Sorradi

The Sorradi are a species of human hybrid, deriving from a distant homeland. Their history before arriving on Rathnir is quite spotty as the race was driven from their home from alien invaders. The invaders would eventually be named, "Shadows" as they tended to attack during the night and torch villages, usually slaughtering without remorse.

The race's numbers were in the hundreds as they emigrated from the East using sail boats. Their persecutors would still be following them, even across the sea, so the race would try it's best to hide or escape the grasp of their hunters. The Sorradi would meet many of Rathnir's early locals, being turned away or chased away when hearing their story. The refuges would happen up the Escharian people, begging for shelter within their villages. Eventually the Escharian people would come to a compromise with the Sorradi. The foreigners must convert to Soleannen, in return the Sorradi would be allowed to settle villages and trade with established Escharian towns. This plan would work for the most part, as the "Shadows" would never be seen by the Sorradi again.

However, the Escharians only 'tolerated' the Sorradi, most were often left living in the slums of Escharian cities and towns or settled their own villages on the outskirts of Escharian noble systems. As time grew on, the Escharians would feel the Sorradi were a burden on resources and provided little in return. For many generations, the Sorradi were treated as less than equal to Escharians. The Escharians never enslaved the Sorradi, they were always able to trade and do business as well as own land and attend religious services, however their social standing was never equal. This would go on until they were given started to be treated as equals during the reign of Saint Arminius, due to his fascinaction with the species. This would go on through the collapse of the Escharian Empire until the start of the Imperial Era of Aesperium Niedea.

During this stage of the Aesperium Niedean history. A few popular Sorradi would rise to promote cooperation with the Niedeans. As such many Sorradi would assist the local governments as well as the Imperial Diet. Many would become assistants or quarter masters for the Niedeans, as the race would slowly move from aimless nomads to cooperative tradesman and merchants.

Language
The name, "Sorradi" originates from the Akere words for fur (Adi) and small (Sorri). This is what the Escharians first called the race and eventually the name stuck. However the Sorradi native language is difficult and weird to translate into English. The language goes as follows, a string of characters horizontally is one word, however the sentence is written vertically.

Traditions and Culture
Although many of the races celebrations and holidays were lost during emigration, one celebration still remains. The celebration of the "Golden Day" happens during Summer when the nights are shortest. As tradition goes, the town will light a bonfire as the sun sets, this bonfire will stay lit until sunrise the next day. Legend also dictates if the fire goes out before sunrise, the town will receive a bad omen like sickness or bad harvest for example.

In addition to holidays, the Sorradi have many traditions and cultural beliefs that are still present today.


 * Most Sorradi have a high standard for meals, as such it is common for recipes to be carried through bloodlines.
 * It is common for parents to use the "Shadows" as a threat to their children. For example, "Finish your meal, or else the Shadows might visit you tonight."
 * Due to the persecutions by the "Shadows" even through generations, the Sorradi have an instinctual fear for the night, often keeping a lantern lit in their homes or always having their villages and towns lit by lamps or torches.
 * It is common for lost ones to be cremated and spread across the sea, as many believe this allows ones spirit to return to the homeland.
 * Sorradi hold sailing and shipbuilding highly in their culture, this stemming from when their ancestors traveled months on boats. As such most Sorradi settle on coasts or are sailing merchants / craftsmen.