Kruilna

The Kruilna are a folk native to the Kruiln expanse, which is territory of both Balihr and Osna. Despite these political boundaries, the Kruilna consider themselves to be one and the same regardless of where on the Expanse they live.

Heritage

The Kruilna consider themselves to be some of the first inhabitants of Qopith. They were originally from Judera but left shortly after the Era of Creation, seeking a new land once the chaos of the divine war had settled. Their stories tell of a journey across the Jade Sea and a long trek to the heart of Qopith, the wide expanse of the Kruiln Expanse becoming home. Here, they hunted wild deer, built houses from sod, and planted gardens.

When the first kingdoms of Qopith established themselves, they divided the Kruiln Expanse between them. The Kruilna kept to themselves, and few recognized their initial claim to the Expanse. Not caring to dispute with the larger kingdoms, the Kruilna allowed this division to happen. In doing so, they created a precedent which future kingdoms could follow: the Kruilna were not considered autonomous and their land changed hands several times until the present day.

Naming Conventions

Krulina names are tripartite, consisting of a family name, chosen or birth name, and patronym.

Family Names

Kruilna family names are written and spoken first as a sign of respect. First names are only given first when used within a family or by close friends. Family names are usually descriptors of where an individual's family lives, such as Longhill, Deepgulch, or Woodside. Family names are matriarchal, such that children always take their mother's family name. In families where neither parent is a woman, the family name comes from the individual that birthed the child.

Birth names

Birth names are given to Kruilna at birth by their parents or family members. This is generally a short, monosyllabic name such as Pip, Sim, or Yan. Monosyllabic names are easier for children to pronounce and help give children an identity.

Chosen Names

When a Kruilna child reaches the age of twelve, they are allowed to select a name for themselves. This name may become an elongated version of their birth name, such as lengthening Yan into Yannak, or may be something entirely different. The child may seek guidance from their family or friends, but the choice is ultimately their own. In general, the naming conventions for chosen names are gendered, with masculine individuals using the suffix -al, feminine individuals using -ak, and individuals who claim no gender using -an. Some choose names outside of these conventions, but the suffix is helpful in given others a reference towards an individual's gender.

Patronyms

The last part of Kruilna names is the patronym, which is generally only used in formal settings or on paperwork. The patronym is the chosen name of the father or secondary parent. Since Kruilna naming conventions prioritize the mother or primary parent's family name, the patronym is a way to acknowledge that the secondary parent is an important part of the child's life and heritage as well.

Customs

Gender

Kruilna custom regards gender separately from sex. The Kruilna believe that gender and gender expression are the choice of the individual, and this belief is reflected throughout their culture. The use of gendered suffixes in names, for example, is up to each Kruilna child as they come of age. The Kruiln dialect also has only one third-person pronoun, rather than using both masculine and feminine pronouns as many other languages do.

Sex, however, is considered concrete and is only regarded in fields such as medical care and in relation to reproduction within Kruilna society. This causes some confusion when Kruilna leave the Expanse for other places, as many other cultures view gender and sex as the same thing and may make assumptions based on one's physical appearance.

Song

The Kruilna are oral storytellers, and much of their history is recorded in songs passed from parent to child over millennia. These songs may vary a little across the Expanse, with each family or region having their own version of the tale. The general idea of each story, however, is preserved among all Kruilna.

The Kruilna have a very unique singing style, and their songs have grabbed the attention of many folk across the Jade Sea. Kruilna bards, travelling storytellers, are quite popular at events or in taverns. Many have made lifelong careers for themselves by their singing, telling their ancestral stories or creating their own tales of adventure or love.

Because of their popularity, many folk of other backgrounds have tried to learn the Kruiln style of singing. Some are very good at it, while others have difficulty grasping some of the more complex noises. Although anyone can learn Kruilna song, it is considered bad manners in the Kruiln Expanse to sing in the Kruiln manner without formal training by a Kruilna, or to sing songs that are not of Kruiln origin. Despite this, many folk outside of the Kruiln Expanse continue to learn Kruiln song independently.

Marriage

Kruilna marriage is a very serious affair. When two individuals choose to get married (regardless of their gender or sex) they must go through a rigorous interview process, in which each prospective partner's family asks the intended about their intentions and about what they know and love about the other. [Kruilna marriage is for life, and couples are expected to provide one another with companionship and love. Should any problems arise, the couple is expected to work through the issues as a team. Kruilna marriage is a partnership for life, and divorce and separation are heavily stigmatized. It is seen as a failure on the part of both individuals and they are often treated with some contempt, even among their own families.

Cuisine

Kruilna cuisine shares many similarities with the cuisines of other heath- and plainsfolk in Qopith. They eat a lot of root vegetables and plants hardy enough to grow in the dry conditions. Unlike the heathfolk though, Kruilna cuisine is heavily dependent on grains and antelope. A traditional Kruilna meal usually consists of a large flatbread topped with antelope meat and vegetables. The flatbread is made from oat or barley, both of which grow well in the climate. The seeds are ground to a coarse flour, then mixed with water, salt, and sometimes spices before being cooked on a flat stone over the hearth. The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, and sage, and roasted in large pieces over a fire, or stewed with honey and water in large cast-iron pots. Root vegetables are often placed in the embers around the edge of a fire, roasting until they are tender and soft. In the mornings, the Kruilna eat porridge or grits and leftovers from previous meals. This simple yet hardy fare is a favorite of many travelers, as it is easy to prepare the flatbread can be wrapped around the rest of the food into a packet, allowing for easy transportation.

Encompassed species

• Alpine Muskroot