Ru-Pani (culture)
Cultural Overview
Flotillas of boat dwelling Tre-Ahni, which follows the seasonal migrations of various marine animals. They are excepental pilots and fisherfolk. Most coastal cities and towns tacitly disapprove if their nation-less culture, but do like the exotic goods they trade, so they are tolerated in small numbers. The Ru-Pani themselves are very open and welconing of strangers who embrace their ways.
Origins
Geography
Language
Family
Structure / Size
Roles of Family Members
Importance
Influence
Orphans
Children are a blessing to the Ru-Pani, and any orphan will find a new home with another family, either blood relatives, or any family which has room on their boat to take in a new mouth to feed. This openness with taking in children has contributed to the salacious stereotype that Ru-Pani will steal stray children from towns and cities they visit; The matter is more complex than a simple truth/falsehood.
Have children been acquired by the Ru-Pani when they visit a port? Yes. Are they absolutely certain the child is an orphan when they join the Ru-Pani and sail away? No. More than one runaway has joined the sea nomads out of spite, or simply to disappear from their former life. The choice to join the flotilla is the child's to make, as the Ru-Pani value personal freedom.
