LAUTARI

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Height: Varies

Weight: Varies

Hair: Black, Dark Brown or Blonde

Eyes: Brown, Blue or Light Blue

Skin Color: Tanned to Dark

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The Lautari are enigmatic wanderers without a home usually found living far outside of most civilizations in Kalotere, although they may be encountered in other areas. The members of the Lautari often travel in vardos (wagons) which are all part of a single extended family. These wagons which they build themselves wander with their belongings, often carried by pack animals or loaded into covered wagons which they use to store any belongings in their possession. Though they are human the Lautari are flamboyant and dress in bright to dark clothing, they laugh often and drink hearty. However they are a people composed of contradictions, and it is unlikely that anyone not of Lautari blood will ever fully understand them. While their appearance can be as varied as those of any other people, however their complexion are naturally tanned and often made darker by long exposure to the sun.

 

They earn money by selling their wares, providing information, providing entertainment or telling fortunes to others. Though the Lautari spend whatever they earn to support a lavish lifestyle, displaying their wealth openly as a sign of prosperity and sharing their good fortune with family and friends. Though they often keep to themselves unless they have something to gain by associating with Non-Lautari. They refer to Non-Lautari as Privasti (outsider-them or unnatural), Privast (outsider-him), Privasta (outsider-her), a word that roughly means unnatural or tainted. However it's usage varies from harshly insulting to merely factual depending on inflection. As a whole the Lautari do not hate or dislike Privasti, but they rarely accord them much respect. They simply feel that they have very little to offer besides their money. To be an Privasti is to be ignorant of the world's mysteries, fearful of the unknown, limited in experience and dependent on others for survival. To be Lautari, in their view, is to be none of those things. Though most Privasti often fear and hate them is a testament to their unenlightened natures.

 

Not every Lautari is capable of being so dispassionate in the face of prejudice, but most of them recognize that Lautari are Lautari and Privasti are Privasti as the two are and always shall be separate. The way things are is the way things are. In the meantime, the Lautari have no compunctions about lying, cheating or stealing in their dealings with the Privasti, if they feel such double-dealings are warranted. Lautari laws apply to the Lautari, and Privasti laws apply to the Privasti. This doesn't mean they won't seek justice for any wrong done to them; it just means they won't be surprised when the wrongdoing occurs. Although those who have crossed them might think otherwise, the Lautari are not an evil people nor are they a good people. They simply are, in the same way the harsh forests they travel through simply are. As the Lautari see themselves as a part of nature in a way that the Privasti do not.

 

Though Lautari and most Privasti may often be at odds, but this does not make one evil or the other good. All Lautari speak an uncommon language, called Kalo (dark, secret) which is a hodgepodge of various languages and dialects that conveys meanings less with the words spoken than with the intonation and context of the speech. It has a flow, of rhythmic quality when spoken correctly, something which few Privasti have the knack. While their script consists of symbols known as Sygils which are often found, carved into trees or scrawled upon stone to convey important information to other passing Lautari caravans. These Sygils are descriptive, with each one meant to convey a certain quality about the area in which it was written. For instance, one could be used to warn other Lautari of hostile Privasti in the area, while another is used to mark a source of fresh water.
 

Although the Lautari are human, they are a very different breed. However there is one thing that separates them from normal humans, the Lautari are an inherently magical people. Where this magic comes from is unknown, though the Lautari have their own tales on the subject. The magic of the Lautari certainly does not spring from a divine source, as they pay homage to no deities. Nor does it resemble arcane spell casting, as the Lautari have no need for studies or spell books. Magic is a natural part of their being, as they are able to simply act and allow magic to take its own course. The Lautari have two members who both rule a Lautari encampment, one is called a Baro an adult Lautari male, who is the master of the caravan. They decide when and where the caravan makes camp, how long it stays, and where it travels to next. He also delegates responsibility to the other members of the caravan and has the final word in all matters of trade and commerce.

 

However the Baro, is subservient to the Rauni who is often the oldest Lautari female of the caravan, as well as the matriarch of the kumpanya (company, camp) though this is not always the case. Their role includes passing judgement, enforcing traditions, preserving responsibility for the Lautari's way of life and giving sentence when crimes are committed within a encampment. The voice of the Rauni is listened to and respected in all matters though they are always a seer of some ability and are quite adept.

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Note: Dark Redemption RPG recognizes that Roma, often called Gypsies, are an ethnic people and, like all ethnicity, should be treated with respect and not shown in a stereotypical or romantic light. Although the Lautari are a fictional race they take many Romani customs, traits, and words and using them in a way to allow players to play as a character who is similar to Roma without demonizing or romanticizing a real people.