Plasha (PLAH shah)

the Mountain Ghosts

Some think them legend. Others view them as monsters in the mountains, no better than Orc. Few call them friends. The Plasha are Human of Slava descent that dwell deep in the Plashin Range that splits Novyum, between the Heartlands in the west and Slavyum to the east. These hardy people are known for their resilience, adherence to their old ways of life, and a fire for independence. They are also well known for their rather unique style of body mutilation and tattooing, and a worship of ancestors.

The Plasha have dwelt in the Plashins since mankind first spread into the Northern Reach of Ethae. They are named for these mountains, or perhaps the range was named for them. Plasha myths claim their ancestors carved out cities in the glaciers that once covered the north. These ancestors, it is said, moved into the Plashins as the ice melted, so they could stay in their natural environment among the glaciers. As unrealistic as most believed these tales are, the Plasha do thrive in the deadly high mountains when left alone.

The history of these people in the modern ages has been one of struggle. Not from the harsh environment in which they dwell, but from outsiders moving through the Plashin Range. Something that increases with each passing century. Early history records the Plasha as peaceful guides for travelers through their mountains. Struggles began with the rise of the Republic of Lakorth, which sought a major pass through the Plashins. This led to outpost forts and castles and then claimed the territory. No match for Lakortha might, the Plasha were pushed deep into their mountains. This only grew worse under the reign of the United Kingdoms of Novyum which implemented policies to bring the Plashin Range and its people under control by any means. Extermination attempts lasted generations and dwindled the Plasha's numbers to only a few thousand. The survivors made the Plashin Range an even more deadly route to travel.

The decline and desolation of the United Kingdoms may have ended the push against the Plasha, but the wars that now plague Novyum are no less threat to these people. Nearby petty kingdoms covet the recourses of the mountains. The centuries of bloodshed has brought predators and monsters back to the range. The dwindled Plash numbers struggle to keep up against such horror as they once did.

The Plasha are not without mercy or kindness. While there are tales of the Plasha murdering every merchant and travelers in the Plashins, it is rarely the case. They know not to draw attention to themselves, so most travelers never see a Plasha. The Plasha are only aggressive against what they perceive as armed warbands intended to do them harm. This creates some difficulty for merchants traveling the dangerous mountains between war-torn lands. These merchants often hire guards to protect their caravans against bandit, raiders, and monster. A caravan with a small army of protectors can easily be misinterpreted as a raiding party for a people who have been the target of attacks for countless generations.

Plasha live in small semi-nomadic communities. These travel their territory between established caves settlements. Primarily the caves are used during the winter months as shelter when the harsh Plashin weather is its worst. Through the rest of the year, the Plasha live it mobile tent villages outside these cave's entrance. It is not uncommon to find several tribes camped together in the same place. Each sharing the cave and communal space. When it is time to move, however, tribes go their separate ways. Courtships are often forged during these group encampments, especially during the winter months.

Marriage is encouraged early, often in the early teen years. There is an expectation of finding a partner from another tribe, though marriages do occur within tribes. Partners are found by the individual, without influence from parents or community. Both the male or female can initiate the courting process, and once the couple decides to marry, none can interfere. Marriage is considered sacred and separation unheard of. The couple will choice which tribe they will follow once wed. That said, it is predominately the wife's tribe that gains the newlyweds. These young couples are believed bless by the ancestors if they conceive a child within the first year. Those that find themselves with a stillbirth can find themselves in a cruel world, shunned by their people, as they are then seen as cursed. A sadly all too common thing in the harsh world the Plasha live in.

There are two distinct subcultures of the Plasha people, simply known as the southern and northern tribes. The Northern Plasha are a tough people in a deadly environment. They are far north on the continent, high in the deadly mountains. These Plasha must survive extreme colds as well as the creatures found in the range. The Plash Orchold are a continued threat, as are humans of the surrounding lowlands that consider the Plasha no better than monsters to be exterminated. A view they cannot avoid creating as they are often forced to resort to raiding nearby communities for survival. The Southern Plasha, on the other hand, though living remote in the mountains are less remote than their northern brethern. This has forced them to keep a more peaceful approach to the surrounding nations and their armies that are often egger to find a reason to travel into the mountains to kill Plasha. The dividing line between the two groups is Plasha Pass, though there is no known correlation as this pass being the reason for the cultural distinctions.

The Plasha have adopted body scaring, facial tattoos, and body painting over the generations. Much of this comes for a culture deeply rooted in ancestor worship but has evolved into the extremes of the modern people largely due to the threat the outside world brings to them. Their appearance is as much to frighten an enemy as it is to honor their dead. These people have also master's spooky monstrous sounds echoing through their deep valleys. With their numbers so small, fear has been the greatest weapon of the people for survival.

Plasha are of Slava descent, as such, scares and tattoos aside, they have the typical appearance of their ancestorial people. Sandy blonde to brown are common shades for their hair. Hairstyles vary between communities, though men overall keep their hair cut short or shaves, with veils being common among them. Women will keep their hair longer, and in wild styles, wreaths and mountain flowers are commonplace styles for their head. Eyes can be any natural color known to humans. They Plasha, however, have an herbal concoction they drip in their eyes daily that keeps the eyes looking red and black. It is cultural tradition that only the parents and spouse may see the natural eyes of a Plasha.