Nuora

An extinct Rul ethnicity which used to live south of the Zugnur Sea.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Nuora were among the oldest cultures on Ranul. What little is known about their roots comes from the data on the Guardian of Identity and the legends passed down by the survivors of the Final War.

Storytelling

Their myths and legends were a cornerstone of Nuorian society. It appears that they were woven through every aspect of daily life, from their etiquette to the way they built their homes and interpreted natural phenomena. Many of these tales go back to long before the written word.
With the beginning of the first industrial age, people from other nations began to take a keen interest in Nuorian mythology. Scholars travelled along the southern coast of the Zugnur Sea in order to interview storytellers and compile their tales into books which soon became popular all across Ranul.

Perception by other cultures

Readers were fascinated by the mysterious and magical mood of these legends, their romantic ideals and educational undertones. For many working-class people, they served as escapist fantasies that let them dream of easier and more just times. Poets, novelists and painters often drew inspiration from their themes, and scientists were eager to replicate the supernatural phenomena described in them.
With the advent of motion pictures, many of these tales were adapted for the new medium. Several recordings were included on the Guardian of Identity, and even in the present day, social scientists are still studying the differences between retellings by the Rilanga and the Ran-E-Zu.

Average technological level

The Nuora are commonly portrayed as a pre-industrial society, focusing on farming and animal herding. However, it is highly likely that this was a misconception based on the ancient stories they passed from one generation to the other. Archaeologists did find remnants of technology in their settlements which was comparable to that of the dominant superpowers.

Art & Architecture

The ruins of their settlements often include large plazas, theaters and other communal gathering sites. Houses tended to be built around one central atrium where, as Rilsu scientists believe, the inhabitants used to gather in order to tell stories under the night sky.
Advances in non-destructive scanners and artificial intelligence eventually made it possible to reconstruct their colorful murals from traces of worn out pigments and scattered wall fragments. Many of these murals seem to depict scenes from their mythology, and their discovery lead to a surge in popularity for the associated stories among the Rilsu.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Common Myths and Legends

Recurring themes in Nuorian legends included:

• overcoming fears and finding wonders beyond the unknown
• contrasting personalities or skillsets complementing each other
• treating others well and being rewarded for it
• learning from others' or one's own mistakes

Other key elements were the Light Witches with the power to reshape the world, giant mysterious beasts called the ruera, and talking animals or plants.

Major organizations

The Nuora people were organized under the nation of Nuoriezu. They remained politically neutral until the end of the Final War, resisting all attempts to convice them otherwise.

by Kathrin Janowski

Encompassed species

• Rul

Related Myths

• The Butcher's Mushroom
• The Spring of Life

Languages spoken

• Nuorian

Musical Theme

Legend...

by Kathrin Janowski

Ranul

Open full size

by Kathrin Janowski

Further Reading