Yzcuyites

The Yzcuyites were an ethnic group of Nuron who lived on the northern coasts of the continent of Ocehone. They were one of a few ethnic groups who refused to integrate into the Yuppk'iir Empire and instead made their lives as coastal raiders. They also were fisherpeople and skilled boat-builders, who were the first to chart the entirety of Ocehone's coast. In 8,317 BU (years Before Ecleinian Unification), the Yzcuyites officially agreed to a treaty with the Yuppk'iir Empire that forbade them from raiding, but also granted them trading rights and official recognition of independence. This triggered an influx of knowledge that the Yzcuyites had about sailing into the Empire itself. It also led to the Yzcuyites interbreeding with other Nuron ethnicities, and some even taking positions as lords and generals in the Empire. After the fall of the Yuppk'iir Empire in 8,269 BU (caused by massive volcanic activity), the Yzcuyites were one of the only Nuron ethnicities to survive in Ocehone. They interbred with other surviving groups, and gradually moved inwards. Over time, the Yzcuyite identity was lost, and Nuron society was rebuilt.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Pyi'a, Aunao, Naoin

Masculine names

Juheln, Hu'he'ly, Tyriso

Unisex names

Ypini, Nashka, Mumm'bnz

Family names

S'nenc, Dun, Dulz, Lunoki, Pyinini

Culture

Average technological level

The Yzcuyites had developed advanced sailing technology, and built the fastest ships in the world at the time. They also were the first to line their weapons with Hebeforium to detect enemies.

Common Dress code

Yzcuyites tended to dress in practical, lightweight clothing, or light armor for battle.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

At birth, it was typical to have a Yzcuyite shaman bless a newborn child by pouring salt water on the child's head, and reciting sacred mantras in hopes of encouraging strength, courage, and wisdom in the newborn.

Coming of Age Rites

Yzcuyite teenagers, to be considered adults, must undergo three trials. In the first, they must construct a ritualistic axe (called a lihung) for battle. In the second, they must commune with spirits for a night, and in the third, they must defeat an enemy in single combat during a coastal raid and draw blood from said enemy with their lihung. Only then have they reached adulthood.

Funerary and Memorial customs

If a Yzcuyite died in battle, it was customary for their body to be covered with leaves and floated off into the ocean. The family of the dead warrior would mourn for three days, and would eat foods the dead warrior had enjoyed in life. On the third day, the family would take the Yzcuyite's lihung and remove the metal blade before burning the handle in a sacred ritual. The blade would often be reused in the lihung of another generation. A Yzcuyite who died at peace received the ocean send-off and three days mourning, but their lihung would not be burned.

Historical figures

Juheln Dun, the man who led the Nuron people out of Ocehone and to Magia, and who founded the city of Dunis, was half Yzcuyite on his mother's side. He was an excellent sailor and served as a general of the Yuppk'iir Empire prior to its demise.