The Ryotoh
The Ryotoh are comprised mostly of Human and Dragonkin who inhabit The Dragonlands. About 15% of the Ryotoh are gnomes and Halflings .
Ryotoh tend to have a wide range of skin color from very fair, to deep brown.
The Ryotoh are known as the ancient Guardians of the Dragons, though it is generally agreed that the Dragons no longer exist. While it is currently illegal, due to Proclamation One of the The Omnidian Imperium, those who still worship the Dragons say that they follow The Way.
The Ryotoh are a solemn people with a long history and proficiency for all types of magic. Their form of government is a Mageocracy, as they are ruled by the Archmagister, the most powerful magic user in Vassal of Tsujing. The Ryotoh have a strict code of conduct, a robust military, and value honor and duty.
Bonus cultural abilities
Dragon Guardian: Once per day, you can spend a bonus action to have your attacks deal a different type of damage for one minute. This ability recharges after a long rest. Choose from one of the following damage types:
Acid
Fire
Cold
Lightning
Poison
Discipline and Duty: When you have inspiration, you may use it to give another creature disadvantage on an ability check, saving throw, or attack roll.
Languages: You know Common and Draconic .
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Akemi, Akiko, Anming, Ayumi, Bei, Cho, Daiyu, Eiko, Etsuko, Fenfang, Haruki, Hikari, Hong, Izumi, Jia, Jingfei, Kasumi, Kyoko, Li, Lihua, Meili, Minori, Mizuki, Naoki, Ning, Qiao, Rei, Ren, Saki, Shinju, Shu, Song, Ting, Tsukiko, Ume, Wen, Xia, Xiaoli, Yan, Yasuko, Yue
Masculine names
Atsushi, Bo, Chao, Chen, Da, Daichi, Dingxiang, Feng, Fumio, Guang, Hai, Hajime, Hideo, Hiro, Hitoshi, Huan, Isamu, Jian, Jun, Katashi, Kei, Ken, Kioshi, Lei, Liang, Masumi, Meilin, Osamu, Peng, Quan, Renshu, Ru, Ryota, Shen, Shigeo, Shin, Sora, Takeo, Takeshi, Tamotsu, Tatsuo, Wei, Xiaoli, Yang, Zhong
Family names
Family names in the Ryoto culture come from the same pool of names as Given names. Men can have either a masculine or feminine family name, as can Women.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
The Ryotoh have a strong sense of duty to their people. Everyone is expected to pull their weight in support of the Ryotoh people. This does not necessarily translate to having a duty to support individuals, as it is important in the Ryotoh culture for each individual to be self-sufficient. Decisions are made at the highest level that support the greater good of the people. This results in any minorities or struggling communities often being left behind in favor of a stronger whole.
This attitude is exemplified in the Ryotoh reaction to being absorbed into The Omnidian Imperium . When the Ryotoh failed in The Rebellion , they came to the conclusion as a people that they were now one of the weaker links in the great whole of The Imperium. This has led to a general sense of national shame among them, but also a change in the subject of their sense of duty. Many Ryotoh new feel that it is more proper to be loyal to the Imperium than the Ryotoh. Many others of the Ryotoh still harbor resentment towards The Atupol and The Foelsker for their defeat.
The Ryotoh also believe in modesty and do not appreciate frivolity. While they do not practice stoicism, like The Atupol , they don't believe in mockery, silliness, or other foolish behavior. This means that the Ryotoh tend to be the most conservative of the cultures of Hestria .
Average technological level
The Ryotoh have invented a number of ways to keep themselves dry in the wet climate that they live in.
Whale and Umidora intestines are used to create a light, stretchable fabric that is water-resistant. Fish wax is used on the fabric to also make it watertight.
The fur of many small rodents and mammals, which are naturally water resistant, are used in the fabrication of cold-weather clothing.
Fish wax is used on many other, less water-resistant cloths, to increase water-resistance.
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Common Etiquette rules
Placing a hand firmly on another's shoulder, or grasping their arm is seen as a proper greeting and a sign of friendship. This is one example of how the Ryotoh practice shows of intimacy with friendly touch. This is rarely if ever seen as a sign of sexual interest or attraction, and is instead meant to show a close emotional bond between individuals. Placing a hand on the side or back of someone's neck, patting someone on the back, or standing so that one's arm presses against someone else's are all seen as appropriate signs of affection. Close friends or spouses will often place their foot on top of another's foot when seated next to each other, or even sit on another's lap. One of the more embarrassing situations for a Ryotoh is making a friendly touching gesture that is not reciprocated.
Common Dress code
Modesty is practiced at all times in The Dragonlands even among husband and wife. To show an excessive amount of one's skin is seen as a sign of disrespect for one's self and for those around you. Visitors to the Dragonlands are also expected to show modesty, and if guests refuse to show respect in this way, they are forcibly removed from the region.
During certain formal occasions, certain ritualistic clothing is worn by the participants to signify their status or place within the ritual. Making a mistake in the dress required can be an embarrassing faux pas.
It is standard for Ryotoh to carry a sidearm on them in public at all times, except when it would interfere with their work. Maintaining the form and functionality of this sidearm is part of the duty of every Ryotoh.
Art & Architecture
The Ryotoh often create colorful paintings that usually depict either the land, a scene of warfare, or Dragons. Draconic imagery is also common in sculpture form.
Their buildings tend to be wide and flat, with steep, clay-tiled roofs. Their buildings also tend to have sturdy foundations, build to withstand the great storms that occasionally sweep in from The Xarupan Sea.
Theatre is a greatly respected form of entertainment among the Ryotoh.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Major milestones in a person's life are highly ritualized in Ryotoh culture. Weddings, Promotions, and Birthdays are all commonly celebrated with large gatherings of people performing specific rites and following complex rules of etiquette.
Every spring, The Dracusei festival is held, marking the initial awakening of the Dragons and the blessing of the Ryotoh people. This festival is a week long, and every day ends with the reenactment of part of the story of the Dragons. The festival begins with the awakening, and ends with the Dragons' blessing. A great bonfire is kept lit at all times throughout the festival, even during heavy storms or rainfall.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Each baby born of the Ryotoh is subject to a ritual designed to pass the Dragons' blessing to them. In this way, the Ryotoh continue to be the guardians of the Dragons despite the lack of Dragons to guard.
Coming of Age Rites
Forging a sidearm, and making the scabbard for it, is something that every Ryotoh child does at the age of 16 to signify their growth to adulthood, and their ability to join in on the duty that is required of every Ryotoh. This process sometimes takes days, and sometime takes weeks, months, or in extreme cases, even years. There is effectively no time limit for the ritual, but when it is complete, the child's mother examine's the blade and scabbard, and uses them to tell the new man or woman's destiny.
Because this is required of every Ryotoh, metal-forging and leather-working are among the non-gender specific roles in Ryotoh society.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Every Ryotoh is ritually cremated after death. The Ryotoh believe that they must free the soul from the body through fire, so that it can merge with one of the great Dragon Gods for all of eternity. It is a great tragedy when the body of a Ryotoh cannot be recovered for cremation, as the soul cannot properly be freed any other way.
Common Taboos
The taboos of the Ryotoh people mainly involve things that they consider to be disrespectful. This includes:
Telling jokes at another's expense
Wearing a dirty or dull sidearm
Dousing another person's flame (candle, torch, lantern, etc.)
Being overly familiar with a stranger or acquaintance
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Common Myths and Legends
Many legends follow the trials, adventures, and deeds of the ancient Ryotoh as they interacted with the Dragons and later, the Dragonkin. Few know which of these legends are based on fact and which are simply stories. Either way, the Myths of the Dragon are commonly acted out in Ryotoh theater.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Modesty among the Ryotoh is seen as a sign of civility and propriety. Decorative clothing is often layered, and brightly colored.
The weapons that most Ryotoh carry on their person are often decorated with intricately designed and etched scabbards. The weapons themselves often combine form and function. The beauty of a weapon is often as important as it's lethality.
smooth straight hair is preferred among the Ryoto. Light, transparent wax is often used in the hair to enhance this feature.
Gender Ideals
Men and women in the Ryoto culture are seen as equal, but in different respects. Men are given absolute authority over some aspects, while women are given absolute authority over others.
Examples of the things that men are given authority over include:
Warfare
Farming
Cooking
Etiquette
Construction
Fabrication
Example of the things that women are given authority over include:
Child rearing
Sailing
Fishing
Commerce
Diplomacy
Magic
A man does not question a woman's decisions or methods when it comes to things like sailing, diplomacy or magic. Likewise, a woman does not question a man when it comes to cooking, warfare, or construction. The distinctions between these separations are ancient and complex. No culture fully understands the intricacies of Ryotoh gender separation other than the Ryotoh themselves.
Courtship Ideals
Marriage in the Ryotoh culture is arranged. In most situations, the parents of a Ryotoh of marriageable age consult with a special order of monks known as The Senkei who act as professional matchmakers. Once the Senkei has found a likely match, the potential couple and their parents have a formal dinner to determine if it is a good match. This process is taken very seriously by all involved and a stubborn client (either parent or child) can result in many potential matches being considered before a decision is made. This is one of the few circumstances where the Father has as much say as the Mother, both of whom have more of a say than their child.
Relationship Ideals
Once an agreement has been made that is mostly suitable to all parties, the couple is married soon after. Children are expected, and almost no couple foregoes having children for very long.
Divorce or separation after the marriage has taken place is forbidden, even among extreme circumstances. Those husbands or wives who are found guilty of abuse or murder of a spouse are usually exiled to either the mountains or the sea, never to be allowed within The Vassal of Tsujing ever again.
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