Keqallíans

The keqallíans¹ are one of the main ethnic groups of Ytvía in southern Jælondis, most of whom are found in and near the country of Keqallía along the Þargolid coast in the southern part of the region. They are of mixed human and dwarven ancestry, with the former being native to the region while the latter migrated to southern Jælondis in several waves beginning in the neolithic period, and much of the country's history is marked by the complex interactions between the two groups.

Culture

Apparel

Keqallían clothing is generally light and often colourful, traditionally consisting of little more than a belted tunic with one sleeve, which is worn over a two-sleeved one in colder weather. The latter kind of tunic was originally worn by the native humans in the region, while the single-sleeved one was brought by Lowland Dwarves. Men usually wear shorter and baggier tunics than women, and often sport labyrinthine tattoos on the exposed arm, hand and shoulder.
Sandals and sheepskin shoes are the most common form of footwear. Jewelry of all kinds is popular, particularly religious paraphernalia adorned with pearls, nacre or gems.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Keqallía is the most well known example of ytvían cooking, combining southern jælondic human, lowland dwarven and goblin influences with ingredients from all over Borgalor, particularly spices, tropical fruits and sugar from Örkraz.
Mandrakes, lettuce -often in the form of sauerkraut-, onions, fruits, steamed dumplings, dairy products, pork- and llama sausages, fish (especially cartilaginous fish), shellfish, wine and fruit juices all feature heavily in their diet. Ale is less common than in other countries in Ytvía, and is mostly used for marinading fish for certain dishes.
Keqallíans are especially known for their seafood -including a dish similar to ceviche-, cakes -some of which are only served at certain festivals-, and wine made from moon grapes.

Religion

The majority of keqallíans are polytheists, worshiping a pantheon of syncretic deities of mostly human and dwarven origin, with particular emphasis on the veneration of Qall, god of light and shadow, to the point that a significant minority worships Qall in a henotheistic manner. Other notable faiths practiced in Keqallía include twanism and polytheistic traditions from southwestern Jælondis, the latter which are adhered by humans who migrated to Keqallía's capital of Ötera during and after the Fell Wars.

Warfare

Keqallíans are known for their skilled pearlwrights who fashion armour and shields out of giant pearls found down in the Þargolid Sea, though such panoplies can only be afforded by the wealthy due to the long and complex process required to craft them. More mundane weapons and arms are sometimes adorned with pearls and even nacre, with axes and maces being the country's signature weapons.

¹Original icelandic: Keqallar, singular: Keqalli.