Culture

Gelfling are in-between the highly stigmatized Skeksis and the wild and free Podlings. Their societies do have much more varied states of wealth, they do use gold, but they do go out of their way to make sure all their clansmen are taken care of. There is a deal of hypocrisy in the higher ranking members of the clans but overall things are equal and fair.

Families and their standing in society tend to cling to bloodlines and if a Gelfling comes from a poor family it can be very hard for them to ascend to a higher status. They will likely not go cold or hungry, but may wear very worn clothing and have little to no personal items to speak of. Jobs and ones ability to provide for the clan at large are mainly what dictates a Gelfling’s standing, wherein the tougher physical jobs are often seen as more important than others.

Gelfling have the most rounded society by comparison to Thra’s other races. They have schools, dedicated military, hunters and gatherers, farmers and builders, etc. There is a place for everyone to provide for the clan as a whole and children are encouraged to pick a path and work towards excelling in that line of work for their whole lives.

The ruling class is matriarchal, with a single Clan Mother at the head of a tribute of four Gelfling (two male, two female) to help keep her rulings just. She does have final say but the most important part of her job is listening to her tribute and making the most fair decision.

Marriage is a highly respected tradition and cause for great celebration. While it is usually left to love and rarely tampered with, important families can place great pressure on children (male and female) to find a suitable partner quickly.

Mentality

Gelfling are often seen as reckless and carefree, flitting about doing whatever they please with no thought to the consequences. It is a very unique kind of arrogance that comes from being the most rounded and plentiful of Thra’s races—Gelfling live and thrive in all biomes and it is not something they easily forget. They can be quick to come to decisions that need much more forethought and tend to rush into things.

Gelfling enjoy living in the moment and have a sense of security few others in Thra experience. They are hardy and do not feel locked down to one area and so find freedom in everything. They are highly adaptable and lucky folk and while it may seem they give no thought to consequences, closer to the truth is that they feel they can aptly handle any wrong that comes of their choices.

They view the other races as curious and enjoy visiting them to see what life is like for other creatures of Thra. The do sometimes have a holier than thou type attitude but it is simply born of their wanderlust and genuine curiosity.

Religion

Gelfling have two views on religion and very little in between. A Gelfling is either steadfastedly religious or not religious at all. Neither side really argues with the other in the open, not with great distaste, but friendly banter born of high passions due sometimes get carried away.

Those Gelfling who are religious attend regular ceremonies lead by renown priests and priestesses. They follow a strict set of rules for how to conduct themselves and when to ask permission/forgiveness from their chosen deities. They abide by a set of rules determined by the priest and priestess as this is taken as word from the deities themselves. Rarely to Gelfling pick more than one deity to worship, though they acknowledge and believe in all Gelfling deities, a Gelfling has but one life to devote to one deity.

Non-religious Gelfling simply ignore these things. They do not look down upon or attempt to disrupt their religious clan mates, they simply don’t have the time, desire or calling towards religion.

Deities are of all genders and tend to have exaggerated features. They all come from a single clan and are related by blood or marriage. Their pantheon is much like the Greek, Roman and Norse pantheons where the deities interact with each other like ‘normal’ folk.

Sexuality & General Open Mindedness

When it comes to gender and sexuality the Gelfling do try. Their society however does put a lot of focus on male and female and relationships that combine the two. This does not mean that ‘others’ are ostracized and far from it—a Gelfling could not imagine disowning their child if they did not adhere to the norm. However those outside the ‘norm’ are treated as, well, odd. They are respected but it does not come without a few discussions which prove others may not truly understand even if it comes from a good place.

Classes

Gelfling are not limited to any classes and have the full range available to them. They excel as clerics, paladins and rogues.

Darker classes have a place in Gelfling society though it is often those in lower favor who take up these classes. They are definitely seen as hooligans and treated as such but they are not outright feared or discouraged.

Gelfling Clans Descriptions

Dousan Clan

• Location: Crystal Desert
• Description: The Dousan live in a vast desert where the sand is made of tiny crystals. They travel in "sandships," large, moving structures made of bone and crystal. Their cloaks, woven from crystal, make them almost invisible in the desert. The Dousan are quiet people who conserve water and prefer using gestures over words. They focus a lot on what happens after death rather than on material things. They are known for their unique music, which is an important part of their spiritual rituals. The Dousan live near a hidden oasis called the Wellspring, which serves as their main gathering place.

Drenchen Clan

• Location: Swamp of Sog
• Description: The Drenchen live in a swampy area and have a greenish skin tone with dreadlocked hair. They are usually rounder and hairier than other Gelflings and are very good at combat when they feel motivated. Their wings are adapted for swimming rather than flying. The Drenchen are often overlooked by others due to the challenging terrain of their swamp. Their main settlement is around the Great Smerth, a large tree in the center of their swamp.

Grottan Clan

• Location: Grot Mountains
• Description: The Grottans live underground in a complex network of caves. They have very sensitive black eyes and large ears that help them detect faint sounds. Despite their small numbers, they live much longer than other Gelflings. Their homes are deep within the mountains, and they have a unique village called Domrak, situated near a still lake. Getting to their underground homes is difficult, as the entrance is far from the surface.

Sifa Clan

• Location: Trading Ports
• Description: The Sifans are a diverse group due to their roles as traders, sailors, and travelers. They worship the wind and are skilled in creating magical charms and symbols. They are known for being adventurous but also for their strict business practices, often charging for their advice and materials. Their main port city is Cera-Na, and they are led by Elders since their clan is not centralized.

Spriton Clan

• Location: Dark Wood
• Description: The Spritons are known for their warrior culture and their ongoing conflicts with the Stonewood Clan over the Dark Wood. They are excellent craftsmen, making sought-after weapons and textiles. Their capital is Sami Thicket, deep within the Dark Wood. The Spritons are recognized for their strength and aggressive nature.

Stonewood Clan

• Location: Dark Wood
• Description: The Stonewoods are a proud and ancient clan, considered second only to the Vaprans in age. They live in Stone-in-the-Wood, a settlement within the Dark Wood. The Stonewoods see themselves as heroes and warriors and are skilled in making tools and cobbling. They provide many soldiers to guard the Crystal Castle.

Vapra Clan

• Location: Northern Coast of the Silver Sea
• Description: The Vaprans are the oldest and most cultured of the Gelfling clans. They have white or raven-black hair and fair skin, which helps them blend into their snowy homeland. The Vapra Clan was dominant at the start of the Age of Resistance, with their leader, the All-Maudra, being a central figure among all Gelflings. Their capital is Ha'rar, and they are known for their strong restorative essence.

Names

Gelfling names are short and sweet. Male names are single syllable while female names are two syllables. Gelflings are also often awarded honor titles when they achieve something worthwhile and they are sources of pride.

Example (male): Tin, Ald, Whon, Liu, Vahn, Jen
Example (female): Kira, Luna, Torro, Nulan, Amber
Example (honor title): The Lightfooted, The Brave, The Wise, The Stealthy, The Fast, The Confident