Tionish

The Tionish are the peoples' who reside in Tionmenel, which stretches from the Boulderwick Peaks in the west, to the Taurakki River to the east and the Auslairic Coast to the north. Though they are most often elves, a recent influx of immigration has led a number of other ancestries to consider themselves Tionish as well.
Due to a long history of magical subjugation, first by Arcenveld and then by the Mesrani Empire, the Tionish consider themselves among the most open-minded societies when it comes to the study of magic. Sorcerers, clerics, druids, warlocks, bards, wizards - all are welcome, so long as they contribute to the community and do not attempt to stifle the beliefs and studies of others.
This has led to a misconception that the Tionish live in an "anything goes" culture, where even the most heinous of magical practices is allowed. That is untrue. In fact, the Tionish have developed an interesting means of self-policing that seems to have largely worked since the nation was founded:
Tionish culture revolves around the active, open discussion of ethics. A wielder of magic should not simply know how to accomplish a feat, but why he wishes to do so and whether it will have a deleterious impact on the community around them. They are expected to justify every magical practice before engaging in it, answering fundamental questions such as:

• What is the risk to my own body and soul?
• What is the risk to the bodies and souls of those around me?
• Will this action remove the choice of someone else?
• Will this action have unintended consequences?

There is no greater sin in Tionish life than a magician who does not properly consider the ethics of his work - and if a community suspects that a magician is malicious, lazy or deceptive in their studies, they are often banished to the forests, forced to live out their lives alone.
Most Tionish have turned philosophy into a kind of sport. They love to discuss ethics, even at inopportune times. To an outsider, this can feel like every decision must be labored over - but to the Tionish, it is essential and even fun to think through the ramifications of even the most trivial action. "Is it really a Tionish dinner if you haven't discussed the value of the life of your meal, debated resurrecting it, and determined that doing so would remove the choice of the animal?" - is a not an uncommon joke amongst the citizens of bordering nations.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Enwelyn, Alothel, Orella, Galadrie, Ithrella, Marinda, Ara, Althaea, Caelynn, Enna,   Jarsali, Jeleneth, Mialee, Naivara, Thiala, Tiatha, Lyieru, Talila, Arwendas, Katarie

Masculine names

Elengol, Therodan, Borendor, Gildaere, Endir, Laduilin, Akir, Throsaer, Eliod, Malgonas,   Olfithil, Emmin, Arannis, Caeldrim, Erevan, Hadarai, Riardon, Vanuath, Adorel, Castien,   Navar, Garwin, Darothil

Family names

Vyr, Than, Leth, Yel, Airo, Kian, Maer, Nal, Quin, Ros, Norr, Nys, Key, Thas, Fiel, Zan

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

• Gildspeak (Common)
• Elvish
• Dwarven

Shared customary codes and values

• The pursuit of all magical knowledge - sorceric, druidic, divine, pact-based, bardic, psionic, even forms that are not yet known - is welcome and encouraged. No one shall be persecuted or discriminated against because of their connections to force beyond themselves. 
• The control of magical forces is a gift and a responsibility. Wielders should strive to find a balance between the guardrails of the material plane and the infinite possibility of the planes from which magic is derived. Every magical act, from the smallest to the largest, should be done with ethical considerations. 
• Centralized power is rife for corruption and abuse. Government shall use a light touch and religion shall use an even lighter touch. 

Art & Architecture

Tionish art is inspired by the beauty of the nature around them. The bark of Godwood trees is often used as a canvas or a base for elaborate carvings. Springberries can be ground down into vibrant paints that seem to thrum with life, glowing in beautiful and lively ways. Stones, shells and flowers are often arranged in elaborate patterns along roadsides, beaches and forest clearings to provide welcoming and protection to passersby. 
The Tionish are also known for their beautiful folksongs that have helped to heal them of the tragedies that built their nation. Many songs dwell on the migration from Arcenveld, the whispers of Sarestra, the lies of the false Mesrani, the heroism of the Tionish rebellions and the devastating loss of the Infernal Wars. It is also said that a Tionish love song will stay in one's heart forever. 
When possible, the Tionish build housing and other structures into the nature around them or into the land itself. This is dependent on the local environment. For example, the town of Anorontal is in the heart of the Llatherien Forest and its denizens will carve their homes, shops and business into the enormous roots of the Godwood trees that rest there. Citizens of the sea port of Siryavaya often harvest the shells of the giant clams that mate off their shores to use in construction. More traditional architecture is often inspired by Aracian design because of the close ties between the two peoples'.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Because Elven births are rare, occurring only in the small window of an Elf's life when conception is possible, the Tionish treat every birth as a reason to celebrate. Elaborate festivals are often held for the birth of an individual, where the community gives gifts of food and comfort to the family. Each child born into Tionish society has a song written for them by a local bard, a song that they carry through their life and sing in times of strife. 
In recent years, with the waves of immigrants helping to re-populate Tionmenel, the Tionish have had to get used to the birth cycles of the shorter-lived species. Festivals are happening more and more frequently, so many of Tionish have had to reduce the size of their gifts to accommodate for the growing population.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Because of the wide proliferation of belief systems in Tionmenel, there is no single tradition when it comes to celebrating the life of someone who has died. Many follow the funerary instructions of the god or patron they chose to worship. However, for those with no strict beliefs around the matter, the Tionish contend that they should be returned to the sacred forests of the Godwood trees. The body is prepared and wrapped in leaves from the forest underbrush, then buried at the base of the tree to provide sustenance for it to continue to grow.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Tionish see outer beauty as a secondary concern, focusing primarily on ethical integrity and compatibility. However, they are also prone to self-decoration and fashion, primarily as a means of identifying the areas of magical practice of an individual. This is especially helpful in social situations, given the wide variety of practices within Tionmenel's borders. A sorcerer who has devoted themselves to the study of fire magic might wear a bright orange gown and an enchanted necklace that glows with the light of a small flame. A druid of the coast might wear a seafoam green tunic and a crown made of pearls and shells. Regardless, the Tionish love to incorporate small, aesthetic magical effects into their outerwear.

Related Organizations

• Tionmenel