For most gelfling, hair has great importance in their clan’s cultures. The meaning varies from clan to clan. It could be a sign of status, an indicator if someone is married, a show of age, a spiritual devotion, or for those who do hard labor or combat, it is a sign of skill. This is the case for the Stonewood clan.
The majority of the clan keep their hair tied back in some way, as to not hinder them in their day-to-day lives and to keep their hair clean and well maintained. Cutting your hair short is considered to be very taboo, perhaps even a punishment for shameful gelfling, as hair is seen as an extension of one’s self. Those few who decide to let their hair down freely are announcing that they are highly skilled in their craft and are able to perform it without self-hinderance or worry for their hair.
Notable figures who let their hair down all the time with minimal braiding, are Ordon and Fara. Both of which are highly skilled in combat (and many other fields), and having the confidence to keep their hair down at all times is a signal that they are truly powerful and not to be trifled with.
Rian is also known to keep his hair down. If this is a sign of his skill, or over-confidence, is somewhat difficult to judge at times. Skill tends to come with age and training, so for a young gelfling like himself to have his hair down at all times is somewhat a spectacle for those in the clan.
