Gypsy, in the old tongue of the Romany, means Wanderer. Having chosen long ago
to put their people before material possessions, they value family above all.

The life of a Gypsy is not easy. Being a free and wild people, their beliefs
and customs are often misunderstood by outsiders (known to the Gypsy people as
“gadje”). Because of this, the Romany people are often wrongfully blamed for
absurd crimes such as stealing babies, engaging in evil rituals, or employing
ancient curses. Years of being ostracized and persecuted have caused many
gypsies to adopt a Dark view of the gadje, often treating them with suspicion
approaching paranoia.

Within the family itself, however, the Romany people are full of love and Light.
Being wanderers at heart, many Gypsy traditions are passed down orally, in story
and in song, and indeed, life at the fires is often full of laughter and tears
as the old tales are told and re-told, and as recent history is immortalized in
the classic Gypsy fashion.

Gypsies understand more than anyone that life is short and often brutal, and it
is this wisdom that gives them the courage to laugh in the face of death, to
turn bitter tragedy into sweet song, and to fight when the battle seems lost.
Unfortunately, it is this very strength that often draws leeches, called Lehitor
in the old Romany tongue, to feed on the life force that runs so hot, and Gypsy
often finds itself the target of vampires and other undead monstrosities, whom
they shun and despise.

In the end, regardless of threats or what calamaties may befall them, there is
no heart so strong, no spirit so true, as that of a Gypsy born.