Helyn (He-lin)
The People of the Plains
The Helyn are the northern plain dwelling people in the The Human Lands. They tend to a semi nomadic lifestyle, traveling southward during winter to get away from the chilling artic wind.
Unlike their southern cousins, the Lorlyn, tend more towards fishing for wild meat, as the native buffalo tend to be domesticated for wool and milk, rather than hunted. This leads to a close relationship with their buffalo, and most homes are designed so that they can enter them for the worst weather.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
They mostly speak Common (or the standard human language) but are known for their slow and carful manner of speech.
Culture and cultural heritage
While the Helyn often head downstream to trade, they are just as likely to raid.
Average technological level
While the Lorlyn scorn them for their lack of large cities and luxuries, the Helyn have developed the much farther in using magic with fine control, especially over earth. This has led them to be the main distribution of food, despite the semi frozen ground.
Common Dress code
In part due to living in the north, the Helyn wear many layers. The first layer, being the closest to the skin is a linen shift, which is often trimmed with fur. Over the shift is a couple layers of wool, one with the long, tight-fitting sleeves, with the shift, and the second with looser sleeves, often tied down around the elbows. The ensemble is topped off with an embroidered vest, hose, and a heavy cloak. The cloth is often elaborately textured, whether by the weaving, dyeing, or embroidery.
The hair is kept back with wooden combs, often being matched with wooden bangles. While both genders use the combs, women usually use at least two.
Art & Architecture
Due to living on the Plains without much in the way of wood, most of their permanent buildings are built out of stone or earth. On the other hand, what little wood they do use is elaborately carved and polished. Their wood carving and textiles being their main nonfood export.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Those that live on the coast tend to send their dead off on a burning raft, while those that live farther inland tend to bury theirs. The dead are dressed in a blood coated shift.
Common Myths and Legends
The traditional legends of The Division of the Dragons and The Goddess's Tears are popular tales. For a more local tale, there is @The Founding of Nerglith
Historical figures
Viever Dracke, though a dragon and not technically one of the Helyn, is well regarded by them as "One of them".
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
They are often noted on their long, well-groomed hair, even after months at sea. The hair is at least half done up and held in place by a comb, made of either wood or bone.
Courtship Ideals
When a young man wants to indicate to a young woman that he is interested in a serious relationship, he gifts her with a comb. The more elaborate the carving of the comb, the high esteem he holds her in.
Major organizations
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Various Kingdoms that fall among the Helyn people
- Nerglith
- Klyner
- Cottrith
- Terinth
- Lorith
- Cotuin
- Gendnyr
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Related Locations
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