Rashadin

Rashadins, also known as "Rashis", "Ra'zey", "Fahinar". Are the inhabitants of Oroii's far south's cold coastal cities and endless tundras. Although, like humans, they are often found all around the world.
According to the legend, they were originally humans, but an ill-fated agreement made with the gods cursed them into monsters. Due to their infamy as pirates and mercenaries, they are often not often trusted and are shunned. But those who welcome them will find them to be a hardy and industrious folk.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Masculine names:
Arra, Suchhe, Ehrro, Khrano, Ohrn, Sahhro
Feminine names:
Inrra, Kehrra, Uuna, Durga, Varede, Whera

Surnames are usually taken from the most highest standing family members. As the Rashis hope that this would give them some advantage when working with other Rashis.
The names themselves usually have three parts: The family name, that has a first name and surname of the one you respect the most, this surname itself is often identical to parent's full name. Second is the person's connection to it, and finally the suffix pronoun.
Example: "Arra Ehhrokarahenroh", which is broken down like this: Ehrro/Karah/En/Roh.
And the official, unabrigded name can be something like:

"Arra Ehhrokarahehrrokarahenehrrokarah-Khranoohrnensahhrorohahroh"
(broken down as:
"Arra Ehhro/karah/ehrro/karah/en/ehrro/karah/khrano/Ohrn/en/sahhro/roh//ah/roh"

Meaning "Arra, the Ehrro Karahehrrokarahahroh's son (male) who was of Khrano Ohrnenensahhroroh's family (male) and I am of their family and a male/son/husband.")
The repetition of names is usually stopped after the second cycle, because the names have a habit of becoming ridiculously long.
Some families even insert multiple combinations of different names in there. This has led to a situation, where certain old families are know to have surnames so long, that can fill an entire book.
It is good to remember that full names like this are practically never used in everyday life.

Often used connection words:
En - Parent
Ah - Family
Ahe - Distant family
Ra - Family's close business partner, though this is very rarely used.

Suffix-pronouns are: "Roh" for male and "Rah" for female. A long "Rr" can also be used for a neutral name and is also often used when one has lost the right to use a family name. Especially mercenaries wear this with pride and it is something they call the "Independent R".

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Culture and Cultural Heritage

Their culture is that of an opportunistic ambition and indendence. They are taught from a young age to take what rightfully belongs to them. Be it through mercantile, or just plain theft. This has bred a countless generations of merchants, freeblades, pirates and opportunistic entrepreneurs. Their vast merchant fleets travel the seas and bring wealth and fortune to those who dares to welcome them.
However, with it's underlying philosophy of "might makes right" Be it through the power of wealth, or just straight up brutal strength. Has made them cunning and ruthless. And Rashadin Mercenaries are rightfully feared for their ferocious nature.

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History

Rashadin history is colorful series of characters and conjecture, tradition and betrayal. They themselves have only recently began to record it on a written form, as they have had along standing tradition of oral record keeping. Which, combined with the Roshadan tradition of inflation of one's ego had made their records notoriously unreliable. Fortunately there are some far-south tundra tribes that have kept certains records pure of outside influence. This along with Naazey and Dalian complied records have created a somewhat intact history for the people of southern Oroii.
Most the know history, the Rashadin have been known as nomads and hunter-gatherers. Patrolling in and around the Broken Coast, Uratan Tundras, the forests and lands of Druurhan and all the way to the Naazey controlled north. First concrete Naazey records of Rashadin are written nearly three thousand years ago. In these records are only marked as an inconsequential beastfolk that are little more than uncivilized barbarians. Hundreds of years later, when the Naazey explorers and cartographers were studying the far south of Oroii, they observed and gathered information on their culture, customs and traditions. Something, that the Naazey considered surprisingly intricate and sophisticated.
They had towns and social norms they didn't expect from what originally seemed like just a bunch scattered tribes of hunter-gatherers. On top of that, their ships were expertly build to harness the seasonal winds and they had tons of bartered and looted goods from a number of cultures, that even the Naazey knew nothing about. The explorers were left wondering, that how far had Rashadin already travelled.
Throught the years the Rashadin has had steady contact with Naazey and then Dalis and Human and even the elusive cat-folk of Nala-Nala, to whom they have a strong connection and friendship towards.
Yet they have never been fully united. There has been countless attempts by warlords, self-proclamed kings, archons and chieftains to unite the Rashadin and it's tribes under one banner. But nothing have ever last longer than few years. Even today Roshada is more of a concept, than a sovereign country. All of it's leaders and oligarchs hold no obligations and responsibilities to no one but themselves and their own people. Yet time and time again, if Roshada, the concept is threatened. Be it slavery or invasion, they will muster what ever they can to defend it.

"Roshada is freedom and freedom is Rashadin."

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Common Myths and Legends

According to and old and popular story, countless years ago, a tribe of humans were in a desperate war against a "great evil". This enemy is often changed depending who is telling the story. After long and bloody conflict and after being cornered and fearing utter destruction, they turned to gods for help. To everybody's astonishment the goddess "Van-Tara" (Often understood to be Vaniatar) responded to their pleas and she promised them victory for the last battle. All she asked was their unwavering faith.
Despite this, the last battle went bad and only a small portion of the people managed to escape the massacre. Feeling cheated, they cursed the goddess.

Then, like a snap, the burning goddess appeared before the survivors and said, "Hope I gave you and what do I get in return? Curses and empty promises? Look at your loved ones in their eyes, as I give you my last gift” The very next moment, all the survivors were thrown on their knees as their bodies contorted and changed. Their screams of pain echoed across the land as it slowly turned into ravening howls. "Be like your souls are, tainted. You will not hear from me or my kinds anymore." And with that, she disappeared and the Rashadin wept.

The validity of this story has been scrutinized, as there no real evidence of human tribes living that far south of Oroii at point in time. Dalian scholar and many Rashadin themselves instead believe that they are descendants of some other beast-like race.
However, that does not change the fact, that Rashadin cannot commune with Dragon-deities as other races do. Though some still attempt and learn live with blind fate alone. This has lead for most Rashadin to lean towards their own monotheistic religion of "Saruhiim" or one of the myriad East-Ardean philosophies.
This "curse" reflect into their religious philosophy. Which is based on the idea, that they can collectively make their amends to gods and get forgiveness, thus reversing the curse.
However, as the time passes, this tale get more and more shrouded in metaphors and scrutiny. Doubted by the masses and often regarded as little more than a fairytale. Meant to scare children to fear the gods.

"Never bet against a Rashi. They will find a way to win"
-A common proverb

Rashadin male.

A Rashi Tundra Walker.