Eyjamaður (ˈei.jaˌmaːðʏr)
"Those who are coming will be strong and proud, and we can either join them or perish. I intend to survive."
The Eyjamaður are the human ethnic group which inhabits the island of Eyju, as well as several other islands in the Northeastern Region. For centuries, they have made their living upon the sea, as fishermen, merchants, and raiders. In recent decades, they are best known for the fleet of raiders known as the Reginnsþjóð, which has attacked and invaded islands as far south as the Biluzik Archipelago.
Physical Appearance
The Eyjamaður are known for their imposing physical characteristics. They are tall and strong, with fair skin and light hair, usually blonde or red. Their eyes are also light, with blue and gray being the most common, although green and violet are not unheard of. Men are often over 6 feet tall, with broad shoulders and muscular builds. Women are also tall, with athletic builds and a graceful, powerful bearing. Despite their stature, the Eyjamaður are known for their agility, speed, and dexterity, and have a reputation for being the most dangerous combatants in the Great Ring.
Common Dress & Style
Eyjamaður clothing is practical and rugged. Wool, linen, and leather are the most common materials, with men wearing tunics and trousers while women wear long dresses, frequently with an overdress that protects the finer fabrics beneath. Fur-lined garments such as cloaks are also common, to protect them from the harsh cold of northern winters.
Jewlery is worn as a symbol of status and wealth, and both men and women will wear brooches, finger and arm-rings, necklaces, and bracelets. These are usually made from metals such as gold and silver, and will leaders will often give a piece of their personal jewelry as a reward to those who have served them well.
Both men and women wear their hair long, and frequently braided. Those who are going into battle may shave their heads, either completely or totally. A common style is to shave the sides of the head, leaving long hair upon the crown. Men almost always grow long beards, which they also braid and decorate with beads and rings.
Social Structure
The Eyjamaður of Eyju do not have a central government, and instead each community is ruled by local þing, a group of chiefs who are selected by the community and make laws for their people. These chiefs are known as Lögsögumenn, and any person who can rally the support of at least twenty adults is a member of the þing, entitled to speak and vote upon the laws. Some small communities do not have a full þing, and rather have a single chief known as a Goðar who rules. Goðars are typically also members of a regional þing that brings several of these small communities together.
Occasionally, the þings of Eyju will come together to decide upon laws that apply across the island, in a gathering known as the Alþing. Any þing can attempt to call an Alþing, but only those who choose to attend are bound by their rulings. Preparations for an Alþing often take years, with negotiations, threats, and bribes used to make sure that as many þings as possible send representatives. By tradition, any þing whose representative eats or drinks at the table of the Alþing is bound by the laws made there.
Religion & Folklore
Like their cousins in the Volksland, the Eyjamaður worship the gods and spirits known as the Vættir. On Eyju, they particularly revere the four Landvættir, the gods of the north, south, east and west. The Landvættir take on the aspects of great beasts, with Reginn the dragon to the north, Slíðrugtanni the boar to the south, Rasvelg the eagle to the east, and Elgfróði the elk to the west. They also honor, and fear, the goddess Vǫlva Ormr, who calls the Hálendi region of central Eyju hers. She is the goddess of Magic and witches, and rules over the Hálendismenn, small human-like spirits who are found all over the Hálendi.
Celebrations to the Vættir vary from place to place. Most outsiders are familiar with the Drekkamen, the sworn warriors of Reginn, for it is they who have formed the Reginnsþjóð. But each of the four Landvættir have their own orders of priests and warriors, and their own rites and rituals. One celebration that is universal across Eyju is Ljósanætur, when the Candles burn in the winter sky. During Ljósanætur, the Eyjamaður hold the Vættirblot to honor all the Vættir, and pour out offerings of mead, cider, and ale for the gods before having a great feast.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Main Article: Eyjamannaræða
The Eyjamaður speak Eyjamannaræða, a language that is most closely related to the Inselsprach spoken in the Volksland. There are several dialects of Eyjamannaræða, such as the Eldfell dialect spoken in Vestaeyjar, or the Suðya dialect spoken on Löngeyja.
Foods & Cuisine
Eyjamaður cuisine depends greatly on fishing, and most dishes include at least something brought from the sea. Food is often dried, smoked, or fermented in order to preserve it, and many traditional Eyjamaður foods were created as a byproduct of these preservation techniques. They also keep herds of goats and sheep that provide meat, wool, and dairy products. A traditional Eyjamaður breakfast would include a thick barley gruel, accompanied by yogurt and dried fish dipped in butter.
An Unusual Profession
Among the Eyjamaður, there is a societal role known as the Bolvirki which may be unique in the Great Ring. A Bolvirkr is responsible for performing "necessary evils" for the community. This can include theft, lies, and even murder, done to achieve the greater good of the community. What stands out about the Bolvirkr is that they are then expected to pay the price for their crimes, despite the service they have performed. While the evil performed by a Bolvirkr may be necessary, it is still evil and must be punished. You can read more about the Bolvirki here.
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
You make me want to go back to Iceland! :)
I'd love to go myself! It's a beautiful place, from what I've heard. This article is actually up for a rewrite next week (3/18) - stay tuned!
It's amazing there; I don't know if you believe in this sort of thing, though by your writing, I'd imagine you're open to it, but you can actually feel the spirits in the land, air, and sea in Iceland. There's something positively magical about the place. I can't wait to see your update next week!