Ekhai-Lahui

EKHAI LĀHUI

‘We are one with the land and the world around us. The sky, the land, the

water, we are a part of it as they are a part of us.’

Nickname: The Islanders

Languages: Lahuian, Mea-Kai (known by a rare few)

Population: Säuger 99%, Eluvian < 1% and Drummon < 1%

Government: Non-centralised, tribal

Leadership: Tribal council – leaders vary continually

Lifestyle: Self-sufficient tribal groups

SOCIETY

The island nation of Ekhai Lahui is not a true nation or cohesive

society, as those on the mainland are. The people of the islands

are formed of a large number of diverse tribes. The term Lahui is

used by foreigners to describe the people of these tribes, but as

often as not the individual tribespeople will identify themselves

as members of their specific tribe.

Leadership and family structure of each tribe differs. In general,

the autonomy of the individual is recognized and valued in most

Lahuian tribes. Usually, authority over others extends only to the

members of a family – father and mother over children, etc. but

not one man over another. Leadership by appointed leaders only

endures as long as it is useful to the tribe. The mechanisms of

leadership and social structure vary between tribes. Some tribes

are led by a council of elders, others by traditional inherited

leader positions, however other tribes have no formal leadership

structure and are led by democratic vote or just charismatic

individuals. Some tribes are large family groups, where everyone

is related by descent or marriage, others are collectives of many

individuals or families with no biological relationships. What

holds each tribe together, regardless of its social structure, is a

sense of belonging. Everyone in the tribe is welcomed and has a

place, possibly a particular role to fulfil. If a Lahuian individual or

family finds that they are uncomfortable in their tribe or quarrels

with the leadership, they may wander to find a new place to

belong. It is very common for young Lahuians to wander away

from their tribe, simply motivated by curiosity about what life is

like elsewhere. Exchanges of individuals or families between

tribes are common, and in fact form a valuable method of

distributing skills and resources across the nation, despite the

lack of intentional planning of such actions.

Membership of a tribe is a very important commitment. To be

invited to be part of a tribe means that one is family, deserving of

all the resources and protection every other member of the tribe

can give. Travelers to the island tribes are often welcomed as

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guests – although some tribes can be hostile to outsiders. However, it is extremely rare for an

outsider to find a permanent place in a tribe – to do so they must commit their life to the benefit

of the tribe. Thus Drummon and Eluvian Lahuians are very rare – and those that do live among

the tribes are just as loyal to their tribal family as any other Lahuian.

The tribes of Ekhai Lahui are often treated as one unit by foreigners. They are regarded as one

people and one nation sufficiently to be granted a vote on the council of the High King. However,

representations for this vote, the position of ambassador or any right to speak on behalf of the

Lahuian people is rarely granted to an individual. Trade and negotiation is most often

conducted between foreigners and individual tribes. If a matter of great importance to all the

Islanders occurs, they may call a council of leaders to decide on a common course of action.

From this gathering occasionally an individual leader or council of leaders is appointed – but this

is a rare circumstance. Sometimes a Lahuian individual or tribe may take it upon themselves to

represent the Lahuian people at a foreign gathering – such as the council of the High King. It is

often difficult for a foreigner to know if they are dealing with a true leader among the Lahuians,

or just one leader of one tribe. An agreement made with one representative of the Lahuians

does not mean all Lahuians will follow her word. This lack of overarching leadership and

consistency often frustrates organizations from the mainland, and leaves the Lahuians

overlooked or even intentionally excluded from international politics. But the Lahuian people as

a whole do not seem to mind this situation.

Family structure, laws, traditions and cultural practices vary between the tribes. As their

environment consists of a group of tropical islands, there are certain common elements to

culture within tribes. The sea and the sky or weather plays an important role in culture, art and

everyday practices of the tribespeople. Although there are a few tribes that are not seafaring,

the vast majority of the tribes of Ekhai Lahui live and work on the sea and seashore. Products of

the sea and the seashore feature greatly in decorations, cuisine and all aspects of life. The

tropical environment of the islands of Ekhai Lahui gives the people and tribes of the islands

many resources, but it can also be threatening. The warm and wet weather allows strong

growth for fruits, but high salt levels and little fertile ground does not allow for large scale crop

growth. High winds and flooding put at risk dwellings. The people of Ekhai Lahui have adapted

to their environment in many ways. Some tribes live as inland as possible, away from the worst

of winds and waves. Others build structures above the waves, or even wholly on the ocean,

living entirely as nomadic fishermen on fleets of small boats.

Ownership and possession is very subjective in the tribes of Ekhai Lahui. Some tribes regard

objects as belonging to the whole, rather than individual possessions, while others are

comfortable with the idea of an individual owning items. However, this does not mean Lahuians

feel a sense of entitlement to take possessions from others – only that they are accustomed to

sharing what they hold for the benefit of the whole.

LAW

The rules and laws in Ekhai Lahui vary between the tribes, as does the method of enforcement.

There has never been any effort to standardize laws between the tribes. Thus is it important for

a visitor to learn the rules and customs of each tribe. Imprisonment as a punishment is rare, if

not unheard of, in most tribes. Most often crimes are punished at the discretion of the tribe

leadership, or even by mob rule. Execution, beating, banishment, or exotic corporal

punishments may be applied, depending upon the traditions of the tribe.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Training of youth naturally varies between the tribes. Family units may have traditions of

teaching particular skills and filling particular roles for the tribe. Other tribes simply teach their

children whatever happens to be convenient, knowing the child will eventually work out what

they want to learn and find their own place in the tribe.

The Guilds are not applied in any consistent manner within the tribes of Ekhai Lahui. However,

the Guilds have all established some presence in the largest islands, either with the support or a

local tribe or even by themselves. Teachers from the Guilds can wander between the tribes,

exchanging education for goods and hospitality. Some Lahuian people come seeking training

from the Guilds, either to learn particular skills their tribe needs or simply out of curiosity. It is

very common for young Lahuians to wander away from their tribe, simply motivated by

curiosity about what life is like elsewhere. Some of these young people find their sense of

belonging within the Guilds, learning and practicing their skills with like-minded people. In this

way some Lahuians make the Guild itself their tribe. This is often difficult for Guild members of

the mainland to understand, but it seems to function well enough on the islands and there is

little objection to these unconventional practices.

RELIGION

The Lahuian people as a whole are not known for strong religious motivations. Practices of

religion and worship vary along with tribal traditions. The most common form of religious

practice is that of a shaman or mystic, and most tribes have at least one mystic. However, the

mystic often has other duties within the tribe. Each tribe may even have different names and

aspects honored for each of the gods – for example, weather and the moods of the sea are more

important to a fishing tribe than knowledge or fertility.

MAGIC

Magic is learned in the same ad hoc way as anything else among the tribes of Ekhai Lahui. There are

no regular traditions around the teaching or use of magic. But it can be a useful tool for the benefit of

the tribe, and some Lahuians seek out teachers to learn magical abilities. Often a Lahuian will choose

to focus on Elementalism above other schools, because of how useful it can be in their lifestyle.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

The tribes of Ekhai Lahui have long been self-sufficient, trading amongst themselves as

necessary. Barter is the most common form of trade between tribes, and in fact barter continues

to be the dominant trade mechanism, despite the Septorian currency being available. Currency

is used to trade with outsiders, but often at least a token of barter is exchanged along with

currency in any transaction. Thus a canny traveler in the islands of Ekhai Lahui would bring

along many small items to trade alongside his currency, lest he be forced to barter with

necessities instead.

The nation as a whole does not support large industry of any kind. However, there are some

luxuries and items that are not obtainable anywhere else in the realms of Dantir – such as pearls,

seashell artwork, certain fishes and other sea life. Thus trade between the tribes of Ekhai Lahui

and the mainland can be profitable. The Lahuian people do not build large ships for transport or

trade, but usually only small vessels for fishing. Large scale trade with the mainland occurs

usually via trading vessels of the Toraneyan and Septorian people. That is not to say the

Lahuians are unable to leave their islands with their own vessels, only that they choose not to

make the effort. Portal Stone travel has made individual travel and communication with the

mainland much easier, and expensive fresh fish and sea products from Ekhai Lahui have been

known to be available as far away as Randwelt and even Avantine. However portal stones are

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very rare in the island nation, with many islands having no stones suitable for use on the

network. Only the largest islands are linked with the Portal Stone network, and even then few of

them are regularly overseen by a travel mage.

Several of the tribes of the Ekhai Lahui trade with the Mea-Kai, the people of the sea. The details

of this trade is a most jealously guarded secret. No one outside the tribes, or even some few

individuals within the tribes, know how to call to the Mea-Kai, or when and where a trade

meeting will take place. Occasionally the Lahuian tribes might trade these goods from the Mea-

Kai with traders from the mainland, but only for a steep price.

NAMES AND LANGUAGE

The tribes of Ekhai Lahui have many dialects and accents in their language. However, there

seems to be a common language from which most tribe language has derived. Thus it is

reasonably possible to understand the dialects spoken by any tribe, as long as one has a good

understanding of the language of their own tribe. Lahuians sometimes resort to the common

language of Creole to communicate with foreigners and possibly when the Lahuian dialects are

too incompatible. However it is common for a Lahuian to never have to use a foreign language.

Written language is not used to communicate a great deal, but only as a tool to be applied when

needed. Communications between tribes or with the mainland is almost always done by sending

a messenger with a verbal message.

Some of the people of Ekhai Lahui also know a very special secret language. This is the language

used to communicate with the Mea-Kai. The language is almost entirely a signed language, used

underwater, with very few if any vocal elements, and no written form. It is not known if this is

the only language the Mea-Kai use, but it is suspected by scholars that the Mea-Kai have their

own form of underwater vocal communication in addition to the signs used to talk with the airbreathing

Sauger of Ekhai Lahui. Knowledge of the signed Mea-Kai language is carefully guarded

from outsiders, and often only a few members within a tribe that trade with Mea-Kai are

permitted to learn it. Some say this is done at the request of the Mea-Kai themselves, though the

truth of this assertion is not known to any who do not know the language themselves. Sharing

this language with those not approved by the tribe is seen as a threat to the tribe’s friendly

relationship to the Mea-Kai, so only the most trusted may earn the right to speak with the people

of the sea directly.

There is little consistency in the number or structure of names for a Lahuian. Some may have

several personal names, several family names even, and a nickname or a title. Others may have

just one name. Often a Lahuian will identify themselves as ‘of the tribe’ and name their tribe

instead of a family name.

Example names (personal or family, non-gender specific): Akamu, Atea, Ari, Iokana, Keani,

Kapolo, Loa, Moeata, Moku, Nalani, Ranui, Temara, Unumea, Vanea,

Tribe names: Anapa, Eeva, Merenui, Moana, Oriata, Poema, Temanava,

DRESS

The tribespeople of Ekhai Lahui are extremely adaptable. They make and wear clothing from

whatever is available. Since their environment is hot and wet, light clothing is common. Males

and females wear pants or skirts interchangeably. Wools, heavy cloths and leather are not

common in their dress. Most of all, for any tribe that lives or works on the seas, being able to

swim or shed clothing quickly is necessary and may guide the choice of dress. However, when

travelling in foreign lands a Lahuian is likely to adapt to whatever is available (and necessary to

keep out the cold). For decoration seashells and sea themed items are popular, while metals are

rare and thus metal and gemstone jewelry is uncommon.

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HISTORY

The recoding of history is inconsistent within the tribes of Ekhai Lahui. There is an overall

tendency in all the tribes to live for the now, rather than the past or the future. Oral tradition

among families, leader or mystics keeps the stories of the past alive, but it is difficult to

determine facts from legends and myths. There is little written history or any kind of

documentation to form a cultural history.

It is known that with their relatively easy going nature and lack of cohesive development, the

people of the islands have been a target for invasion and attack several times in their history.

The relative lack of commonly valued resources and fertile land has meant that the islands are

not a great prize for any nation to control. But when an invader has deemed the islands worth

annexing, the Lahuian people have fought back. But this has always been an ad hoc and tribal

focused response – rarely do more than two or three tribes co-operate together to fend off a

raider. There was a known invasion by Septorian forces, centuries ago, although the details on

this situation are sketchy. There are of course also stories of battle and conflict between tribes

of Lahuian people.

There is one attempted invasion of the islands of Ekhai Lahui that is well documented. About

three generations ago, the Avantine Empire sent raiding and scouting groups to the islands.

While these small groups faced opposition from local tribes, the Lahuians were not able to deter

the heavily armed and trained Avantine soldiers. A full scale invasion of the islands was

planned, to add the islands to the Empire. A fleet of vessel sailed from Avantine, with soldiers

prepared to subjugate the relatively primitive Lahuian tribespeople. However, the ships never

arrived at the islands. Between Avantine and Ekhai Lahui, the entire Avantine fleet was lost,

without a single survivor. It took some time for the Avantine Empire to realize the scale of this

disaster. The Avantine leaders naturally determined that the Ekhai Lahui must have hidden

power, or there must be some other reason such as a great curse had been laid upon the fleet.

Either way, it was foolish to attempt to send another fleet. The islands of Ekhai Lahui have thus

remained protected and relatively unharmed for the entirety of recorded history. If the leaders

of the Lahuian tribes know the reason for the loss of the Avantine fleet, they have kept this

secret well for generations.

ENVIRONMENT

The tropical environment of the islands of Ekhai Lahui gives the people and tribes of the islands

many resources, but it can also be threatening. The warm and wet weather allows strong

growth for fruits, but high salt levels and little fertile ground does not allow for large scale crop

growth. High winds and flooding put at risk dwellings. The people of Ekhai Lahui have adapted

to their environment in many ways. Some tribes live as inland as possible, away from the worst

of winds and waves. Others build structures above the waves, or even wholly on the ocean,

living entirely as nomadic fishermen on fleets of small boats.

How others see the Ekhai Lāhui

people:

Avantine – Whatever protects

them is powerful indeed.

Otherwise the Islanders would

already be a part of our Empire

Eluvian – I understand them not.

Not their ways nor their notions.

They are as alien to me as the

Orax. The only bright light is that

they aren't as prone to carnage

and violence.

Drummon – They do not

understand the danger the world

poses to them. They are like

children and babes waiting for the

wolves to get them. I would pity

them, but I have too much to do

to bother with those who cannot

help themselves.

Toraneya – They are truly blessed

of the Gods, protected by their

love. None shall harm them while

we have the strength.

Jorgenwyld – And I care

because?

Randwelt – Do they matter?

While they have a vote upon the

council, they contribute so little to

the world that I hardly notice their

existence.

Septorian – Infuriating! Hard to

trade with those that want so

little. And what they do want

makes no sense. However their

exotic goods fetch a high price

amongst the Randwelt and

Septorian markets.