Suranthi

To be of the Tundra Realms is to be truly free. It is to struggle, thrive, live and die as one with the wild, one with the mountains, the crags, the lowlands, the glacial rivers and coasts. It is to be a master of cold, ice, and snow, to live, nae not just live, but thrive in a place others would balk at even surviving. We are of the arctic, born of the stone here, raised in the wind, and the snow and waters. Taught our first lessons of life in the misty, icy cool boreal woods. Found our wealth and our industry to grow from the very stone that birthed us, and her bounty. We are warriors, masters of survival, and rulers of this harsh land!

High King Cormac Ironcliffe, second paragraph of his coronation speech to the large crowd of his people in attendance

The Suranthi people are some of the toughest people on Valerick and are known for not just surviving but thriving in a place where it likely should not be possible. They mine the land, harvest from the raging oceans, and make alliances in the unlikeliest of places, for example; Wolves of the Sea

They make the most out of a place that is definitely, in general, hostile to them being there, a place where even the weather itself rails against them regularly. Where the wildlife sees humanoids as on the menu, just another potential prey item, with no fear of anything, not even smokepowder. In a place crawling, absolutely crawling with the Children of Madness. Despite all of this, these hardy folk manage to live, survive and thrive. They've built cities, produce many goods coveted all across Valerick, and are well known for their skill and prowess as craftsmen, miners, metal workers, and warriors.

Naming Traditions

Family names

One cannot truly...quantify Suranthi naming traditions, not in the way most would think to. This is because it they are a nation of mixed peoples, not just the hardy dwarves for whom these lands are an ancestral birthright. By the nature of where they live, this place is settled by misfits, by people whom seek to get away, to live beyond the hustle and business of southern climes. And they do come from all over Valerick, so naming traditions are.....generally more...regional in nature.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Dwarven, Valarian, Vrocian

Shared customary codes and values

"Living in Suranth, there are few rules or codes, really, there are. Freedom, especially in the rural areas is paramount. But in those rural areas it does come with some responsibility. Responsibility to your neighbors. To be trustworthy, to watch out for each other. To work together through the hard times, to insure none go hungry, no one freezes to death in the winter, everyone has adequate coal and where it makes sense, timber for their stoves. You all chip in . You all work together. Greenskin raid? If you aren't one capable of violence, thats fine. You don't hide. You guide kids, sick and elderly to the temple, or the local noble's fortified manor house, or whatever building your home village has a plan for. And there will be a plan, and one way or another you will be a part of it. Your skillsets will be applied, and you will be expected to take part. To be engaged. To be a part of the community. That is really the only rules. Loyalty and community."

Gabriel Tonigris, describing Suranth to a fellow thief needing to 'disappear' for a year or two after a job went wrong and someone died, somewhere in Raechin.

Readiness, a big part of Suranthi culture is community readiness. The people whom make their home in this harsh land do not believe in being idle with the risk. It is a sense of community and loyalty that starts with readiness. That attachement to your community and that understanding of how important that support is neighbour to neighbour truly is.

Common Etiquette rules

Among the Suranthi, it is considered poor manners not to actually ask after your neighbors, with sincerity. To help each other if in need.

It is also seen as poor form to ignore, or not know who has kids in your village or neighborhood Who has kids, how many and at least a basic idea of what they look like and their first names. The old saying "It takes a village."? Yeah the Suranthi take that saying quite literally. Parents are primary caregivers and responsible for their kids, of course, but everyone else is expected to be vigiliant, and aware for times of crisis. This is just considered good form and etiquette.

Among less heavy subjects, it is considered poor form as a guest invited to someone's home, to not bring something to eat or drink communally. Wines, kegs of stout or ale, cakes or pies, these sorts of things are most common.

Art & Architecture

"The Suranthi peoples are marvelous metal workers, craftsmen and engineers. Their culture places a great significance on the dwarven tie these lands have, and as such, stone and iron architecture is most common, more common than timber, though if you live in the right regions, you will find plenty of timber structures. They have a unique flair in their architecture that is...tough to describe. The Suranthi do not go in for the high sweeping arches, or the great monuments of polished marble, the grand entryways and massive open space architecture of differing places to the south. They also do not go in for the complete utilitarion style of their NPA ally in Raechin. They blend pragmatic with passion, their architecture has nothing, not a single part of any building or structure is made solely for decoration, everything, no matter how magnificent looking, has a pragmatic, set, function and purpose. Its there for a reason besides the visual value and has a set purpose. It is a marvel, a strange marvel my friend, and in many ways, their cities? Their cities are truly an engineer's and scientist's paradise, tucked away behind those hundreds of kilometers of frozen tundra."

Alexander Dumont, an engineering student from Suranth to a friend and classmate who comes from Rohara.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Final March Festival

Though they celebrate all the Ascended's Holy days, as one should, it is only proper, there is a definite favoritism. A bias if you will. A day that holds....cultural significance beyond the rest of them is the New Year. The Year's End. Winter Solstice. The eve of the Final March. Sir Kartheart's most holy day. This entire tradition is the most important custom and holiday within Suranth to her people.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

With the nature of the climate, and the unique challenges it can present, tho their are more...traditional views on such things as 'gender roles' in rural areas to a point, it is not restrictive or judgemental, as much as it is pragmatic. For example no one will judge a mother whom works in the lumberyards, regardless what her husband does. No one judges the needs of a family, the only real question would be how risky the husband's job is. The reality of living in Suranth, especially in more rural areas, is that death is a common visitor, so when possible, one parent generally either does not work, but is a home-maker, or works as low risk a job as possible.

Relationship Ideals

To be Suranthi, to thrive here successfully, one must embrace the culture, the sense of community, of being united and working togther, of being able to trust your neighbors and fellow townsfolk, etc. This bleeds forth into the way they handle interpersonal relations, as trust, loyalty, and that sense of steady reliability is so important, both in romantic and platonic relationships.

Related Organizations

• Suranth