Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. //**[[Untir|Click here to return to the Untir page.]]**// ======Bahlong====== //(pronounced ‘bah-LONG’)// ---- > You can tell when their merchants have visited---if not for the range of goods they've brought, for the statuettes they leave absolutely everywhere. The little things always look so similar---it's almost like they're leaving a signature on a contract. //—a **[[Tekhayana#Decha|Dechan]]** noble commenting on Bahlongin traders at a business meeting.// ---- The Islands of Bahlong in the southeast of Untir, though extremely diverse, have been long united by their shared Legends, who take the form of timeless, heraldic figures. The people are primarily traders and sailors, most often identifiable by their luxurious woven sails or the votive offerings left in their wake. ====Galakan (or ‘The Western Isle’)==== //(pronounced ‘gal-ak-AN’)// ---- Galakan, the westernmost island of Bahlong, is named for the region’s myth of origin, which tells of a great merchant who brought wealth to all islands by teaching them how to sail. Seafaring and trading are the most prominent businesses of Bahlong, meaning his stories are widespread, alongside his statuettes. > //Standing at almost two metres tall, the storage jar is incised with a repeating motif of sailing ships moving across a wavy sea. The lid is in the shape of Galakan’s head, decorated with a headband and large earrings.// //---the ‘Galakan Martaban’, the largest and oldest jar depicting the famous merchant.// ====Hakoi (or ‘The Isle of Weavers’)==== //(pronounced ‘HAH-koh-ee’)// ---- An eastern island named for the Legend Hakoi, a great weaver who spread the first tales of Galakan by creating boat sails with images of his feats. Here, she is celebrated decennially upon Bahlong’s tallest peak, where weavers compete to be honoured as her spiritual descendant. People who honour Hakoi are often artists, or those who seek creation and joy. > //Dyed the deepest of rare purples and woven with silken threads, a sailor looks up at the stars on a dark night to guide him through the seas. White pearls are sewn into the sky, connected by silver chains, whilst the sea is lined with shells and glass. The sailor’s eye gleams bright as jade.// //---'The Guiding Stars', a sail made by a spiritual descendant of Hakoi and displayed on the mountaintop.// ====Sasakab (or ‘The Southern Isle’)==== //(pronounced ‘SAH-sah-kab’)// ---- The southernmost island of Bahlong is named for the Legend Sasakab, who is widely seen as an almost-hero of the common folk and farmers, whose legends surround domesticating animals, developing fishing techniques, or learning how to grow certain foods. It is unclear whether one figure named Sasakab ever actually existed---it is possible that they are an assimilation and generalisation of all explanations for agricultural developments. Yet, to the many who believe Sasakab was real, their focus is on staying humble, valuing practical skills, and harmony with the land. > //Long wooden branches tap together, then upon the floor, in an unceasing beat. Dancers draped in fine beads and charms jump over, around, and betwixt them, careful not to get caught. All from the youngest to the eldest partake in the song and dance, which tell of abundance---a step there for the health of the young goats, and a verse for a bounty of mangoes.// //---description of a dance performed by farming communities during the harvest season.// =====Ways of Telling===== Bahlong emphasises tactility its Telling. Being able to feel or imagine the physicality of a story is important, whether that be through the adorned sails of weavers, the shapes and patterns of pots and statuettes, or in the dances even the most rural of peoples practise day and night. Within the Bahlongin culture of Telling, there is also a focus on generalisation---that is, the repetition of culturally accepted motifs, which manifest in patterns, stories, and dances. These motifs use recognisable features to signal particular types of individuals and symbolise common ideas. =====Society At Present===== The Islands of Bahlong prefer to self-govern. The most popular form of local government is oligarchy, usually dictated by families with the most wealth upon an island. A few islands also have meritocracies, specifically on the basis of skill in the forms of Telling. There are many tensions between **[[hen_eibar|Hen Eibar]]** and Bahlong over resources, primarily in the easternmost isles. Bahlong does not have a long nor strong military history, and many have begun to move trading interests westwards to avoid conflict. Moreover, some **[[tekhayana|Tekhayans]]** have been arriving on Bahlong's shores seeking more freedom from **[[Maer|Maeran]]** influence. ===Character Inspirations=== * A young seafarer looking to fight back against Hen Eibar * A sail weaver who has gone unnoticed but believes they have the potential to be recognised as Hakoi's spiritual descendant * A stowaway from elsewhere now making their way as a simple farmer on a southern island * A travelling ceramicist looking for inspiration for new works, after recreating the same votive statuettes and pots for so long ==Naming Conventions== Bahlongin names commonly have consonant vowel noises, like 'ka' or 'ni'. Names tend to possess nasal, bilabial and uvular sounds. Examples of the kinds of names a Bahlongin character might have include: Atomo, Lanukanu, Gabi, Mihang, and Ulon. Depending on their level of contact with cultures who use surnames and their desire to distinguish themselves, a Bahlongin person may or may not have a surname. =====NPCs===== ^NPC^Pronouns^Description^Physrep^ |Bulaan Dula|he/him|Warrior and key figurehead in organising the Bahlong response to growing Hen Eibari incursions. Known for his courage, as well as his signature kampilan blade.|TBC| ~~NOTOC~~ bahlong.txt Last modified: 2026/04/19 09:44by gm_ameal