Yulfing

the Civilized Plasha

The Yulfing are a tribe of Human dwelling in the remote north of the Plashin Range, where the mountains meet the Piercing Ocean. These people have branched away from their Plasha kin in the mountains, living a life more connected to the outside world, even if they still remain somewhat isolated. The Yulfing are a sea people, living primarily off what the sea provides them. Their culture has a long tradition of whaling.

Yulfing legend claims the people were led to the sea by a pack of Plashin Wolf when their world was so covered in ice that no food remained. There they found Rypo Bay and waters so full of Rypo Sealone could walk across the water on them. It is here they built a town and called it Rypost. The people have dwelt in this new home into the modern day.

Yulfing, being whalers, have long been connected to the sea trade of the Piercing Ocean. Thus are connected to the many cultures of Novyum. This connection is a key factor to the people converting to the Trijan faith in the early Novyum, shifting away from the ancestor worship of their kin. There is still a reverence for the old ways however, and the Yulfing make an effort to keep their traditions alive, and their culture distinct. They have given up the body mutilation of the Plasha people, however.

Skulls and bones remain an integral part of Yulfing life. Whale bones are everywhere in the town of Rypost. Most are used as decorations and art, though some, like larger rib bones are often used in constructions. Doorways and railing made of whale bone are an extremely common motif. Men, when they come of age wear skull masks carved of human or whale bone. Tradition has it that these are carved by a man for his wedding, with only his wife ever to see his face after.

Marriage is generally a liberal affair among the Yulfings. A man and woman can decide if and when they wish to marry. Despite being a Trijan centered culture the Yulfing do not hold marriage as a 'must happen' cultural event. Many men and women go through several relationships throughout their life, often living with one partner for a few years, then another later in life. When a couple does choice to marry, however, it is considered a sacred bond. The man wears his skull mask to prove his oath to this bond. The woman, in turn will have oaths of devotion to her husband tattooed in the Plash language on her body. These tattoos are inked in places only her husband shall see ever after, such as her inner thighs, lower stomach, or around her breasts. The bonds are meant to be deep and between the couple alone. The marriage is ritualistic, but private, with only a priest and a single mutual friend of the bride and groom to bear witness.

Yulfing are closely related to the Plasha people and are as such of the Slava ethnic group. Hair tends towards darker shades of blonde. Brown hues are not uncommon. The Yulfing have an almost universal aqua color in their eyes, though slight hue variations appear in family lines.

Traditionally seal skin was used in most clothing for the Yulfing people. This has shifted over time to include wool and cotton materials as the Yulfing traded with the rest of Novyum. Cultural style has seal skin used in the underlayers of clothing, with the outer garments made of the weaved material. This is a cultural show of wealth and status, with the more garments of wool and cotton one wears the higher status they must be.