Berturracio
| Berturracio | |
|---|---|
| Image |  A Berturracio man |
| Plural | Berturracioi |
| Classification | Human |
| Homeland | Arezilur |
| Average Height | 5 ft 5 in – 5 ft 9 in (165–175 cm) |
| Average Lifespan | 60–70 years |
| Distinction | Human people of the deserts and coasts of Arezilur |
| Language | Berturraci |
| Factions | Free City of Gristilia • Free City of Attemberta • Bugluria Kingdom • Irerilde Free Ports |
Introduction
The Berturracioi (singular Berturracio) are a human people of Arezilur, in the east of Méniail. They descend from settlers who sailed from Gosterra and landed at what is now Gristilia around 400 ME, and they number about 395,000. About half live as nomads in the Arezilur Desert, traveling in caravans between the oases; the rest live in the cities and towns of the oases and the coast. They have no single government: the Free City of Gristilia, the Free City of Attemberta, the Bugluria Kingdom, the Irerilde Free Ports and the nomadic tribes each govern themselves. Their oracles, women trained in the Path of Nulai, read fate for their tribes and guide them. They speak Berturraci and are known above all for their glasswork.
Etymology
Berturracio is a shortened form of barimbertutterrace, "the desert people", in Berturraci. The word is built on barimberto, "desert".
Origin and Nature
The Berturracioi share the common ancestry of all humans, descending from the Yendea of Haberria, who came to Dalel in the Great Migration. Their immediate ancestors were Gostaldi of the Kingdom of Bóinbile. They became a distinct people in Arezilur, where their speech developed into Berturraci.
History
Arrival in Arezilur
Around 400 ME settlers from the Kingdom of Bóinbile sailed to Arezilur in search of land and a better living, and landed on the west shore of Gristilia Bay. The glass of Beilisia, which could be cut from the mountains without smelting, drew artisans to the site, and five tribes settled there and founded Gristilia. The city has governed itself since its founding.
Spread inland
From the coast the Berturracioi spread inland along the oases. Most took up a nomadic life and traveled the caravan trails between the oases; others settled in the oasis towns and in the towns of the Irerilde Coast. They came into contact with the Qerem, the native people of Arezilur, and relations between the two peoples have generally been good.
Later history
Around 720 ME the towns along the wells of Bugluria came under a single ruling family and formed the Bugluria Kingdom, with its capital at Itturre. Attemberta remained outside the kingdom as a free city. Gristilia extended its authority over Beilisia, from Gaiondo on the north coast to Atte in the south.
Biology and Physical Traits
Berturracio complexions are generally dark, from brown to deep brown. Hair is dark, and eyes are usually dark brown. Men typically range from 5 ft 7 in to 5 ft 9 in (170–175 cm), and women from 5 ft 5 in to 5 ft 7 in (165–170 cm). They live 60–70 years.
Abilities and Osia
The Berturracioi have no innate Osia, and those who practice it must train.
The Path of Nulai is taught at the House of Nulai at Issiere Oasis, beside Igusce. Only women from the nomadic tribes may follow it. They return to their tribes as oracles, who read fate and guide the tribe. A woman who does not return to her tribe and leaves with the knowledge is regarded as an outcast and as dangerous.
The Path of Nāaon is widely followed for the strength of its illusions. Its disciples supply a large underground trade in assassins, thieves and spies, whom other nations frequently hire.
Some Berturracioi follow the Path of Arihis, the path to which the Qerem are attuned from birth.
Culture and Society
The nomadic Berturracioi live in tribes, each guided by its oracle, and travel in caravans along the trails between the oases. The settled Berturracioi live in the cities and towns of the oases and the coast. The two depend on each other: the caravans carry the trade of the towns. Raiding between tribes and on caravans happens but is not common.
Every craft, from glasswork to cooking to the raising of children, is regarded as an art, and music and dance are central to Berturracio life. In Gristilia the city is governed by a council of five elder women, advised by an oracle.
Notable Individuals
Notable Settlements
- Gristilia (about 60,000, of whom about 42,000 are Berturracioi)
- Attemberta
- Itturre, capital of the Bugluria Kingdom
- Borto, largest city of the Bugluria Kingdom
- Gaiondo
- Igusce
- Gassiga
Spirituality and Beliefs
Most Berturracioi revere Nulai, the Ascendant Spirit of fate and destiny, randomness and chaos. Their reverence centers on the oracles and on the House of Nulai, and the oracles' readings of fate govern much of nomadic life. Yeparchism, which the Berturracioi brought from Gosterra, survives as a minority faith in the cities and is strongest in Gristilia.
Arihis, the Ascendant Spirit of desert, sand and glass, is honored as the spirit of the desert and the source of the glass of Beilisia. Nāaon, the Ascendant Spirit of illusions and shadows, whose house is in northern Beilisia, is regarded warily; mirages and the illusions of the desert are blamed on him.
Technology and Warfare
Berturracio technology is broadly that of the other human peoples of Méniail. Firearms are in use, and Gristilia is a steamship port with a telegraph. There are no railways in Arezilur. The natural glass of Beilisia is carved directly from the mountains and needs no smelting; it is very strong, cheap to produce, and regarded as the finest glass in the world.
Gristilia is defended by its city guard and the harbor guns at Fort Attille, and hires mercenaries when needed. Disciples of the Path of Nāaon are hired by other nations as spies and assassins.
Relations with Other Races
Relations with the Qerem are generally good. Many Qerem live among the Berturracioi, above all in the Qerem Quarter of Gristilia. The tribes of the Qerem Confederacy on the north coast are isolated and have little contact with them.
About 10,000 foreigners, mostly Gostaldi, live in Gristilia. The Berturracioi trade by sea with the League of Balúrail, Aráinia and the other continents, and overland with the Oinien of Orinilure. Smuggling is common.
See Also