Lareans

Lareans are an ethnocultural group native to the Larea archipelago, a chain of islands in the northern seas. They are historically maritime traders and craftspeople, known for tightly woven social networks and distinctive textile patterns. The Larean language is spoken by most communities and forms part of the region's linguistic mosaic.

Origins are debated; earliest references appear in medieval coastal chronicles describing fisherfolk who formed loose federations for mutual defense. Over centuries, Larean communities consolidated into clan-based polities and merchant guilds, with seasonal migrations between island towns and shared ritual spaces.

Culture emphasizes seamanship, navigation by stars, and craft production. Shipyards construct small vessels and ballast-laden cargo ships; weaving, basketry, and metalwork are common arts. The annual Sea Star festival celebrates sailors' journeys with processions, songs, and market fairs; maritime guilds shape apprenticeship and trade.

Religion blends ancestor veneration with sea spirits. Shrines at coves honor deities of wind and tide; rites accompany voyages and harvests. Social norms stress reciprocity, hospitality, and concord, though communities vary in gender roles and authority structures, particularly in the balance between clan elders and guild leaders.

Today, Lareans reside primarily in river and port towns of the archipelago, with diasporic communities across neighboring lands. Education emphasizes maritime sciences, navigation, and crafts. Political life centers on the Tide Council, a representative body coordinating inter-island affairs and cultural preservation.