Perunans

Perunans is a name used in folklore-inspired writing and fantasy contexts to refer to a hypothetical people affiliated with the Slavic thunder god Perun. The term is not drawn from a single historical source and there is no universally accepted ethnography.

Etymology: The name derives from Perun and the common ethnonym suffix -ans, mirroring terms such as Athenians. In different works, the Perunans are thus presented as inhabitants or adherents associated with the deity.

In mythic and fantasy settings, Perunans are often described as forest- or highland-dwelling communities with a strong martial reputation. Their belief system centers on Perun as a sky and thunder deity, with seasonal rites, offerings to lightning, and communal feasts.

Social organization varies by author but commonly features clan-based leadership, with a council or chieftain, along with crafts such as metalwork or woodworking. Some depictions emphasize raiding or alliance-building rather than centralized state control.

Language and literacy are also variable; some authors give the Perunans a distinct language or dialect, often using Slavic-inspired elements, while others use a wholly invented tongue. The portrayal of daily life is shaped by the setting and genre.

In contemporary media and fiction, the Perunans appear in fantasy novels, role-playing games, video games, and fan works as a mythic people that embodies thunder, wilderness, and ancestral memory.