Yuraalian Terran

Yuraalian Terrans are Terrans who live on the planet Yuraal. Many of them are descended from refugees forced to flee there by the Grid.

Naming Traditions

Terrans on Yuraal follow the native Yuraalian custom of placing the family name first. Unlike Yuraalians, they typically have two given names, a Yuraalian name and a Terran name. The Yuraalian name comes first; the Terran name comes last and is typically given in honor of an ancestor or other relative, or of a historical or mythological figure. Many surnames are Asian in origin, while given names are more varied.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

All Yuraalian Terrans speak Yuraalian, the official language of the Empire of Yuraal. Many also speak Terran Creole, a creole derived from a previous creole (itself the result of a mixing of various Terran languages) and Yuraalian.

Culture and cultural heritage

The unification of Terran nations resulted in a blurring of cultural boundaries. The first Terran starships were generation ships; the high level of cultural integration on these ships allowed a new, blended culture to emerge. Terrans on Yuraal—like all Terrans alive today—are the descendants of these mixed cultures, and so their culture has its roots in a wide variety of Terran cultures, with influence from alien cultures, notably that of Yuraal.
One aspect of their culture where this blending of Terran cultures can be seen is in their religion. Many Yuraalian Terrans still revere the Terran gods, which are the holy figures of not one but several of the old Terran faiths (Jesus, Buddha, etc.). The creole they speak also retains some words from once-predominant Terran languages, such as Mandarin and English.

Common Dress code

They typically wear light, loose clothing, suited for the desert climate, along with scarves, bandanas, or other accesories that can be used to cover the face in the event of a sandstorm. Sandstorm goggles are also a necessity in many areas, as storms can come on suddenly without warning.

Common Taboos

"Now, don't speak about death. It's bad luck." —Mulan's grandmother

Speaking about death is avoided, as it's believed it can bring about mortality. (Speaking about the death of someone who has already died is a much lesser taboo, since obviously they can't die again.)

Common Myths and Legends

Their legends come largely from Terran mythology and history. (The distinction between history and mythology has become blurred since Terra was abandoned centuries ago.) The Desolation of Terra is one important legend, which explains why their ancestors left Terra and is considered to be historical fact.

Related Locations

• Yuraal