Cerunian

Cerunians hail from the island group that now forms the nation of Cerunea. An ancient and proud nation now fallen into idleness and mediocrity. Cerunains typically have olive skin and dark hair. Many epic tales are told about the glorious deed of Cerunians heroes in days gone by, when monsters were slain and great wars were fought. None of that seems to happen thes days though, and Cerunea is led by a group of soft nobles who make their money from trade and farming, and Cerunian soldiers are an ill disciplined lot given to infighting. Detractors cast Cerunains as idle layabouts and hedonists, and braggarts lost in their dreams of past glory.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Cerunian, Imperial

Culture and cultural heritage

A cerunian would argue that their cultural heritage is the world itself. Certainly their epic tales are known across the empire and beyond. They are undoubtably the originators of theatre, poetry, rhetoric and mathematics.

Shared customary codes and values

Cerunians have a strong sense of their place in history - that they are the birthplace of human culture. They also share a sense of the fundamental importance of philosophy, and hold those that practice it in high regard.

Average technological level

Iron age

Common Dress code

Cerunians wear simple clothes of light cotton. Wealthier figures wear clothes with more elabourate geometric patterns on, though almost always monotone. Practicioners of philosophy wear togas.

Art & Architecture

Cerunea is famed for its art and architecture. Its ancient buildings are masterworks of stone and marble, rivalled only by those that have arisen in the empire. Geometric patterns and sculptures decorate theirs buildings, and statue cast in bronze adorn them.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Hera, queen of the gods is responsible for childbirth and lineage, and a sacrifice to her is often made to assure a healthy child.

Coming of Age Rites

Typically celebrated with sacrifices to Apollo the prophet or Diana the huntress.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Thanatos is the Cerunian god of death, and on the death of a loved one rites are held at his temple before the body is disposed of. The wealthy place their dead in tombs, the rest consign them to the sea.

Common Myths and Legends

Countless, from the iron bull that guards the catacombs of the king of Krait and the many headed hydra that protects the golden fleece to the fabulous flying contraption made by the philosopher Daedalas and the golden apple that initiated a war.

Historical figures

Agamon, the first king who united the islands of Cerunea. Helia, claimed to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Achalon, champion of Agamon and unbeaten in battle, he slew over 200 Ortorgians. Ectros, the champion of Ortorgia, who died at the hands of Achalon. The trickster Ulixios who fought in the Ortorgian wars and then was exiled by the gods but found his way home again.