Ilhara people

The **Ilhara** people were an ethnic group of the island Alethea, and were almost exclusively limited to the microstate of Il'yessa. They were notable for their insular and monolithic culture, particularly their tradition of covering their faces with unique, personalised masks.

## Description

The Ilhara were typically tall and slender, with narrow features and pale, blue-tinted skin. Their facial features were generally prominent and angular, with large eyes ranging from white to dark blue in colour. Ilharan hair was often straight, and were cool-toned shades of brown, grey, and white.

Adult Ilharans were distinguished from one another by the structure and pattern of their mask. A frequently selected distinguishing feature of these masks were family crests emblazoned in the forehead region, though this varied among social circles. Children under the age of 15 were not required to wear a mask until their Ly Selar. Very few people outside of Ilhara culture were permitted to see their faces, which resulted in many rumours relating to their appearance. Those who had seen an Ilharan's face would often say it was the most beautiful they had seen.

All Ilharans possessed the innate ability of unilateral telepathy. This allowed them to project thoughts into another's mind at will, which could only be perceived by the individuals designated by the thinker. Due to the precision required of this form of communication, regular speech was used to address larger groups of people.

## Culture

### Traditions

Due to a lack of interest in external affairs, Ilharans had limited exposure to alternative ways of living, and were highly resistant to external influence to change. This isolationism fostered pride in their traditions, and a great deal of respect was given towards them.

At the age of 15, all Ilharan adolescents were expected to take part in a coming of age ceremony known as Ly Selar. During this ceremony, they would be presented with a custom-made mask - or *selaria -* by their family. The individual would then be expected to wear the selaria for the rest of their lives, except when in the privacy of their own homes. To see another adult Ilharan's face was considered an act of extreme trust and intimacy - if an Ilharan were to reveal their face in public, it was considered highly inappropriate. Some fringe groups used their unmasked faces as a sign of rebellion, or political protest.

### *Rasham,* The Four Tenets

Serving as the pillars of Ilhara culture, the *rasham* - or 'four tenets' were principles upon which Ilharan society was based. These were integrated into many aspects of Ilharan society, but were primarily understood to be centred on the self.

#### *Ahir (Knowledge)*

Pursuit of knowledge in all forms was at the heart of Ilharan culture, driven by the tenet of ahir. It framed knowledge as a foundation upon which all thoughts, feelings, and decisions were built. There was no knowledge which was considered to be of no value, as it could always serve towards informing a future action in some way, shape, or form.

#### *Ly'e (Reflection)*

As its name suggested, ly'e (literally: *to look upon oneself*) encouraged introspective self-reflection, but many also extended its core principles to the reflection of the world around them and the state of affairs in which one finds themselves. One was expected to reflect upon their behaviours, thoughts, and actions to identify areas in which they could be found lacking. Individuals varied in what measure they valued most, however morality and merit were the most widely regarded measures by which Ilharans would assess themselves.

Ly'e was considered the most difficult of the tenets to uphold, as pride was a common vice amongst Ilharans, and often clouded their judgment when there came a need to critique themselves.

#### *Mihul (Improvement)*

Sufficient reflection would highlight the failures and flaws within an individual or within their surroundings, and thus provide goals for their improvement. One was expected to lay out a framework from which they would work to improve that which they desired to, and adhere to the structure set for themselves.

#### *Summ (Preservation)*

Once improvements had been made, it was considered that the level to which one had improved should be set as a new standard. Each day would be dedicated to the upholding of one's resolutions and ensuring that one did not falter or fall into old habits.

### Worldview

As Il'yessa was an entirely self-sufficient city, Ilharans nearly never left the city, let alone the island of Alethea. This independence fostered a sense of benign superiority in the populace, with many who decried the need for international relations entirely. It was this cultural zeitgeist which created such an insular and traditionalist society.

While few Ilharans ever left the walls of Il'yessa, fewer still outsiders were permitted to enter the city. Trade with outside parties was non-existent, with roads only leading to the edges of the city, and no port in which maritime trading vessels could even dock.

Despite regarding outsiders with suspicion, Ilhara society was quite tolerant of honest and curious visitors. Among the most commonly accommodated visitors were scholars, as the first Ilharan tenet of *ahir* made them more amicable to those with intellectual pursuits.