Lechish (LESH ish)

the People of the Arm

The Lechish are Human of Normon descent that dwell on the east end of the Heartlandsof Novyum, primarily along the coast of the Aabanu Sea and Ubara's Arm. They settled the region in the Lakorthian Age and have common ancestry with the Lakortha of the central Heartlands. The Lechish generally stand on the front lines between eastern and western Novyum. It is through their ports and passes that much of the trade and travel between the two drastically different cultures. They see themselves as the cultural wall between the Heartlands civilized world and the savage lands of Slavyum.

The Lechish are a contradictory culture to outsiders. They insulate themselves from outsider world, especially in theses dark days of civil wars across the north. They are hungry for news from beyond their borders and their taverns are often full of locals questioning travelers. That said, they have little trust for those foreigners. Lechish will buy outsiders drinks, laugh and sing with them in the taverns, but might all but ignore them the next day if they pass each other on the streets. To them, it was a transaction, and nothing more. This goes doubly so for the Lithic of the Eastern Petty Kingdoms who the Lechish have zero trust in after so many years of chaos in the lands west of Lechlan.

Marriages are always arranged affairs and ceremonial. The process of engagements are contracts drawn up by parents, with pageantry and feasts hosted by both families throughout the years. Though there is often alliances and business dealings with these arrangements between the parents, it is the bride and groom who make the ultimate decision of if the engagement will proceed. Families who wish to make these arrangements put their children together to see if they will find each other compatible. This often starts at an early age. Though never forced, there is often 'encouragement' to get the couple together. However, if the children do not wish to marry, that is the final word. As such, families often have several 'pots on the burner' so to speak, having their children meet with several would be spouses of favorable families in hoping one will land. When the children find a spark, then the contracts can be negotiated. Something that can take a few days, or even months, but, by law, never more than a year. After which a yearlong courtship begins with the couple living together to see if they are compatible. If they agree after the year, the next year is made of pageantry and ceremonies hosted by the families, up to the official wedding day. After which the couple is married for life. Divorce is considered a mortal sin for the Lechish. A primary reason why marriage engagements take so long to finalize.

The Lechish are what one might image a typical Normon might look like. It is said that they have some of the purest bloodlines, when it comes to Elf heritage, and their physical appearance shows it. Their hair is nearly always a shade of blonde, usually pale and light hues. Both men and women wear their hair long. It is tradition that commoner men keep their hair no longer than shoulder length, while nobles will grow it out longer. Women keep their hair long and loss, but well styled. As with most in the north, their complexation is light. The Lechish seem to relish the outdoors however, and many will have some coloring from the sun in the spring and summer months. Their eyes are near universally blue shades.

The Lechish are a flamboyant culture when it comes to their style of clothing. Even the poor commoners will wear finer looking clothing, even if of less quality than their noble counterparts. western Novya often describe travels into Lechlan as stepping into one of the cradle-tales with their dress and decorated cities.

Race: Human

Ethnicity: Normon

Homeland: Lechlan

Alignment: The Lechish are a highly traditional people, who love their culture and laws, they favor a lawful alignment.

Age: Lechish are a long-lived people by human standard. 95 to 120 years is the average lifespan.

Size: (Medium) Lechish are often considered a tall people, with 6 feet being the average height of most men. Women usually stand about a foot shorter.

Language: The Lechish people are people of the Heartlands of Novyum, meaning the Common Tongue as their cultural language. The Lechish rarely learn other languages, as they view the common language of the Heartlands as so universal that everyone should already speak it, and if they don't they have not business traveling to their lands in the first place.