Nilofaurian

The ethnic group particular to the peninsula of Nilofaur which is all land north of the Marziene mountains. Water lilies are what nourished the people who were led from modern-day Sulghury across the continent by their gods, the "hole-headed" brothers. At the end of their long journey, having found no suitable land to claim for their people, the four gods laid themselves across the ocean and made the land themselves in imitation of Helenaphe. There the people settled and called themselves the Nilofaurians: people of the water lily. The water lily is thus a precious flower to its people and symbolizes hope, honor, power, sacrifice, charity, and divine righteousness.
Their skin is the typical dark brown of the mainland peoples and their hair ranges from dark red to light blond. Their eyelashes grow long and their eyes are notably larger than most other human races. Their eyes are a striking golden-brown which is often compared by other cultures to a "ring of sunflower petals."
Since their origin in the 7th century, Canison have always been a strong presence in Nilofaurian culture. Some Giant races also find purchase in Nilofaur though the peninsula itself being a "new" land, they were never a seminal influence in the culture.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Like the gods who laid themselves before them, the Nilofaurians value self-sacrifice and honorable causes. A person's worth in Nilofaur is measured by the weight of their deeds. Even the wealthy have a hard time finding footholds of influence if they don't show a significant degree of charity. Perceived honor, or annurnat, is a notion balked at by common folk and embraced by politicians in which honesty and sacrifice are feigned for clout. It is a grievous sin in the [Nilofaurian religion] and an adjective often attributed to donkeys and mongrel dogs.
Land is precious to Nilofaurians and is valued more than any commodity. Ownership of land is unheard of and even the lowest peasants are allowed to wander the yards and estates of the wealthy. Wandering familiar corners of country or city is a favorite pastime of both youths and adults. It's also not uncommon to have serious discussions and even business meetings while "out on walk."
But Nilofaurians also value personal freedom and privacy. Even though land is public, the household and one's possessions (including one's food) are a private matter. Only trusted family and friends are allowed inside the house and what business is done there is for no government or priest to discover. Most houses of moderate wealth feature a trang annur (literally "room of truth") near the center which serves as a sanctum of sorts for delicate matters and the storage of precious things. Even the pettiest of thieves are dealt with harshly often by members of the household itself if they are caught in the act.
Other strong values held by Nilofaurians are carpentry and masonry, a love for the seas and seafaring, and knowledge and scholarship.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty for Nilofaurians often lies in the eyes and eyelashes--both of which are strikingly prominent compared to those of other races. The typical golden-brown irises are described in an array of ways in literature and music. This variable earthy color of the iris, succinctly summed up as oubaur (literally the word for "iris"), extends to style and craft: earthy colors and dense, patterned textures are valued in jewelry, clothing, architecture, and even food.

Parent ethnicities

• The Newborn

Related Locations

• Nilofaur