At the time Dick Brown arrived in Exura (‘Stones in the Sea’), proto-Ildin and proto-Muram populations dwelt in fairly close proximity in the mountainous areas of the mainland north of the Isle of Nagi. Before the two populations split and migrated their separate ways, there was a certain amount of cultural and genetic exchange between them. Indeed, some numbers of Ildin (then known as Heldu) traveled north with the Mur and became incorporated into their population.
All these peoples were already mixed, first when they arrived on Nagi and then later as they encountered other populations. I have given the Ildin something of an Indo-Iranian heritage, but combined with earlier Proto-Indo-European peoples and even back to the Mal'ta-Buret culture. There would certainly have been more influences as other populations dribbled into Exura from our world, most commonly only a few — or one — at a time.
The Mur have a somewhat similar past but a larger percentage of more modern additions to their heritage, including Hunnic peoples. I have attempted to reflect these differences in their respective cultures and languages.
The name Mur simply means ‘man’ but takes on the connotation of warrior or noble, in time. This is obviously derived from Indo-European examples. They themselves had a more ‘Asian’ appearance than their neighbors, reflecting Hunnic, Turkic, and other Central Asian and Siberian ancestors. At the time they lived in proximity to the Heldu, they did not yet have the horse but did raise cattle and traveled in ox-drawn carts. Their migrations took them north toward the Great Rift and then eastward through the cold steppes north of the Tesran Unum. Eventually they turned south along the coasts of the Great Sea to displace the Tesran power.
Then some took to the sea, carving out an empire across the ocean. In doing so, the Mur of that western-based empire became increasingly sundered from those of the ‘Old Kingdoms,’ mixing with (and conquering) Sharshites and others. That’s a topic for another time and essay.
I do not use any specific culture to model them (nor the Ildin), but simply borrow some ideas from our past. One given when it comes to the inhabitants of Exura is that they are not in any sense of ‘pure’ stock. Not that we are either, of course! I create new customs and ways, as needed, attempting to remain true to my conception of who they are.
