Laylem
Laylem are more common in the Northern reaches of Joorduunim Major. The Laylem are Njortan who are particularly known for their savagery and demonic practice. Laylem reside barren north where frequent and long winters make survival all the more challenging. Laylem people are well aquatinted with black magic. For a Laylem, it is almost guaranteed to use or be victimized by black magic at some point in their life. The entirety of Laylem culture is built around fear of the darkness and the horrors that wander outside the confines of civilization. Occasionally a Laylem will find their way out of this turmoil but most find their cursed blood calling them back to the darkness eventually.
Laylem have pale skin with dark eyes, and hair. Their frames are much shorter than other Njortan, but tend to be a lot more cunning and brutal. Laylem are not just known for their affinity for the occult. Being short on recourses and costal has provoked a pillage based economy with many frequent raids on less fortunate villages down the coast. A behavior that has abled them enemies to the more well defended settlements.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Astrid, Brenna, Dagny, Erika, Freja, Gunhild, Helle, Ingrid, Jorunn, Kari, Magnhild, Natasha, Olga, Runa, Sigfrid, Thalia, Unn, Wrenn, Ylva
Masculine names
Aart, Bahadur, Cael, Dagfinn, Earl, Fane, Gabriel, Hagen, Ian, Jack, Kade, Lakely, Madison, Nathan, Oberon, Paul, Thomas, Yarthid
Family names
Family names vary depending on the region of origin. Typically for Laylem your last name will be tied to the particular monster or curse that harasses your family, or clan.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Njortan Common
Shared customary codes and values
It is common practice for a Laylem to be reclusive and untrusting of everything. They value safety and health. Morality is out of the question. If a weapon is available for use Laylem will not hesitate to use it if that meant keeping them on top.
Common Dress code
Furs, and armor. Very practical in dress climate depending. Many braid their hair. Their casters dress lighter and exhibit traits that are counter intuitive to what you would expect from your average Laylem. Martial Laylem tend to dress in pants, and casters dress in robes, dresses, and the like.
Art & Architecture
Laylem make use of the abundant wood, and animal parts in their designs. Their architecture is similar to Russian design.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Thanks to the struggles of the harsh life, Laylem either care very little or a lot for physical beauty. It is entirely dependent on if beauty will suit them as a strong asset of survival. When it comes down to it, beauty for a Laylem is confidence and power.
Gender Ideals
Fear is a strong motivator. Superstition and hatred have served as tools of distrust towards outsiders. The men of Laylem people hold onto what power they can and hold back the woman of their families out of fear of the Matronites that have become a throne in their side.
Related Organizations
Related Locations
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