Rogu (Row-goo)
Tengu native to the light of Usoram, rogu resemble roosters and hens, and are able to shout extremely loud. These cries have the ability to awaking sleeping creatures, making the rogu excellent guards and watchmen. Like Elves, the rogu never sleep, instead entering a trance-like state to recuperate their energy.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Instead of learning one of the elemental languages, most rogu learn Sylvan, as that is the common language of Usoram. But like most tengu, the rogu enjoy learning other languages and can be found speaking a wide variety of dialects.
Shared customary codes and values
While they are considered simple-minded by other tengu, the rogu have no patience for lengthy debates and overcomplicated verbal sparring, instead preferring to be direct and get to the point.
Average technological level
Like most in Usoram, the rogu are slow to trust new ideas, preferring to rely on the methods that have worked adequately for centuries.
Common Etiquette rules
The rogu view volume as a sign of strength, and thus are always speaking and enunciating very loudly, much to the dismay of those around them.
Common Dress code
Male rogu love to dress up, and always have a wide variety of clothes, often adorned with family colors and crests. While they lack access to the amount of finery of the males, female rogu often wear large dresses denoting their societal status.
Art & Architecture
The rogu like to build their houses in box-like shapes, often utilizing metal fencing and gates to protect their property. These houses rarely have separate rooms on the insides, often being one giant communal room that the entire family lives in together.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Female rogu are intensely protective of both their eggs and their chicks, often carrying them with them in the folds of their feathers.
Coming of Age Rites
A young male rogu must prove its worth by standing in one place, usually at an elevated height, for 24 hours, all while resisting the urge to cry out. At the end of the 24 hours, the male must let out a crow with all of his might, which must be heard by someone who is far enough away to not be able to see the now-adult. After a successful ritual, the youth is now free to choose a mate from someone his age. The chosen female is considered an adult once they hatch the males firstborn.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The rogu inter their dead in simply designed but elaborately decorated family crypts, often referred to as Ancestral Coops.
Common Taboos
Sneakiness and deception are viewed as acts of cowardice in rogu society, and thus rogus always strive to be forthright, even with their enemies.
Common Myths and Legends
A majority of rogu worship Víðópnir, the tengu god of the sun and time.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
While they work to keep their feathers clean like all tengu, male rogu place most of their care into their neck combs, with larger combs being considered much more attractive. Unlike most races, larger and more heavy-set females are considered more attractive mates.
Gender Ideals
Males dominate rogu society, decided all aspects of rogu life asides from childcare, which is left to the females.
Courtship Ideals
Male rogu perform elaborate dances, known as waltzes, against other males to receive the blessing of a father for the right to his daughter. The most successful rogu often form a harem of many wives.
Relationship Ideals
Male rogu can be haughty, which can mean they struggle to find true friends and not just servants or yes men, however most rogu prize loyalty, and are willing to go to great lengths to prove their loyalty to others, which can lead to lifelong friendships. Female rogu are known to be incredible gossips, and make great company for small talk, but often lack the close and personal friendships of other races.
Major organizations
Many rogu work as guards for the Sika Empire, as the make excellent watchmen. They also often protect the southern and eastern borders of the Empire from wandering monsters from Levex-Casein or from feral Wyerms and dragons from the decaying corpse of The First. Many also work as bell-ringers and news-callers, awakening people after Usorams short twilights with the morning news.
Random Rogu Homelands
| % Rolled | Homeland | Trait Gained |
|---|---|---|
| 01-25 | Forest | Keen Ear |
| 26-50 | Plains | Reactionary |
| 51-75 | River Town | Militia Veteran |
| 75-90 | Primal Forest | Fey-wise |
| 91-00 | Unusual Homeland | (Roll on Unusual Homeland table) |
A rogu replaces the standard tengu traits of Low-light Vision and Sneaky with the following traits:
Sun Tengu: A rogu is immune to magical sleep effects, and enters a 8-hour trance instead of sleeping (granting the same benefits as sleeping).
Waking Cry: As a full-round action, a rogu can emit a shrill cry that awakens all creatures around it. Creatures sleeping normally within 100 feet per racial hit dice immediately awaken, and creatures under a magical sleep effect immediately make a new saving throw against that effect with a +4 bonus.
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