Leilani

The Leilani (Éspinasija: Λειλανι, Yaszumatti: レイラニ) are a human adjacent ethnic group originating from the plains of the Leilani region in the Avant, northwestern Katsura. They formed as a result of the expansion of the ancient Qwe’tsn Empire and intermingling of Qwe’tsn peoples with the Iridani peoples indigenous to the Leilani region. Their culture developed over time in their capital of Albora until they existed as a divergent culturally homogenous group separate to both original Iridani and Qwe’tsn culture. The Leilani people spread out from Albora sometime after the Qwe'tsn Empire fell, and spread out as far as Aniketos in Verden. The population currently resides in the nation of Eiszura in Halinn, Abexilas, with majority in the Leilani town of Emrisea.
== Etymology ==
The term Leilani comes from the Éspinasija words lei and lan, meaning "life" and "garden". The name was originally coined by the indigenous Iridani people of the Leilani Fields with the belief that their people originally blossomed from the ground. Leilani was originally used to describe the land itself, with Leilan being the more formal term. As the Qwe'tsn and Iridani merged, they formed a single cultural group and they called themselves Leilani, meaning 'People of Leilan'. 
== Language ==
The writing system of the Leilani is known as Éspinasija, a compound of éspina and asija, "thorn" and "clay" referring to the Iridani usage of rose thorns to inscribe meaning on clay and terracotta tablets; this became outdated with the invention of bamboo paper.
The vocalization of Éspinasija is commonly just called Leilani, but is also referred to as Éspinasija or Éspinalotua (Thorn speech).
== Appearance ==
The skin tone of the Leilani varies from a light brown to pale skin. Hair color is most frequently black to brown, with dark brown being the most common, dyeing hair is not uncommon in Leilani culture with colors such as crimson and dark blue being the most common dye colors. Eye color varies mostly with the most simplified list being green, blue, gold, and brown but within each of these colors there are a wide variety ranging from light tones to dark ones.
== Clothing ==
==== Sajo ====
The sajo of the Leilani is the most popular article of clothing. Traditionally crafted from the wool of Highland Palomean Sheep in Western Calador, which was thick with warmth but surprisingly cool for the Mediterranean climate in the east. Sajos come in many different colors; but the one consistency is that they are solid color with trims of a different color, saving any patterns for the vijaho. 
==== Vijaho ====
The vijaho is the cloak the Leilani wear on top of the sajo, they are commonly a solid color but it is not uncommon for people to have patterns on their vijaho. Patterns of the vijahos are typically related to the person's family and the symbols that represent them.
==== Ştaré ====
Head wreaths in Leilani culture hold very significant meaning as they represent the role of the wearing, as well as their noble status. Vicereso Àntoneo Ažeresa of Emrisea dawns a spruce-leaved wreath with azure roses denoting his power in the Akurai Clan.
==== Ciletajas Arí ====
Gold jewelry (or jewelry in general) is not a native Leilani fashion tradition, but was adopted when the Leilani and Kaszatti cultures mixed, jewelry is used to accent the outfit and make it more distinct. The most common material for the jewelry is gold but you can see many Leilani using metals such as bronze and iron to accent themselves with.
== Culture ==
The Leilani are an agricultural people, primarily focused on the cultivation of crops. Many values are shared amongst the Leilani, including the important of family and connection, prioritizing personal experiences and bonding over blood ties. Roses are a big part of Leilani culture, being the most prominent flower in the entirety of Calador, coming to represent the land itself and the spirit that guards it. Historically the Leilani were a violent people favoring battle and glory rather than art and creation. With time the Leilani mostly abandoned the old Qwe'tsn traditions and adopted more Kaszatti and Umarín traditions as the two Yaszumatti groups migrated to Albora and throughout Calador.
Category:Eldham
Category:Abexilas
Category:Cultures
Category:Races
Category:Eiszura
Category:Yaszuma