Ibesian

"Odd ones, ye folks are," the traveler snorted out as he worried at his tusks.

"How so?" Akneta pressed, thumbing through her books as she leaned forward towards him. His stories had intrigued her greatly. She had never had the opportunity to leave the temples of Delarae before, but there was something in her that yearned for adventure, for travel, for change. Her fathers always claimed that she had Fey blood with how she reveled in her wanderlust. She never saw why it could be a problem; the world seemed so vast and interesting beyond the little plains towns and their grass roofs.

She watched as he waved his sword-calloused hands around oddly, and then came to the sudden, amusing realization that he was mimicking the magical games that the children played when they were bored, running through the streets or dancing about the temple's steps. "I've ne'er seen so much-" he sighed and seemed to give up on his gesturing, "so many mages in my life as I have walking the paths o' these plains, lass. It's unsettling, but fascinating. Always loved magic, I have."

She let her dark hair drift over her shoulder as she put out a hand, tracing a soft circle into the air and setting off a small shower of sparks. Simple parlor tricks. Proudly drinking in the widening eyes and crinkling smile of the orcish man across from her, she leaned back. "I could teach you some if you let me tag along on this quest of yours. I'd love to see more of this world."

— Eraissir Demaki, Those of Fortune

One of the longest-settled human populations on Malinia, the Ibesian people are native to the plains surrounding Lake Ibes, slowly spreading to the borders of the mountains to the north, the wetlands of the southeast, and the arid grasslands of the west.

Appearance

Ibesians tend to be tall and of moderate build with medium brown to dusky skin tones, dark wavy hair that ranges from brown to jet black, and brown eyes, although ambers and greens are not particularly uncommon. Common facial features are structured and sharp—aquiline noses, thick eyebrows, strong cheekbones, and squared jaws—lending many Ibesians an authoritative, sharp look. Ibesian men are usually able to grow thick facial hair, but many choose to shave in order to show off their facial features.

Beauty Ideals

Hair is important within Ibesian culture with dark, long, thick, and shining hair called "dusk hair" being the ideal for many. Oils, honey, and egg whites are traditionally used to keep hair strong and promote growth. While hair is often worn loose, those who work hard labor usually find a need to keep their hair up. These styles change from city to city and with trends, but are most commonly variations of buns or braided crowns that are sometimes decorated with woven ribbons. Those with lighter hair may sometimes dye their hair with washes of pigment to achieve darker brunettes or, ideally, a raven coloration.
"Sun-touched" bronze skin is also considered beautiful, especially when paired with the light flush that comes from being in the sun. Many who do not work outside purchase rouges or pinch their cheeks, nose, and chins to mimic a sunburn and achieve the desired effect. Freckles and sunspots are also valued, commonly being referred to as "angel marks."

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Anna, Aestra, Brenna, Cybella, Demitra, Ilianna, Iressa, Korelia, Kova, Maria, Nassia, Nomika, Thekla, Vitallia, Xenna

Masculine names

Alkis, Athannen, Byrron, Callum, Eyan, Iakovo, Iasson, Javor, Kieran, Maekir, Nikiren, Spiran, Theodan, Veniam, Vissaren

Unisex names

Altaor, Avarrin, Cryssan, Hayden, Hykis, Iresso, Kai, Myrto, Niki, Remos, Shari, Stylian, Xenne, Yssen, Zoi

Family names

Aspen, Casswell, Ellis, Garrik, Hawthorne, Iesten, Katsarran, Kontalla, Nellen, Panae, Rees, Sarrota, Thenn, Turnir, Vynnra

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Magic, knowledge, strength, and skill are highly prized in the rough environment of the arid grassland that makes up most of the plains. Due to this, Ibesians often put emphasis on specialized skill, with respect given readily to any who excel in their chosen areas. Those who can perform great feats are expected to take on the responsibility of uplifting the communities that they originate from, helping their neighbors in any way that they are able, be it protection from a great warrior, crop blessings from an elder druid, or planning help from an accomplished scholar. Generosity and mutual assistance is not only appreciated but generally expected.

Common Dress code

Traditional Ibesian clothing was originally made from treated soft leathers and braided grasses from the plains, often dyed into different colors using berries or plants. However, as more of the settlements across the plains shifted towards mixed agriculture, more and more linen garments came into style. These linen garments serve as loose base trousers, skirts, and tunics, with more traditional leather overgarments such as vests, belts, and robes. Colorful fabric shawls and robes are also fairly common as overgarments during hot months or along the more humid coasts and lake. Furs are worn during winters and used as embellishment alongside colorful embroidery using threads from trade. There are no traditional shoes of Ibesian style, since most opt to go barefoot, but leather-wrap boots might be worn in particularly cold winters. Body adornment is also fairly common, with colorful jewelry and makeup pigments derived from wild berries being commonly worn by adults.

Foods & Cuisine

Traditional Ibesian foods are based off of grains and plants that could commonly be foraged from the Ibesian Plains. Components of these foods are often barley, rye, wild berries, wild vegetables, yams, honey, eggs, and game meats.
Some traditional foods include: afrátsomi, a quick flatbread made of barley flour that is served alongside warmed honey or butter and, depending on availablilty, can be eaten with venison, rabbit, fresh berries, or preserved vegetables; tiganitá avgá, a dish of fried eggs with a runny yolk served over cooked spinach, prairie turnips, wild carrots, or any combination of the above; and sigovrázá, a category of simmer stews traditionally set in the morning, made with game meats, fish, mushrooms, or beans, alongside a number of field vegetables, and sometimes thickened with barley grain.
There are two main traditional desserts—kéik-melioú and tseiskéik. Kéik-melioú are soft, portable cakes sweetened with honey, usually with a filling of chopped nuts. When served during a meal, these are presented drenched in honey and berries. Tseiskéik is a baked cheesecake topped heavily with a wild berry pudding and herbs like mint, sage, or thyme. Although the use of dairy is not common in traditional Ibesian meals, the base of this recipe was introduced by traders from the east of the Ibesian Plains and was quickly adopted and made wherever milk products were available. As cattle and goat agriculture became a more common practice across the plains, this dish's popularity rose in tandem.
The traditional drink of Ibesians is amber ale, a specialized ale made of barley derivatives domesticated and farmed by the more agricultural settlements in the western plains. Noted for its dark amber color, this drink is rich and bitter, and is often prepared with herbs and wildflowers depending on availability during brewing.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Due to the nature of the Ibesian Plains, many traditions amongst the Ibesian people revolve around seasons and the Fey. Many seasonal festivals revolve around druidic traditions of the plains, especially the ritualized controlled burns used to prevent wildfires during the droughts common to the northwestern plains.

Festivals

Ibesian celebrations nearly always include bonfires, though the nature of the fire shifts between individual settlements. During these celebrations, several mage and fire-dancers move the fires, cause them to shift colors, and often tell stories by creating figures and acting out small plays with them. Dances are also common, many of which include circles linked by ribbons or string and rhythmic footwork. Many of these celebrations begin at sundown and end at sunup, with revelers attempting to stay up to watch the sunrise in order to receive luck in the season to come.

Funerals

In accordance to the commonly held ideas of the cycle of growth and destruction, a traditional Ibesian funeral is a cremation. During the ceremony, the body is wreathed in wildflowers gathered by the friends and family and given seven kéik-melioú stuffed with various types of cleansing herbs to assist the spirit onwards and to use as offerings for any entities who might block them. After the ceremony, the family is given the ash to place in nature or in a family garden to complete the cycle.

Fey Offerings

Encounters with the Fey are seemingly more common in the Ibesian Plains than anywhere else in Elddevand. Due to this, there are many Ibesian customs that involve leaving offerings of kéik-melioú and amber ale for the Fey in hopes of receiving protection or blessings in return. In addition, many festivals and growth rituals call upon the Fey and their magic to assist in the health of the plants and creatures of the plains.

Horovod by Sofia Verigina

Related Myths

• Danae and the Giant

Related Locations

• Ibesian Plains
• Lake Ibes

A Mage-touched People

Magical talent is more common amongst Ibesians than in any other human population. Some theorize that this is due to the abundance of wild magic found across Malinia. Others theorize that many Ibesians have Fey blood from ancient travel in between the planes and as such, present with in-born wild magic or seem to find magic much easier than others across the world. More worldly thinkers claim that this is simply due to the cultural appreciation of magic ingrained into the culture of the plains, both from druidic traditions and arcane practice. Either way, should one need a mage, the best bet is to travel into a place frequented by the Ibesians.

Relations

Cohabitation

Ibesians are commonly found living alongside half-elves, half-orcs, halflings, fey folk, and other human cultures within the cities of Opheros, and are generally very open to other peoples, meeting them with intellectual curiosity and a willingness to help.

Friends in Arcana

The Khaarpall'dar have a longstanding relationship with the Ibesians of the southeast plains and wetlands. Trade between the two peoples is very common, though the Khaarpall'dar generally keep to themselves. Both peoples share a fascination with and respect for their ingrained magic, and some small clashes have happened over spell components found within the Sanval Marshes, though no long-term conflicts have come from these.

Giant Slayers

The Ibesian Plains face the threat of the ravenous Hill Giants and Ogres. Many Ibesian fighting traditions were created in opposition to these giantkin in order to keep them from destroying their settlements and devouring their people, leaning into quickness and confusion tactics to distract the giants and subvert their great strength. Very few Ibesians look upon giants kindly, considering them cruel brutes due to their long history.

Related Religions

The Great Circle, especially Chauntea, Oghma, Mystra, and Istus

Related Organizations

Opheros