Men of Rhovanion

Men of Rhovanion Reference 

• Rhovanion (also known as the Wilderland) is a vast, mostly-woodland country east of the Misty Mountains and northwest of Dorwinion and is home to the expansive forest known as the Mirkwood.

• Rhovanion is home to Laketown; a town which survives not only on the fish produced from Long Lake but from the ebb and flow of commerce that flows through its imports and exports system ruled by the Artisan Union.

• Towns in Rhovanion are governed by Masters (Mayors) or councils and elders across it's various towns and villages. All are beholden to a greater or lesser degree to the laws of City Hall of Laketown if they wish to prosper and participate in the commerce and mercantilism is maintained by the firm, unwavering fist of the Artisan Union.

• Rhovanion is home to not just Men but also Dwarves of the Iron Hills, and their kin, the Refugees of Erebor, and the mysterious Wood-Elves ruled by the King of the Woodland Realm - Thranduil.

• There are many smaller settlements and villages in Rhovanion, but the undisputed capital and largest city is Laketown. 

• Fish and river foods form a heavy base of the Rhovanion diet - including fin fish, clams and mussels, eels, and river crabs. The diet is filled in with grains, root vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits grown along the Long Lake or foraged from the nearby Mirkwood. Domestic fowl and livestock and wild game caught from the forest fill out the local dishes. 

• Ironwood and finely woven nettle-cloth are some of the most expensive and sought exports out of Rhovanion, with lumber in general and salted and smoked fish products providing other trade staples.

Playing one of the Men of Rhovanion:  Quick Tips

• Men of Rhovanion are born predominantly with dark-brown hair and eyes varying in shades of brown. Truly blond hair is uncommonly seen aside from those of the so-called Beorning folk. Red hair is very rare, with brownish shades of auburn the most common when it is seen. It seemingly occurs more commonly amongst those with lineage from the "Redwater" the area of land south of the Iron Hills where it is said the iron rich reddish-orange tinge to the water of the Carnen - the Red River, holds some effect on the people's there. 

Blue eyes are rare, usually only found among the Beorning folk (who are also known to curiously sport amber and honey colored eyes.) Green eyes and hazel eyes are the mark of one of Dorwinion or mixed Dorwinion and Rhovaion (commonly known as Khilriad) heritage, which is accepted with varying degrees of distrust. 

Grey eyes are likewise not found among the Rhovanions, even the lines of old nobility of Dale - they are a curiosity only found in the Dunedain. Truly black hair is also rarely found in true-blooded Rhovanions, it being something more common to those of Dorwinion or Gondorian blood. It's ready appearance in those from Southglain speaks to the rumours about the common degree of Dorwinion blood amongst them. 

• Beards seem to greatly vary within the woodland expanse of Rhovanion and is a very common sight with no true defining fashion or trend. Mostly, beards are a sign of manhood as boys typically are the hairless amongst the rustic, country living Rhovanions while inside Laketown, beards are used more so to separate those who are Rhovanion from those who are Dorwinion, the latter of which seem to grow no true beards (but rather moustaches) whether by high maintenance or by nature of their bloodline. 

Mustaches unattached to a fuller beard are rarely in fashion, usually something that is done by Dorwinions. Men do not braid or put trinkets or charms in their beards, when present, as it is seen as a tradition of outsiders, be they Rohirrim or Dwarves or even Dorwinions and Easterlings.

Beards in Laketown, like hair, can determine a person’s social standing and wealth. Short shorn beards of a manicured nature is a sign of the wealth necessary to visit a barber or the free time in one’s day to deal with taming the beast themselves. Dense, thick beards can be a wayward home of pestilence if one does not have the financial means to visit bathhouses or barbers, or to afford the cleansing materials on their own. To be free of facial hair in Laketown is usually a sign of living in the Rookery where vermin are plentiful and shaving is a means to rid one’s self of vagabond companions. Likewise a long beard and unkempt beard is usually a sign of being an outsider or poor in Laketown.

• Braiding one’s hair is a common sight amongst women and generally has meaning. Younger and unmarried women generally wear their hair in long plaits down their back, with the style of braiding showing a woman's work. Herringbone braids being most common for those in the fishing industries, and the most elaborate generally found by those who work in weaving or the textile arts. Married women will wear their hair braided up off their neck in various patterns of wreaths, bands, buns, or knots.  To be promised or betrothed and to wear your hair already in such a fashion can get the tongues of local older women flapping in your earnestness.

Ribbons are a common sight to be had for a woman’s braids either way and some colors have meaning:

Shades of Red – Mourning. Wearing of red as a widow or widower is a common act among Rhovanions and generally red worn for mourning is only worn by sweethearts who have lost their sweetheart. If one wears red for a fallen friend, or the spouse of another, it can incite unwelcome gossip amongst the traditional sort. For the non-spouse and non-sweetheart, the color for mourning is grey. Wearing red with grey is a clear sign someone has died. Wearing red when no one has died, generally invites bad luck to the wearer’s loved ones and the very superstitious are unsettled by it.

Shades of Pink – Courting, a color oft worn to signify a woman is not quite off the market but not immediately open to interest either as she’s got a sweetheart or wants to give the impression of it.

Shades of Orange – Good Luck or Good Fortune sought.

Shades of Green – Expected (or desired) pregnancy.

Shades of Blue – Marriage and therein purity, generally a hue set aside for the act of marrying though at times worn to invite good luck in the coming marriage of a betrothed woman though it is said to only be safe to do so for the month prior to the marriage for wearing it longer can invite bad luck to the union or show one party is more earnest than the other. Wearing of blue with red, or blue with grey, is said to be opening the door for misfortune in one’s coming union.

Shades of Grey – Mourning for those of family or friendship who are not the spouse or sweetheart/betrothed of the deceased.

Shades of White – Illness or sickness, whether present or worn to ward against.

Given that many, particular the poor in Laketown generally wear second-hand clothing or generally choose the cheapest fabrics (and thus dyes) available, the importance and meaning of colored hair-ribbons rarely translates to that of clothing overall.  Men who wish to convery the same meanings will generally utilize armbands. 

• Charms or trinkets in one’s hair or especially one’s beard is not generally done by Rhovanions and is seen as a habit of bumpkins from Mirkwood, foreigners - whether they be Rohirrim, Dwarves, or even Easterlings.  The exceptions seem to be hunters, fishermen (who are particularly prone to being superstitious), and Beornings who like to wear charms and carvings from or in homage to the animals on which their livelihood depends.

• There is some deep-rooted mistrust for Rhovanions in Dwarves and Dorwinions. Dwarves represent the sundering of Dale for some, and a loss of the great status of the realm, on which Dwarves are  partially blamed - for it was the wealth of Erebor that Smaug the Terrible sought. Those of the Iron Hills are accepted more readily for the importance of trade and they further they are viewed as more legitimate, having a Lord and leader of their own compared to the wandering refugees of Erebor. 

Dorwinions are rarely if ever truly trusted by Rhovanions, finding the lot little more than thieves, raiders, pirates and gypsies that are just going to steal hearts, babies and anything that can be picked up. There are some who believe that Dorwinions are little more than Easterlings or worse, Haradwaith, though it is not considered very wise to voice such in the presence of a Dorwinion for fear of being cut.

Dorwinions in Laketown are best known to the populace as being two separate entities; the Kandavan and the Gypsies. The Kandavan are the visible embodiment of Dorwinion wealth and luxury in Laketown, the Merchant Family appearing as much as nobility as could come out of Dorwinion. They have a hand directly or indirectly of all import into and out of Dorwinion running through Laketown. Rhovanions from Laketown, or in Laketown, are likely to show deference and caste-respect to the clearly rich and well-positioned Kandavan, if they have a mind for luxury goods. 

Gypsies are a different beast all together. They’re rarely encouraged to make a permanent home in Laketown, welcome few places other than the Rookery (and among it's masters, the Crows) and amongst enclaves of their own kind and treated as would-be never-do-wells. Those that do manage to find themselves some sort of obliging corner of respect with polite society generally eek out livelihoods in work with wine, music, or food - the area that Rhovanions begrudgingly accept that they excel in. 

• Rhovanions do not tattoo or pierce their flesh (save the ears of women), as these are both seen as the activities of gypsies and pirates or the lowly gamblers of Southglain which are likely either gypsy or pirate in blood anyways. Rumor holds that the sole known exception to this rule is that high-ranking members of the Crows, the dreaded gang of the Underdocks of Laketown are known to have tattoos as an incentive it is said against being caught  - as their guilt and likely execution is then a given. 

• The common clothes worn in Rhovanion are generally linen, wool, or nettle and as with much of the rest of the world, the more and the better quality of cloth one wears is a clear sign of wealth and station. Rhovanions, particularly those in Laketown, improve the look of even the dowdiest of fabrics with weaving patterns like herringbone and dogstooth that provide a contrast of color and give a finer appearance to otherwise nappy fabrics. Many will often combine wearing different patterns and fabrics.   

Rhovanion women dress in feminine attire such as shifts, chemises, skirts, and flowing cloaks with shoes or boots. The most traditional style is over-dresses of an apron-dress style. Blouses, bodices, sleeveless vests, and feminine long-coats are gaining as a popular fashion. Women do not properly show the sleeves or hems of their shifts or chemise undergarments. To do so is a sign of questionable virtue or abject poverty. 

Rhovanion men dress in masculine attire of such things as trousers, jerkins, tunics, vests and shoes or boots as well as cloaks. Kaftans and rus-pants inspired by Dorwinion style have gained interest, particularly among the fishermen of Laketown as the shorter style of trousers is less prone to wet and wear from their work. Men of wealth and lives of pen and parchment rather than more industrious labor are known to wear robes. 

Most clothing in Rhovanion is of a long-sleeved and round-necked nature, adorned in lacing, brooches, toggles, and buttons. Embroidery and decoration with tablet-woven ribbon edging are the most common forms of decoration. Heels upon boots or shoes is a common sight in the footwear of men of wealth only.  Both sexes will wear knitted or naelbound (a more ancient Rhovanion art of needlework) gloves, scarves, hats, as the weather requires. Knitted socks and leg wraps are common during the colder months as well. The poorest will wear simple foot wraps - strips of rags or bandages around their feet inside their shoes. 

• Those of the Old Blood - descendants of the old nobility of Dale, usually forebear more traditional patronymic or occupation based surnames and are simply referred to Master/Mistress (Given Name) of Dale.  Soldiers of the Sons of Girion and other tradition minded people (including often those from Gondor who have a more defined understanding of nobility) will likely refer of those of the Old Blood as Lord or Lady, though that quickly falls out of favor with younger generations.

Those of the Old Blood are a dwindling number. While many invested themselves in the new mercantile nature of Laketown after it was rebuilt from the ashes of Esgaroth, others formed the Sons of Girion to marshal the control of Mirkwood for the safety of the town. Still others find themselves respected by the people for the heritage, candor, and honor they often represent and embody and yet find themselves on the edges of society for a lack of understanding of the new "currency" of the realm. 

Men of Dale are known to dress in the most traditional of fashions, once shared by all Men in the North when Dalish and Rohirric once shared a common Mother Tongue now lost to the Ages, fashions they share with the Dwarves who first taught Men of the North the arts of Metalworking and Stonecraft and taught them the Cirth - the runic alphabet Dalish and Rohirric are traditionally written (or carved) in. 

As such, Men of Dale who have maintained proper status and standing will dress in fashions little distinguishable to an outside from high-stationed merchants from the Iron Hills or Rohan - in long overcoats and knee-length tunics usually heavily embroidered and decorated, generally worn with high-boots. Layered cloaks with variant colored linings. Ladies of the same lineage who have maintained proper standing will wear the traditional overdress style of Rhovanion with a hangerock - a highly embroidered female tabard like garment often displaying the symbols of history of themselves of their line in some stylized fashion. 

• Dalish is spoken readily in Laketown, not only as the traditional language of poetry and song, but as a staple of Rhovanion culture. All those of Laketown also learn to speak Westron (known as the Common Tongue) for ease of trade with the many foreigners in the city. Many jest that Dalish holds such sway in Laketown to allow gossip in front of foreigners (particularly Dorwinions) who are rarely familiar with the tongue, unless they are from the Khilriad.

• While the usual laws of Men apply against murder, sedition, dueling, theft and adultery there are social laws that can, if broken, award the breaker some hefty fines from local government such as: swearing in public, lewd displays or lewd language in public, threats, physical violence, nakedness or openness of law-breaking or possession of contraband among other things.

Laketown is a town of rules and fees, for it is on fees and fines that the Master and the Council make a great deal of their money. 

• There are social and economical issues with sharing property or finances while unmarried for there is no legal right of one or both individuals to said property or finances should one parish or be assumed dead in the case of their body being missing. The social aspect of being unmarried and showing overt public displays of affection or referring to either individual as their legal spouse can cause one or both parties difficulties within society depending on their standing. To live common law is the behavior of cast-offs in the Rookery, no person of standing would do. 

There is no legal concept of divorce in Rhovanion, and wayward couples who find themselves unable to bear living together will simply live apart. The only potential salvation is if it is proven one or both parties lied about their identity upon the paperwork filed with the City Hall (including name or status of legal age) or the revelation that one or both parties have attempted bigamy and are indeed, already legally married.  Only the wealthy usually have the ways and means to pursue such through the courts through litigants, however. 

• Bowing is well known to be an act of the wayward and thieving gypsy and pirate, some barbaric custom from the East. Only high minded merchants trying to court deals with the Kandavan would attempt doing so to them. 

The traditional Rhovanion greeting of respect is placing a hand to one's heart with a flat right hand and an inclination of the head. Waving or simply nodding are less formal ways of greeting. For warriors and those bearing arms, a formal greeting is to place the right hand on the heart with a flat palm and to place the other about the hilt of one's weapon to show that one means no harm or violence to the other party. 

It is more common to simply wave to one another. While they do either the old no-wave gesture or the common wave,  they often will either speak "Good Day/Night/Morning etc." Beyond greeting, to show deference to someone of higher rank or station, a man or woman of Rhovanion, after offering the customary greeting will let said person go about their business.. This detachment is not a sign of indifference or being slighted, it gives the person of higher rank or station in society the power to approach the lower person or not. In acknowledging someone of lower station in society, be it rank, blood or wealth, the higher individual will lift an eyebrow with a silent ‘Yes, I see you’ mannerism.

• The common phrasing for greeting of a common man or woman is Miss or Mister. Sir is granted, generally, in Rhovanion solely to Officers in the Sons of Girion (Citadel) and higher ranks in the local Guard. The use of Sir is not to insinuate one as Lordship or as a Knight as such distinctions are purely Gondorian. The use of Sir for anything but the two above generally designates the speaker as a foreigner. 

• Rhovanions do not keep cats as pets with common superstitions about their familiarity with Dorwinions and other neverdowells. Dogs, be it hunting or companion breeds, are very uncommon in Rhovanion where the preferred protection animal is a special breed of attack geese. Rabbits, squirrels and some small birds are the general companion pet of those of Rhovanion.

• Horses are not kept or bred in Rhovanion where the preferred animal for labor are oxen or pack-goats.