pronounced Ris-ta-ree
A nomadic feline people, many outsiders have long been puzzled about the origins of the Rystarri and their customs. What little historical texts that remain on the subject say of their people is that they began to appear from the East several hundred years ago, in several waves of migration, and they were already familiar with the common tongue.
While some Rystarri choose to settle in one location, most are semi-nomadic, roaming around a large area and regularly visiting the same places on occasion. Many choose to travel in caravans of their own people, although there are just as many who venture off on their own, or who ride along with a group of mixed heritages. It is not uncommon to also find a handful of Rystarri traveling along with a Khemasuri troupe.
There are few written records carried by the Rystarri, and much of their history has been passed down in tales and stories that are often conflicting or said to be allegorical. However, they speak of a time long ago when their people were happy and dwelled in a land of endless reeds and stone towers that touched the stars. In time though, the ground turned sour and the rivers turned black, and the Rystarri had to walk toward the sunset to find food.
In their travels, the Rystarri acquire goods and trinkets made by the hands of others. While they do not often have an immediate need for such things, they will often carry them along, knowing that such things will eventually find a home with someone else. Thus, they often refer to themselves as the “Bringers of the Lost”.
Costuming Requirement: Cat ears or a mask that clearly denotes a feline appearance, tails attached to the exterior of clothing.
There are two Rystarri Cultures:
Wanderers
“Gather round, my children, it is time for tales.”
“We tell these stories over and over, so that we do not forget them, and so we can tell those who come after. What I say to you today, you will tell others when you have seen the moon pass above many times.”
“Our people stretch back to the beginning of time, but the stories of how we emerged from the darkness have long been lost, because those ancestors moved on because we did not listen to them. We dwelled in towers that touched the stars, and abundance sprang forth from the ground, and we believed we did not need the wisdom of those who came before.”
“However, in time our foolishness and gluttony rose against us, and the fields turned to ash, and the rivers were poison. The rising sun burned our fur, and thus we went toward the sunset. We carried what we could, all that was deemed necessary, and we began the Long Walk.”
“We passed over mountains that wept, and through a valley of stones that slept. Through deserts of dark sand, and between the pillars of the sky, we passed through lands where the trees spoke in whispers, and where the skies were strange and starless.”
“For the count of four and forty we walked, and we were alone, just the Rystarri. Through wild lands where none had walked before we passed, before we crossed villages of the Empire. At first, we were met with anger and hate, but in time we learned the tongue and were able to speak our plights. We showed them things from lands afar, and anger turned to curiosity.”
“Many of our people had been lost upon the Long Walk. Not all of the tribes agreed upon the Path. However, when the moon fled the sky one morning, several of the tribes had found their way. While the tribes of Falling Leaves on Water, Petals Dancing in Wind, Sighing Sounds of Rain, and Whispers of Night Grass had all split like forks of lightning, they all found one another again.”
“However, not all tribes were found again. Gone were the Shadows Chasing Storms and Stars Gazing Upon Water. And while we may never see them in our time, our elders from the Far Realms say that we should not lose hope, for one day we will bring all the lost together again.”
The Sharing
“Share with others who suffer with nothing. However, only share with those who share.”
“Share your words with your kin, share stories of your path. It is through our stories that we remember, and by telling them to others we ensure that they are passed down. Keeping stories trapped in written words alone makes them easily taken by thieves and flame.”
The Divines
“The Divines are the ancestors of other peoples, and speak to them. Seek not their counsel, for our ways are not theirs.”
The Dream Thief
“Beware my children, for there is a creature that has been stalking our kind since we left our homeland. It is said to plague the Messengers most of all, but many of our people have beheld his form.”
“He is a tall shape, taller than any people, and he is cloaked in shadows and fog. His eyes burn with fire, and he stares into your mind and steals your hope. Once you have locked eyes with the Dream Thief, you have thrown open a door that he may slip into your dreams, and he will hunt you within.”
“He is an ancient dweller of the Far Realms and was able to enter our dreams through the same paths that our kin have taken to speak with their children. If you see him in your waking hours, flee, lest you catch his gaze.”
The Gifting and the Great Tale
“A celebration of life and our endurance against the hardest of times, we Wanderers have a tradition, that on the day after the fullest of moons, we gather together in peace and harmony. Many of us chose to bring food and drink to share, and in some of our oldest tales of our journey through the great deserts, many of us were only able to bring a waterskin or less, but we were all grateful.”
“However, each of us brings a trinket, something that we have found on our travels, or something that we crafted ourselves. We wrap them in simple cloth, so that no one may see what it is.”
“The Speaker of Tales, chosen special many days before the gathering, must regard us with a story. Their gift to all of us is the story, and they do not bring any other gift. Rare is the Speaker the same Wanderer more than once a turn.”
“The Speaker will tell a story, and during it, they will include a few words in the Old Tongue, which is now rarely spoken by the Wanderers, save for during these tales.”
“During their tale, the Speaker will sprinkle many phrases of “yaw” (meaning right) and “teth” (meaning left). Each time either of these words are spoken, the Gifts are passed around the circle in the appropriate direction. Upon the conclusion of the story, with the phrase “Samra Tay Samra”, everyone unwraps their gift.”
“We cherish these gifts, as they are all linked not only to the Great Tale of the Speaker, but also to the giver of the gift. That way, we do not forget those who pass into the Far Realms.”
“But now, the hour grows late, and we have things to attend to. There are other tales which wait for another time. And thus, I say unto you one of our traditional farewells, for you may never know when your paths may intertwine again…
May your hunting be bountiful.”
Player Character Restrictions:
Rystarri characters may be members of the tribes of Falling Leaves on Water, Petals Dancing in Wind, Sighing Sounds of Rain, and Whispers of Night Grass.
Player characters may choose to create their own fledgling Tribes, established within the past decade.