Rowian (Rɒwiɑːn)

The Rowians are a hardy people, just like the tree that carries their name.

— A renvaren about the Rowians

In Willrowia there are two ethnic groups that call the former country their home, the Rowians and the Tyliwans. The Rowians are the majority group of the two in Willrowia, having been so for as long as records go back. Rowians connect deeply with their patron God Rhyn, who they venerate with His tree on the Willrowian flag. One of the strongest ties between Rowians and Rhyn is the Red Hallowed in their capital of Brinnia.

Shared views and values

Rowians are considered a "hardy people", while not stubborn but rather resistant to outsiders and stable in their ideas. Their long conflict with their northern neighbours, first the Kyrians and later the Orfordsmen of Orfordwhelm, have increases this reputation. Many Rowians consider woodscraft a traditional hobby amongst them and villages all over Willrowia compete in events related to this, from fine crafting, wood sculpture crafting to timber crafting. Rowians have for a long time lived close to the Forest of Telamirein and has probably due to this the most experienced hunters for their part of the vast forest. Nature overall is important for them, since the forest always has been a part of Rowians lives since the time of Jorvik.

Traditions - Life

Growinggup as a Rowian is a spiritual connection to the God Rhyn. Compared to Orfordsmen and even Minrans, Rowians have connected many of life's most important events to Rhyn. Following are a few examples of some overarching traditions that also vary between the east and west Rowians.

• At birth, a Rhynic priest gives a fertility blessing to the newborn child so that they can keep traditions and the connection to nature alive. Rhyn's blessing gives also the strenght for the newborn to survive any hardships they will face when young.
• When a child turns eight they receive the privilege of burning a Rhynic Kvast in a small fire gathered for their birthday. This is said to give strenght to nature as the blessing from birth wares of and the child now turns to become strong and give back for Rhyns protection.
• At the age of sixteen when the child officially can marry themselves they are put up for a test to become an adult. A boy has to cleeve kindle wood for a "strong" fire, fell an animal (usually any animal that is not husbandry) and carve a tool out of wood. A girl has to ride a horse without any aids, sew a Rowian handkerchief, perform the correct retelling of a Rhynic blessing and perform a dancing ritual.
• When one is about to be married, both partners are given the blessing by a Rhynic priest and a Relinian priestess. Before that, however, there are many different kinds of local traditions to celebrate the marriage, from the tossing of the groom, tossing the bride, pilgrimage to a local shrine and lastly temptation days.
• At the time of death, the mourning period goes on for two weeks and the burial is performed into the ground in a blessed ground of Baalalem. During this the eating of ashes from the willowtree in a cake is a common occurance, a sign of respect to Rhyn. A portion of cake is burried with the deceased.

Related Countries
Willrowia

General Relations to Other Ethnicities
Leoners — Friendly

Many of our ancestors fought our common oppressors. Because of this, there is an affiliation between us you could call it. We all suffer under them now...

Orfordsmen — Neutral

I don't like them, they don't like me. But they do put up a good fight... and their martial tradition is something else. Ay, I say they are... alright still, they have learned their place after all the time.

Renvars — Friendly/Neutral

Aiding the Rowians was what we tried to do when Orfordwhelm attacked. We failed... yet they are not blaming us for the loss of their independence. It has bitten into them, sure, but they seem to burn with another flame ever since if you ask my grandfather, for his old grandfather fought with them against Orfordwhelm and back then, their will to hold grudges could sometimes match a dwarf, or the Orfordians themselves.