Frainelor

Frainelor is a fictional term used in speculative fiction to denote a social and economic system that combines ritual gift exchange with communal labor in the imagined region of Eldara. It arose in the lore of Eldara as a means to balance resources and reinforce kin ties during periods of scarcity.

The name is said to derive from Eldaran roots fra- "to give" and inelor "to balance."

In a typical frainelor cycle, participating households contribute labor, crafts, or food to a seasonal festival. In return, they receive tokens, food baskets, or access to shared tools and credit during lean seasons.

A rotating council of elders oversees the exchange, sets schedules, and enforces norms; violations can lead to social sanction or exclusion from future allocations.

Frainelor reinforces kinship networks, provides risk-sharing, and aligns the community with seasonal cycles and religious observances.

Variants vary by village; some emphasize crafts, others agriculture or trade. In contemporary fiction, frainelor is sometimes portrayed as a model of resilience or as a source of tension.

See also: Gift economy, mutual aid, ritual exchange.