Essic-Llenic

" 'Open up!' a voice said. 'This is the guard.'
The youth then grabbed a small sack and put it over his head. He then, peeking through a hole in the sack, said 'Come in then!'
When the guards entered, all they found was a person with a bag over his head, and not the youth they had been chasing. 'Why do you have a bag over your head?' they asked.
'I am incredibly ugly,' the youth replied with a fake voice of his devising, 'and it is a curse to my ancestors, so I wear this bag over my head in shame.'
'Well, have you seen a youth with blue eyes and long brown hair?' the guards asked.
'No I haven't.' the youth of the blue eyes and long brown hair replied.
The guards did not bother to check under the youth's hood, as removing it would be an insult to the ancestors of the home. So the youth did not get captured this day."
~Égert Sarasté, Lost Tales of the Essic Countryside, Vol. 3

A Note

Essic and Llenic people have slightly different histories, so some cultural values and customs are not shared between the two; these are labeled accordingly.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Gersla, Darstel, Seran

Masculine names

Karst, Diesic, Palógakk

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Essic and Llenic are mutually intelligible to a degree - hence being described under Essic-Llenic - so Essic people can understand Llenic people and vice versa. Essic people also commonly know some Common Gratic, although they may pretend not to out of spite.

Culture and cultural heritage

Both groups are full of interesting history culturally speaking, with folk tales, myths, and novels having a widespread influence on contemporary culture. Folk stories are full of tricksters who turn into other animals or people to evade trouble and claim their prize, with often hilarious results. Myths usually talk about the divided nature of their people, particularly in Essel, and usually frame the invading enemies as inhuman demons.
Culinary heritage is a staple of Essic and Llenic culture, with complicated recipes being passed down from generation to generation. Many of these recipes are specific to the local area and are rarely served in other places.
Due to their placement of faith in their ancestors to help guide future generations, a cultural tradition called Essic-Llenic Ancestor Worship has been coined to explain this relationship between the past and the future.

Shared customary codes and values

Essel

Essic people are often considered rebellious or warmongers to other races, but they are merely proud of their unique cultural heritage and resentful of those who try to suppress that.

They also have a fondness for good food and drink, leading to some of the greatest culinary diversity in the realm (particularly in regards to fish).

Llenir

They share the Essic love of food and drink, but their fare is a little more plain.

Llenic people are very religious, being very dedicated to the form of ancestor worship common there, although there are a few adherents of the Four. By extension, the Llenic people - as well as their Essic brothers, to a lesser extent - put a lot of emphasis on one's family as a marker of social status.

Common Etiquette rules

Both groups take an almost religious stance on good table manners, with utensils and napkins being commonplace among those who can afford them.

It is customary and polite for a guest to leave their shoes or sandals at the door of their host's house. In Essel, this is usually just outside, but Llenic people take them off inside.

Common Dress code

Essel

Among Essic women, there is a special kind of clothing called the stapkil; it is a form of skirt that reaches just past the knees. In lower classes and labourers, this piece of clothing is unadorned and a dark brown, grey, black, or dark green. Among middle class families, stapkilad are usually more colourful, with oranges, reds, and yellows more common. At the highest levels of Essic society, women often wear dresses and jewelry like their Gratic counterparts.

Men also have a special article of clothing called the zarsti. These short pants are often adorned with patterns and colours that are representative of their marital status: unmarried men wear red zarstad, married men wear green, widowers wear yellow, and elders of the village wear blue. These pants are common among all levels of Essic society, although the patterns and other colours used will differ depending on social class. The head of a family will also wear the family's heirloom or carry it with him, whether it be a ring, necklace, bracelet, or even a weapon.

Llenir

Llenir people tend to wear much the same garb as their Essic counterparts. Among women, dresses are non-existent and jewelry is rare. For men, robes are often worn in addition to zarstad, with the robes being in the three family colours.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Essel

The martyrdom of Diesic Isellaf at the hands of the Gratic Empire is commonly considered a holiday of sorts; whether you celebrate it or not, nothing of importance will be able to get done on this day.

Llenir

the tenth day of every week is a holiday, as this day is set aside for rest and/or maintaining the shrines and mausoleums of the ancestors.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Essic and Llenic people usually bury their dead, and the dead are buried in cemeteries or family mausoleums. As for the funeral, there is an elaborate day-long ritual where the dead family member is welcomed among the ancestors.

Common Taboos

Fishermen are the lowest members of society. This is likely because they smell horrible and are the most commonplace work.

The number nine is considered unlucky, although no one truly knows why.

Common Myths and Legends

Tales in Essel speak of roving bands of heroes who plan to restore the princedom and overthrow The Gratic Empire. While The Essel Rebellion and its splinter groups can still be found from time to time, these bands are aided by supernatural forces, magic, or vengeful ancestors.

The death and martyrdom of Diesic Isellaf has been retold to the point where it is a cultural meme.

Historical figures

Essel

Diesic Isellaf, the revolutionary who led the Essel Rebellion of 175 II - although they will denounce him in public, this purely out of fear of retribution from the authorities.

Karst I, the only Prince of Essel before the Gratic conquest - he was a good prince, and "properly Essic", but he wasn't prince for long.

Llenir

The several small baronies that preceded the Princedom were full of folk heroes, shape-shifting tricksters, and magically-aided heroes, although the accuracy of many of these stories is questionable at best.

Encompassed species

• Endamian Human

Related Organizations

• The Emperor's Messengers
• The Essel Rebellion
• The Gratic Empire
• The Imperial Army
• The Imperial Navy
• The Thieves' Collective

Languages spoken

• Common Gratic
• Essic-Llenic

Related Locations

• Endaman

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)