A cold-adapted people used to winter nights, the Lemurians spend their summers in branches of the taiga’s trees and their winters in mid-level villages, only venturing into the darkness below out of necessity. They believe that their central religious figure, The Watcher In The Darkness, observes them from atop the great tree of the cosmos, expecting great deeds. However, while they abhor cowardice and lack of ambition, they also send tests to those who are the bravest and most capable to drive them to even greater heights, leading to the saying that “Those that climb the highest face the fiercest winds”, which serves as a warning against being to adventurous in both the literal and metaphorical trees.
The great taiga they live in is made up of the Twiggen, the highest parts of the trees; the Skyroad, with the thickest branches; and the Deep Pile below, filled with both treasures and dangers. All of these are vital to the Leumurian’s existence, and so they tend to, protect, and honor them to the best of their abilities. Many choose to deepen this relationship, becoming woodworkers, arborists, and druids.
Most Lemurians are ringtails, a lemure-like people adept at working in both the darkness and the trees, but other heritages that possess f light or gliding abilities, such as birdfolk, or a talent for climbing, such as the patherans and spiderfolk, can also be found amongst them. Occasionally, survivors of ill-fated groups lost in the Deep Pile are found, taken in, and taught the ways of the taiga.
Characters raised in the Lemurian culture share a variety of traits in common with one another.
Branch on the Tree. It takes many skills to sustain life in the taiga and children are taught some from an early age. Choose one of the following:
Cold-Adapted. You can an expertise die on Survival checks and checks made to overcome exploration challenges made within cold environments, such as mountains, taiga, or tundra.
Life in the Taiga. Those that choose to live in the trees become nimble and alert. Choose two from Athletics, Acrobatics, Survival, and Perception. You have proficiency in the chosen skills.
Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common and Lemurian.