Loients

Loients is a fictional ethnolinguistic group and the associated regional area commonly used in contemporary fantasy literature and worldbuilding. The term is applied to a people described as inhabiting a diverse landscape that includes coastal towns, river basins, and highland plateaus, with a long tradition of craft and trade.

Etymology: The name Loients is usually linked to the Loient language spoken by the group and to place-names in their homeland. In many texts, Loients also function as a cultural umbrella for several smaller clans, each with distinct customs yet sharing core linguistic and ritual traditions.

Geography and population: The Loients are imagined as living in the Loient Basin and adjacent shores, with a population depicted as spread across coastal settlements, river valleys, and upland villages. The economy emphasizes agriculture, timber, pottery, and metalwork, with trade networks connecting inland communities to coastal markets and harbors.

Culture and society: Loients are typically portrayed as clan-based, with practices centered on seasonal gatherings, oral storytelling, and craftsmanship. Social structure often centers on respected elders and local chieftains or council leaders. The community life emphasizes hospitality, shared feasts, and rites tied to harvests, navigation, and ancestral memory.

Language and modern depiction: The Loient language is described in various texts as having flexible grammar and a rich oral tradition, with multiple dialects. In many portrayals, speakers are bilingual with a common trade language to facilitate regional exchange. The Loients frequently appear in settings exploring cultural exchange, frontier life, and resilience in evolving economies.