Weilanders

The indigenous people of the islands west of the Empire are called the Weilanders by people of the continent, which is a simplification of the simple definition ‘western islanders’. Naturally, the people on these islands tend not to define themselves as such, and indeed, there are noticeable differences between the people of the Hellion and those of Braschech and Killios. While all possess a bronze hue to their skin, the latter two are a shade darker, with hair that is thick and black. Meanwhile, those who live on the Hellion have fairer hair of light brown, and green eyes are common there but almost unheard of among the braschini and killione. Yet to the glance of an Imperial they appear similar enough, and are certainly far enough removed from the mainland, to be clumped together as simply Weilanders.
Though the culture of the western island is varied, they can be said to be unified in their one thing: Strength as the highest virtue. Between Braschech and Killios, the island with the strongest warriors has always ruled. On the Hellion, the Strates that had the most formidable champions would be the one winning their ritual combats. In a sense, the subjugation of the Weilanders by the Empire is only part of this natural order, as Leopold’s ability to establish dominance is what makes him such a capable ruler. Naturally, this obsession with strength is also what makes in particular the Hellion such a bother for its occupiers, as many of the clans hold to the belief that if they are strong enough to take their freedom, then they deserve it (the fact that the island has come to rely heavily on Imperial infrastructure notwithstanding). Braschech and Killios, on the other, have more completely thrown their lot in with the Empire, and while they still hold great appreciation for military prowess, their general culture is more akin to a hardening of the more standard Imperial one than the fierce spirit of independence seen with their northern neighbour.
Before the coming of the Empire, most housing and roadworks on the Hellion could best be described as functional - or at least it is described thus in the Imperial records. Today, the island is mostly molded in the style of the Continent, with arched and domed structures - though in more neutral grey rock and less ornamental. Few people still live in the hide structures of old, though it suits the nomadic lifestyle of Those of the True Land well. Killios is also largely made out to look like an Imperial nation, yet Braschech still sees many of its old buildings. Terraced houses with pillar-supported balconies are the norm among the higher echelons of society, though even the poorest household tend to have a roof-top balcony covered in both vines and flowers; a well kept garden having been a proof of an organised household among the braschini for as long as any can remember, and seems to have only gotten more so after their defaulting into the Empire.
As the western islands are warmer than the Continent, the clothing differs. On both Braschech and Killios, a circular white or grey cloth draped over the shoulder and around the body is the common wear within cities, with a colourful tunic underneath; on more rural areas, where the toga would get in the way for the daily work, leg and arm wraps are worn instead. Gems are favoured as ornaments, both in jewelry and piercings, and quantity is often favoured over quality; priced stones only being worn at high functions. Meanwhile, the Hellion has taken to the pleated, Imperial kilt (although in a thinner material), combined with either a loose vest or shirt, when anything is worn on the torso at all. Despite the influence of the Imperial culture on the island, the Hellion remains largely split into their Strates, and they bear many tattoos on their bodies that display this clan membership; Those of the Goat will adorn themselves with its likeness and that which is relates to it, such as horns and rectangular-pupiled eyes. Sandals and wrapped boots are common on most islands, often of skin with wooden soles.
While Braschech and Killios are both under strict Continental governance, and is therefore almost completely ruled by the ordinance of the Imperial Court, the Hellion retains a lot of its cultural heritage in this area, albeit guided by Imperial Law. While the ritual conflict previously common between the Strates does not have any place in ‘civilised’ society, it is well known on the island that they still occur in secret, and that most conflicts between Strates are still resolved in the traditional contest of champions. While these champions are only rarely the de-facto leaders, or ‘hets’, of their clans, as prowess in battle does not necessarily correspond to skill in leading, the het of a Strate know well that they rule at the mercy of their champion, as losing the support of a champion is a quick way of getting replaced. That said, a clan tends to follow their het without question as long as they do not abuse their power to blatantly and work to keep the clan safe. The position of champion is won through a series of challenges held by the Strate every three and a half years, often concluded with the victor being showered in gifts by the het, to ensure their loyalty.
Names on the more Imperial islands are, and have always been, similar to those of the Wetterlenn - indeed, Questioneers in the field of ancient history believe that Braschech and Killios may at some point have been part of Aerth, and that this is the reason for their many similarities. The Hellion, however, again differs from its neighbours. Splitting their names into three parts, the first is the clan name, and is generally short, with more consonants than vowels; it is what those within the same Strate call the individual. The second name is what the people of the Hellion call their ‘known name’, which is longer and often more articulate, and is the name that those outside the clan knows them, and the name which stories will be told about. The last name is the name of the Strate. For example, the current het of Those of the Goat is named Grashks Tarolionen of the Goat.
As a rule, when someone from the Continent talks about Weilanders, what they mean are the people of the Hellion, and not those of Braschech and Killios - and they commonly use the term as an insult, as many Imperials consider the hellionite culture to be backwards and barbaric; ‘wild as a Weilander’ being a common term used in reference to someone that is acting out or being aggressive or violent. It is also true that most Imperial are not strictly aware of the differences between the three islands, and are prone to lump them all together as Weilanders. With that said, the term Weilander is more a simplification than an actuality, and is not a term used upon the western isles.