Muten
In the continent of Onira, high atop the Muten mountains and the golden valleys between the peaks live the Mutengen. They are a nomadic people, who travel across the steeps and mountain tops on horse back. They are well accustomed to life in the mountains, and thus are able to move freely across the jagged rocks. They often cross over the mountains and into neighboring lands to raid villages for supplies before returning to the steeps.
Muten Rider: To the Muten horsemanship and archery are a way of life. You gain proficiency with animal handling, longbows, and shortbows and add double your proficiency bonus to animal handling when dealing with horses. You also get a Riding horse as part of your starting gear.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alanghoa, Altantsetseg, Barghujin, Gurbesu, Hogelun, Narengawa, Oyuunchimeg, Sarantsatsr, Seruuntungalag, Sorkhaghtani
Masculine names
Asugbal, Baasan, Duruljiayiji, Jamugha, Kiratai, Kirsagan, Kokochu, Munokhoi, Nongrot, Sagra
Unisex names
If a son died, the next son could be given a female name to confuse evil spirits. The reverse is also true, and so it is not uncommon to see men with women's names and vice versa.
Family names
The Mutengen use a patronymic surname system, which means the father's name is used as the surname.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The people of Muten speak common with a bit of the sylvan language mixed in. This combination makes their dialect seem foreign to anyone not used to hearing it.
Shared customary codes and values
Being a nomadic people, horses have always played an important role in daily life. Hospitality is so important in the steppes that it is traditionally taken for granted.
Common Dress code
The deel, or kaftan, is the Mutengen traditional garment worn on workdays and special days. It is a long, loose gown cut in one piece with the sleeves; it has a high collar and widely overlaps at the front. The deel is girdled with a sash. Mutengen deels always close on the wearer's right and traditionally have five fastenings. In addition to the deel, men and women might wear loose trousers beneath.
Men, and often women, wear their hair in braids. The hair would be divided into two pigtails, each of which would be divided into three braids. The ends of the braids would then be looped up and bound to the top of the braid behind the ears. Men shaved the tops and sides of their heads, usually leaving only a short "forelock" in front and the long hair behind.
Art & Architecture
Fine arts are heavily influenced by the elemental deities. These works include silk tapestries painted to depict one of the gods, or bronze statues sculpted in their likeness.
Muten has a very old musical tradition. Key traditional elements are throat-singing, the Morin Khuur (horse head fiddle) and other string instruments, and several types of songs. Mutengen melodies are typically characterized by pentatonic harmonies and long end notes.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Mutengen people are shamanistic and worship the four gods of the elements, Reita goddess of the earth, Bijali lord of the sky, Lahara lady of the waters, and Naraku master of fire.
Shrines to Reita are placed along migration routs. When ever they come across such a shrine it is proper to leave an offering of sweets in hopes of a safe journey.
It is believed that Bijali enjoys music. In order to bring favorable weather, people gather and sing to the sky.
Naraku and Lahara are respected more than worshiped. To scorn the gifts of fresh water or a warm fire is to bring woe to the tribe.
Coming of Age Rites
Children are sometimes given non-names like Nergui (without name) or Enebish (not this one) to ward off evil spirits who would kidnap them. When a child comes of age they are given a name that suits their personality. Since people of the steppe receive only one name in life, its selection carried much symbolism, often on several levels; the name imparted to the child its character, fate and destiny. The Mutengen have a lot of epic heroes from the ancient times. The word for hero, baatar, appears frequently in personal names
Funerary and Memorial customs
Deceased relatives are usually put to rest in the open, where the bodies are eaten by animals and birds. By doing this they believe they are offering the soul of the deceased to Bijali the lord of the sky, while the flesh and bones return to Reita the goddess of the earth.
Common Taboos
Misfortune might be attracted by talking about negative things or by persons that are often talked about. They might also be sent by some malicious shaman enraged by breaking some taboo, like stepping on a yurt's threshold, desecrating waters or mountains, etc.
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