Ronayu
The people of the Violet Empire are sea-faring people, with a rich culture, history, and traditions, who hold a deep respect for the natural and spiritual world alike. They are a fierce military force, and the only probable and recently discovered rival to the Edge Empire's dominance.
The Ronayu people are shorter than most. Their skin ranges from very pale cyan to darker shades on the same scope, and they have slightly elongated ears. Their frame leans toward slender and athletic.
The Ronayu live in a strict honor-bound society, which expects a lot from its members, who adhere to an uncompromising ritualized and very limiting cultural life, in which one’s duties are incomparably more important than one’s personal desires.
The Ronayu believe that all creatures should, and inherently do, live in balance with the universe. They believe that their spirits are immortal and remain a part of the living world after death. Thus, they believe their ancestors are always with them. They appreciate patience, wisdom, and benevolence - because if no one ever truly dies, the consequences of one’s actions against another remain with them both forever, and so they attempt to be slow to anger or harm.
The Ronayu are honor-bound to strict ritualistic cultural behaviors and rules and are expected to engage in a continuous process of displaying such appropriate behaviors, with an appropriate frame of mind when doing so, as this is a way to shape one's mind and reinforce strong moral character and righteousness, both by displaying it as well as by rejecting improper behavior and dishonor. This is also heavily intertwined with the ideal of filial piety and the correct social order. Society encourages integrity, honesty, and shame from within and without, upon displaying inappropriate behaviors. Shame is considered a virtue, as it allows individuals to recognize their transgression and engage in self-improvement.
The Ronayu place great importance on displaying proper love and respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors. It is considered the foundation of a good ethical society. Simply, it means to be good to one's parents; take care of them, display love, respect, support, courtesy, ensure heirs, display sorrow for their woes, bury them, and carry out sacrifices after their death.
More broadly, the principle extends beyond one's home, as a means to bring pride, or avoid bringing shame to the family, by meeting the strict expectations placed upon the Ronayui by their culture, among them being an obedient subject of the Great Golden Empire, and conduct oneself in accordance with the expectations placed on them.
The Ronayu believe in the spirit as a living force, one disconnected from the living body, which only resides within it for a time. They believe the spirit to be immortal and inherently magical, and believe in many other spirits and spiritual creatures, some of which are revered as deities. They also believe in the inherent power that resides with spirits to accomplish feats and miracles beyond the scope of what can be explained by science, and thus have great respect and sometimes even reverence for those who display such mystical abilities.
Ronayui Names
The Ronayu are provided a given name at birth, which consists of one or two syllables, and a family name inherited from one’s parents and shared with other members of the immediate family. The family name always comes before the given name and is usually a single syllable. Both names are then joined into one word, family name first, and together constitute the individual’s name. For Example: Axiaigu, Deihuam, etc.
Male Given Names: Aigu, Huam, Riang, Funem, Gai, Ginz, Yarde, Qao, Zin, Zun.
Female Given Names: Daxia, Deyi, Hei, Fei, Ean, Kie, Shuan, Vie, Quen, Yahdu, Zaihu.
Family Names: Exi, Xiang, Dal, Dian, Fuxi, Nime, Nu’was, Reng, Rennong, Vhang, Ziar.
Ronayu Traits
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 4–5 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet
As a Ronayu, you have these special traits.
Ability Score Increase Recommendation. Dexterity or Wisdom.
Focused Meditation. You can meditate deeply, remaining immobile and semiconscious, for 10 minutes. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit as if you had completed a Short Rest. After using this ability, you can’t use it again until you complete a Long Rest. This trait greatly benefits the Monks and Fighters classes, both of which are prevalent and honored in the Ronayui culture.
Ancestral Guidance. As an action, you can gain the ability to focus and connect to the ancestral knowledge of your people, and gain the benefits of a guidance cantrip cast on yourself (No components required).You can do so a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus and regain all uses on a Short Rest.
Lore of the Empire. Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to your homeland or personal ancestral history, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you would normally apply.
Disciplined. You have Advantage on all your Wisdom Saving Throws.