The Gypsy Culture & Lore

[Head Moderator]

A Note to Begin
The Romani Gypsies of our world bear a resemblance to the real world gypsies, but they are a distinct breed. Much of the persecution inflicted upon them is the same as is inflicted in our world. We will also be using similar Romani words and life philosophy. However, our gypsies do have their differences than the real world gypsies as you will see as you continue to read. There is prejudice and pain in our gypsies as well as the real world gypsies. The Romani of Arith face poverty, ignorance and hatred. Despite the hardships, the gypsies of Arith retain a sparkling sense of humor, shown great courage and have always been a free-thinking people.

Brief History
The Gypsies are an ancient people with many, many clans. They have traveled the world and witnessed the rise and fall of many civilizations, always remaining apart. It is the gypsy's destiny and way of life to do so. The gaje consider the gypsy to be merely thieves and con artists, but we know no one truly owns anything, we simply borrow them for awhile.

Many have tried to get them to settle down, sometimes by coersion, sometimes even by force. Though they massacre them by the thousands, the Rom still exist. They are hated and feared, and many hold them in suspicion because they can tell they are different, they have power in their Blood.

The mother of all gypsies is said to be a woman named Daenna. She was a woman of great beauty, possessing intelligence and spirituality. Strong and tall, with a mind as sharp as a blade. (Finish History here)

The Gypsy World
The family and the clan are the two main social structures in a gypsy's life. The family includes all relations, but the closer the blood relation, the stronger the bond. When a gypsy marries, the family of the spouse becomes her own. In a broad sense, anyone with the Blood is considered family, and they will always treat another gypsy with far more respect than a non-gypsy.

Gypsies do feud with one another at times, though. When the leaders of two opposing factions declare war, there is little they will not do to win. They may even bring gaje into the dealings to try and gain ground.

But normally, the gypsies band together against those not of the Blood.

Possessions
Gypsies view possessions differently than other cultures. They see that it is far too easy to become a slave to your possessions, and cannot understand the killing of even innocents to gain possessions. To a Rom, freedom is the greatest possession. Gypsies do enjoy helping possessions come their way, but when a Gypsy is wealthy, he is not so attached to his possessions that he will not risk them on some whim. Or he may just simply leave it all behind if it becomes a burden. Gypsies view possessions as tools to further their happiness, comfort and freedom.

Gypsy Families
There are many, many gypsy families throughout Arith. Each has their own unique traditions and ways, and some may even speak the language a bit differently. Each family also has a King and Queen, who arbitrates disputes and has final say. Various gypsies have attempted to state they are the King or Queen of the Gypsies, but only gaje believe that nonsense. Save for Daenna, there has never been a single leader of the gypsies.

Most of the families have been watered down and tainted with the more sedentary lifestyles, their Blood weakened. But, there are five families that retain their pureblood, and still hold the magic of the Blood.

The Five Families
These five families still retain the esoteric knowledge taught by Daenna to her people. There are many other gypsy families scattered over Arith that at least recognize a small measure of the innate powers and position in the world's past and future.

The Ravnos
This family of gypsies is related to certain shilmulo, or vampires; some members themselves are even shilmulo. Individual Ravnos vampires watch over the whole family, and always are looking for those that are worthy of being embraced. Although most gypsies know enough to be polite to vampires they meet, the Ravnos are very active in vampire politics.The Ravnos shilmulo sometimes travel with humans, acting as guards or retainers. However, not all gypsy families look kindly onto the Ravnos, and sometimes a young Gypsy is transformed against the will of her family.

The Lupines
Daenna's brother, Sarrath, was one of the first of the line of Lupines. Nearly all gypsy families have a respect for the wolf. The Lupine clan is made up of gypsies who are kin to werewolves, or who are themselves werewolves. Traveling families of this clan often form carnivals and circuses, allowing them to keep wolves in their midst.

The Urmen
This clan has maintained a relationship with faeries. These gypsies not only acknowledge faerie changelings, but go out of their way to support them. This clan is reclusive, and families have been known to disappear for even as long as 50 or more years, only to reappear again- their members looking the very same as when they disappeared. It is rumored that some of this family may even have faerie blood mixed into their gypsy blood, and such gypsies often have fantastic powers.

The Phuri Dae
This family boasts the most adept fortune-tellers and spiritualists of all the families. Often, when a young gypsy displays these types of talents, she is married into this family. Although there are extremely talented seers in all gypsy families, the Phuri Dae are the most carefully trained. It is the Phuri Dae who are the true carriers of the gypsy heritage. The members of this family pass on the stories of Daenna, the Tree of Knowledge, and the remaining Seeds. A Phuri Dae gypsy is likely to know a good deal about vampires, werecreatures, faeries, ghosts, the undead, and much more.

The Tsurara
This extremely tight-knit family is also one of the smallest. Unlike other families, the Tsurare (or also known as the Slayers, or Knife Tribe) are almost unrelentingly committed to the destruction of all vampires, primarily the Ravnos whom they view as traitors to the Gypsies and no longer of the Blood. They are taught to actively hunt them, as well as other enemies of the Rom. Younger members tend to be radicals, and sometimes form very violent gangs.

The Blood
The Romani value their bloodlines perhaps more than any other people. According to Gypsy legend, when Daenna, the mother of all Gypsies, bit into the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge her Blood and the Blood of her descendants was forever altered. The Phuri Dae say she gained the ability to read minds and foretell the future. She is also said to gain a different view of time. All of her descendants have some level of this power in their Blood. This does not mean all Gypsies are psychic or have magical powers, just that they carry the legacy of the Blood.

Blood Purity
Blood purity reflects the connection a Gypsy has to the Blood of Daenna flowing through their veins. There are full-blooded gypsies. Even if you only have one parent that is a Gypsy you can still be considered full blooded if your blood has a more intense connection to the magic in the Blood. It is the Blood that makes you Rom. Blood purity is valued by the Gypsy, it effects your abilities and power.

Wildcards
Throughout history, it seems that more often than not, a Gypsy ends up playing a key role. Gypsies are known as the wildcards, or trumps of fate. They know there is no way to know if someone will be chosen for this, but as children they are often told that if they are chosen, they will know it when the time comes.

The Gaje
The Gypsies hold a different set of ethics when it comes to outsiders (gaje). Even if she stands before her most hated Romani enemy, a gypsy will treat that enemy with more respect than an outsider. This double standard has evolved over centuries, and probably came about due to the knowledge and abilities granted to them through their Blood, and the mistreatement from other races.

Gypsies do not feel it is ethical to lie, cheat or steal from another Romani. However, it is perfectly acceptable to manipulate and use a gaje. After all, if a gaje is slow-witted and gullible enough to fall for the gypsy's tricks, then the Gypsy was meant to succeed at that endeavor. This double standard has caused the gaje to misunderstand, and even hate the Gypsies. It also has led the gypsies to create all manner of plots and schemes to exploit the gaje for money and trinkets.

Many gaje view the word of the gypsy as untrustworthy, and to a gaje it probably is. But when a gypsy gives her word to another gypsy, it is solid as stone. When interacting with one another they are trustworthy, honest, faithful and loyal. But the gaje are not to be trusted, and therefore unworthy of a gypsy's trust.

Touring
It is common practice for young gypsies of various families to band together and do a tour. This allows the young gypsies to pick up tools of the trade from other families, and to see the world and expose them to different lifestyles and traditions. Rom youth will often form their own kumpanias, or traveling caravan for a time. Rom that are lazy, or prematurely set in their ways may come home to find a pile of clothes packed for them and a note, "We'll see you when you get back. Beat it. Baxt! (Good luck)." The goal of this kumpania of young gypsies is very basic - survive. If you gain stories to tell, or learn something useful on the way, that's just icing on the cake.

Elements
When a newborn Romani enters the world, his/her mother often consults with a wise one or mystic to determine whether the child is destined for a particular role in the family. These "birth readings" only give a positive result for about one out of every two or three readings, but if a baby is claimed by one of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, spirit) it is certain they will be trained in compatible skills.

A mystic performs the birth reading on the first new moon of the babe's life. The baby is placed near a low fire, next to the fire is a bowl of cool water, a fan of feathers, a piece of dark stone such as onyx or hematite, and a black mirror. The five items represent the elements. While the parent's look on, the mystic uses whatever they are gifted with using as a seer such as tarot cards, fire reading, tea leaves, etc and the seer reaches into the strands of time. As the seer does this, an element may reach out and claim the baby. Such claimings are unmistakable to those watching. For instance, if claimed by fire, a twig may break off from the fire and hit the child's foot, leaving a permanent mark. If spirit claims a child, their eyes may turn gray.

Earth
Romani touched by this element are the backbone of the family. Often weavers, smiths and crafters, they are skilled at manipulating devices and doing physical tasks. They are also very good at recognizing patterns of all kinds. Earth-touched Romani are known as Dhartime.

Air
These are the Rom that glide most easily among the gaje. They move effortlessly through gaje cities, breezing in with nothing and coming out with more gaje loot than they can carry. Such gypsies are often thieves, gamblers, charmers or con artists who rely on their wits and abilities. Air-touched gypsies are known as Jhanaki.

Fire
These Rom are gifted warriors, those marked by fire strive to keep the ways of their people alive. Fire-seared Rom are known as Kuyan.

Water
These Rom are known for the mastery of both body and words. They are performers by nature. Bards, tale spinners, and acrobats are often water-touched Rom. Water-claimed Rom are known as Jastima.

Spirit
Such gypsies are the rarest of the claimed. These are known for their long memories, and the Blood flows strong in these. Blessed with at least a small amount of magic, these gypsies have an understanding of human nature and consequences. Many become the wise ones of their family. Others become historians, or even match-makers, commiting tremendous amounts of knowledge to memory. Spirit-kissed Rom are called Satarma.

Skills of the Gypsy
Here are a list of some types of abilities that you may choose to work into your gypsy's storyline. They are not "skills" but simply ways to play your gypsy.

Bujo
You are excellent in the art of the swindle. You can convince the gaje to freely give you their gold and valuables in exchange for "cleansing their soul", or "removing bad luck" or any number of cons. This is often done with fortune-telling schemes.

Drinking
You know how to hold your liquor, which comes in handy in situations like getting info from people, or drinking your gaje "friend" under the table for a bet. You can drink large amounts of alcohol without being impaired.

Fortune-Telling
This has nothing to do with having real Sight, it has to do with making the gaje believe you can tell the future, so they give you gold. You can convince others you read palms, or tell futures, enabling you often to even glean information you need.

Storytelling
You can weave a story that keeps your audience entertained for hours. You have whiled away entire evenings spinning tales and sagas to other gypsies as well as the gaje. You are held in high esteem for your wit and clever tongue.

The Talith
You know how to use the Romani weapon, the talith. A talith is a heavy scarf, or diklo, of some 5'to 6' in length with weighted barbs and hooks along each end. It's useful for disarming, as well as attacking with the barbs and hooks. It is difficult to master and requires good coordination and lots of practice. It doesn't do a ton of damage, but can be easily concealed. It also works as a secondary weapon for the off-hand. (Talith does 1d5 Damage)

New Knowledge: Romani Lore
If you take the skill Knowledge, you may choose "Romani Lore" as one of your knowledges for free. You know the old tales and lore of your people.

Talismans
This gypsy possesses many magical talismans, or draba. Draba are magical items, created by a drabarne. They have powers only usable by those of the Blood.

Dance of Knives
You are a master of the Gypsy art of fighting with knives, they have become an extension of your body and of your Blood. When performing the dance, you are able to move at great speeds, your body and knives proving lethal to your enemies. This combines the beauty of dance with the violence of combat. They often use their Blood to go into a trance-like state, making them even more efficient. Knives can be used in melee combat, or hurled at distant opponents.

Instinct
Your Blood allows you to just know when to look over your shoulder, and when not to take that shortcut down the alley. When you get a bad feeling about something, it really does mean something. This is like a sixth sense.

Zapadarin
You have learned the intricate, almost seductive, dance known as the Zapadarin. This dance entrances those that see you.

Gypsy Magic
There are four different types of gypsy magic:
Evil Eye: This allows the Gypsy to place and remove curses.
Mediumship: This allows contact with the spirit world.
Draba: The ability to create magical items such as charms, potions, and amulets.
The Sight: This ability allows a Gypsy to peer into the past or gaze into the future.

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CREATING A GYPSY

1. Your character will probably either be from one of the five families listed above, or have joined one of those families early in life.

2. Determine the race. If you choose vampire or werewolf, choosing a family is very easy.

3. Figure out how your gypsy spent his/her youth, or childhood if they are still young.

4. Determine which element has touched them. Decide how their birth reading affected them.

5. Determine if they have any allies, and whom that might be.



Information has been converted from "World of Darkness: Gypsies". It has a ton more information so feel free to look it up and read it.

[Head Moderator]

Romani Lexicon
Taken from "World Of Darkness: Gypsies"

Amria - A curse of violent oath

Angustri - A ring, often magical in nature

Baba - A term of respect for an old woman, used before her name -- for example, Baba Ravena

Baro Moy - "big mouth," a gossip

Bater - A term meaning "so be it" used to conclude deals or other arrangements

Baxt - (or baxt, bak) -- "Good Luck." Luck, good and bad, is a very important thing to the Roma (Gypsies). Many items, such as talismans, and situations are considered basht. Someone or something lucky is called bakalo, and similarly, someone happy is baktalo.

Bor - Friend

Bujo (BOO-zho) -- Literally "cloth over the eyes," an elaborate swindle to gain money from a Gaje (non-Gypsy). Often combined with dukkerin (fortune telling) in a way that convinces the poor Gaje the only way he can avoid misfortune is to do what the kind Gypsy suggests ("Give all that cursed money to me so it can be spent....er, I mean burned, to rid you of the bad luck!"). In past centuries, many Gypsies specialized in the art of Bujo, making it their career. This was not because they were malicious or untrustworthy people, but because hard times forced it upon them. And the Gaje are just SO easy to trick!

Chavi (CHA-vee) - a Romani girl

Chavo (CHA-vo) - a Romani boy

Chivani (chee-VAWN-ee) -- The head Phuri Dae (Wise Woman) of a kumpania, such as Baba Ravena.

Choro (CHORE-oh) - a thief

Deltumnimos - Literally, "God's Embrace", a magical potion that expands the abilities of the imbiber's mind

Dhartime - A Gypsy touched by, or "Claimed" by the elelment of earth

Diklo - A heavy scarf often weighted and used as a weapon

Dilo - (DEE-lo) -- a fool or imbecile (a favorite word for the Gaje!)

Dook - The Sight, or magic in general

Draba - Amulets and other items of magical power

Drabarne - Gypsy mages skilled in creating Draba

Drabarni (dra-BAR-nee) - A female Romani herbalist and fortuneteller

Dukkerin - The art of fortune telling or the use of The Sight

Gaje - (GAH-zhe or gah-ZHAY depending on dialect) (or Geyro, Giorgio) (sing. masc. Gajo, sing. fem. Gaji) -- All non-Gypsies, and any person not of Romani heritage. Gypsies are by necessity very insular people, and the Gaje are viewed with suspicion and caution. This is due to centuries of persecution at their hands. To quote the excellent Patrin website: "Since their entry into Europe, the Roma have been outlawed, enslaved, hunted, tortured and murdered." Gaje are viewed as foolish and honorless, and thus it is considered all right to trick, swindle and steal from them when it is necessary -- though these things are only done when they are necessary for survival, not out of habit or to be malicious. It is considered very bad luck to associate with Gaje except in any way except for business. However, we don't overemphasize these prejudices at Faire -- we stick to the positive after all, and Nikolai even has a harmless yet dangerous (when our women catch him) fancy for Gaje women. We ply our trades on them and allow them to believe they have the upper hand. As Rom, though, our characters remember they are something special, touched by destiny in a way no Gaje could ever understand.

Familia - The basic unit of Romani society is the Familia (fa-MEEL-yah). It is made up of an older married couple, their unmarried sons and daughters, their married sons and their wives and children (in most Romani groups a woman joins the familia of her husband when she marries). Individual households within the familia are called Tsera (SAIR-ah), literally "tent".

Giorgio - Another term for a non-Gypsy

Glata (GLAH-ta) - children

Jastima - A Gypsy touched, or "Claimed" by the element of water

Jhanaki - A Gypsy touched, or "Claimed" by the element of air

Joovi (JOO-vee) - woman (in general)

Kumpania - Several vitsi in turn form the Kumpania (koom-pa-NEE-yah), or "Tribe", a loose federation of related vitsi that coexist within a region. The relationship one has to it is mostly a social and political one. The whole kumpania often winters together when times are good and during the rest of the year convenes when necessary, usually for a kris (Romani law court).

Kumpaniyi - Plural of Kumpania

Kuyan - A Gypsy touched, or "Claimed" by the element of fire

Lubni (LOOB-nee) - A tart or wench.

Marhime - (MAH-ree-may) (also Mokadi (mo-KAH-dee)) -- "Unclean and impure in a spiritual way." Ritual cleanliness is of great importance to the Rom, and certain things, creatures and people are believed to be tainted. These include certain animals -- especially cats, rats, foxes (called mokadi jook, "dirty dog"), and to an extent dogs (which are never supposed to enter a vardo or be allowed to lick one's face). Also tainted are blood (especially menstrual blood), water a dog has drank from or a woman has stepped over, and a variety of other items and situations. Some people are also considered mahrime, especially Gaje (and any Rom with a lot of Gaje heritage), Pikies (Gypsies expelled from Romani society forever for their crimes) and Hedgecrawlers (Travelers without Romani blood like the Irish Tinkers). Mulo (ghosts) and faeries are also most mahrime. All these things may sound like mere superstitions, but they have kept the Rom healthier than other peoples throughout history, especially during the Black Plague. The code that regulates what is and is not mahrime is called Romipen, literally "Gypsyness".

Moosh -- man (in general)

Mulo (MOO-lo) (sing. Mulé (moo-LAY)) -- Ghosts -- Rom almost never travel during the noon hour or at night out of respect and fear for these restless spirits of the dead, who like to possess people

Mulo-vi - A medium or an item capable of reaching the world of the dead

Paramitsha - Gypsy fairy-tales

Patteran - A special blood affinity of the Phuri Dae, or an important symbol or other piece of information

Pena - Sister

Phral - (FROLL) -- Literally "brother" in some dialects of Romanes, it means a full-blooded Gypsy, a True Rom -- a very good thing to be. Used as both an adjective and a noun.

Phuri Dae - One of the Gypsy families of power. Also any wise woman or woman with magical powers

Phuro (FOO-roh) (fem. Phuri, pl. Phuri) - A wise and respected elder, used before his or her name

Posta - A sacrifice, usually ritual in nature

Prala - Brother

Prikaza - (pree-KOZ-ah) -- "Bad Luck." Prikaza is the result of coming into contact with mahrime things, creatures or people -- it follows any who are tainted (there are, of course, ways to undo it). Actions that cause prikaza include bringing a dog into a vardo, touching or even coming into contact with a cat, becoming too close to the Gaje and most of all mentioning any and all bodily fluids and functions -- a strict taboo. The color red in its primary, basic shade is also very prikaza -- this shade of red dye almost never appears in Gypsy clothing, and you will never see a vardo painted that color.

Puyuria (poo-YOUR-ee-ah) - "Gaje Gypsy groupies", any Gaje who play at being Rom or are overtly fascinated by the Roma. Generally not considered as bad as most Gaje because of this, as long as they go about it in a respected and informed way.

Rai -- "Sir," a term of great respect usually reserved for great rulers and Phuri

Rani (RAH-nee) -- "Lady," same as Rai.

Rom - A person of Gypsy heritage and 2) specifically married Gypsy man (a married Gypsy woman is a romni). Names for a Rom in other languages include Cygana (Rumeria), Zinti (Doxenia), Zinkari (Bryony), Gyfta (Zyon), Boheme (Madder), Sigoynere (Alzorc).

Roma - (ro-MAH) The name that most Gypsies use for themselves as a race and people. Roma only refer to themselves as Gypsies when around the Gaje.

Satarma - Star. Also a Gypsy touched, or "Claimed" by the element of spirit

Shanglo (SHAN-glow) -- "The Law," any Gaje law officer, be it the Sheriff or a constable.

Shilmulo - A Vampire. One of the "Cold Dead"

Talith - A Romani weapon consisting of a Diklo weighted and barbed along each end, or the art of using one of these weapons

Tsurara - The Knife Tribe of Gypsies. One of the newest, and most radical, families of power

Tumnimos - The Vampiric Embrace

Vardo - (VAHR-doe) (or vurdon) -- The brightly painted and elaborately carved wagon around which Romani life traditionally centers. They serve as both transportation and home. Pulled by one or two horses depending on size, they vary greatly in form and style from place to place.

Ves'tacha (VESS TAH-cha) -- "Beloved ," a term of great affection

Vitsa - Several closely related familii make up the Vitsa (VEET-sah), or "Clan." Vitsi (pl.) vary greatly in size and traditions, but one's connection to the vitsa (literally "vine" in Voivan) is the most important social tie a Rom has. Most traveling vitsi follow a circuit from town to town that may take a year or more to complete, and almost all stop traveling for the winter, whiling away the time by building and repairing vardos, making crafts to sell to the Gaje, etc.

Voivan - The language of the Roma. Voivan has a huge amount of dialects because the Roma have been scattered across the world and often adopt Gaje words into the language.

Wuzho - (WOO-zhoh) "Pure and untainted," the opposite of mahrime. Certain creatures are revered as wuzho, including hedgehogs, horses and all scavengers (who are honored for recycling that which has died), as well as some people, including most Roma.

Zapaderin - A unique, hypnotising Romani dance form.

FAMILY TERMS

Aunt-- Bibio (BEE-bee-oh)
Brother -- Prala (PRAH-lah)
Brother-in-law -- Zhamutro (zha-moo-TRO). Literally "groom."
"Co-parent-in-law" -- Xanamiki (kha-na-MEE-kee). Term for fellow mothers and fathers-in-law.
Cousin (both genders) -- Simensa (see-MEN-suh)
Daughter -- Chikni (CHEEK-nee)
Daughter-in-Law -- Bori (BORE-ee). Literally "bride"
Father -- Dadro (DAH-dro)
Father-in-law -- Sastro (sas-TRO)
Granddaughter -- Chaveske chikni (chav-ESS-kay cheek-NEE)
Grandfather -- Purodad (POOR-uh-dod)
Grandmother -- Puridaia (poor-ee-DIE-uh)
Grandson -- Chaveske chikno (chav-ESS-kay cheek-NO)
Husband -- Rom
Mother -- Dai (DIE)
Mother-in-law -- Sackra (SACK-ruh)
Nephew -- Palesko (pal-ESS-ko)
Niece -- Penyaki (pen-YAWK-ee)
Sister -- Phei (FAY)
Sister-in-Law -- Bori (BORE-ee)
Son -- Chikno (CHEEK-no)
Son-in-law -- Zhamutro (zha-moo-TRO)
Uncle -- Kako (KAH-koh). It is also a respectful form of address for any older man
Wife -- Monisha (ma-NEE-sha). Also, more loosely, girlfriend

NUMBERS

1 - Jek (ZHECK)
2 - Dui (DWEE)
3 - Trin
4 - Shtar
5 - Panj
6 - Shov
7 - Efta
8 - Otor (OH-tor)
9 - Enija (ah-NEE-ja)
10 - Desh

COMMANDS, EXCLAMATIONS & QUESTIONS

Commands & Exclamations:

Av akai (AHV ah-KIE) -- "Come here"
Baksheesh! (bok-SHEESH) -- "Good Fortune!" -- A blessing and toast
'Chavaia (cha-VI-ah) -- "Stop"
Nais Tuke (NICE TOO-kah) -- "Thank you"
Hush kacker! (HOOSH KOK-er) -- "Shut up and listen!"
Misto! (MEESE-toe) -- "Wondrous!" -- An exclamation of joy equivalent to our "Cool!"
Nash avri! (nosh ah-VREE) -- "Go away!"
Sastimos! (sass-TEE-mose) -- "Good Health!" -- Both a greeting and a toast
Shesti! (SHES-tee) -- "Nonsense!"
Te xav ka ta biav (TEE HAVE KAH TAH BEE-ahv) -- "May I eat at your wedding." A great blessing when said a young Gypsy, wishing them the best of luck.
Tshailo Sim! (SHY-lo SIM) -- "I'm stuffed!" -- Said after a good meal with a belch.

Questions:

Ande save vitsa? (AHN-day SAH-vay VEET-sah) -- "In which vitsa (are you)?" Often asked to strange Rom
Chindilan? (chin-DEE-lan) -- "Are you tired?"
Kon? -- "Who?"
Ov yilo isi? (OHV YEE-lo EE-see) -- "Is this all right?"
Si'n Rom? (SEEN ROM) -- "Are you Rom?"
Si tut bocklo? (SEE TOOT bock-LO) -- "Are you hungry?"
Soske? (SOSS-kay) -- "Why?"

Greetings:

1st Rom -- Devlesa avilan (dev-LAY-sah AH-veel-an) -- "It is God who brought you".
2nd Rom -- Devlesa araklam tume (dev-LAY-sah ahr-AHK-lam TOO-may) -- "It is with God that I found you".

Also, 1st Rom -- Droboy tume Romale! (DRO-boy TOO-may ro-MAH-lay) -- "It is good to see you, Rom."
2nd Rom -- Nais Tuke (NICE TOO-kah) -- "Thank you."

Sar'shan? (sar'SHAWN) -- "How are you?" -- The most common greeting between related Rom.

Farewells:

Latcho Drom (LAH-cho DROM) -- "Good Journey", the traditional Romany farewell.

MISCELLANEOUS USEFUL WORDS

Opposites:
adoi (ah-DOY) -- there | akai (ah-KIE) -- here
baro (BAH-ro) -- big | bitti (BEET-ee) -- small
latcho (LAH-cho) -- good | narkri (nar-KREE) -- bad

Things & Places:
chakano (cha-KAH-no) (pl. chere (CHAIR-ay)) -- star
churi (CHOOR-ee) -- knife
dijilia (dee-JEEL-ee-ah)(sing. dijili (dee-JEEL-ee)) -- songs
drom -- road
foros (FOR-oss) -- fair or market
galbé (GALL-bay) -- The gold coin necklace, a traditional part of Romani garb
habben (HOBB-en) -- food
kishti (KISH-tee) -- belt/sash
lavuta (la-VOO-ta) -- fiddle (which the Rom introduced to Europe, by the way)
lové (LOW-vay) -- money
paramitsha (pah-rah-MEET-sha) -- Romani fairy tales
patrin (PAT-treen) -- Romani trail signs, used to inform other Rom about an area
sumadji (soo-MOD-jee) -- Fairly heirlooms, the only items not burned with a Rom's body and his/her vardo after death. Galbé, darro (a woman's dowry) and jewelry are a few examples of sumadji

Miscellaneous:
amria (am-REE-ah) -- A curse or oath
chor -- to steal choribé (cha-REE-bay) -- thievery
dhon -- very much
didlo (DEED-loh) -- crazy
dinili (dee-NEEL-ee) -- silly, stupid, foolish
divano (dee-VAWN-oh) -- A meeting or other important gathering
Dook -- The Sight (ability to see the future) and magick in general. To dukker is to tell fortunes
dosta (DOST-ah) -- enough
gras -- horse
lolo -- red
lovoro (low-VOR-oh) -- Ceremonial division of cash earned by a vitsa
patshiv (PAT-sheeve) -- A Gypsy celebration
rinkini (rin-KEE-nee) -- beautiful
Romaniya (ro-mah-NEE-yah) -- Gypsy laws and traditions, the Romani legal code
tarno (TAR-no) -- young
tatcho (TATCH-oh) -- real, true -- often asked as a question

GYPSY SAYINGS

Its like a kiss, good for nothing until it is divided by two.

You cannot walk straight when the road is bent.

If you cannot give bread give a good word.

What’s the point in having a lot of money; if you are alone, you have nothing.

If there are no children, there is no luck.

Time teaches more than books.

Bury me on my feet; I have spent my entire life on my knees.

Behind bad luck comes good luck.

Jal te booty - go to work

Akana mukav tut le Devlesa - "I leave you to the gods" (Said at a funeral)

Ando gav bi zhuklesko jal o pavori bi destesko - "In the village without dogs, the farmers walk without sticks."

Baxt hai sastimos tiri patrag - "I wish you luck and good health."

Bi kashtesko merel i yag - "Without wood, the fire will die."

Devlesa araklam tume - "The gods helped us find you."

Droboy tume Romale - traditional greeting, response is "Nais tuke"

Gaje Gajensa, Rom Romensa - Gaje with gaje, rom with rom.

Mashkar le gadjende leski shib si le Romeski zor - Surrounded by gaje, the Rom's only defense is his tongue.

Me som (name) - I am (name)

O ushalin zhala sar o kam mangela - The shadows move as the sun commands.

Pachiv tumenge Romale - "This song is offered as a gift to worthy men."

Putrav lesko drom angle leste te na inkrav les mai but palpale mura brigasa - I open his way in the new life again and release him from the fetters of my sorrow. (Ritual saying to mark the end of mourning for someone).

Si khohaimo may pachivalo sar o chachimo - "there are lies more believable than truth."

Te avel angla tute, kodo khabe tai kado pimo tai menge pe sastimaste - "May this food be before you, and in your memory, and may it profit us in good health and in good spirit." (food blessing)

Te bisterdon tumare anava - "May your names be forgotten." (a gypsy curse)

Te merav. - "May I die." (an oath, such as "May I die, I will kill that bastard."

Te shordjol muri godji sar shordjol kadi bera... - May my brains flow out the way this beer flows out if ...

[Head Moderator]

GYPSY LORE
Knowledge: Romani Lore

If you are a non-gypsy, rolling a Knowledge check for Romani Lore, use the d20 roll listing to figure out what you know.

If you are a gypsy, then your Intelligence trait points determines what you know. It is listed beneath the d20 roll. This is not strict, there is some information listed that most gypsies would know, or perhaps your particular family has taught you, gypsy blooded are allowed to know as much or as little as you desire.

1d20 = 6-8
INT 1

-You are familiar with the Romani people (also called the Rom, Rroma, Gypsies, Travellers, depending on the region and/or precise group.

-You are aware that the Romani have often been historically perceived as being nomadic, and that this is partially due to the refusal of many regions to allow them to permanently settle there. You know that some Romani are actually a settled people, although most travel.

-You know that the Romani have been historically persecuted by numerous nations and religious groups, and that antiziganism is still a problem in many parts of the world today with large Rom populations. You know that Romani are often stereotyped as thieves, con-men, kidnappers and tramps.

1d20 = 8-10
INT 2

-You know that there is often a romanticized portrayal of Romani as having magical powers, or prophetic capacity.

-You are familiar with the idea of Romanipen, a hard to translate concept held by the Romani which encompasses the idea of adherence to Romani social mores, participation in Romani culture and Romani identity. You are aware that people who are ethnically Romani can be considered to not have Romanipen if they abandon their heritage, and that in rare cases, non-Romani (usually those who are adopted and raised by Romani parents) can be considered to possess it.

-You know that the Romani have a number of deep engrained cultural traditions relating to purity (wuzho) and impurity (marhime) and ritual cleanliness is very important.

-You have enough knowledge to scrape by in terms of etiquette around Romani. You know that bodily fluids, menstruation, genitalia, childbirth, the lower half of the body, separate parts of the body (nail clippings or hair) and dead bodies are considered marhime. You are aware that touching an unrelated woman's skirt or an unrelated girl's dolls are considered an affront. You know that garments for the lower body must be washed separately from those for the upper body, and that clothing must always be washed separately from dishes and eating utensils.

-You know that there are some Romani that use arranged child marriages or marriage by abduction, which are increasingly frowned upon.

1d20 = 11-13
INT 3

-You are familiar with the tradition of the kris, in which Romani hold communal judgment over one another by gathering together and electing five to eleven krisatora (judges) to oversee their dispute. Once judgment is passed, a guilty party may be expected to pay a fine, or may be temporarily declared marhime. In extreme cases, a Romani may be declared marhime permanently, thus exiling them from Romani culture.

-You have heard the story of Daenna, who is claimed by some groups as the legendary mother of all Romani people. You have heard how she is said to have married Dracian, a man of sorcerous means who crafted for her a tree of knowledge. It is said that she partook of the tree's fruit and gained eternal wisdom from it, which has forever been passed down her bloodline. You have also heard tell of Daenna's brother Sarrath, who opposed her wedding and vowed to wander with her forever when she left her parents' house, and of Amriat, the king who slew Dracian in pursuit of his tree.

-You have heard that some consider that a great deal of the persecution faced by the Romani has been a result of their gift gotten through Daenna's blood, which leads giorgio (non-gypsies) to sense a feeling of "otherness" or prikaza (bad luck) when they encounter them.

1d20 = 14-16
INT 4

-You are familiar with the five major bloodlines of Romani (sometimes called the "Children of Daenna") who trace their lineage to the Daenna. These are: The Ravnos, who are often accused of having ties to undying spirits or to be carriers of vampirism in the countries where such legends exist; The Lupines, who are often traveling performers or carnival workers and who have often been branded as shape-shifters or werewolves; The Urmen, whose myths often claim outlandish ties to the 'fair folk' (fey); The Phuri Dae; who are renowned as mystics and possessors of "the Sight" or other folk-magics; and the Tsurara (The Knife Tribe) who have a violent hatred of the Ravnos family and seek to hunt out the otherworldly when possible.

-You are familiar with the idea of the "King of the Gypsies," a position which has been claimed by numerous Romani throughout history. You know that precisely what it entailed varied from region to region, and that in some cases it was nothing more than a post of public relations, which had the "king" take responsibility for dealing with the giorgio.

-You know that the Children of Daenna hold close to the idea that the world is split into five classical elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and feel that there is a correspondence between these elements and the five bloodlines. You also know that these groups hold that each Romani child has an affinity with one of these elements and that birth readings are often performed to determine how to appropriately raise a child in tune with their element.

-You have heard that the Children of Daenna sometimes have young Romani go on "tours" of the other tribes, to learn about different traditions and ideas.

-You are familiar with some of the major cultural instances of antiziganism. You are aware that ethnic Romani were used for slave labor in many kingdoms. You also know about some of the numerous edicts exiling Romani from regions and know that many rulers made it legal at various points in time for Romani to be murdered by non-Romani without provocation. Some kingdoms even have "camps" where gypsies are attempted to be taught to "settle down".

1d20 = 17-19
INT 5

-You have heard the tale stating that a Romani boy for his kindness to one of the Six Gods, that he and his people would forever be forgiven should they steal.

-You have heard stories that say that Dracian, the husband of Daenna numbered amongst the undying - or shilmulo, and that Sarrath, her brother, was in reality a werewolf. You have also heard that Dracian's tree was said to be able to cure a shilmulo (vampire) of their thirst for blood, and that it was for this reason that Amriat (another of the cursed dead) destroyed him.

-You are aware that some of the hearsay surrounding the Ravnos and the Lupines bears actual truth, and that there are, in fact shilmulo amongst the Ravnos and shape-shifters amongst the Lupines.

-You have heard that there is an ongoing pact between the shilmulo and the Romani such as that neither will harm another. You know that this myth has its roots in the story of Jorsca and Lareth, a Romani boy and a shimulo who attempted to eat him. It is said that Jorsca kept Lareth awake all night with his tricks, and that he then saved the vampire from death by hiding him in his wagon when the sun began to burn him. Because of this, it is said that Lareth and his people made a pact never to again hunt the people of Jorsca. You know, however, that most people who deal with the shilmulo don't put much stock in this folktale, and that it is probably best to err on the side of caution.

-You have heard that Daenna put five seeds from the fruit of Dracian's tree into a locket and gave it to her great-granddaughter Evania and her descendants to protect. The five seeds are: Kooseren, the Seed of Earthly Awakening, which reveals to its bearer the simple truth of things; Jalomasin, the Seed of Stars, which enables its bearer to have no limit to their memory and capacity to learn; Ruzlekin, the Seed of Burning Tears, which allows its bearer to fly into a berserker-like rage; Eivalen, the Seed of Brightest Waters, which grants its bearer true knowledge of themselves; and Bonnerin, the Seed of the Balanced scale, which reveals to its bearer the true value of things.

-You know that the five major families of the Children of Daenna claim to each represent one of the five seeds. You know that the Ravnos are traditionally associated with Kooseren, the Lupines are traditionally associated with Ruzlekin, the Urmen are traditionally associated with Jalomasin, the Phuri Dae are traditionally associated with either Eivalen or Bonnerin, and the Tsurara are associated with either Bonnerin or (as they claim) all five seeds.

1d20 = 20-22
INT 6

-You know that the Ravnos Romani claim that Daenna returned to the city after Amriat drove her from it, and that she found a stone amongst the ashes of Dracian which was still coated in his blood. According to this story, Daenna found a man named Ravnos among her kin, and placed the stone in his mouth before stabbing him in the heart. The blood of Dracian was said to be so potent, that Ravnos re-arose as a shilmulo himself, and that he and his family forever after had ties to the undying.

-You know that some Lupine Romani hold that Daenna was incestuously involved with her brother Sarrath, leading to their lineage being "double-blooded." Their legends state that the sibling-couple had twin sons, Abram and Zarrin, and that they took wolf-maidens as lovers and later traveled to the Thanes Desert where they contrived to steal the beard of one of the great kings. Some claim that the Lupines are the descendants of these boys, and that this is why so many of them are alleged to gain the power to shift shape.

-You know that some Urmen make claims that their progenitor, a man named Dmitri, disappeared for nine months as a youth after wrapping himself in a golden thread from Daenna's shawl, and that he later re-emerged with nine children.

-You know that the Urmen currently are split into three major groups (although they previously are said to have claimed nine) and that these are: the Baroshkin, who currently travel in Rumeria; the Urme, who currently travel in Kyngfeld; and the Pestrella, who numbered only about fifty or so and have apparently disappeared into the mountainous regions of Sarkotos.

-You know that the Tsurara are a relatively new addition to the group of Romani who consider themselves to be Daenna descended, and that they were first brought together by a man named Korasca, who was disgusted at his discovery of a shilmulo who had received the Embrace and lost her Romani blood in an attempt to escape death in one of the camps. You are aware that the Tsurara are exceptionally xenophobic, and see any who intermarry with the giorgio as racial traitors.

-You are aware that the Romani which settled in Rumeria were major contributors to the region's musical and theatrical conditions, and that they faced relatively less persecution than they did in other areas. You know these Romani traditionally travelled as entertainers for most of the year and then spent the winter housing with Rumerian serfs.

-You have heard that some adhering to the myth of Daenna believe that there shall be an event known as "The Convergence" and it is at this time that the five seeds will be planted to give birth to a new world tree, changing creation as we know it. People who believe in this sort of end times scenario often hold that the Romani shall be instrumental in deciding what the new world will be like.

1d20 = 23-25
INT 7

-You have heard some claim that Daenna's blood gives its children unique powers. You have heard tell of the mysterious Dance of Knives, which is said to allow its practitioners to move with extra-human speed and grace in combat. You have also heard tell of the Zapaderin, another dance which is said to be able to mesmerize all who look upon it, and of the arts of fortune-telling, casting the Evil Eye and crafting draba (talismans), which apparently all give credence to folk-stories telling of "Gypsy-Magic." You also have heard that some Romani feel that their blood simply allows them to "know" things, and that as a result they are seldom taken by surprise, and that still others claim that they are able to talk to the restless dead.

-You know that the Children of Daenna are split on the issue of which bloodlines represent which elemental forces, and that there are two schools of thought on this. You know that some hold that all five of the bloodlines have elemental ties, with the Phuri Dae or the Tsurara being the element of spirit, whilst others hold that only four do, and that the Tsurara or marhime and outside the cosmological order.

-You know that the the traditional means of performing a birth reading, and what each birth element means. Earth-touched Romani (Dhartime) are said to often be craftsmen, laborers and pillars of family and community. Air-touched Romani (Jhanaki) are said to be socially adept and skilled at interactions with the giorgio. Fire-touched Romani (Kuyan) are traditionally skilled at combat. Water-touched Romani (Jastima) are often characterized as being very graceful and poised, an are said to be incredibly beautiful dancers. Spirit-touched Romani (Satamara), which are very rare, are said to be capable of the Sight and to have a genuine skill with magic.

-You have heard of some of the draba that Romani mystics are said to have been able to create. You know that in addition to being able to actually produce love potions, healing balms, and wards of protection, a skilled drabane may also make diklo (headscarves) that can add a glamor to those who wear them, charms, feathered necklaces that can let their wearer speak to their loved ones from afar, or veils which allow those gazing through them to see the world as it truly is.

-You have at least heard, in passing, of some fairly famous Romani such as: Black Ellen, a famously skilled teller of stories, Grigoras Dinicu, a famous bard, Ceija Stokja, a well known writer and artist.

1d20 = 26-28
INT 8

-You know that shape-shifters and shilmulo descended from the Romani lose any powers that Daenna's blood might have granted them once they are transformed. You have heard, however, that the shilmulo can recapture the lost powers of their heritage by drinking the blood of their relatives, and that many of the mortals in the Ravnos bloodline often are abused to sate this desire.

-You are aware that the shilmulo in the myth of Jorsca and Lareth was a member of a specific bloodline of the cursed dead (called, by some accounts, the Gangrel), and that many of the other vampires a Romani may encounter will not hesitate to prey upon them.

-You know how to identify the seeds of knowledge, and know that they are all said to be a dark nutty brown, with silver veins tracing their shells in the shapes of pentagrams. The "Children of Daenna" claim these pentacles represent the five elements of their cosmology.

-You have heard that only one possessing the blood of Daenna can truly possess one of the five seeds without falling into ruin or madness. You have heard that if one of the giorgio possesses one, the following ills shall befall them: If they possess Kooseren, they shall become engulfed in lies and fantasies; if they possess Jalomasin, they shall not be able to end any task they set out upon, until they suffer physical collapse or death; if they possess Ruzlekin, their sense of justice shall be perverted, and they shall take out their anger on those which seem most convenient; if they possess Eivalen, they shall be swallowed up by their ego and pride; and if they possess Bonnerin, they shall succumb to a frenzy of avarice.

-You have heard that some Urmen believe that it is their purpose to increase the amount of mana (magic) in the world, such as that they might restore the Fae to their place in the world, an event they feel is necessary to hearken in the Convergence.

-You have heard that some claim that the Phuri Dae Romani had an impact on the writings popular fiction through history, and that they used such authors to attempt to spread a less static view of "reality" to the giorgio.

1d20 = 29-30
INT 9

-You have heard a rumor that the Tsurara are attempting to find and slaughter the five Guardians of the seeds, such as that they might possess them all.

-You hear that the Tsurara have found a means to sense shilmulo and other beings they consider marhime.

-You know that the Tsurara believe that "traitors" to their purpose can only be made pure again through a ritual punishment known as the "Cleansing", in which the marhime victim is hoisted spread-eagle over a fire and made to bleed out from his wrists, throat and groin.

-You have heard legends dealing with the idea of the Convergence. You have heard the story of Alako, who lives in the moon and who will allow his people to walk between heaven and earth when the tree is planted. You have also heard stories among the Urmen which claim that when a new tree bears fruit, the first bite of this fruit shall take its taster to the realm of the faerie, the second to the realm of the dead, and the third to a rebirth into the real world.

-You have heard it said that several Romani may make a symbolic oath together to call up a deeper power as relates to such arts as the Dance of Knives, the Zapaderin or Romani magic. You have heard a tale of five Romani on the run from violent Zorcans, who all consecrated the dinner knife of their relative Korbin with their blood, allowing him to dance a Dance of Knives so gracefully, that he slew twenty Zorcans through its enactment. (At the same time, you know that the idea of shedding a bodily fluid on an object is extremely marhime, and that many Romani would be reluctant to do such a thing. (It's a near guarantee that Korbin didn't eat with that knife.)

1d20 = 31+
INT 10+

-You have heard of some of the rare draba that are said to have been crafted. These include Mule-vi (or ghost lenses) which enable the user to see ghosts, enchanted needles that allow the bearer to walk through the realms of spirits and weapons that serve to channel some of the potency of the lycanthropes.

-You've heard of some of the fairly obscure Romani of note, such as: Black Ellen, a famously skilled teller of stories; Peddlequick, an infamous Urme drabane; and Seth Black, a young Phuri Dae bard adopted by the giorgio.

-You have heard of the Ninth Wave, the army of the fae that some few Urmen believe will descend upon the earth at the time of the Convergence.

-You know that it is said by some that the mysterious Bryonish group called the Incanterium stole their arts of Mediumship from the Romani people, or otherwise had the art of talking to the dead transmitted to them by gypsies.

-You have heard it said that there is a mysterious group amongst the shilmulo that know of the five seeds and their power, and that they are known as the Inconnu.

[ARealRomani]

This is some of the most racist BS I have ever seen. You butcher pieces of our culture and known sterotypes about our people to play your little game. Your statements are discusting. REAL world Romani keep our hunor and good nature and free spirit despite the atrocities we face every day. Our culture is a costume for you colonizers to parade around in!

[ARealRomani]

This is some of the most racist BS I have ever seen. You butcher pieces of our culture and known sterotypes about our people to play your little game. Your statements are discusting. REAL world Romani keep our humor and good nature and free spirit despite the atrocities we face every day. Our culture is NOT a costume for you colonizers to parade around in!

[Rom]

This is beyond racist what are y'all whites even on? 😭 Who teached y'all all these lies? Mayo demons really out here playing as a whole ethnic group to feel exotic ☠️ get your own culture, snow roach.