Laus

The Laus

Overview

The Laus, sometimes known as the Lausarii, Siredi, or in ancient times the Adinoi, are an ethnic group native to the far west of Nirann. They are the preeminent group of the West Sirii peoples, which includes the neighboring Rênoi and Eneans, as well as the Athilleans (Riverlaus), whose tribal ancestors migrated to the region between the 1000-900s AVK. The Laus homeland is centered around the Lossean Peninsula and Elos River Valley, which they have inhabited for some two millennia. They wrested control of these lands from the native Hurren (Marin) through bloody conquest, which drove them nearly to extinction. The Laus are a mixed folk, sharing a great deal with the Sitiric peoples to the west and the Arkhai to the south, though they are also a militant one. Since their inception the have fought many long and vicious wars with their neighbors and themselves for fortune, faith, power, and glory.   Laus communities have historically been founded along the coasts of the Eastern Kimari, while the Gulf of Adimir has served as a major center for commerce and political power in the Laus world. The Old Capital of Adinasis lies on the gulf coast, along with many of the largest and most ancient Laus cities. The Laus also colonized the coasts of the Mirenne Sea in the West, exerting near total control of the region until the arrival of the Lythirics. Other major cultural centers of the Laus have included the cities of Sirenis, Sathon, Taire, Loriana, and Eluzon at various periods.   For most of their history the Laus have been ruled by great dynasties founded by legendary figures and national heroes. These dynasties have had a major impact on the cultural, religious, and technological development of the Laus, with their rises, falls, and interregna often used to mark important eras by Laus Historians. Unlike some of the other Sirii, the Laus tend to be more collectivistic, have a very strong monarchical tradition, and in general care deeply about family lineage and kinship.
 

Etymology

Laus as a term has uncertain origins, and is not necessarily the only name for the group, though it is the most common root for exonyms applied to them. One possible origin is from the Laus term Lau-Siredi, meaning "Outer-Sirii," in contrast to Kês-Siredi, meaning "Inner-Sirii," which Laus often apply to the Anesari and other East Sirii ethnic groups. The Soranni call them "Lausari," which is related to this term. Another possibility is that the term has Marin origin, as the land which the Laus call home was once called "Lushae" by the Hurren. Though the meaning of Lushae has been lost to time along with the ancient Hurren, it is almost certainly the origin of the Laus word for the region, Lôssea. Given the linguistic similarity, it is possible that Laus and Lôssea are related in etymology to this ancient Marin word, in which case their true meaning would be unknown. The Laus, however, do not only refer to themselves in one way. Many Laus still use the ancient endonym, Adinoi, which derives from the name of the first Legendary King of the Laus, Adinon. Some of the rural folk and pagans on the fringes of Laus civilization also cling to the term Siredi, simply meaning "Children of Siris." It is also common for Laus to refer to themselves by their home region or by their city, such as the Selaki (Selákiai) and Elosi (Elosei).
 

Culture

Main Principles and Values

There are seven core values which define Laus society, their traditions, their outlook, and their interactions with others. They are as follows:   Courage
Fortune favors the brave, or so they say, and this the Laus take to heart. They believe they are called upon by their Patron Goddess Siris to be courageous in all things they do, to face each obstacle with strength. The prevailing thought among the Laus is that it is better to be ardent than cautious, to be decisive and fierce. The cautious will shy away from opportunity in pursuit of safety, while the brave will chase after it despite all danger. For above all the Laus know that the greatest tester, greater even than the Strifes, is Siris herself. It is through the struggles of the world and her many challenges that the Laus are made great. In this way, one must always be courageous in pursuit of greatness.   Honor
For the Laus, one's honor is everything. To the Laus honor is in some ways a form of loyalty itself, it is loyalty to the all the ethical principles, virtues, and rules that govern their society. It is loyalty to oneself, to uphold certain personal standards. It is loyalty to those you love, to set a good example and represent the best of your family and community. It also incorporates a sense of respect and dignity. All Laus have honor, which should be respected by others and which they should be mindful to respect. For someone to dishonor another or dishonor themselves is a great shame that they will seek to rectify, either in the form of a duel, or through compensation of some sort. Above all honors is the honor of Siris, which the Laus are sworn to defend against any foe.   Loyalty
As is the case for most peoples, loyalty is an integral part of Laus society. It is also something that comes in many forms and degrees. Highest of all loyalties is to the family, which includes bonds of blood and friendship. Second to this is loyalty to one's lord or master, whether that be a noble, an employer, a military commander, or a king. Third is loyalty to their people, to the collective that is the Laus nation, a preference for their own kind over foreigners, and a sense of duty to serve not only themselves but the wider community, which all are a part of. Furthermore, there is a sense of loyalty in the form of Piety. To obey Siris, to be loyal to her love is the gain her favor and to keep her promise, for as she is loyal to the Laus so must the Laus be loyal to her who granted them their land and their glory.   Diligence
To the Laus determination and a drive to succeed are highly valued. There is a strong work ethic within their society, and a belief not in stasis but in a constant struggle to change and improve oneself, one's community, and the nation as a whole. This can be seen in their industry, their military, and even in their art.   Hospitality
In one way the Laus embody love greater than any other group, and that is in through their sense of hospitality and generosity. It is a belief in Laus society that it is the duty of a family to make guests feel at home, and this belief is taken to such an extreme that even those who have little are inclined to give whatever they can to a friend or guest, or even a stranger, hoping that they feel welcome and included within their household and the greater community. This perhaps can extend to charity, in accordance with the previous value of diligence, as the Laus feel it necessary to give what they can to improve the condition of those around them. Be wary, though, that even if Laus will give freely, the moment that their generosity is violated there will be a reckoning. And for the Laus, mercy is no virtue...   Artistry
As Siris is a Goddess of Beauty, so do the Laus value greatly beauty in its many forms. In particular, the arts, and the principle of artistry hold a special importance in Laus society. There is a conception that all things that can be done are in some way an art, or that at their highest level of mastery the simple function is transformed into it. Warfare and it's waging are one such example, that the Laus do not simply wage war but seek to do so masterfully. As with weaving, writing, painting, grooming, smiting, building, and more, these are not mere practical exercises or production. Instead, the Laus seek excellence in all their endeavors, and hope not just to complete tasks efficiently, but to do so with grace and beauty.   Cleanliness
The Laus keep a clean society. As they seek beauty in the things they do, so too do they seek to keep the world around them beautiful. They strive to keep their buildings and settlements presentable, no matter how poor a community may be or how worn a structure. Even the oldest of ruins are carefully maintained, to preserve their historic value and some sense of aesthetic quality. Their streets are kept clean, as well as the people who walk them. For cleanliness extends beyond their cities and into the personal appearance of each individual. The Laus are expected to keep themselves clean and well-groomed, as representatives of their family and their Goddess. Their hair and skin are of particular importance. To facilitate such cleanliness, baths or washhouses have become an expectation in both public and private settings. Such is their prevalence that state spending on baths and waterworks is second only to the military.  

Language

Kinship

Clothing and Beauty

Music and Dance

Visual Arts

Architecture

Literature

Cuisine

Gestures

Item Reverence

Warfare

Subgroups

The Laus can be split into nine major cultural subgroups, which are themselves usually put into three linguistic categories based on the similarity of regional dialects. These include the Eastern Laus (most conservative culturally and linguistically), the Western Laus (somewhat divergent linguistically), and Southern Laus (most liberal in both categories).
  Eastern Laus
Selaki
Uravi
Kauroi
  Western Laus
Fareni
Kiastans
Litheans
  Southern Laus
Láikadoi
Elosi
Mirenneans
 

Religion

Mythology

Folk Religion

Semarean Temple

Sarithra

Kirrentai

History

The History of the Laus is long and storied, with Laus Historians often dividing it into Ages. These Ages are defined by major events, such as the rise and fall of dynasties. The traditional Laus historiography names Seven Ages, which are as follows: Divine, Archaic, Heroic, Classical, Argent, Imperial, Steel. In addition to these Ages, Laus Chronology is also recorded according to the epression Meiphaxe, meaning "From the Landing." This refers to the arrival of Adinon and followers on the Isle of Keraios in 891 AVK, which makes the current year 2459 MX.
 

Origins

The Laus are part of the West Sirii group, which includes the Rênoi, Eneans, and Athilleans. These peoples speak related West Sirii languages, and ultimately are descendants of the Ancient Sirii. The ancestors of the Laus are generally understood to have migrated west from what is now Anosfae, settling their modern homeland in the late 900s AVK. The oldest legends of the Laus claim that they, along with all Sirii peoples, are children of the goddess Siris, who worked through their old Patriarchs and guided the Sirii to conquer vast lands and establish great nations.
 

Divine Age

The first age of the world according to the Laus is the Divine Age, which is itself placed beyond the reach of history and time. It encompasses the myriad and fluid concepts of the Dawn of Creation, wherein the Gods walked upon the newly formed world. They are active in forging the world and its people, form conclaves with each other, and fight over control of its fate. As recorded by the Laus, the Divine Age is little more than myth, and almost all stories from this time recount the actions of the Gods, not the actions of mortals. There are four main groups that are generally described in the Divine Age, the Kaganei, Kesâroi, Êirai, and Thaphei, which are Titans, Demons, Gods, and Spirits respectively. Stories from this time often revolve around conflicts and interplay between these groups of spiritual beings. Some believe that much of what is described in the Laus Histories of this Age are depicting events and individuals who may have existed in the distant past, perhaps during the Niranni Ice Age. This time is so ancient, however, that there remains little concrete evidence to support the idea. Any true names, events, and people from this age are surely lost to time.
 

Archaic Age

The second age for the Laus is the Archaic Age, which describes the origins of the Sirii people and the lives of the Old Patriarchs. This age is still more legend than reality, though it is the first age for which real historical dates can be set. The Archaic Age lasts from  

Heroic Age

Classical Age

Argent Age

Imperial Age

Steel Age