Ffolk

The Ffolk were the first humans to settle the Moonshae Isles. Their culture has developed in relative isolation from the mainland of Faerûn and is typified by a deep love of the isles and the Earthmother.

Appearance

The Ffolk traditionally have olive skin, dark eyes, and dark brown to black hair. However, relations with the Northlanders and the ports of the Sword Coast have created diversity in the population. Ffolk with Fey ancestry have brilliant green eyes.

Devoted to the Earthmother

The Ffolk revere their land, viewing the Earthmother as the spirt of the Moonshaes itself.

     Druid-Led. The Ffolk’s spiritual leaders are druids of the Earthmother rather than clerics of Faerûn’s mainland gods.
     Natural Spaces. Since the Earthmother is the land, the Ffolk don’t build her large temples. Instead, they honor her with stone rings and small shrines in places of natural beauty.
     Moonwells. The most sacred locations to the Ffolk are the Earthmother’s moonwells. These magical pools are fonts of power and are tended by the druids.

Society Structure

Isolated from the Faerûn mainland, the Ffolk have developed a pastoral society.

     Steadings. Ffolk outside of villages live in steadings; fortified farmsteads capable of fending off wild animals and goblin attacks.
     Village Life. Being focused on agriculture, Ffolk prefer to live in small villages rather than in great cities. The largest village or town in an area acts as the market and seat of the cantrev.
     Feudal Structure. The smallest political unit of the Ffolk is a cantrev, ruled by a lord who governs several villages. Multiple cantrevs are bound together to form an earldom.
     Limited Monarchy. The earls of the Ffolk are loosely aligned under a High King. The earls see themselves as peers of the High King. They give the king deference, but not obedience.
     Kendrick Devotion. The Ffolk have lived under the rule of House Kendrick for centuries and have tremendous respect for the family.

Cultural Traits

     Shaped by the Land. The Ffolk are shaped by the Moonshaes’ rugged, striking landscape and harsh weather. Stubborn and persistent, they thrive in the land’s adversity and rejoice in its natural beauty. They adore their home with a deep and abiding love outsiders find hard to comprehend.
     It Takes a Village. The Ffolk live in extended family groups with grandparents raising the children while the parents work . Most neighbors are cousins, so marriages must be to someone outside the village.
     Belief in Heroes. The Ffolk are confident that heroes will rise up confront the many threats to the Moonshaes. House Kendrick is the greatest of these folk heroes, but heroes can come from anywhere.
     Cautious of Outsiders. The Ffolk are slow to welcome outlanders, who are often loud, arrogant, and condescending. Even worse, outlanders are often invaders, for many mainland nations see the Moonshaes as backward and ripe for the picking.
     Bound by Culture, Not Blood. While the Ffolk originally settled in the Moonshaes from what is now Tethyr, they have absorbed many immigrants over the centuries. Defined by their love for the land and the Earthmother, the Ffolk have absorbed these newcomers, adding them to the fold.

Art and Entertainment

     Faires. With the Ffolk being so spread out, they enjoy a good faire, whether it be a market, a festival, or a traveling carnival. Faires are great opportunities to meet prospective friends.
     Harp Music. The Ffolk love their harps. Each tavern has their own harp for use by visiting bards. Stiff competition brews between taverns over who has the best harp.
     Poetry. The primary artform among the Ffolk is poetry. Every shepherd seems to be a budding poet, working on lines while in the fields.