Kusalii

Out in the northwest of Alacher, sits a vast island close to the mainland. It is a sea of grass, home to rolling hills, great plains, plenty of game, and a rich culture. This island is Kusal and it is home to the people known as the Kusalii. They are a proud, fierce, and independent people who tamed the horse, and live a comfortable semi-nomadic existence. During the human migrations that took place between the Elder Days and the First Era, the Kusalii ventured north coming to the land that would soon become theirs. It was during this time that the goblin invasions were taking place, but the Kusalii were able to successfully drive them out of Kusal, making the land their home. When the Empire of Alacher began to expand its borders, they hit a road block when trying to take Kusal. The Kusalii knew their martial ways wouldn't be able to hold off Alacher forever, so instead, they struck a deal. Kusal would join Alacher's empire, but they would be left to govern themselves, so long as they'd provide support in times of conflict. Alacher agreed, thus having Kusal join their empire. The Kusalii who did not concede to this agreement, left their homeland, and are now wandering caravans and merchants. These are known as the "Wild Tribes," or "Wandering Hosts."

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aishe, Alafair, Araunya, Asena, Emanaia, Esmerelda, Femi, Hagint, Hermineh, Isabel, Kali, Kizzy, Kohar, Lajaria, Lennor, Leondra, Lousig, Lyuba, Marem, Mirna, Mumeli, Nare, Narineth, Nartouhi, Natel, Nazani, Orchilo, Ostelinda, Rita, Rupa, Ruza, Satenig, Serig, Shimza, Sinfi, Soffi, Talaitha, Tarouhi, Tasaria, Tasarla, Ucho, Vai, Vana, Violca, Yeva, Zabel, Zanazan

Masculine names

Abaven, Ardavast, Arshen, Asadour, Barsali, Bartev, Besnik, Boiko, Boldo, Cappi, Cato, Camlo, Datev, Diran, Durriken, Emin, Garo, Gunari, Ghazaros, Haygag, Hovnan, Jibben, Jivan, Karnig, Kasbar, Kem, Kerey, Lendar, Lennor, Mihai, Mihrtad, Narek, Pelibbos, Oda, Pitti, Rye, Sisag, Takvor, Tawni, Torkom, Vakhtang, Valodja, Vartivar, Vrej, Wesh, Yanko, Yetvart, Zindelo

Family names

Baklanov, Bogaewsky, Chernozubov, Denisov, Efremov, Hanschokoff, Ilovaiski, Kaledin, Krasnov, Krawtzoff, Lupybatko, Melinkov, Nahbybida, Nepyivodka, Nevarykasha, Nezdimynoha, Obbizhysvit, Palyvoda, Pidipryhora, Pidkuimuha, Platov Pylaivohon, Rykowski, Sidaikhmanra, Tyahnybyk, Varvakis, Vovkodav, Zaderykhvist, Zhuibatko, Zhuiboroda

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Kusalii language can be broken into two distinct dialects. The first being traditional Kusalii, or sometimes known as "Northern Kusalii." The other dialect is known as Wild or Southern Kusalii. This split in the language came from when Alacher began their invasion of the region. Those who did not acknowledge Alacher's sovereignty over the Kusalii people went south in their diaspora, and became the Wild Kusalii Tribes. These tribes still retain much of their original language's structure, but other foreign phrases, slang, and linguo have worked their way into the mix based on certain peoples and cultures they have come across.

Culture and cultural heritage

Extended family is highly important to the Kusalii, and a huge pillar in the framework of their culture. Kusalii culture and government is highly militarized, with extended families playing a part in its makeup. Several extended families coming together form what is called a clan. When multiple clans join together, it then becomes what is called a host. A host is led by an individual known as the ataman, who serves as both a political and military leader. Atamans are chosen through an assembly like government known as the rada. When a new ataman is chosen, he is given a ceremonial mace which dignifies his station, and represents his leadership of a host. 
The Kusalii live a comfortable semi-nomadic existence. In the earlier days of their culture, their towns and buildings could easily be deconstructed and re-assembled in a new location. Now, as time has moved forward, Kusalii settlements have become more permanent. People, clans, and territories are subdivided into regimental and company districts, with each town (and sometimes neighboring towns) able to muster as their own military units. The Wild Tribes have long forgone their military heritage. This doesn't mean they don't know how to fight, as the Wild Tribes have been known to assemble and defend their hosts and caravans at a moments notice with great success. They just cease to adhere to the strict militaristic regiments of their forefathers. 
As mentioned previously, the extended family is an essential pillar in Kusalii culture. They're not just important in terms of familial clans and military organization, but also in the upbringing of families and children. When a couple gets married, they tend to move in with the husband's family. Often times, they will stay with the groom's family until their first child is born. Children often times have godparents, and have equal interaction among their extended family as well as immediate. It has also been noted and praised by scholars and foreign visitors, in noting how the Kusalii find it important to educate every child, and to not leave them unattended. Both boys and girls go through school, and are encouraged to grow, learn, and succeed. This has caused many a Kusalii to venture outside of their homelands to study at higher universities, making a living for themselves in far out places throughout Alacher and the rest of the Continent. 
It has also been noted, that the Kusalii seem ready and willing to adopt the wayward, lost, and forlorn into their people and culture. This has made them evolve into not just a specific ethnic or linguistic group of people, but into an adaptable and shareable culture at the same time. Individuals from other cultures and races have found themselves in Kusal and among the Wild Tribes with no where else to go, and the Kusalii readily and willingly able to take them in, and adopt them into their way of life. 
In their travels and wandering from place to place, it is rumored that the Wild Kusalii will often leave signs and clues for their brothers and sisters who have traveled away from the host to find their way back.

Common Dress code

For male Kusalii, they typically wear long sleeved shirts with baggy sleeves. The shirt has silk fasteners, and a sash that is usually draped over their shoulders and around their torsos. The sash is usually sewn by their mothers or wives, to identify what clan or host they belong to. They also wear baggy pants with a belt, and wear boots to go along with it. As for hairstyles, Men will either shave one half of their head, leaving the other side long and flowing, or keep their hair at shoulder-length. Another hairstyle, is for a Kusalii man to shave both sides of his head, while leaving hair on top, letting it grow and flow down to one side. For facial hair, men are either clean shaven, or don long drooping mustaches. 
Kusalii women tend to wear their hair long, covering the top of their heads with headscarf's, with women both married and non tying red ribbons in their hair. The younger a Kusalii woman is the more colorful her clothing, with older women tending to wear darker colors. Black is only worn in times of mourning. For the upper body, Kusalii women typically wear short or long-sleeved blouses, and wear skirts of varying length for the lower body. The length of the skirt depends on the age and social standing of the woman within the clan or host. For footwear, Kusalii women either wear sandals, shoes, or boots.

Funerary and Memorial customs

There are two types of burial and memorial customs among the Kusalii. For the Kusalii who have remained to live in Kusal, burial is a common practice for the dead. For the Wild Tribes, cremation has become more of the custom, due to them leading a nomadic existence outside of their homeland. For all Kusalii, death is seen as something that is impure. During the process of mourning, it is customary for friends and family members to wear black for a two week mourning period. After the funeral, it is customary for the family of the deceased to isolate themselves for another week to ween off the impurity of death. 
When the family goes into their week long isolation, it is customary for other members of the community to drop off food and other necessities so the family can focus on their needs.

Historical figures

• The Crimson Crown
• Marko Goblin's Bane
• Simza the Swift
• Milosh Kabaev
• Roza Borhan

Ideals

Gender Ideals

In ancient traditional Kusalii society, there was a simple strict and rigid system when it came to gender ideals. Men were expected to build the homes and provide for their family in terms of food and income. While women would take care of the family and provide for their home and children. Historically, men were the warriors and fighters in Kusalii society, but whenever they were off at war, it was the women who would step up to become leaders of the family and community. Women would also be called upon in times of crisis to defend their towns or villages, and even raid other settlements belonging to rival clans or hosts. 
This put a shift in traditional Kusalii gender roles, as women demonstrated that they were able to do more than just take care of the home. Women began to lead certain communities, clans, and hosts alongside the men. Even though fighting and war was still mostly reserved for males, females would often form their own militia groups that could be called upon in certain emergencies. For the Wild Kusalii Tribes, women find themselves as the fabric of these nomadic communities, oftentimes being their leaders. Magic and mysticism is also a role reserved for women in Kusalii society.

Courtship Ideals

Maintaining one's virginity before marriage in Kusalii culture is highly idealized. Marriage usually happens at a young age compared to other human cultures, and teenage boys will often compete with each other to distinguish their skills and impress the girl whose affection they seek. If both boy and girl are interested in one another, the girl will often times give her suitor a specially made scarf as a token of her affection. They will pursue their relationship until the proper marriage age (which tends to be 17 or 18). When they have promised themselves and their affections towards one another, a "bride price" has been secured and given to the wife's family, the wedding is ready to take place. This practice continues in the more rural areas of Kusal. 
Among the Wild Tribes, the traditional courtship practices have long been abandoned, with men and women getting married at whatever age they see fit.

Major organizations

Countries with large Kusalii populations:

• Alacher

Wild Kusalii Tribes (Wandering Hosts):

• Burrows
• Dragos
• Greys
• Sichs
• Ashbys 

Attilla by Andrei-Pervukhin