Laochran
The men of the mountains, colloquially known as the Peakfolk to the lowland people of the Peninsula, inhabit most of the mountains and highlands in the north and central parts of Landsend Peninsula, which is known to them as Iosal. To the Imperials, they were known as Keltoi, and that name has stuck for many in scholarly fields. In their own tongue, they call themselves The Laochran - The War People.
The Laochran were once proud and powerful masters of much of the northern parts of the Peninsula, but have gradually lost ground to lowland Kings and Lords. They now live in the Mountains to the North - at constant threat from the wilderness beyond, or in the Mountains bordered by the Dwarven Realm of Karzok Zortemar - where they rely on positive relations with the lowland nations to continue to thrive.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Anna, Bride, Deirdre, Fionnaghal, Gormall, Iseabal, Morag, Moire, Sineag
Masculine names
Aodh, Cormac, Conall, Daidh, Eoin, Fearghas, Greum, Iain, Lachlann, Muireach, Niall,
Family names
Most Laochran are identified via the parent. If Cormac was the son of Aodh, he might be known as Cormac Aodhan or Cormac Aodhach.
Clans are generally named for the founder of that clan, with clan Chieftain's lines taking a proper surname closer in style to lowland family names, which are also derived from the founder of the clan. In the case of Clan Mathanach, the chieftain's family take the surname Mathanach, while in the case of the Graegorach clan, they use the surname Graegor. Examples of Clan names: Mathanach, Graegorach, Callach, Branaich, Osraigan
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The main language of the Peakfolk is called Laochran Caint, though many also speak the Common Tongue.
In the Laochran language, there are three dialects spoken on the Peninsula. The first is spoken by the clans of the Westerwards; the second by those of the Eastpeaks and Inner Wardens; the third is spoken by the Peakfolk who inhabit the Littlewards in the central part of Iosal.
Shared customary codes and values
Strength is the most valued quality among all Laochran, though it manifests in different forms. In men, worth is derived from a strong arm and heart. In women worth stems from a sharp mind and unyielding spirit. Aside from this, they place value on honesty, and keeping one's word. Wealth carries more symbolic value, than actual, as it is more of a representation of the capability of the one who is wealthy and their ability to protect the clan or support a family.
Among the Laochran, it is an achievement to be known as someone who does not hesitate to give their oath, and has the strength to fulfill it.
Common Etiquette rules
When Laochran greet eachother, a clasp of the forearm or handshake is the most common form of greeting. Women often greet eachother with an embrace, or a quick curtsy for acquaintances or people of status.
When meeting their Chieftain, Laochran are expected to show respect through bowing. The depth of the bow is often symbolic of difference in social rank, with a shallow bow being either a sign of disrespect, or that the one bowing is close in status to the Chieftain. When it comes to Keltoi from different clans, as well as non-Laochran, this is rarely expected and is considered more of a diplomatic move, with any measure of bow considered a sign of respect. This is because most chieftains are considered figures of authority within their own people only, not of the Keltoi as a whole. The exception to this is when Chieftains interact with eachother, where they are expected to show eachother equal respect regardless of difference in power.
Common Dress code
Among the Peakfolk, men can most often be found wearing kilts, decorated in the colours of their clan. Simple shirts are a common sight, though it is not unknown for Keltoi men to wear only a great kilt. It can be slung around the shoulders for extra warmth. They do sometimes wear trousers in the style of lowlanders, especially for relaxing, but most prefer the kilt when in battle or hunting.
Women of the clans can often be found wearing simple dresses, thick and layered for warmth and protection from the wind.
Most Keltoi clothes are made from wool, hide or leather, but those with the means to, obtain linen from the lowlands.
Brooches are a common sight among the clans, with the most decorative pieces belonging to Chieftains or their kin. They are usually made of metal, be it silver, gold, iron or something else. Ornaments like gemstones are also often present, especially on the brooch of a powerful clansman.
Art & Architecture
Architecture among the Laochran varies. In the more remote clans, many families live in caves which have been developed to a more homely standard. Clans considered more 'civilised' by lowlanders are known to build extravagant homes and halls from wood and stone.
Art in the Keltoi takes a number of forms. All Keltoi are pieces of art when they go to battle, through their tradition of painting themselves beforehand. The paintwork can vary from simple patterns to highly complex ones depending on the feats of the warrior wearing it. Female Keltoi are known to partake in embroidery and crochet with wool from their sheep, which serves not only as a pastime and hobby, but also a source of income. Tapestries are a common sight in the homes of Chieftains, often being made by the women of their clan, or sometimes given by another chieftain as a gift. Woodcarving is popular among men, though not often done by women. This is in part because of the perceived 'roughness' of the activity, as well as it most often being done to keep the hands moving when watching over the flock or herd, or otherwise spending a night out in the cold. With male Keltoi usually carrying out this duty, it has become routine for many clansmen to bring home a carving in the wake of a night away from home.
Music among the Keltoi is produced on bagpipes, made of animal skins and wood. They are often accompanied by drums to produce skirls underlined with powerful beats. Most tunes are upbeat, footstomping affairs, while somber songs are usually performed without music.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Keltoi hosts offer their guests a goblet of water when entering the home. It is expected of guests that they drink from the goblet with both hands, otherwise risk offending their host. This is done to show the host that you trust they will not poison you, as well as to show that you carry no weapons in your hands.
Keltoi leave a small piece of their meal untouched, which is given as offering to the spirits of the hearth and home by throwing it into the fire. They will also set aside a part of the food from the evening to be left outside for the spirits outside their home. This tradition extends to many parts of Keltoi life, a little bit of everything usually being set aside for the spirits.
Aside from offerings to the spirits, Keltoi often thank the spirits for their gifts. When chopping down a tree, one would thank the spirit of the tree for its sacrifice, or when killing a creature give thanks to the spirit that inhabited it. This also extends to thanking the spirits for good weather, or calm waters. It is also believed by most Keltoi that their weapons are inhabited by spirits, each weapon having a unique spirit within it. They believe, in accordance with this, that powerful weapons are inhabited by powerful spirits.
In order to protect their homes from mad spirits, curses, and magic, Keltoi often adorn above their doors with pieces of iron. They leave certain herbs on windowsills and on thresholds for the same reason.
Skinpainting is a deepset tradition among the Keltoi. The Imperials knew the Keltoi as 'Pretan', meaning Painted Ones. This name came from the blue paint that Keltoi decorate themselves with on a number of occasions. The blue dye is procured and applied by the Druids to Keltoi warriors in preparation for battle or other times of hardship, as in the case where women are painted in preparation for giving birth. The paint itself is believed to imbue the wearer with power derived from the spirits, while some of the herbs used in making the paint do contain nerve numbing agents which make the Keltoi resistant to pain. The patterns used display the feats of the warrior they decorate, which will further draw the attention of the spirits to protect them, as well as put fear into their enemies as they read the great deeds of their foes. This also means that young warriors wear rather plain paint, while the most grizzled and veteran Keltoi may spend hours being prepared.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
If a Druid is available when the mother goes into labour, they will apply the warpaint of the Keltoi to her - for most women, this is the only time they wear the paint. This spiritually strengthens the body of the Mother, while medically numbing some of the pain of childbirth. This is considered especially important when the Mother is giving birth to twins or more, not only because of the difficulty of such births, but also because in such situations it is expected that one of the children be given to the Druids.
When a difficult birth is anticipated and the mother to be is the wife of a Chieftain or similar status, often they are taken by the Druids to give birth in one of their secret places, where they can be cared for by the Druids, but also be closer to the spirits that will aid them.
When the mother goes into labour any knots, belts or ties in the mother’s clothing are untied. All onlookers are instructed not to sit with crossed legs or arms, and all doors and windows must be unlocked. All of this is to help the baby find its way into the world, by removing things that might cause a conflicted atmosphere. And to ensure the baby’s soul remains free, all mirrors are covered up, and all bottles left open. If a Druid is present, they make a potion of Rowan berries for the mother, to repel bad spirits.
After the birth, the child is adorned with a chain of daisies. This is believed to help tie the spirit of the child to their new body.
Keltoi children are always named by the Father, and will remain without a name until their Father is available, or it is known that they will never be available. This means that in times of war especially, many Keltoi children go unnamed for months until their father returns from battle - if the Father does not return, the responsibility of naming is left to the Clan Chief.
Coming of Age Rites
It is said by some lowlanders that Keltoi must hunt and kill a bear with their bare hands before they are considered adults. More reliable knowledge suggests that Keltoi boys are considered men when they have learned how to do all the things expected of them, which includes being able to fight, herd, hunt, and all the other activities . When a boy has proven he is capable to do all these things on his own, he may wed and begin his own family. This proof often comes in the form of weeks away from the clan, where they must survive and show their self sufficiency. It is believed that to succeed in this, one must call upon the spirits in some capacity, and that if a boy does not return, it is because he offended or upset the spirits, and was not worthy of their aid.
Sometimes girls also take part, but it is not expected of them. Their coming of age ritual is most often quite simple, with the coming of the moonblood.
Funerary and Memorial customs
There are three funerary practices among the Keltoi. In the first, more common method, Keltoi are buried in unmarked graves in the wilderness of the mountains. It is believed that the location of such a grave should be remembered and passed down to one's children, and grandchildren, in order to remember them, and in turn be remembered by the spirit of the deceased, as they move to their next form in the circle of life. However, when such a location is forgotten, it is the only way the spirit of the deceased can truly move on to the next stage of their existence. Thus, it often comes down to the nature of the life lived on whether the location is remembered.
In the second practice, reserved for Druids, Keltoi dead are carried out by their people onto the mountaintops to be taken by the spirits and the earth. In this way the dead serve as offerings, as well as nourishment for the land and the spirits. Giving the dead to the spirits like this is also believed to enable the spirit of a druid to choose their next form, or to take no form at all.
The third practice is reserved for clan Chieftains. It is believed that the spirit of a chief must be maintained, so that it can be turned to for strength and wisdom by successive chieftains, and also by the druids. This means it should be prevented from taking a new form, and so the Keltoi make use of a location not unlike a crypt. Each clan and line of chieftains has a cave, the location of which is known only to few. The entryways are protected by charms woven by Druids, and typically also physically with a boulder or something similar. Within, stone slabs are carved into the stone, upon which the body of a Chieftain is lain. Their name is carved at the foot of the stone.
Historical figures
Angus Eochaid Graegor, 'Prince' of the Clans. Renowned as the son of the first and last king of the Clans. Angus was a travelling companion of the famed mage Myrdin Emrys, eventually travelling beyond the Northern Mountains in the company of Sivi Cloudhawk when their adventures came to an end. He was not seen again by the Keltoi of Iosal.
Eochaid Cormac Graegor, 'King of the Clans'. Renowned as the first and last King of the clans. The exact meaning of this is often misunderstood by lowlanders.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
For men, strength is the most desirable feature. Height and width, and thickness of arm are ideal, with a man considered unattractive if he can not heft a weapon effectively. Aside from this, pale features are generally more popular.
In women, fair hair is generally more desirable, with red being especially popular. Very long hair is also considered very attractive, especially when curly. Healthy figures are desired over slim figures, especially broad hips to suggest easy childbearing. Freckles are considered generally attractive.
Gender Ideals
There is a distinct split between men and women in Keltoi culture. Men are warriors, hunters, and leaders, with the overwhelming majority of Keltoi Druids also being male. Women are gatherers, carers, cooks, and healers.
Where women look after the clan within, it is generally the responsibility of men to look after the clan without.
Despite that difference, the Laochran are one of the closest examples of proper gender equality on the Peninsula. It is not unheard of for women to become warriors or hunters, while a man might pursue the path of healing by becoming a druid.
Relationship Ideals
Most Laochran wed young, in late teens. This does depend on resources, though, as a man may not wed until he can support a family.
There is often parity in Keltoi relations between man and wife, though the Chieftain of a Clan is considered more important than his wife, and wields more power within the clan.
When wed, women retain their family names, with marriage seen as a bond between two groups of kin, rather than just kinship between two people.
Major organizations
The Druids of the Laochran, while not strictly organised, are a key part of Laochran culture. Drastically different to the lowland Druids, many of which live in seclusion and prefer the company of beasts to their fellow people, Laochran Druids act as spiritual leaders for the clans, as well as healers, wisemen, and teachers.
Encompassed species
Languages spoken
Related Locations
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