Ordeni

Ordeni is the word used to describe the denizens of the continent of Orden, the Espuna tribes. The Espuna were the original masters of Orden, and though eons have passed and wars have been fought, they’ve never lost nor yielded ownership of the continent. Their method of ownership has always been one of benevolence, though, as they welcomed the Suivera and later the Bakdreskr to their land.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Anayali, Flora, Moonvault, NIta, Riverstep, Siqiniq, Yolotl

Masculine names

Enkohir, Firethorn, Hiawatha, Kaye, Trance, Wayra

Family names

Ordeni do not have family names. Instead, they are given their names to them by their tribal chief based on how they handled their Wolpyr tasks. Their Wolpyr name has two parts: An animal or plant that relates to their trial in some fashion, whether it's how they acted or what they used, and then a word relating to their chosen vocation.
Some examples are Dragonbalm, Bramblewrench, Mosstracker.
If for some reason a Taca is unable to succeed in their trial, they will be given another chance the following year. If they fail twice in a row, they're given the prefix "Ash" instead of an animal or plant and were historically cast from Espuna society as a burden.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Traditional Espudra is their tribal language.

Culture and cultural heritage

The Wayfinder's Ordeal is a challenge that can be offered to the current chief of a tribe by any of their subordinates. It can be anything from combat to debate to baking as long as both parties agree to it and as long as it can be moderated. In a nonviolent competition, the loser is expected to submit to the winner, the Ordeal showing that the victor deserves the position more. In rare occasions, the Ordeal turns out to be a draw, in which case, both split the power until another Ordeal can be arranged.
When the end of winter comes, all Espuna tribes assemble near the border of Brumebonnet Bosk to celebrate the beginning of a new year with a week-long festival, Shakowan. In addition to being a time for celebration and feasting, Shakowan is a chance to bury enmity between the various tribes. The tribal chiefs meet in a council over the course of the week and air their grievances to each other, with the uninvolved moderating.
Shakowan is also where the yearly rite of passage, Wolpyr is held.
Though some are religious, they tend to worship their ancestors and leaders of old rather than a pantheon.

Shared customary codes and values

Espuna are beings of the community. The tribe’s victories are the individual’s victories and when the group prospers, the individual does as well. That’s not to say groups of Espuna are hive minded, or that they cannot act when alone. It’s simply that to the intensely meritocratic Espuna, those in power have earned their position and therefore the individual’s obedience. That being said, there are times when an upstart or particularly successful individual finds himself in position to usurp the previous leader. These situations are resolved through an ancient ceremony, The Wayfinder's Ordeal
Due to their meritocratic society, older individuals tend to hold higher positions of power, due to simply having more achievements, but it’s not unheard of for a young Espuna to hold power.
Espuna don’t care about the race of who they follow, because the act of following someone means that the Espuna believes them worthy of following. As leaders, they generally don’t care who follows them, as long as the desire is genuine.

Common Etiquette rules

Espuna etiquette is grounded in both age and position. Among individuals of the same position in the tribe, elders have more clout, and depending on the age, they may even hold sway over individuals above them. To disobey a direct order from a superior is considered extremely dishonorable, and in the same vein, offering criticism or doubt to a superior without prompting is distasteful.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

It is customary to greet someone of higher status by offering the left hand, palm up to them, which they will acknowledge by placing their right hand, palm down on it. Equals offer their dominant hand, palm sideways to each other.
It is traditional to grant Taca who are about to embark on the Wolpyr a large banquet, ending with a pickled basilisk tail, which is said to grant the ferocity, cunning, and speed of the desert lizard.

Coming of Age Rites

During childhood, an Espuna youth (known as a Taca) will spend their time shadowing various members of the tribe, in order to discover what role they're meant to fill. On the year that they come of age, the Taca of all Tribes are gathered and participate in a tournament, called Wolpyr, which is held in the middle of the Shakowan Festival.
In addition to being a chance for glory, both individually and for the tribe, Wolpyr is a rite of passage that all Taca participate in. The Taca are stripped and sent into the forest, each with one of five different objectives. The objectives may be the pelt of a predator, a specific type of plant, or to find and capture a target. These objectives intertwine and are open-ended, encouraging partnership, careful planning, and clever thinking.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Espuna traditionally burn their dead in a funerary pyre. During which, every individual who knew the departed well puts one object that reminds them of the dead into the pyre, so the departed won't forget who they were in life upon departing with Mama Black to the afterlife.

Historical figures

Firethorn Dogstorm, the first Grand Chief is considered a hero, as he united the tribes under a single banner and successfully repelled the invading nation of Tarisia, as well as uniting the remnants of the Tarisia and Yusara into the great nation of Getor after repelling the first Axagori Incursion.