Alnasi (Al-nas-e)

Humans who dwell in the forests of Ardlam and the Skretir Desert, the Alnasi are a rough and tough people. Spread out throughout the realm, most are members of the Earthen Nomads, but some eke out a living in remote woodland villages or live in the harsh Skrefal Sultanate.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Feminine pronouns often utilize "bu", and thus a female "Walker of the River" might be also be named Bulasm Quzābhū.
Other common female names might include ’Ahibu (Pretty), Buwāw (Weaver), or Amību (Dancing)

Masculine names

Maculine pronouns often utilze "lu", and thus a male "Walker of the River" might be named Qulusm Quzābhū.
Other common male names might include Wadlushād (Maker of Confidence), Qufablu (Marcher), or Arluḩ (Crashing)

Family names

Family names are often named after a portion of the natural world, while personal names are often named after an action, type of worker or adjective that is held in high regard.
For example, a common family name is Zābhū, translating to roughly "of the River". Thus a common name might be Qulasm Quzābhū (Walker of the River)

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

A majority of Alnasi speak Ard Common.

Average technological level

While industrious in developing travel supplies and strategies, as well as stone crafting and other ways to improve the living conditions of the desert, most Alnasi are hesitant to delve deep into new magic or new technology. They fear that if they are not careful, they will follow down the destructive path their ancestors once took. Most utilize staves, both as aid for their long travels and as weapons that can be used to inflict non-lethal forces. These staves are often handed down through the male generations, until they become so worn out that a son must craft a new one in a solemn ritual.
For those who travel in the desert, they have crafted large Windsailing barges that can catch the wind and move quickly over the sands. These Windsailers are often sought out by the Skrefal Sultanate to facilitate trade, who usually must steal them when the travelers are distracted.

Common Etiquette rules

Alnasi men are usually curt but gruff, not wanting to waste time on small talk or flattery, while Alnasi woman are much more subtle, talkative and even gossipy.

Common Dress code

The Alnasi usually wear long cloaks designed to help them travel and protect them from the elements, and often don't show much of their skin to those outside of their immediate families. The women are often excellent crafters, weaving the Alnasi bright robes. These robes are very detailed and are great at reflecting the hot light of the desert. They also take special pride in their footwear, and almost never take off their footwear save for very specific occasions, such as sleeping, bathing, or worship in a temple to Yea. Most Alnasi even have several different types of footwear, often one for long travel, one for indoor recreation, and one for more casual wanderings.

Art & Architecture

Plenty of Alnasi become stone carvers, and thus have built many large structures out of stone or sandstone. They often adorn holy sites with stone statues, that each group that passess through the site will work on and add to over time.

Foods & Cuisine

Alnasi meat-bread, or Dūwḑan is a wildly common ration used throughout the realm, and has even began to be imported to other realms. Grown from a hardy wheat, it has bits of meat baked into it from Alnasi-raised boars that are known as Lulis, who can eat and digest nearly anything. These Dūwḑan are heavily calorie efficient, and while a bit bland without spices, can get many adventures through a long journey.
For nomadic Alnasi, most families have their own style of Ghāru, a sort of mix of food that the family uses as personal snacks, both for trips and for home meals. Each families Ghāru is unique, and evolves over time as families come together. Many families bicker over their Ghāru, insisting that their mix is the best and often even having competitions over them.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Oral tradition is a important part of Alnasi culture, with stories often past down through fragmented fables that are expanded upon through oral embellishment. Many stories are cautionary or frightening tales about the horrendous actions of the Akema-Ra era, and act to frighten young Alnasi into a more cautious lifestyle.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Life in Ardlam can be tough, and thus it is common for the family to not give out a newborn baby a name for about a week. This is both to lessen an emotional attachment incase the baby dies, and to attempt to glean glimpses of its possible personality, so that it can receive a proper name. A father is always in charge of naming a daughter, while a mother is always in charge of naming a son. If the mother or father are unavailable, the grandparents or nearest relative of the correct gender names the baby instead.

Coming of Age Rites

Alnasi coming of age rites vary by gender; for men it usually involves some sort of trip with the father taking his son or sons when they are nearing age and test the skills they have learned. These trips are known as Khagaţzās, and are heaviliy looked forward to by young men. Many come distraught if their father is absent from their life, and will look to other male figures in their life to take them on a Khagaţzā. Another male taking a young man on a Khagaţzā is akin to an adoption into the family, and thus will usually only be done by other family relatives or very close friends.
On the other hand, mothers will constantly test their daughters household and logistical skills as they are growing to determine when they are ready to be married and start a family of their own. This often involves logical puzzle tests and the memorization of the family stories.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Funerary customs of the Alnasi vary by tribe and location greatly. For those who are members of the Earthen Nomads, many are buried at their sacred sites on their pilgrimage routes. Unless they are particularly wealthily and can afford a crypt, those that die in the Sultanate have little options aside from selling their dead for meat or having them interred in mass graves. Some particularly hard working (or slaves that their masters are very fond of) Alnasi in the Sultanate may earn a spot in their masters tomb, but this often means that if the master dies before the servant, the Alnasi will be slain (often by mummification) to be entombed with the master. For Alnasi that dwell deep in the woods, they often have either a small family graveyard, or a local village gravesite for burial.

Common Taboos

Most Alnasi outside of the Skrefal Sultanate believe that they must repent for many crimes committed under the rule of the Akema-Ra empire. Many tales of the time tell of lecherous and debaucherous sexual acts, and thus the Alnasi are very sexually reserved. They believe that they must restrain from premarital sex with the opposite gender, but small acts with the same gender are allowed, as long as they remain close and personal and do not consume the Alnasi's entire life. Those that dwell deep within the Sultanate often have much more of a relaxed attitude, or are slaves to the Sultanate and have little say in the matter.
Honor and trust is vert important among the Alnasi, as they must trust each other greatly to survive in the wilds. When males feels honor and trust has been broken, they often dual each other, but their penchant for non-lethal arms means that it is usually not to the death. However, if a offense is bad enough, it can lead to banishment, which will often lead to the banished either dying in the wild or retreating to the desert and becoming part of the Sultanate. A banished Alnasi also has their ancestral staff broken, a sign of extreme dishonor.
Theivery is also a very punishable crime, especially of footwear and other travel gear, and it is not uncommon for theives to get their hands or feet chopped off for the offense.
Necromancy is heavily hated by Alnasi society, due to its prerelevent use by Akema-Ra bringing the wrath of the gods down upon them.

Common Myths and Legends

A majority of the Alnasi are members of the Earthen Nomads, and worship Yea, the Primal Elemental of Earth and Stone. Those that dwell in the Sultanate may also worship Dibua, and those that dwell deep in the forests often are members of the Green Order, or rarely even worship a Fey Sovereign. A significant number of Alnasi are even areligious, resenting the gods for their heavy hand that lead to the Age of Separation. Many Alnasi were impressed with Rostrom's destruction of The Rier, and have turned to worship him. These young Alnasi often are at odds with their elders, seeking a more active and confrontational role in the stewarding of the realm.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Dirty hair is extremely disliked in Alnasi society, and thus many either use various oils or utilize headdresses or hats when not inside to prevent dirtying thier hair. Most men work outside, and will simply shave their hair to avoid both the need for maintenance and the extreme heat that can accompany the work. A male with an unshaved and yet still clean head of hair is a sign of extreme wealth, but also potentially also one of an indulgent lifestyle (although this attitude is mostly held by jealous rivels)

Gender Ideals

In Alnasi culture, it is common for males to project images of strength and to protect females, acting as warriors, laborers, and guards. For the nomadic Alnasi, men take a larger role in leading the wanderings, and overseeing the overall state of the family. Alnasi women still play a major role, mostly in managing domestic and logistic issues, such as overseeing children groups, leading men in the setup and takedown of camps, crafting supplies, and managing much of the families finances. Most woman are also storytellers, memorizing the families tales and reciting them around the campfire. In Alnasi who have settled in more urban areas, Male Alnasi are usually expected to earn a living and act as overall head of the household, but the women form large and influential groups of like minded girls and often influence the overall course of the settlement.

Courtship Ideals

Most Alnasi enter arranged marriages, of which the approval of the same gendered soon-to-be step parent must be granted. Typically, this comes in the form of the betrothed to spend a large amount of time with their soon to be parent-in-law, usually around a week. This often takes the form of a father heading out on a hunting trip or other wandering with his to-be son-in-law, similar to a coming-of-age Khagaţzā, while the daughter-in-law stays home with the mother. Should the parents on both sides approve, the wedding then goes through.
Due to their penchant for staying away from the opposite sex before marriage, it is not uncommon for homosexual relationships to occur, and these parings are often slightly encouraged, as it is seen as a bond of friendship and as a way to gain experience before marriage. It is especially common among male warrior groups who spend a large amount of time fighting together. However, homosexual marriage is heavily frowned upon, if often not completely forbidden by the parents.

Relationship Ideals

The Alnasi make close bonds within those of their groups and others, but typically only of groups of the same gender. It is seen as uncouth for non-family members of opposite genders to associate heavily with each other before marriage. Father-son and mother-daughter bonds are the norm, with opposite gendered parents often having a much more formal relationship.

Major organizations

Many Alnasi become wandering monks as part of the Earthan Nomads, but can also be found making a living as part of the Skrefal Sultanate. Most who dwell permanently in the Sultanate are looked down upon by others, with many even being descended from previously banished nomads.

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Random Alnasi Homelands

% Rolled	Homeland	Trait Gained
01-25	Forest Village	Log Roller
26-50	Nomadic Caravan	Caravan Guard
51-75	Desert City	Desert Child
76-81	Oasis Temple	Caretaker
82-87	Plains Village	Savannah Child
88-93	Slave Camp	Freed Slave
94-98	Mountain Town	Spirits in the Stone
99-00	Unusual Homeland	(Roll on Unusual Homeland table)

Encompassed species

• Briarheart
• Half-Elf
• Half-Giant
• Half-Orc
• Human

Related Organizations

• Skrefal Sultanate
• The Earthan Nomads

Languages spoken

• Ard Common

Related Locations

• Ardlam
• Skretir Desert