Roachim Nomads

The Roachim Nomads are a culture of humans, catfolk, dragon born and other heat-loving species who dwell in the Glittering Wastes in the south of Unamera.
Life in the desert is tough, from birth, through the Dewberry Steps ritual which initiates them into adulthood and the faith of Thassaism, into marriage and beyond. The desert is a harsh and unforgiving place, where threats like the sandworms, and the capricious appearance and disappareance of water, have shaped daily life among this nomadic people who are constantly on the move.
Roachim exist largely in family groups, and family super-groups. They travel the desert in Snubber Chariots, wind-blown sand rafts, and other vessels, constantly seeking water, around which Raft Oasis Settlements will often form, given them an opportunity to trade and exchange news, find life partners.
In general, the outlook of the culture is freedom-loving, with an emphasis on following one's own path even at the expense of relationships with others. Anything which is considered to threaten that freedom is a threat also to the Roachim way of life, and a Roachim may petition the community to liberate them from an imposed bond that they believe is preventing them from living their life.
In a life surrounded by family in nomadic groups, courtship is often quick, often lasting only a few hours or days, as long as a Raft Oasis lasts. This often leads to complex family groups, with multiple partners all sharing responsibility for a group of children. The emphasis on freedom means that partnerships often fade quickly, and there are many songs about the pains of loving long and last in the Roachim Culture.