Loborans
In the time since the inception of the god Loboro, his followers have become a distinct group of people. Though any are free to leave or join his people, their belief in him and their cultural practices unite them as a unique group. Additionally, the presence of lupicanus appearing from his blessing further cement Loborans as being a distinct group of people.
History
Long ago, a man named Delvin Trall chose to spare and make offerings to a local pack of wolves instead of slaughtering them in the long hunger of winter. Together, Delvin's village and the local wolf pack survived. Wolves began to offer their assistance to hunters that left them offerings, and as more people reported how offerings to the wolves resulted in better hunting, more people began leaving offerings. This change in how hunters related to another significant forest predator would give rise to a new deity and new group of people. One day, almost a year after Delvin first persuaded his fellow hunters to spare the wolves, a lupicanus came to him in a dream. Identifying himself as Loboro - the God of Beasts, Forests, and Hunting, he told Delvin how his actions gave rise to a new deity. Loboro blessed the young man and named him his first druidic priest. Time passed and others heard of the first priest of Loboro and began flocking to join him and worship the new god. Delvin would eventually marry and have children with his beloved wife and receive another blessing from Loboro, the first mortal lupicanus born to human parents. To his pack of followers Delvin related his god's message. Those that were true to the Lord of Wolves would be blessed with a child connected to the god. They would be faster, stronger, and more alert than their brethren, but they were to be loved all the same for the Lupine Protector entrusted them with his kin. Not all human-born lupicanus would become priestens of Loboro, but many would walk in a druidic path and acquire small magics that were useful in other professions. Some human-born lupicanus would eventually leave home to join lupicanus villages while others would remain in their hometowns helping as best they could.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Long-time followers of Loboro often take a name they felt related to the Guardian of Travellers and his domains. These are some examples of notable family names amongst Loborans, the only exception to names relating to Loboro is Trall as it is the name Delvin had when he became the first druidic priest. Family names: Trall, Greenfoot, Forster, Wolfram, Woodlance, Crowsnout, Clifftree, Canna, Medolia
Nicknames and Pet Names
Many terms of endearment for children are related to young animals such as: cub, pup, kit, calf, lamb, and colt/filly. Nicknames are of course generally just shortened versions of one's name, but for children and as displays of affection a vowel may be added to the end of names that are too short to be shortened.
Culture
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Celebration of the Moon
Held every full cycle when the moon is brightest, this holiday is a time for followers of Loboro to gather together for food and drink and to discuss their intents for the coming cycle. While the large gatherings are always family friendly, some parents find them to be overwhelming or intense for little ones. Additionally, some Celebrations of the Moon are planned to be adults only so discussions can happen without little suns with wide eyes and ears nearby. Whatever the reason may be, it's not uncommon for families and friends to hold smaller Celebrations of the Moon that better suit their needs. These follow much of the same process as the larger ones with the parents typically being the ones to call it closed. For some, the preparation leading up to these smaller gatherings are the favored part as the preparing of food and drink can be a wonderful bonding time. These family rituals are also a good opportunity for young ones to learn the chants used in their community.
Night's Day
Once a year, in the middle of summer, the moon glows almost as brightly as the sun, bathing the world in his pale glow and glittering starlight for a full day. The sun sets the day before but the moon comes slowly, the biggest and fullest he is seen through the year. He seems to fill the sky and he does not set until the morning twilight the day after. The Night's Day is a highly anticipated event among the followers of Loboro as it heralds the start of a dusk to second dawn party celebrating the year so far and the coming year. It marks the new spiritual year for Loborans as the moon bathes the world in his cleansing light. Additionally, there are no rituals marking this celebration like in the Celebration of the Moon. The whole 36 hour period Loborans take very little rest, instead seeming to gain energy from the moonlight and leading to 24-hour sleeps afterwards. Families will sometimes use magic to simulate an early end to the holiday for little ones who want to stay up the whole time but aren't able to yet. This holiday often has much less involvement from families with young children as the long hours and intense, high energy make it unsuitable for them to participate beyond visiting the local temple for a blessing and some treats.
Day's Night
Once a year, in the middle of winter, the sun goes dark for a full day. The sun sets the day before but the moon does not come. The moon and sun do not rise or set until the dawn the day after, leaving the world submerged in darkness. It is a time of peace and reflection, and Loborans take this time to clean and quietly reflect. Group rituals are not uncommon but most prefer to perform a solitary cleansing ritual in the long night. This is considered a good time for children to explore their faith and consider what they want in the future. While many families hope their children follow Loboro, freedom of self is held in high regard.
Equinox's Breath
Equinox's Breath is held twice a year when night and day are of equal lengths in spring and autumn. Similar to the Celebration of the Moon, followers of Loboro gather together for food and drink and it ends with a ritual. However, what happens between these two events is much different. These celebrations involve the rebalancing of oneself with nature and participants are encouraged to do what they must to feel more in touch with nature barring harm to others. Equinox's Breath is the only holiday that children are explicitly excluded from until they're of age. As such, people in the community will take turns watching each other's children to ensure parents can have a night to unwind and destress from the chaos that comes with raising kids. While watching kids for a night isn't uncommon, the wards put in place to protect participants in Equinox's Breath offers a security and calm that can be hard to achieve otherwise.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Veil of Shades
The Veil of Shades takes place shortly after the autumn Equinox's Breath. It is considered to be the time when the Shroud is at its thinnest and is a time for goodbyes and release. While rituals for the departed can be held at any time, many followers of Loboro choose to wait until the Veil of Shades finding that it makes them feel closer. As well as helping to release their grief. The rituals and practices involved in the Veil of Shades are deeply personal and are not documented anywhere. Only passing via word of mouth before being adjusted to best fit the user. Community rituals are normal but it's common for people to prefer close-knit family ties during the Veil of Shades. This is another tradition where children may sometimes not be in attendance in favor of smaller at home rituals. They are a somber and quiet affair, and while none would hold a child to the same standards as an adult, or shame their parents for bringing them, it is considered kind to let people grieve in quiet unless otherwise indicated.
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