Laus

The Laus

Overview

The Laus, sometimes known as the Lausarii, Siredi, or in ancient times the Adinoi, are an ethnic group native to the far west of Nirann. They are the preeminent group of the West Sirii peoples, which includes the neighboring Rênoi and Eneans, as well as the Athilleans (Riverlaus), whose tribal ancestors migrated to the region between the 1000-900s AVK. The Laus homeland is centered around the Lossean Peninsula and Elos River Valley, which they have inhabited for some two millennia. They wrested control of these lands from the native Hurren (Marin) through bloody conquest, which drove them nearly to extinction. The Laus are a mixed folk, sharing a great deal with the Sitiric peoples to the west and the Arkhai to the south, though they are also a militant one. Since their inception the have fought many long and vicious wars with their neighbors and themselves for fortune, faith, power, and glory.

Laus communities have historically been founded along the coasts of the Eastern Kimari, while the Gulf of Adimir has served as a major center for commerce and political power in the Laus world. The Old Capital of Adinasis lies on the gulf coast, along with many of the largest and most ancient Laus cities. The Laus also colonized the coasts of the Mirenne Sea in the West, exerting near total control of the region until the arrival of the Lythirics. Other major cultural centers of the Laus have included the cities of Sirenis, Sathon, Taire, Loriana, and Eluzon at various periods.
For most of their history the Laus have been ruled by great dynasties founded by legendary figures and national heroes. These dynasties have had a major impact on the cultural, religious, and technological development of the Laus, with their rises, falls, and interregna often used to mark important eras by Laus Historians. Unlike some of the other Sirii, the Laus tend to be more collectivistic, have a very strong monarchical tradition, and in general care deeply about family lineage and kinship.

Etymology

Laus as a term has uncertain origins, and is not necessarily the only name for the group, though it is the most common root for exonyms applied to them. One possible origin is from the Laus term Lau-Siredi, meaning "Outer-Sirii," in contrast to Kês-Siredi, meaning "Inner-Sirii," which Laus often apply to the Anesari and other East Sirii ethnic groups. The Soranni call them "Lausari," which is related to this term. Another possibility is that the term has Marin origin, as the land which the Laus call home was once called "Lushae" by the Hurren. Though the meaning of Lushae has been lost to time along with the ancient Hurren, it is almost certainly the origin of the Laus word for the region, Lôssea. Given the linguistic similarity, it is possible that Laus and Lôssea are related in etymology to this ancient Marin word, in which case their true meaning would be unknown. The Laus, however, do not only refer to themselves in one way. Many Laus still use the ancient endonym, Adinoi, which derives from the name of the first Legendary King of the Laus, Adinon. Some of the rural folk and pagans on the fringes of Laus civilization also cling to the term Siredi, simply meaning "Children of Siris." It is also common for Laus to refer to themselves by their home region or by their city, such as the Selaki (Selákiai) and Elosi (Elosei).

Culture

Main Principles and Values

Honor

Language

Kinship

Clothing and Beauty

Music and Dance

Visual Arts

Architecture

Literature

Cuisine

Gestures

Item Reverence

Warfare

Subgroups

The Laus can be split into nine major cultural subgroups, which are themselves usually put into three linguistic categories based on the similarity of regional dialects. These include the Eastern Laus (most conservative culturally and linguistically), the Western Laus (somewhat divergent linguistically), and Southern Laus (most liberal in both categories).

Eastern Laus
Selaki
Uravi
Kauroi

Western Laus
Fareni
Kiastans
Litheans

Southern Laus
Láikadoi
Elosi
Mirenneans

Religion

Mythology

Folk Religion

Semarean Temple

Sarithra

Kirrentai

History

The History of the Laus is long and storied, with Laus Historians often dividing it into Ages. These Ages are defined by major events, such as the rise and fall of dynasties. The traditional Laus historiography names Seven Ages, which are as follows: Divine, Archaic, Heroic, Classical, Argent, Imperial, Steel. In addition to these Ages, Laus Chronology is also recorded according to the epression Meiphaxe, meaning "From the Landing." This refers to the arrival of Adinon and followers on the Isle of Keraios in 891 AVK, which makes the current year 2459 MX.

Origins

The Laus are part of the West Sirii group, which includes the Rênoi, Eneans, and Athilleans. These peoples speak related West Sirii languages, and ultimately are descendants of the Ancient Sirii. The ancestors of the Laus are generally understood to have migrated west from what is now Anosfae, settling their modern homeland in the late 900s AVK. The oldest legends of the Laus claim that they, along with all Sirii peoples, are children of the goddess Siris, who worked through their old Patriarchs and guided the Sirii to conquer vast lands and establish great nations.

Divine Age

The first age of the world according to the Laus is the Divine Age, which is itself placed beyond the reach of history and time. It encompasses the myriad and fluid concepts of the Dawn of Creation, wherein the Gods walked upon the newly formed world. They are active in forging the world and its people, form conclaves with each other, and fight over control of its fate. As recorded by the Laus, the Divine Age is little more than myth, and almost all stories from this time recount the actions of the Gods, not the actions of mortals. There are four main groups that are generally described in the Divine Age, the Kaganei, Kesâroi, Êirai, and Thaphei, which are Titans, Demons, Gods, and Spirits respectively. Stories from this time often revolve around conflicts and interplay between these groups of spiritual beings. Some believe that much of what is described in the Laus Histories of this Age are depicting events and individuals who may have existed in the distant past, perhaps during the Niranni Ice Age. This time is so ancient, however, that there remains little concrete evidence to support the idea. Any true names, events, and people from this age are surely lost to time.

Archaic Age

The second age for the Laus is the Archaic Age, which describes the origins of the Sirii people and the lives of the Old Patriarchs. This age is still more legend than reality, though it is the first age for which real historical dates can be set. The Archaic Age lasts from

Heroic Age

Classical Age

Argent Age

Imperial Age

Steel Age