Lowland Runo
Inhabiting the meadows and grasslands of Maloruno are the lowland people. They have abandoned the nomadic lives of the traditional runo and live amongst livestock, whether they like it or not. The cloudy, rainy weather fails to dampen their spirits, as their cottagecore lifestyles is more than enough for them.
History
The runo species originated from the Heartlands of Maloruno, three hundred miles from the closest mountain in the Equator Range. The lowlands was the first place runos migrated to as a whole, many groups moving north to scare off white tigers which at the time were starting to step into the Southern Hemisphere. The first lowland runos kicked off the generational war between them and the white tigers, which has evolved into a global battle for territory, splitting the planet into two.
For the first couple hundred years lowland runos were getting used to a stationary life. Unlike the maze forests the lowlands had few predatory animals, and even fewer that posed a threat to runos. That meant their traditional mobile lifestyles were pointless, so they settled down.
Throughout the last twenty thousand years of runo presence in the lowlands, runos have extended their presence globally following the mountain range around the planet. Many major settlements have come and gone, some of the oldest still present around the Bridge. Many of the extant settlements are several thousand years old, with rich history.
The lowland runos, thanks to their predator-free environment, have begun to explore magic and technology without weapons or defence in mind, bringing art, music, festivites, and vibrant cultures to life.
Agriculture
Agriculture is a huge part of lowland runo culture. It is the biggest industry, closely followed by hunting and fishing. Lowland runos opt for a more relaxed lifestyle, many choosing to raise livestock in large fields and growing crops over vast stretches of land.
The climate in the lowlands is unique in its warmth and precipitation, commonly seeing both while the rest of the planet remains cool and dry. The land in the lowlands is more fertile and crops grow much faster, an even bigger increase in productivity thanks to Floramancy.
The larger the crop fields, the more respect is given to a person. Some use their fields to grow unusual crops to garner more attention and gain more respect, and others use their land to grow palatable crops to feed the masses, gaining respect this way.
Ideals
Families
Families are tightly woven in lowland culture. Each house is large, fitting at least 10 individuals and generally no more than thirty. All are related to each other - the oldest members generally lead the household, controlling the household roles of each and every member of the family.
Family housing are based on bloodlines and recreational marriages. Each house fits around 3-4 generations, the average lowland runo having their first child at 21 years of age.
Beauty
Beauty ideals are varied amongst the modern populace but have also shifted as time has passed. Presently longer fur is generally considered more attractive, especially when artificially dyed unnatural colours. Lowland runos with brightly coloured fur are warned not to enter maze forests, or really, leave the lowlands, as they become much more noticeable to predators. Aposematism isn't common on Maloruno, so predators haven't learned to avoid brightly coloured animals out of fear that they could be poisonous.
Art
There isn't a lot of time to create elaborate art pieces whilst running from dangerous animals in the maze forest. Runos that still choose to live there find time to carve familial and tribal symbols in rocks and trees, a remembrance of where they have roamed, but nothing elaborate aside from Fire Festival tree pyres are made.
Art in lowland runo culture is mostly centered around the Equator Mountains and the mythologies within. Stories of white tigers looking down at the runo civilisations from the mountaintops have resulted in unsettling paintings.
Tigrin Ta takes place one day a year where lowland runos dress up as white tigers to scare each other. This includes elaborate face paintings, temporary fur dying, dance and singing rituals and countless plays and enactments of vicious battles between runos and white tigers, where runos always win.
It sounds delightfully like a paradise. I would like to hear more about ‘recreational marriages’ - it’s an interesting idea that suggests a lot about their overall worldview.
I plan on writing an article about runo marriages! simple terms: recreational marriage is when you marry someone out of love, but you can get procreationally married which is getting married for the sake of having children. if you're just procreationally married you can have other partners but it's a bit weird in some places, but it's seriously frowned upon to have an affair in a recreational marriage. :D