Farlans

The Farlans are a fictional ethnolinguistic group described in speculative fiction and role-playing sources. They are said to inhabit the Farlic Isles, a coastal archipelago in the southern seas, where their communities are organized around kin-based lineages and maritime trade.

The endonym for the people is rarely recorded in external sources; outsiders use the name Farlan. The term may derive from a root meaning seafarer, reflecting their maritime orientation.

The Farlan language comprises several dialects, including Northern, Central, and Southern varieties. It is noted for a rich oral tradition, including sea-narratives, songs, and proverbs, and for distinctive kinship terms.

Social life centers on clans led by elder councils. Craft specialization includes boat-building, net-weaving, and carving. Religious practice is anchored in ancestor veneration and sea deities; seasonal festivals mark fish runs and navigational rites.

The Farlans rely on fishing, salt panning, and small-scale trade with neighboring communities. They use shell money and metal ornaments in exchange, and long-distance trade networks link the isles to continental ports.

In fictional chronology, the Farlans experienced contact with distant empires, resulting in cultural exchange and periodic assimilation pressures. Contemporary works portray the Farlans through themes of cultural preservation, diaspora, and adaptation in changing environments.