Chilseongsin

The Chilseongsin are a small ethnic group within the Kikipua species, originating from the Seom Islands. They are descended from the Nakaal, and are cousins to the Naga of Saba and the Aten of the Humalik Islands. 

The Chilseongsin are distinguished by the vivid coloration of their scales. They are typically bright red, orange, or yellow, and they stand out when compared to the darker, more muted tones common among other Kikipua. They are typically smaller than other Kikipua as well, with average heights around five feet for men, and few inches taller for women. Chilseongsin typically have a slender and serpentine build. 

Currently, the Chilseongsin are divided into two groups, due to the occupation of their former island by the Empire of Wamato. The majority of the surviving Chilseongsin population is enslaved by the empire, which does not consider them to be people. Those who have escaped slaughter or enslavement have formed the Imugi, and taken shelter in the Daemado Islands in the Middlesea. From there, the Imugi conduct raids upon Wamato forces in the region, with the goal of eventually driving out the invaders and re-establishing the Kingdom of Seomna.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

• Minju
• Jiyoung
• Suyeon
• Yeji
• Mirae
• Hyejin
• Sunmi
• Areum
• Hyunja
• Seulki

Masculine names

• Junho
• Taeyang
• Minho
• Jisoo
• Hoonjin
• Hyunwoo
• Seokjin
• Kyungsoo
• Changmin
• Sunghoon

Unisex names

• Joon
• Sooyoung
• Jaewon
• Eunji
• Seongmin
• Jiwon
• Hyojin
• Yuna
• Minseok
• Yeonwoo

Family names

• Seomin
• Haesu
• Noksa
• Cheolhae
• Orumi
• Gureum
• Eunha
• Haneul
• Jisoo
• Daeryeong

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Chilseongsin are matriarchal. The most prominent member of any Chilseongsin family is the Haemu, or 'Sea-Mother', who controls the family income and sets the rules. She is most often assisted by the the Haehalmŏni of the family; these 'Sea-Grandmothers' are those women who have retired from the active life to focus on the family's needs. It is not uncommon for a Haemu to retire and become one of the Haehalmŏni, and sometimes it goes the other way, where a Haehalmŏni will choose to take on the role of Haemu and lead the family.

Foods & Cuisine

Most traditional Chilseongsin food is derived from the sea. They have a long tradition of freediving, collecting many forms of shellfish and other marine foodstuffs from the ocean floor. A signature Chilseongsin dish is Haenamgochu, a very spicy stew made from shellfish and peppers. This dish is occasionally presented to outsiders without warning, to the great amusement of the Chilseongsin.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

One of the traditions among the Chiseongsin is the construction of Saeun-gil, or luck-towers. These are small round buildings made of stone, standing no more than two or three feet high. They are considered sacred to the spirits of the land where they are placed, and the Chilseongsin will place offerings to those spirits within the doorway of the saeun-gil in order to garner their favor. It is believed that these offerings will be repaid with a small amount of good fortune, and many Chilseongsin will make an offering before any major life event.

Major organizations

• Imugi 
• Seomna (defunct)

Parent ethnicities

• Nakaal

Encompassed species

• Kikipua
• Tokkaebi

Related Organizations

• Imugi
• Ryeong
• Seomna

Languages spoken

• Rengota

Related Locations

• Daemado Islands
• Gyeongseong
• Seom Islands