The Shroomish Peoples

**The Shroomish Peoples** are the native occupants of the Azure sea. They can be separated into two distinct groups, the "True" Shroomish, and the Azuri. The Shroomish are most well known for their militaristic culture, and strong affinity for water, as well as extreme loyalty to one another.

## Culture

### Traditions

Shroomish traditions often reflect and supplement their militaristic ways, for example: The wearing of armor is seen as a mark of respect to the Shroomish. Removing one's armor in front of another individual symbolically represents that the wearer has no respect for the other party, and is among the highest of insults to the Shroomish.

## Sub-Races

While all the peoples of the Azure sea share a common ancestry, supernatural and environmental influences have caused two distinct sub-races of Shroomish to appear. The coastal outer edges of the Azure sea are the native home of the Azuri peoples, who largely retain humanoid features. The inner mushroom islands are home to the True Shroomish, who more resemble large humanoid mushrooms due to their environment and diet.

### Azuri

The proud Azuri are physically almost indistinguishable from regular humans. Due to their proximity to the borders of the Shroomish Empire and the Azure sea, Azurian culture tends to blend more with the cultures of surrounding nations and settlements. Most Azuri speak a variation of Shroomian called Shroom Azur, which is a mix of Shroomian and the common tongue; as a result, the Azuri tend to better suited to diplomacy and international relations than the more reserved True Shroomish.

While the Azuri lack the almost-white paleness of the True Shroomish, they do tend towards fair skin and light tans over darker tans and black skin. In contrast to the heavyset True Shroomish, Azuri are usually lithe and lean, often being described to have a "swimmers build". Azurian hair colours can range from rich reds, to deep blacks, to platinum blonde, with the most common hair colours being dark red and dark brown. In contrast to the True Shroomish, black eyes are very rare among the Azuri, with blue and violet being the most common eye colours.

### True Shroomish

Also known as Islander Shroomians, the True Shroomish originated at about the same time as the Azuri, and with a common ancestor. In comparison to the more sociable Azuri, True Shroomish tend to be rather reserved, and keep smaller circles of friends and acquaintances. True Shroomish are also known to be far more protective and temperamental than the Azuri, and are very willing to attack and cause harm should they, or a friend be in danger. Their protectiveness, combined with their formidable statures and loyal nature make True Shroomish very dangerous enemies, and extremely valuable friends.

Influenced by their mushroom island home, True Shroomish tend to have very pale skin tones, often with a gray tinge. In lieu of hair, True Shroomish have a mushroom-esque cap growing on the top of their heads. Vibrant, richly decorated caps tend to be seen as more attractive than dull, uniform headcaps, and it is not uncommon for a Shroomian to dye and paint their cap to appear more colourful. True Shroomish can range from very short (around 4 feet) to very tall (7 feet), with the tallest recorded height being around 8 feet tall. They are also quite stocky and large. Colliding with a True Shroomian is said to be similar to colliding with a stone wall. Almost all True Shroomish have black eyes.