Melsi

The **Melsi** are a traditionally nomadic people who mostly inhabit the swamps of Southern Taemar. They are divided into numerous broods scattered throughout the largely autonomous, swampy Melsoh.

## Appearance

Melsi have pale, greyish skin, large, pale eyes, and greyish-blonde hair, though some have heads of shocking red. Like most Vedinni people, they are tall and long-limbed. Outsiders often describe them as 'frog-like' or 'dusty' in appearance. Culture

## Culture

### Dress

Across the numerous broods, styles of clothing varies, but most wear simple woven cloth, and, during the warmer months, will sometimes cover themselves in grey mud to cool down, lending to their dusty complexions. Since the Melsi trade and barter extensively, it is not uncommon to see them wearing attire from other cultures.

### Religion

The Southern Pantheon holds little to no sway in the Melsoh, and any presence of it is quickly shut down. Most groups of Melsi, self-referred to as 'broods', are tied to their own specific religions, and are ruled over by 'brood mothers' or 'brood fathers', women and men with distinctly red hair and some element of magical prowess. This red hair is not specific to the brood leader's bloodline, but will present itself randomly in members of the brood. A brood’s strength has historically been measured in how many red headed people are members within. Although there are some exceptions, it is incredibly rare for outsiders to be introduced into Melsi broods.

While the Hog God is the primary religion of Taemar, in the Melsoh, the Hog God only holds serious dominion over Schweingott Moore.  Beyond that, unorganized religions venerating the land of the Melsoh, in addition to their own ancestors, is typical. Most indigenous broods of Melsi live in tandem with the land. Although they may have territory that they inhabit, they are mostly migratory, moving around the region as the year progresses. While some broods winter at Schweinngott Moore, most remain separate from society at large.

Their shamanistic religions are plentiful, and go hand in hand with the magical abilities present there. Fire spitters, soothsayers, palm readers, visionaries and various southern mages have found themselves in the Melsoh, escaping persecution. Witchcraft and magic are practiced here, free of the dangers of the Southern Pantheon. As such, dark magic is present, giving the Melsi a somewhat sinister reputation as suppliers of ritual goods (i.e. corpses, animal parts, organs, etc.).

### Naming conventions

The naming conventions are additive, meaning that as they live, new titles are added to their names.  For example:

1. A girl is born, her name is Francis Greene. She is named after her father’s mother, Francis, and given the common surname Greene, as with every member of their family.
2. Her grandmother Ancha dies, and Francis gives herself the new middle name of 'Anchabee', her nickname for her grandmother.
3. Francis Anchabee Greene’s mother discovers that she has her family’s ability to tame and control frogs, and so earns the second middle name 'Frogchild', a customary title in her family.
4. Francis Anchabee Frogchild Greene decides to leave her family home in the Melsoh, and in her leaving ceremony, is given the title of 'Far-Farer', the common title of those who leave the Melsoh in search of new things.

*Francis Far-Farer Anchabee Frogchild Greene* is only about half of the length we can expect her name to be at the end of her life. The average amount of names a Melsi can have is around ten, but particularly important Melsi have garnered nearly double that.

## Melsi in the world

The Melsi are generally disliked by the majority of Marin, specifically by the people on the peninsula of Trent, in the North Shore. The Melsi and the Trenn have fought for generations, since the Trent have long since kept watch on the Melsohs southern border, keeping its people seperate. This is in part due to the commonly held belief that the Melsi are a diseased, unwashed, untrustworthy, and generally uncivilized people. It is also because the Melsi have a long history of moving along the northern coast of the peninsula of Trent to raid and pillage the fishing and crabbing villages there.  Melsi outside of the Mesloh are typically found in caravans as soothsayers, fortune tellers, or adventurers.

### Melsi outside of the Melsoh

For most in Marin, the interactions had with Melsi do not happen within their swampy homeland. The Melsi have a long tradition of adventuring, traveling far outside their homeland to collect goods and stories to bring back home. While there are some instances of brave Melsi adventurers striking out on their own, most travel in large migratory broods.

Large migratory groups of Melsi, called 'caravans', are known to travel all across Marin. Melsi caravans can be found all over the Middelands of Marin. Melsi are considered Outcastes by the Southern Pantheon, and like other persecuted groups, are not treated well within their territories. While most caravans are harmless and friendly, most are met with hesitant glances and curses. The rumors of dark magic use, graverobbings, thievery, organ stealing, and witchcraft are only mostly unsubstantiated.

Melsi that travel in caravans dress much differently than their counterparts in the homeland. Whereas most indigenous Melsi have simple woven clothing, those in caravans tend to dress warmer, with multiple layers of cloth, cloaks, jewelry and fineries collected on their travels. It is not uncommon for traveling Melsi women to cover their hair to avoid persecution.