loihin

Loihin is a fictional ethnolinguistic group commonly appearing in worldbuilding, fantasy literature, and role-playing settings. The term refers to a seafaring people whose territory lies across an archipelago in the northern seas. In most depictions, the Loihin are organized as a loose federation of island communities rather than a centralized state.

The name Loihin is drawn from the Loihinish language, in which loih denotes water and the suffix -in marks plurality or collective identity. Loihinish is described as an agglutinative language with a subject–object–verb order and a rich system of kinship terms.

Loihin communities occupy several densely wooded islands and shallow shores. Central hubs function as marketplaces and councils; smaller islets shelter fishermen, boatyards, and grain stores. The coastline features coral reefs and mangroves, shaping navigation routes.

Social life centers on maritime work, with roles such as navigators, boatwrights, fishers, and salt producers. Economic exchange is built on long-distance sea routes, seasonal markets, and gift economies among kin groups. Shipbuilding, rope-making, and harpoon technology are valued skills.

Navigation is a core cultural skill, blending star lore with sea currents. A rite of passage involves a sailing voyage; ancestors are honored in coastal shrines. Oral tradition preserves genealogies, songs, and weather lore.

Appearing across multiple works, the Loihin are described as having migrated from a homeland centuries ago and forming the archipelago federation after a pivotal event known as the Great Crossing. In contemporary worldbuilding materials, Loihin provide an example of a maritime society balancing egalitarian governance with specialized craft traditions.