The Daoine

[HollowWorld]

Unknown Artist

The Daoine
The Daoine are a descended culture by generations of mostly Anhalder, with some other various human cultures mixed together due to their extended self-exile from the Kaltic Empire. They originated from the grasslands around Lamprecht Lake and the mountain ranges south of Artois. The culture now exists in three separate regions because many migrated south with their liege lords from these aforementioned grasslands, to what would become known as Féarthailte na Fail.

[This is a branch from the Anhalder lore. In sections where it is 'mostly unchanged' from the culture of the Anhalder, you can read that lore to see more.]​

PHYSIOLOGY
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Height: Males typically range from 5’8" to 6’3". Females range from 5’2" to 5’11".​

Form: It is common for the Daoine to appear on the thinner side, though in a more toned way. It is not uncommon for Daoine to be frail, but it is also not uncommon for them to be tougher than many their size.​

Eyes: All human eye colors can be found in the people of Daoine, but the most commonly found are the green and hazel color. A genetic mutation has been found in the Daoine in which striking blue, bordering on grey, colored eyes have been found, which is mostly recessive.​

Tone: Due to their ancestral roots of Anhalder, they are quite used to the cold of the North, but since moving south, they have adapted. Many Daoine people remain pale as their Anhalder roots, but some Fir nua (Those new to the culture, after the Migration) tend to be of a slightly tanned complexion.​

Hair: Hair tends toward lighter shades, with brown and auburn being the most common, though it is not uncommon for any shade of blonde or red. The styles for men vary from short to long and unbound, typically depending on the clan in question, or the profession, while for women, hair shorter than shoulder length is considered a strange and foreign exoticism. Facial hair is common, but there is little judgement for those who do not have any.​

Lifespans: With the hardworking lifestyles and the abundance of drinking in their culture, the Daoine typically have a slightly lower life expectancy than most humans, but disregarding the alcoholism, they live on average the same length.​

The Daoine are very similar in physiology to that of the Anhalder, but some notable differences in build. As height is an aesthetic ideal everywhere, both men and women tend to be slightly more toned and defined builds. It is often considered that the Daoine, while lean, are a very hardy people, often surprising those of larger builds with their determination and stubbornness in fights.​

ORIGINS
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The Origins of the Daoine culture is a story of migration for greater opportunity. During the age of the Anhald Empire, a group of its citizens migrated to the region south of Artois, and around Lamprecht Lake, in search of more fertile lands and opportunity. In these two regions they lived for many generations under their own rule, neighboring the territories of the Moore Elves. This influence, and their isolation from the empire is what propelled them to form their own culture slowly over time. Well after these people had formed their own identity, dialect, traditions, and culture the Kaltic Empire would come to the region around Lamprecht lake, and due to political turmoil those Daoine around the lake would move south with their liege lords to Féarthailte na Fail, leaving behind many of the kin in the mountains south of Artois that would be known as Sléibhte Geallta. ​

PERSONALITY & PHILOSOPHY
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Unlike their Anhalder roots, Daoine people are very outgoing and lively. They are quick to jest, have fun, let loose, drink, and are often scrappy. Although it is notable that the noble class is not of this extreme personality except in times of celebration. The noble class follows the ideas that a leader should rule through reason, and not passion, however the most favored nobles are those who show the most compassion to their people. As in any society, personalities vary among the nobles, but it is common for them to be stoic in matters of state and jovial in other aspects of life.​

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The Daoine people vary wildly in their beliefs with one common ground. The common ground being that the dark gods are not to be followed. Some do, but if exposed as such, they are shunned by the population. In terms of Arcane and religion, they vary wildly, though it is generally accepted, the arcane does not have a strong position in the culture as those who follow the favored gods openly (those of Ignis Synnove, Sallana, Valiant, Shalherana, and Korog).​

LANGUAGE & LIFESTYLE
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In the lands of the Daoine, Focail is learned first, only to be taught common in their later years. This causes them to often have a Daoine accent (most associated with Irish accents today). Legal documents are written in Focail after the migration.​

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Languages: Focail is the language spoken by all Daoine. Focail It is a somewhat difficult language to learn, but for its native speakers, comes easily off the tongue. There is practically no variety in accents by Focail speakers. The language originates from Rede, and is thus a dialect of it, but that is not to say that by knowing Rede means that one knows Focail, and vice versa.​

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Life in Daoine culture is much easier than in their lands before their first migration away from the Anhalder Empire. Due to this, food is often plentiful in the lands, though it tends to be cereals, meats, and root crops. Men are often taught from a young age to be able to fight and defend their clans, whereas women are not expected to, but it is not unheard of for them to share in the instruction of military discipline. Women in Daoine are often regarded as being some of the most hardy in Altera.​

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The lifestyle of the commoner tends to be heavily based around farming, whether it be crops or livestock. They also operate in large family units known as Clans. These Clans are led by a Clan leader and his successor is appointed by him before his passing, as the title of heir is one of influence in the clan. Each Clan typically is signified by its own “Sett”, which is the pattern upon some articles of clothing called the “Tartan”. Within the clan system of familiar bonds and unity, there is an even closer bond between the immediate family.​

By John Derricke​

GEOGRAPHY
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The defining characteristic of the Daoine homeland is its lush green hills and fields that span across most of the countryside. The lands are no strangers to strong winds and severe thunderstorms during the spring and summer, and are no strangers to blizzards in the fall and winter in the North. Additionally, the summer days can grow hot and humid across most regions other than those settled in the South, where the days vary more toward hot and dry, noticeably absent of snow in the colder seasons. These differences reflect in the appearance of the geography, with northern Daoine lands being much more dark green, and the southern lands being more of a light and bright green.​

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Noticeably depending on the season, the Daoine lands may be void of crops other than winter wheat in the northern lands, while the south croplands still are able to produce crops of a different life-cycle. To the north of the Daoine lands are the lands they have nicknamed ‘the land of always winter’. The southlands are surrounded by more dry heat, though they border some wetlands, some even residing in the lands themselves. These natural springs provide pure sources of water, while the north is more reliant upon larger lakes, underground aquifers, and precipitation.​

CALENDAR & CUSTOMS
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Due to the heritage of coming from Anhalder Culture, the Daoine follow the same calendar as them that is listed below.​

[Real - Common - Anhald]

September - Fogwater - Month of Kings
October - Ghostmoon - Month of Fallow
November - Stormwind - Month of Frost
December - Winterfeast - Month of Snow
January - Snowdown - Month of Ice
February - Floodlock - Month of Winds
March - Springrise - Month of Floods
April - Truebirth - Month of Storms
May - Sporebloom - Month of Sowing
June - Lightshine - Month of Dawn
July - Sunbright - Month of Light
August - Mistset - Month of Faith​

Similar to their Anhalder roots, most people shall celebrate their 16th birthday as the day they become adults in society. Typically this celebration shall have a reception of family and sometimes the clan, to be ended with a task or a goal, being a way for the new adult to prove to everyone that they are ready for the responsibilities and obligations of adulthood. This can be done through hunting, combat, racing, or other able goals. After they return from his quest, whether it be the same day or three years later, they shall enter into a large family feast.​

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Weddings are traditional and often very large affairs. The entire clan is usually invited to the celebration, sometimes neighboring clans or other important officials being invited, but everyone is treated as family. Copious amounts of alcohol are drunk, and the people celebrate with a great deal of song and dance, both with and without partners in various jigs and swing dances.​

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It is expected that those of youth are to dance, often in hopes of impressing or finding a partner, though it is not unheard of for the elderly to join in to impress the younger generations. Nobility often follow this trend as well, though they tend to stay on the more reserved side unless it is a very special occasion.​

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When a Daoine person dies, their family shall hold a “wake”, a period in which the body or a placeholder for the body shall be set for all to see. There, those who cared for the fallen shall go to mourn, giving toasts, and telling stories about the deceased. After this period, the family hosts their own funeral arrangements as per the customs of the deceased.​

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The birth of a newborn is another cause for celebration, typically celebrated similarly to a wedding with a small feast and a night of merry dancing and entertainment. Gifts are not uncommon, typically coming in the form of baby-care items.​

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A common theme for the Daoine people is their hardworking attitude. Often the hardest working people, or those with the most dangerous jobs, are revered as the highest authority in the common people. Noble authority typically follows those who have the most respect for their clan members, which is earned by those of nobility who have proven their care for their people.​

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Daoine are a people who are renown for lively music, often with faster tunes that keep the feet moving to the beat in dance, however they do have some slower songs, typically those of romance, mourning, or intermittent for celebrations. It is considered a great honor to be musically gifted by the Daoine, and many of the clans participate in both song and dance. Typical instruments played by the Daoine people are the fiddle, flute, bagpipes, mandolines, harps, and drums.​

POLITICS & HIERARCHY
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In Daoine landsl an individual serves their close family first, aiding in providing for them. After the family unit known as Teaghlach, they serve the clan that is led by the clan leader. Clans will conceive of many smaller family units. Clans serve a Noble House, which is recognized as a noble clan with large claims of land and multiple clans beneath them. All clan leaders, heirs, and immediate family units of the leader are considered to be nobles, and are expected to own land inorder to provide for the clan. The different houses occupy different positions and duties to make them more or less noble.​

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This system of clans and houses is very similar to Feudalism, as it stems from their Anhalder roots.​

By Marc Grunert​

MILITARY & WARFARE
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The Military and Warfare of the Daoine people is ranked and structured. When the time for war arrives, the people shall be called up to serve alongside those who are professional soldiers. They serve their clan leaders, who serve their Noble House. Clan leaders are appointed as Generals and Noble House leaders are appointed as Marshalls. Each clan might specialize in different branches of the military. For example, one clan might lean more toward cavalry, as another might be more inclined towards pikeman. Discipline in war time is heavily enforced within the ranking structure presented by their liege lord or lady.​

FASHION
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Fashion typically follows Anhalder style, with some exceptions. It is common for men to dress in what would in other cultures be considered military garb. Gambesons, aketons, coats of plate, these are all considered polite ways to keep oneself at the ready. Visible chain or plate is something considered to be worn only in war or times of strife, for it tends to make people uncomfortable to sit across from a man with a sword and a breastplate if they are but a forester, and therefore deeply impolite. The colors are often darker, but that is not the case for all clans. Most men will wear a long gambeson that extends down to about the knees. The pattern on this gambeson can vary in colors and pattern however it is the theme for it to exist in crossed threads at right angles, similar to plaid. However the pattern and colors worn are known as a Tartan, and reflect what clan a person is a part of, for each clan has their own Tartan. In the warmer seasons, it is common for men to stop wearing this gambeson and replace it with a small knee length skirt, made of the same patterns and colors, known as “Kilts”.​

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Women however, traditionally enjoy wearing colorful dresses, especially for special events. Though, outside of these situations it is not uncommon to see them dressed in less feminine styled clothing. Trousers and tall riding boots are not frowned upon, and gambesons are notable even amongst this gender though far less commonplace. Nobility tend to wear gowns quality fabric of various thickness depending on the season, and the colors remain darker, but again that is not the case for all clans.​

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Furs are often worn traditionally by members of the nobility to declare their position, but this is more from their roots as Anhalders than it is necessary year round in their warmer environment.​

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Jewellery is not as rare as it once was, and many families have heirlooms and items of worth passed down the generations. Not uncommonly traded, it is likely that gold jewellery and red and green gemstones stand out as a Daoine preference.​

CREDITS
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Credit to JustTheEngineer and kaiser_harding for writing the lore.​

Credit to Cap for the original Anhalder lore and layout.​

Credit to Elz for the Kaltic lore and layout.​

Credit to Celestea for proofreading.​