Laeonids (LAY-oh-nids)
Laeonids are an offshoot or alternate of the Leonin player character race, a species of sentient speaking and civilized lion-like creatures. Along with the Tabaxi, the Rakshasa and other feline sentient beings, they make up the group known as felinoids.
Laeonids are found primarily on the plains of the Alempara Savana in south-central Melas, although they can be found in small settlements and large cities all over the Isle of Melas. Their main pride is located in Laeoluga, in the heart of the Savana.
They are valued trading partners of the Aergrafter Union, although not officially members. Their primary agricultural product is livestock, both for sustenance and textiles. The trade of livestock with the Union is usually straightforward and non-negotiable. They import little, preferring mainly to use what they create and grow themselves.
Laeonids are large, powerful workers and warriors with a strict but fair hierarchal leadership structure. They welcome contact with other species, but are at times reluctant to build close relationships outside their herd. They have a rigid moral code based on interpersonal ethics, as well as dealings with outsiders. Lawbreakers are generally shunned or exiled, although a few have faced martial punishment from time to time for various serious infractions.
The Laeonids as a rule are not known for being very artistically inclined, and have few writers or visual artists among them. However, their musical talents are renowned far and wide. Begun as a cultural and spiritual ritual, males and females work together in groups of 2 or 3 to create extremely moving, harmonic and resonant polyphonic singing experiences known as the concursa. Privately among their own people the conca, or songs, have significance in respect to nature and their world around them, while publicly they sing to share their messages of honor and respect of nature through music with the outside world.
Laeonids are found primarily on the plains of the Alempara Savana in south-central Melas, although they can be found in small settlements and large cities all over the Isle of Melas. Their main pride is located in Laeoluga, in the heart of the Savana.
They are valued trading partners of the Aergrafter Union, although not officially members. Their primary agricultural product is livestock, both for sustenance and textiles. The trade of livestock with the Union is usually straightforward and non-negotiable. They import little, preferring mainly to use what they create and grow themselves.
Laeonids are large, powerful workers and warriors with a strict but fair hierarchal leadership structure. They welcome contact with other species, but are at times reluctant to build close relationships outside their herd. They have a rigid moral code based on interpersonal ethics, as well as dealings with outsiders. Lawbreakers are generally shunned or exiled, although a few have faced martial punishment from time to time for various serious infractions.
The Laeonids as a rule are not known for being very artistically inclined, and have few writers or visual artists among them. However, their musical talents are renowned far and wide. Begun as a cultural and spiritual ritual, males and females work together in groups of 2 or 3 to create extremely moving, harmonic and resonant polyphonic singing experiences known as the concursa. Privately among their own people the conca, or songs, have significance in respect to nature and their world around them, while publicly they sing to share their messages of honor and respect of nature through music with the outside world.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Laoeni is the language spoken by most all Laeonid, with a few local dialects heard here and there.
A unique mix of Laeoni and Tabax exists in the lands where their two habitats meet. It has no name, but dwellers often use words from both languages when conversing with each other.
A unique mix of Laeoni and Tabax exists in the lands where their two habitats meet. It has no name, but dwellers often use words from both languages when conversing with each other.
Culture and cultural heritage
Laeonid polyphonic singing is called concursa, which means pageant, or show. When three participate in a conca, or song, it is always one male, one female, and the third is either male or female depending on the vocal range needed. A conca can also be done with two singers, male and female. There are a few five-Laeonid concas but they are rare and usually only done on special occasions known as a contabila.
The voice part distributions are as follows:
While an informal gathering may produce one or two concas by family groups or friends, Laeonids most often perform at larger social gatherings such as weddings, funerals or nature festivals. There are a number of concas that have become standards for several occasions.
When Laeonids are called to perform the concursa for outside groups in cities and towns across Melas, such occasions are usually met with great excitement and anticipation. While they deign to give relatively few performances and prefer to keep their talents to themselves and their own culture, on the whole most Laeonid performers enjoy the attention they receive. Audiences large and small of almost every human, demi-human and humanoid species regard concursa as a special occurrence. The tonality of Laeonid voices seems to touch a particularly sensitive area of the auditory nerves in non-felinoids, usually causing a sense of well-being and peace. In addition, while the lyrics to most concas are untranslated and in the original Laeoni tongue, meanings are often clear due to intonation, tempo and other musical techniques unique to the Laeonid singers. Among some less charitable Laeonid, this public exhibition of the concursa is referred to as concassura, which means spoof, or mockery show.
Laeonids never ask for pay for their performances, only requesting meals and housing.
The voice part distributions are as follows:
- Grav - sung by male. Very low, rumbling, at times can only be felt instead of heard because of the low pitches and frequencies. This part represents strength, solidity, and foundation.
- Elev - sung by female. High, flutish or reedy with many overtones. Freedom, improvisation and celebration are the hallmarks of this part.
- Segu - sung by male/female. Usually the primary melody line. Ties the upper and lower parts together into one cohesive whole. Unity, diplomacy, family and discovery are represented by the song of the segu.
While an informal gathering may produce one or two concas by family groups or friends, Laeonids most often perform at larger social gatherings such as weddings, funerals or nature festivals. There are a number of concas that have become standards for several occasions.
When Laeonids are called to perform the concursa for outside groups in cities and towns across Melas, such occasions are usually met with great excitement and anticipation. While they deign to give relatively few performances and prefer to keep their talents to themselves and their own culture, on the whole most Laeonid performers enjoy the attention they receive. Audiences large and small of almost every human, demi-human and humanoid species regard concursa as a special occurrence. The tonality of Laeonid voices seems to touch a particularly sensitive area of the auditory nerves in non-felinoids, usually causing a sense of well-being and peace. In addition, while the lyrics to most concas are untranslated and in the original Laeoni tongue, meanings are often clear due to intonation, tempo and other musical techniques unique to the Laeonid singers. Among some less charitable Laeonid, this public exhibition of the concursa is referred to as concassura, which means spoof, or mockery show.
Laeonids never ask for pay for their performances, only requesting meals and housing.
Encompassed species
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