Khaeros

Physiology & Appearance | Notable Characters | Additional Information

Physical appearance

Tyreans are a strong, enduring people well known for their diligent labour and natural confidence. Their bodies are well-toned from the constant work-and-play that characterises their lifestyle. Natural hair colours range from blonde to light brown. As a whole, the Tyrean are a fair-skinned race, used to working outside in the cold northern wind and sea-salted air. From an average height of 6’1”, both men and women can reach up to the towering heights of 6’6"

Clothing and accessorizing

Over the centuries their location and lifestyle has transformed the shape of the clothes they wear to be more streamlined than those their ancestors used during the long period before their migration. Constant sailing has changed the way Tyreans look at wearing clothes. Lower garments are made to be loose yet functional, while tops are mostly form-fitting. Long pants are strapped from the knee down with wide wraps of linen or leather straps, or both. Shirts and tunics are often belted at the waist. Sleeveless or short-sleeved shirts and tunics are favored by artisans.

For men, Tyreans favour the practical aspects of long linen or woollen shirts tucked into the breeches, over which knee-length tunics are worn. These tunics are of simple design, but of elaborate decoration. Collars, seams, cuffs and rims are decorated with complex patterns and runes. Decorations, depending on wealth, can be simple embroidery or rich additions like gold and silver wire sewn into the cloth. Over the shirt and tunic, cloaks can be worn if the weather demands it.

Tube-sleeves and tight chests grant little or no encumbrance while giving a good liberty of movement. The fact that these garments are close to the body helps keep the warmth in and allows the pulling over of vests, coats and other articles of cold-weather clothing.

Although they can don the same outfits as men, typically women wear long dresses decorated in much the same way at the hem as the shirts and tunics. Over the dresses, they wear long rectangular aprons held by large clasps at the shoulder.

As a general rule, Tyrean fashion is meant to be durable, comfortable, yet fashionable and allow for a variety of designs. Most clothes are close-fitted and made to emphasize the body lines. To hold clothes together, close cloaks and aprons, a variety of richly decorated clasps are used, very often badges with clan symbols. These can be made of wood, iron, bronze, silver, gold, and even steel, for the highly wealthy.

Hair is worn long or short in simple and useful ways. Long hair (and beard, for men) is an asset during the cold seasons of Snowdown, Icing and Wind Season. Shorter crops and more colour-treated hairstyles are prevalent to the warmer spring and summer, where the spirit is that of celebration rather than survival. Women wear their long hair braided and tied at the tips with silver clasps. Other hairstyles feature locks of hair tied together in sections with thin leather string, and shoulder length worn down. Most often, men’s braids are not very intricate, almost always covering only a few inches from the tip of the long hair, tightening the locks in the same way they wear their pants strapped.

For women, a variety of ornate headdresses made of bronze, gold and silver is worn at celebrations, religious ceremonies and naturally, for mere leisure. Jewellery is worn by both sexes, but never as pierces. Tyreans disdain making holes into their flesh. As such, women do not wear earrings.

Tattoos are only worn by religious devotees, representing the runes of their chief worship. Priestesses of Maelmia and priests of Ohlm wear their tattoos openly, even if it means splitting the garment that would cover it from the cold. Banished criminals are branded on the palm of the hand with a symbol of their crime burned into their skin.

Hygiene

While Tyreans recognise the true value of cleanliness and personal hygiene, they do not obsess over purity. Baths are taken every few days and regular washing of the face, armpits and groin is part of everyday life. Bathing is done in groups, so as not to waste hot water, and it is a reason for relaxation and social bonding. Baths are taken in cabins outside the clan hall reserved for washing. Soaps made from animal fat are used to wash away what water cannot remove. Perfumes imported from foreign countries are a luxury many clans vie to afford. Teeth are cleaned by rubbing with seaweed paste and gargling, as well as with silver and gold toothpicks. Combs are a precious commodity. Often made of gold and silver, they make excellent gifts and have a high trading value. Hair is kept free of lice and other parasites by washing with lime, which over time turns the hair of most Tyrean pale and thin.