Turf-Trolls

The ancient inhabitants of the Sokani Archipelago , turf/grass/soil-infused. still form the farming class. Less classically humanoid than many peoples, Turf-Trolls are round-shouldered, hunched and dense. The also vary greatly in size, with 3-8 feet being a typical range for adults of either gender. They are tough, strong and full of stamina, as a rule. However, they suffer from persistent immersion in water, which dissolves them, and are intolerant of salt. they enjoy damp, drizzle and mist however. their lifespans can be very long, with erosion gradually shrinking them from adulthood until they dwindle away. this can take anywhere from 100 to 900 years. Their skin is rough and a rich earth-brown, and thick grasses grow from their shoulders, backs and arms. This vegetation grows quickly and lushly, and they are able to consciously manipulate the growth of these plants. One of the most prized traditions of the turf-trolls is brewing. Skowan beermakers are able to infuse various essences into beer, which lets it act as medicine and to create various form of temporary enhancements – at the cost of inebriation. Turf-Trolls are – unsurprisingly – tied to the landscape, and their culture is one of homebodies (though not unadventurous – their feasts and feuds are both notoriously raucous!). Despite this – and their salt-water aversion, they make talented mariners and have a strong sailing tradition, though they rarely travel too far. Turf-troll society's basic unit is the village, led by a chieftain. they typically are not interested in larger-scale organisations except in moments of dire emergency. within these villages, much property is held in common and little is private or secret - people live, eat, and sleep in communal buildings. Succession is to the eldest child of the Chieftain, or to their appointed champion. in battle, a chieftain is expected to lead from the front. They traditionally wear holey overcoats, to allow their plants light and air – this look influenced the Nidari shawl fashion. They think trousers are soft and decadent, on either gender. shortness is a sign of age, and therefore wisdom, in Skowan society. They know Sokani by its ancient local name, Skowan. The Skowan language is not widely spoken, even among the trolls, but is commonly used in names for places and people, as well as in religious and ritual settings. examples: Effgaw, Vellpar, Gorbag, Kell. Turf-trolls are among the most intense adherents to the old Three-Roles Faith. Questions:

Naming Traditions

Masculine names

Effgaw

Other names

Turf-trolls are also known as The Skowan.

Culture

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Vonch: The biggest festival of the year, and famous across the Nidari Reach as the grandest driving-out ceremony of all, the Vonch is a sowing festival and takes the form of a grand party held in the largest hall or square in each area of the islands. After a month of abstinence for sowing. The ostensible religious purpose is to offend, enrage, frighten or distract the god playing the current role of Salt/Blight, with crude songs and poems, bawdy plays and sculptures, public sex acts, stunts of eating and drinking and combat and athleticism in sparring-rings, insult-offs and battles of wits/words, preparing foul-smelling and –tasting food and drinks, and other general debauchery. This starts off going anticlockwise around the space, but inevitably order soon collapses. Immense amounts of alcohol are consumed, generally uncasked from the time the god was in the role of Sun, 10-13 years previously. Sun symbols, especially brass-backed torch-mirrors with fierce-faced suns on them. While outsiders are welcome, they are not accommodated, and community is the heart of the experience.

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