A suggestion to avoid a potential debate about the origin of Rurik. There are plenty of theories out there, both Normanist and anti-Normanist. Even within the Normanist camp, there are different opinions, some stating that Rurik was a Swede, some identifying him with Rorik of Dorestad. The name is believed to be a derivative of Roderick (check Wiki for other variants). Yet it does have equivalents in the Slavic world (settlement of Rerik, near Rostock, to be one example), which is not suprising. Many Slavic names have Germanic equivalents, our histories are too closely connected.
Then, of course, there is a debate about the origins of the word Rus. We've got the theories about Scandinavian, Germanic, Finnish, Baltic, Slavic, Sarmatic and Armenian origins. Take your pick. The debate goes on, although, for the most part, it's participants have their minds made up (read: they disagree).
The suggestion is simple then: start Rurik and his followers with Russian culture (anybody can read anything they would like into that). Have him rule over Slavic/Finno-Ugric tribes, not Russian tribes. Call it Russian or Rusin or Rus, none would care and everyone would read Russian in a way that is most acceptable to him.
On the same note, have Russian be a culture similar to English and have Rurik's culture as Rus/Rusin. Thus, a combination of Slavic/Finno-Ugric with Rusin would produce Russian culture.
Then, of course, there is a debate about the origins of the word Rus. We've got the theories about Scandinavian, Germanic, Finnish, Baltic, Slavic, Sarmatic and Armenian origins. Take your pick. The debate goes on, although, for the most part, it's participants have their minds made up (read: they disagree).
The suggestion is simple then: start Rurik and his followers with Russian culture (anybody can read anything they would like into that). Have him rule over Slavic/Finno-Ugric tribes, not Russian tribes. Call it Russian or Rusin or Rus, none would care and everyone would read Russian in a way that is most acceptable to him.
On the same note, have Russian be a culture similar to English and have Rurik's culture as Rus/Rusin. Thus, a combination of Slavic/Finno-Ugric with Rusin would produce Russian culture.