Rusgan

Apart from uniting the steppe, the Rusgan people were the first disparate group conquered by the Golden Empire, and while they did not personally strike a single blow, it was still considered one of the most daunting tasks in the empire's history. Living in harmony with the mangrove swamps of the region of the same name, they developed secluded from many of the other issues of the world, with their main companions being the abundant spirits and wildlife of the region. While many still have trouble fully understanding their culture, they have been welcomed into the empire for their skills and generally nonviolent natures. Their songs, instruments, and works of wood and stonecarving are a key part of Arrboth's unified culture to this day. The Rusgan are almost entirely Human with some half-humans from outside marriage being the only exceptions. Some, however, suspect that there are Changelings within their ranks on account of their magical inclinations and strange worldview. Some go even further to claim that the Rusgan is where the first Changelings originated, and that those that did not become beings of flesh became the spirits the Rusgan call upon, though this is almost impossible to verify firsthand.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Rusgan beliefs center around the Tree of Creation, from which all life, all form, and all substance grows. The tree's greatest and oldest fruits, being the heaviest such as the land, the sky, and the sea, fell first, while life fell much later, begetting them and the beasts of the world. Through this tree, all things are connected, and even great spirits and Fey are to them as siblings. Stemming from this, the Rusgan people believe in respecting one's older 'siblings' and striving for peace and cooperation. At the same time, they show great interest in learning about the world and coming to understanding with it. The Eye is only one piece of creation, more could be coerced to fall from the tree, and much insight can be gained by what is found in the attempt. As such, Rusgans hold a strange and confusing perception among outsiders as pacifistic traditionalists that honor nature and show great respect, but also as something akin to studying mages or alchemists mad with the desire for discovery. While they honor 'nature', their idea of nature is much more far-reaching than most cultures, as everything that exists ultimately stem from the Tree of Creation. To them, there are no 'monstrosities' or 'things that should not be', only unique or unusual fruits that have not been seen before to be studied and understood. While some may not look particularly attractive, they have fallen no less from the same branches. In keeping with this, Rusgans commonly practice Shamanism in their Essence and Creation magic, consulting spirits for help in healing, creating, and transforming the world around them, and with communicating with their less intelligent beastly relatives. Most Rusgan shaman have learned to practice this magic through song in some way, as they consider music to be an expression of the world's deepest patterns; a song requires no words to convey meaning to those who hear it. Learning an instrument is considered almost as important as channeling zeon for those learning this form of magic, and this is part of the key to the breadth of styles they have developed and emotions they have learned to convey through music. One common trait is that their music, traditionally, is wordless, lacking any lyrics though sometimes incorporating nonverbal singing.

Art & Architecture

Much of Rusgan art is in the form of music, which they have used to communicate with the natural spirits they use for their magic for much of their history. Their music takes a variety of forms to convey emotions and ideas, or tie emotions and structure to ideas in a succinct fashion. Similarly, they know how to make a variety of string, wind, percussion, and tubular instruments through woodcarving and leatherworking. Carving or drawing on wood and parchment are also common practices, though these are mostly done to preserve music or convey information conceptually rather than as an art form in most cases. Still, many of their 'prototype' wooden figurines (of things they intend to create with magic, to help focus their ideas) are considered unique and interesting artistic pieces for their intricacy and style. Much of Rusgan architecture is utilitarian, in the sense that they need to meet certain requirements to comfortably live in a swamp even with their magic. They make shallow, light, and sometimes even collapsible rafts to traverse the waterlogged areas, and their houses are often built upon stilts or connected to trees to keep them above the level of the water. Permanent transmutation was typically a great, communal effort from the most experienced shaman of the group, but some of their most unique works come from this. Large lodge-houses with impossibly smooth wood and seamless roofs and walls to keep out moisture, towers built upon solid stone bases resistant to saltwater erosion, and seemingly mundane instruments that produce unbelievably pure sounds are some examples of this. Similarly, most Rusgan clothing takes the form of furs and animal skins, but some more unique works with likely magical origins have been seen on those of high status. These include as elaborate cloaks of fur with the animal's horns still attached and fitted for the human head, or dresses made entirely of delicately connected leaves. Of course, for Rusgan descendants living within the empire, such feats tend to be even rarer, as the spirits are far less prevalent and connected to their powers.

Related Locations