Sunborn

The people of the deserts of Aspis and it's surrounding areas. Living among the hot and sometimes harsh conditions of the region requires dedication to survive and a resourcefulness that not many would come to if in a more gentle location. This has instilled these children of the sun with a mindfulness of how resources are used, in the taking of their time in their crafts, and to develop meaningful and trustworthy relationships. The capital of Cyress holds the most influence among the culture and styling of those who would consider themselves sunborn, and even holds the origin of their name, harkening back to the legend of Mandalay and his Great Machine.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Cyress has the largest population of sunborn blooded people within it. Other tribes still persist in the more scattered areas of the Aspis Desert. Ars holds the second most respectable amount, and a rare but accepted amount can be occasionally found all the way in Nagano or Tianshao, but not farther north of Sonenheim, at least not permanently or in negligible number.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Surnames
Surnames are always made out of a combination of both parent's first names, with the father's name planted first, followed by their mother's. In the case of those who are unaware of their birth, naming traditions of whatever outside culture they may be a part of, or the name of any darnam parents they may still have might be adopted.

Given Names

Feminine: Musa, Bili, Gali, Kaby, Berha, Kora, Kena, Boka, Kesa, Muni, Asha, Nemesse, Sutu, Kemuni, Neferu

Masculine: Hami, Abwen, Keno, Okong, Maka, Otah, Nabwa, Bale, Kibe, Muno, Gale, Senipe, Herape, Uset, Amet, Yatasef

Beauty Ideals

Sunborn beauty is made up of both how one holds themselves as well as how they adorn themselves. In Cyress cultural hubs, men and women alike will personalize their looks with piercings in silver and gold. These tend to be in their nostril, septim, brows, bridge, lip, earlobes, or ear helix. The types and styles of these piercings typically lends something of a show of that person's personality. Males typically keep their hair from going longer than past their jawlines, and buzz or bald styles for both men and women are stylish in some circles. Women keep their hair short or long, usually keeping it no longer than very far past the shoulders. Some cultures out of Cyress share the same typical ideals, but leave length of hair to be a sign of beauty in it's own right, with women and men keeping long ponytails or braids of hair.

Gender Ideals

Men and women alike hold similar ideals to one another, that of which being focused on devotion to one's home and family. In Cyress in particular, men seek to hold focused and social positions like heralds, merchants, and guides, whilst many women come to own business, become scholars or scribes, or educate children.

Courtship Ideals

Marriage jewelry is a common exchange and show of love. This is accentuated by the Ankama, the embedding of two alchemically created gemstones into a disk that is hung up in home on display for three weeks after a marriage ceremony, after which it is usually hid away somewhere safer. The stones to be embedded in the traditionally solid gold or bronze disc are made by a commissioned alchemist in Cyress, who are classically trained in the process, making each of the stones by receiving a sample of the lover's blood, and crystallizing it with an electrical charge, myrrh, and a little cinnamon, along with other regents to create brilliantly polished red stones that symbolized the bond of both partners, bonded for all life.

Relationship Ideals

Being called a friend or something similar is traditionally something not taken likely. The gaining of trust is not easily handed out, and using such terminology in a chummy way with acquaintances or strangers is seen as uncomfortable. Confessing and bestowing a level of trust such as friendship is to be handed out only in genuine ways with people with apt experiences with to do so. Respect comes first and impatience or impulsiveness is seen as childish or a weak will. The reigning king is expected to remain stoic at all times, as it imposes a royal air in the eyes of Cryessian citizens.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most people throughout Aspis speak Arsian, and Cyress, but in much rarer cases, some frequent travelers may have taken the time to read or interpret the calls and language of lizardfolk, moreover just to give themselves and edge if ever accosted by lizard raids throughout Aspis.

Common Etiquette Rules

When meeting someone for the first time on a particular occasion or that day, especially a superior or cared for individual, friend, or family member that is older than you, always stand and face them directly, waiting for them to greet you with "Ankha," a word that roughly translates to "The sun shines on you."

Common Dress Code

Most people who live in Cyress or other neighboring areas prefer to wear clothing well suited for the intense heat and dryness of the region, and sometimes bring along the fancy colors, embroidering, or flowy adornments to use or in accent of other cultural styles of clothes.

Common Taboos

Waste of resources is looked down heavily upon. There is a general rule of thumb one should always try to re-purpose or donate no longer needed possessions, opr at the very least be disposed of in a way that is respectful to others and the environment around them.

History

The sunborn heritage hail from the long-standing humans who live in the Desert of Aspis and the surrounding areas and mountain ranges. The demographic has it's roots in the multitude of small tribes that made their clam throughout the region. Most sunborn nowadays live in Cyress, the city that of which came to rise over all others in the region.

Historical Figures

Mandalay is perhaps one of the region's legends almost everyone learns about or know off. Many of his tales of his creations were made into iconography for businesses and jewelry.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Sunborn families have done much trade with other regions, importing and exporting goods to garner full benefit from the exotic goods. They have however had a bit of a negative taint when it comes to beastkin races and lizardfolk. Lizardfolk have been a terror of the land for them for generations, and they have unfortunately let that stain their outlook on any of the animal like races, leading to unease with beastfolk visitors and their own animal-like citizens to some extent.

Racial Traits

+2 Constitution OR +2 Wisdom

Desert Survivor (Racial Power)
Once per battle as a free action during your turn, gain a +2 bonus to all defenses until you are hit by an attack (or until the battle ends).
Champion Feat
You can now use this twice per battle.

Origin/Ancestry

Manus (Human ancesrty)

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

Males 5'4" - 6"1" Females 5'0" - 5'8"

Average Weight

Males 120 lbs. Females 90 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Most sunborn sport skin ranging from bold dark browns to light tans, whilst a few may have skin indistinguishable from those more central in Sonenheim. Hair colors tend to be dark shades, like blacks, deep crimsons, navy blues, or forest green, but sandy whites or chalky blondes have been known to show up as well as a contrast.