Selchi

The Selchi are a large, family-based society of hardy warriors. They are renowned for their large and bustling cities, their seafaring skill (shallow seas only), their trade and craftsmanship, and their constant warfare with one another.

Appearance

Selchi are tall, with women being around 5' 8 and men around 5' 10. They are almost universally blonde, though eye color varies. Hair is worn short on men and married women - unmarried women wear long braids. They dress in stiff, hardy clothing of ornate design.

Society / Government

The society of the Selchi is dominated by the 19 families - 17 landed and two landless (see below for details). These families are really more like clans, as they include many many people in an extended line, and intermarriage is common due to the large pool.

Only members of the 17 families are permitted to own land, and only those who are members of the 19 have a last name. Everyone else is either a merchant, a craftsman, or a farmer - all of them live on land owned by the families. This is especially important to farmers, as they are working the land of their lords, and the lord has final rights.

Role of Women

Blah blah blah.

When a woman's husband dies, however, there is actually a legal and religious process, called Oltus Muti, that allows her to officially become her dead husband, though it is very seldom performed. After a complex ceremony, she ritually disfigures herself in the manner her husband died (if beheaded, she will scar around her neck - if shot with arrows, she will scar the location of the wounds). She takes on his appearance - this includes adding identifying marks, such as scars or birthmarks, adding false facial hair, and dressing in his clothes. She legally takes his name and control of his estate. If he had any other wives, she is now married to them. In the eyes of the state, the people, and the entire society, she is now her dead husband.

There are some cases of a daughter performing the Oltus Muti, but this is very rare.

Skills

Profession

Common divisions of Profession are:

Knowledge

Common divisions of Knowledge are:

Perform

Common divisions of Perform are:

19 Families

Landless

Spada Selchi

Mercenaries