Zutonesse

*"Everything they do is like a natural and smooth reaction. Their head seems to be somewhere off in the cosmos yet their body reacts swiftly and with precision. This was the Zutonesse that prepared my lunch-- let alone their warriors. "*

***- Marcario Moorehome, Clarity of Mind***

The **Zutonesse** are a small humanoid race from Waesyn who reside in Zuton. They are generally thought to be thoughtful and wise. Zutonesse are known for being monks, sailors, chefs and shepards.

## Statistics

* ***Ability Scores*** +2 Dexterity or Wisdom, -2 Strength; Zutonesse are incredibly quick and insightful-- though their size hinders their strength.

* ***Age*** Zutonesse mature around the age of 15 though they tend to have a longer life span due to better lifestyle choices. It isn't uncommon for a Zutonesse elder to make it past the century mark.

* ***Speed*** Your base speed is 35 feet.

* ***Size*** Small (+1 AC & attack rolls vs. Medium; +4 Hide, -4 penalty to Grapple; carrying capacity is 3/4 that of a Medium creature)

* ***Languages*** You can speak, read, and write Zutonesse and Sotteran. Unlike most other Waesynian languages Zutonesse uses characters that originated with brush strokes and were read from top-to-bottom instead of the left-to-right method most other languages utilize. Zutonesse oftentimes prefer to use Sotteran around other races in fear of being rude and non-inclusive to others.
* **Blossom Maneuver:** Once per day a Zutonesse can focus on using their energy against multiple targets-- even if they haven't been trained to do so by their class yet. You may use one attack to strike two foes as long as they are both within your movement speed. Only the second target gets an attack of opportunity (or any additional targets between the two.) Both targets retain their normal AC against your attack.
	+ Additionally, you gain proficiency with the *Zutonesse Blossom Blade.*

* **Clarity:**As Zutonesse society puts importance in the practice of "Clarity of Mind" they gain a +1 to all saving throws.

* **Enhanced Hearing:** Zutonese can hear higher frequencies than other races-- roughly being able to hear at 60 Hz. They can also move their ears to fine-tune towards specific sounds. This gives them a +4 miscellaneous bonus to the listen skill.

* **Kinetic Control:** While other species need a 20-foot running start to make long jumps, they only need 10 feet. They also gain a +2 miscellaneous bonus to the jump and balance skills.

* **Righting-Reflex:** Due to a lack of a clavicle Zutonesse are able to land on their feet from otherwise damaging falls. Zutonesse always take half damage from fall damage.

## Zuton

*Main article: Zuton*

The Republic of Zuton, or just Zuton, is the Zutonesse homeland in Waesyn. Located along the western coastline and is comprised of four differing biomes. From the snowy forest in northern Zuton to the sub-tropical breezes in the south-- varied climates exist due to the length of Zuton. However, the largest region is probably the rolling hills and oceanside cliffs which most associate Zuton with. These lands are quite windy and known for having many grazing animals, both wild and domesticated.

## History

The Zutonesse have lived in Zuton for thousands of years. Most of Waesyn follows the Sotteran calendar and cycle system which most of Zuton has integrated into their culture as well but they still kept track of the original Zutonesse calendar as well. It was already the year 1064 Z according to the Zutonesse calendar when the Sotteran empire rose (1C 0.)

Before the practice of Yonda was common the Zutonesse warred amongst themselves. However the small groups of short auburn-haired warriors ceased fighting each other when rumors of a "giant looming in the distance" was spotted on the eastern horizon. The Zutonesse realized there was more out there and they could create one cohesive unit instead of many fighting among each other. The Zutonesse devised a system that placed an emperor in power which saw success for some time. The Emperor was taken out of power during the Monumental Cycle (432 Z) due to Yonda gaining a wider influence and the past emperors showing signs of more self-interest than the interest of the Empire. While Zuton was chaotic for roughly one hundred years after the removal of the emperor-- a council of renown figures decided to put in place a Republic which has been the system of government ever since.

When the Sotteran Empire came into power the Zutonesse were close allies in regards to trade and helping survey land. Zuton agreed to help the Sotteran militarily and financially as long as they respected the Zutonesse borders and would return aid in the case of a calamity. While Zuton was never as blindly supportive of the Sotterans as the human pilgrims were they were certainly close to the tall swashbuckling empire.

During the War of the Giants, Zuton was responsible for scouting the water surrounding the continent with their navy as well as transporting troops to allow elaborate flanks. The Horned Marchog fought as a single unit alongside the frontline warriors, this is the only time they gathered to fight in such fashion. After the war, Zuton put efforts into restoring Villa as a home for the Sotterans.

During the second cycle, the Zutonese kept a low head in regards to the wars between the new human kingdoms and focused on stabilizing Villia and recovering what assets they lost during the war, though it should be noted that Zuton was relatively untouched during the War of the Giants. A brief economic conflict between Zuton and Lokradahl rose during the second cycle however it ended soon after the Zutonesse put an embargo on dahlian goods, which caused the two to negotiate quickly and efficiently. Zuton and Shura made a strong alliance when they tried liberating Rhoda from the Lakarian Occupation-- which they were successful.

In 3C 241 the Zutonesse decided to try and make a campaign to sail globally instead of around just Waesyn and is currently focusing on the exploration of Ara as opposed to just Waesyn.

## Culture

Zuton realizes that their future starts with the education of their youth and never sugar coats any of their previous misdoings in the Republics' history-- even making themselves out as villains during certain periods before the rise of the Republic. Students are encouraged to treat their studies in a relaxed fashion with many deadlines being loose, this is largely due to the influence of Yonda preaching for a natural and reactive approach to life.

Zutonesse art is full of expression and features many natural landscapes and depictions of flora and fauna. Like many things in Zuton, the art is flowly and calm. The Zutonesse treat food preparation, brewing, and eating itself an art form. Zutonesse cuisine is often praised as the best in all of Waesyn and to be a chef is a prestigious career path, even if you only own a small stand in a crowded city.

## Religion

The Zutonesse believe that spirits of their ancestors are among them and that their physical forms are meant to be given back to the world once they are done using it-- however, they use religion more so to practice morality than anything else. Yonda is the backbone of various Zutonesse beliefs and has integrated itself in Zutonesse culture influencing meditation, selflessness, travel and most importantly being content with your own spirit. Yonda is based on the story of a Zutonesse girl named Yondalla that traveled the world trying to find balance and clarity. Yondalla becomes simply "Yon" after eventually achieving enlightenment claiming that "Dallah is what she left behind."

While most acknowledge that Yonda is just the story of a girl whose spirit is now with the elements, some cults do perceive her as a deity. This notion is also practiced by those who worship Dallah, cults that believe in material gain and hedonistic behaviors.

## Military

The Republic is protected by wandering knights known as "Horned Marchogs." They are the embodiment of various Zutonesse morals and beliefs such as preventing the suffering of others, practicing clarity of mind and cutting ties with want and desire. Equipped with only their blade and whatever else they need to survive, the Marchogs protect the Republic (and often times Waesyn at large.)

While the Horned Marchog are often thought as the strongest warriors of Zuton, in cases of conflict it can be difficult to gather them thus each state of the republic has troops to deploy. While each army has different fighting styles, combat techniques and equipment many try to emulate the basics of the Marchog-- such as relying primarily on instinct in combat.

Zuton also hosts the strongest and most effective navy in Waesyn. Navy officials and cadets have a much different opinion of warfare and stray away from "instinct" and "clarity" and tend to plan every phase of an attack with plans to fall back on in emergencies. This often renders sailors, fishermen and other nautical Zutonesse as black-sheep among their people.