Older Ones of the Tessinae

The "Older Ones," as they are known in Thitherland, which lies on the other side of the Thitherland Forest from where the former dwell. As their name implies, they are an ancient people with a mythical past. They live out the myths that made them in stories, epic poems, gatherings, spells, and rituals. Their villages ring with the sounds of music, rhythms, and spirited conversation.
The Older Ones have lived in the area of the Southern Thitherland forest since long before the forest was known as such. Their lifestyle hinges on the coming and going of the fish of the river where they live, and the rhythms of nature throughout the forest. They rely on hunting and gathering, and fishing the river, for all of their needs, although the wood of the forest plants is a part of their weapon-making and house-making, as well as bridges and other structures that they utilize.
The Older Ones live their myths aloud, and each element of their environment has its own story and characiture, to be honored and with which to interact on a personal and spiritual level. Every animal has its place in the mythology, along with every place. Among the three villages established by the Older Ones, there is a numerous web of story and narrative relationship. The Older Ones have not gained in population over a thousand years. The three villages are all they've known for so many generations.
In recent centuries, new people have come to the area. The red-clay pits to the north beyond the forest, once the objects of holy pilgrimage and reverent mining, are now off limits, taken over by the gruff and persistent mining operations of the Tessinae people from the north. The pits were once solely used by the Older Ones, and now commercial mining and its business has made pilgrimage challenging, if not impossible.
So instead, the Older Ones have worked to find sources of the red clay closer to home, in the forest or close to their villages. The search is not always successful, and their supply of clay is far less than it once was. For the Older Ones, the red clay has always been a sure source of spiritual nourishment and creativity. Many objects and vessels, both ornamental and practical (or usually both), have served the people well. For example, the "coil pot" is a vessel that has obvious practical uses but also an extended mythological symbolism and story to it. Every pot is a map to the Ultimate Reality.