone construction. Where Fuírén favor aesthetics over function comes in certain forms of physical art, with the art of Fuí calligraphy being extremely well regarded, as are ceramics, with Fuí tea sets being among the most highly sought after, and valued products of Fuí culture. Dance is the most popular performing art, particularly Fuí blade dancing.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Fuí culture originated from the heartlands of eastern Galisea, and shares a lot of cultural and political traditions with the Bei-Shan, and the Guandese peoples, and indeed all three cultures follow roughly the same religion, and observe many of the same holidays. Unlike the northern cultures, the Fuí also borrow cultural traditions from Lirkuth, with the most well known and influential of these being the Fuí adoption of a matriarchal clan structures.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Births are relatively important events with the emphasis on celebration of the mother, with the clan often having a formal celebration of the birth, as well as relieving the mother of social expectations and professional duties for several weeks. It is during this celebration that the child is given their birth name, the first, and least of their names.

Coming of Age Rites

Generally, there isn't a strict coming of age ritual in Fuí society, as children are gradually given more and more responsibilities until they effectively become full adults. In more traditionalist, and more upper class clans however, there is a brief ceremony often handing the young adult, the accouterments of their station to indicate that they have achieved adulthood.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a Fuí person dies, they are expected to be cremated, as soon as is possible, and the remaining ashes stored in a local temple, or in the clan's own ancestral shrine. The Fuí have little time for ceremony during the funeral rites, though family members are expected to venerate ancestors during certain religious festvials, or seek council in crisis.

Common Taboos

Failure to uphold traditionalist social structures, as well as being bad guests, or bad hosts, public drunkeness, and other unbecoming activities are major faux pas, and are often grounds for being ostracized from society. Questioning religious governmental authorities must be immediately followed by a challenge for leadership, or otherwise is likewise considered a moral failing.

Ideals

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is rarely recognized in Fuí societies, with marriages often arranged to secure alliances between clans, or to maintain viable skilled populations within clans. In more traditionalist clans, these marriages are arranged when potential spouses are quite young. In less traditionalist clans, there is a brief courtship process where a small number of potential suitors are arranged beforehand, and the spouses to be get to choose from among them.

Relationship Ideals

Seen as marriages are largely political and economic affairs, most of what could be considered a "romantic relationship" occurs extra-maritally, and indeed extramarital affairs are common and indeed expected of people, at least after they have had their first child, with Fuí women in particular being granted significant latitude in whom they seek for companionship after marriage. Such relationships value genuine connection and honesty, and are one of the few places where such things can be expected.

Major organizations

The Fuí people have been scattered as a result of the loss of their territory. The most independent organization the Fuí can still claim to lead are the Liúwáng Zhě, a scatted collection of mercenary clans in western Galisea. In former Fuí territory, the Terruk vassal state of Fuíguo still exists, though vastly reduced in power, and frequently debased culturally, and a number of criminal organizations exist in Guandao that have remained independent of assimilation.

Related Organizations

• Independent Coastal Settlements
• Liúwáng Zhě

Recommended DnD (5e) Traits:

Note: These are rough guidelines, and not strict rules for those wishing to roleplay as Ilosi Aeillans.

If Playing a Hobgoblin

• +2 to Constitution, +1 to Intelligence
• Proficiency in Light Armor, Heavy Repeating Crossbows, and Glaives

If Playing a Goblin

• +2 to Dexterity, +1 to Constitution
• Fury of the Small. 1/rest, when you damage a creature larger creature deal damage equal to your level.
• Nimble Escape. Take Dodge or Disengage as a bonus action.

If Playing a Bugbear

• +2 to Strength, +1 to Dexterity
• Proficiency in the Stealth skill
• Long Limbed. Extra 5 foot reach for melee attacks.
• Powerful Build. One size larger for the purposes of carrying and weight lifting ability.
• Surprise Attack. 1/combat, deal an extra 2d6 damage to a creature hit during your first round in combat.