Lechish (LESH ish)

the People of the Arm

The Lechish are Human of Normon descent that dwell on the east end of the Heartlands of Novyum, primarily along the coast of the Aabanu Sea and Ubara's Arm. They settled the region in the Lakorthian Age and have common ancestry with the Lakortha of the central Heartlands. The Lechish generally stand on the front lines between eastern and western Novyum. It is through their ports and passes that much of the trade and travel between the two drastically different cultures is done. They see themselves as the cultural wall between the Heartlands civilized world and the savage lands of Slavyum.

The Lechish are a contradictory culture to outsiders. They insulate themselves from outsiders, especially in these dark days of civil wars across the north. However, they rely on the foreign trade that passes through their nations. The locals are hungry for news from beyond their borders and their taverns are often full of locals questioning travelers. That said, they have little trust for those foreigners. Lechish will buy outsiders drinks, laugh, and sing with them in the taverns, but will most likely ignore them the next day if they pass each other on the streets. To them, it was a transaction, and nothing more. This goes doubly so for the Lithic of the Eastern Petty Kingdoms. They see the Lithic as a warmongering culture and untrustworthy. So many years of chaos in the lands west of Lechlan has left the Lechish with a loathing for those 'uncultured' people.

Lechish marriages are always arranged affairs and ceremonial. The process of engagements are contracts drawn up by parents, with pageantry and feasts hosted by both families throughout the courtship. Though there is often alliances and business dealings with these arrangements between the parents, it is the bride and groom who make the ultimate decision of if the engagement will proceed. Families who wish to make these arrangements put their children together to see if they will find each other compatible. This usually starts at an early age. Though never forced, there is often 'encouragement' for the children to pursue the arrangement. However, if the children do not like each other, that is the final word. As such, families often have several 'pots on the burner' so to speak, having their children meet with several would be spouses from favorable families in hoping one will land. When the children find a spark, then the contracts can be negotiated. Something that can take a few days, or even months, but, by law, never more than a year. If the children are still young, they must wait for the next phase of the courtship. When they become teens, a yearlong courtship begins with the couple living together to see if they are truly compatible. If they agree they will wed, the following year is made of pageantry and ceremonies hosted by the families, up to the official wedding day. After which the couple is married for life. Divorce is considered a mortal sin for the Lechish. A primary reason why marriage engagements take so long to finalize.

The Lechish are what one might image a typical Normon will look like. It is said that they have some of the purest bloodlines, when it comes to Elf heritage, and their physical appearance shows it. Their hair is nearly always a shade of blonde, usually pale and light hues. Both men and women wear their hair long. It is tradition that commoner men keep their hair no longer than shoulder length, while nobles will grow it out longer. Women keep their hair long and loss, but well styled. As with most in the north, their complexation is light. The Lechish seem to relish the outdoors however, and many will have some coloring from the sun in the spring and summer months. Their eyes are near universally blue shades.

The Lechish are a flamboyant culture when it comes to their style of clothing. Even the poor commoners will wear finer looking clothing, though these are of less quality material than their noble counterparts. western Novya often describe travels into Lechlan as stepping into one of the cradle-tales with their dress and decorated cities.