Iberiya

Iberiya is an old Terranuovan culture that distinguishes itself by being nomadic by choice, not by persecution or necessity. Iberiyan natives settle only briefly on their extensive migratory routes and their convoys and communities can be spotted all around the dry northern regions of the central continent.

### Cultural traits

It's unusual to see an Iberiyan far from some kind of herd animal. They are renowned for their excellent animal husbandry skills and riding prowess. Iberiyans are proficient at Riding as a cultural bonus.

The basic social unit in Iberiyan culture is the extended family. To prevent tribal feuds, intermarriage, host exchanges of the families' second children and even "passing the banners" are all common forms of sharing a dispersed cultural heritage. "Passing the banners" occurs when a successful family shares its prestige quite literally with the least fortunate of the nomadic families, by conferring its banner (and thus its lines of credit and reputation) upon the group that needs it the most.

Iberiyan women inspire respect and occasionally terror - they tend to be the financial organisers and strategists of the great families, where the men and Two tend to be assigned duties like guarding the herds and scouting terrain for the next stage of migration. It's considered especially important to have at least one Two and one woman in a war party, or coordinating a large project.

Civil war isn't common between Iberiyans in Terranuova. There are plenty of ancient grudges from the motherland that have long since subsided into myth, but to hold Iberiyan culture together in solidarity, these feuds have been buried by newer generations. Ancient Iberiyan gods or a few fanatical historians might still have a few axes to grind, but they are the exceptions. War parties are kept busy defending herds from raiders and monsters, and when there's nothing to fight or hunt, Iberiyans enjoy team sporting activities.

### Weapons and mounts

Traditional Iberiyan warfare includes the Two-Weapon style, and specialises in simple shepherd's weapons (the rod and hook), twin batons, cavalry sabres, stockman's whip and hand to hand combat. The odd Iberiyan will invest in a black powder gonne for scaring off wolves - most prefer mounted archery or an old fashioned sabre charge, as firearms can spook their mounts.

The old saying goes, "An Iberiyan can ride anything, including the Great Sea". Any creature, fantastical or mundane, with a back that can support a human, is fair game to a seasoned Iberiyan rider. They will get Advantage on any Riding checks provided it's feasible to actually stay on the creature in question. Of course, once an Iberiyan rider acquires and bonds with their mount, it may become hard for them to let go. If an Iberiyan's mount is injured or killed, the rider will have to make a Morale check (whatever suits the circumstances) and if they fail, they'll suffer from the equivalent of a level of fatigue till they have a chance to take a long rest and get over their grief.

### Revelry

Iberiyans love feasting and music more than most cultures. Since communities often spend months apart, they cement their bonds of friendship with lively feasts and storytelling whenever different families or nomadic groups come together. Wild apple cider and fermented milk are drunk in great quantities, as well as mash-sack (a potato based spirit flavoured with honey). Iberiyan singing is beautiful and distinctive, and mostly performed by men; dances tend to be lively and tell stories of hunting or exploring.

#### The Grand Toast

A famous gathering of Iberiyans occurs every two years: it is known as the Grand Toast or the Tributary, and it is held in the closest thing Iberiya has to a capital city - The Apple, a mostly uninhabited pueblo-styled town at the meeting of three river systems. This takes place near the end of the northern dry season and various ceremonies and contests are held to encourage the first rains. The families compete in Dustbowl (a riding game involving a goatskin dummy, a bit like polo), wrestling and two-weapon combat (friendly matches with escrimma-type batons, billhooks or blunted sabre blades). This is also a good time to announce betrothals and make business deals.

### Iberiyans around the known world

The Iberiyans are a plains people, however plenty of Iberiyans have migrated, not just to the central continent, but to any of the outlying peninsulas and isthmuses that have farming or hunting cultures. Common trades for migrant labourers include work in forestry, animal training, brewing and entertainment.

### Business and gifting

Iberiyan culture is a gifting culture, and this kind of gifting can be competitive. The tradition of "passing the banners" came about in part because families were getting into gifting cycles that bankrupted smaller clans - so the gift of status came about to politely help redress these problems and prevent actual fighting from breaking out.

Foreigners are advised not to be too showy when complimenting an Iberiyan's possessions, as the other person may feel obliged to offer up the valuable in question as a gift (and then be resentful about it). Fortunately, mild stimulants, alcohol, songs, stories or just shared adventures are all completely acceptable and valued gifts that should keep outsiders from overstepping too many unspoken boundaries.

Business deals are often sealed with a nip of cider or spiced spirits. Fermented milk is reserved for the big deals, for prestigious visitors only, and is considered both a test of strength and a huge honour that a guest should try not to turn down. Non Iberiyans should make a Constitution save when drinking fermented milk.

It's conceivable that a non Iberiyan House or cartel could try to "pass the banners" and support an Iberiyan family, but nobody has ever tried - in part because the nomadic families are hard to pin down, but mostly because there would be some arduous rustic rituals involved in sealing the deal.