Native Cultures (Red Sails)

Native Cultures

A number of tribal nations and small pockets of civilization exist in the Silath Tyr region, having lived here before the major empires started to invade. These city-states are vulnerable due to their isolation and lack of unity. While, individually, they are more than capable of defending themselves from aggression, they cannot withstand the onslaught of any of the larger nations' attention for long. Each of the big empires can bring massive navies and expend exorbitant treasure to overwhelm any of these city states, once they decide they want to.

While very different from each other, culturally, these natives have a few things in common. They tend to be racially homogeneous, with little allowance for outsiders to permanently join their cultures. They tend to be experienced sailors, with a long history of exploration and navigating the many hazards of the Silath Tyr region. And each have survived the unceasing attacks by the Tenoch Tecalli, an aggressive clan of amphibian creatures who are also native to the area.

Populace

As mentioned, the native cultures are highly diverse of race, though Vanx, Grippli, and Vishkanya are surprisingly common, despite their comparative rarity among the populations of the great empires.

Most communities of the islands and coastal towns of free Silath Tyr are racially homogeneous, or nearly so. The imperialistic land-grabs of the great empires have made all of the natives quite suspicious, and often outright hostile, to outsiders unless they personally know one of the locals, or can prove they are visiting for legitimate business purposes.

Most of the traders and tinkers in these parts are the same few individuals who have been coming around for years. Newcomers have been known to be turned away, even before they can make a case for why they are there. Unless, of course, they're willing to grease a few palms, or offer something worth trading for...

Culture

Compared to the great empires, the native peoples are fairly primitive, keeping their lives simple. Most are fishers or crafters of some kind, and nearly all commerce is performed as barter, either for goods or the promise of future favors. While each community has its share of layabouts or unsavory folk, most have strong ties to their community, and a generations-long loyalty to the land of their birth.

Numerous holidays and festivals dot the calendars of these agrarian people, often related to seasons, harvests, sheep-shearing, tidal changes, and other natural cycles which are directly relevant to their lives. Despite this practicality, these festivals are usually full days of celebrations, including dancing, feasts, and feats of strength and skill.

Magic and Technology

Magic exists naturally among the natives, and is not collected among some ruling class. While not abundant or mixed into everyone's daily life, nearly every village has one or two magic-users, often in the form of an herbalist, healer, or sage. Such individuals can either be major actors in the local politics, or hold themselves aloof, quietly practicing their art and angrily driving away visitors.

The natives have simple sailing boats, but few other innovations that the great empire would deem worthy of attention. This is likely a good thing, as it means many of these villages will escape the notice of these political behemoths, able to continue their lives despite these great goings-on in the region.

Notable Figures

• Angler: A mysterious individual who has gained some notoriety as a pirate and rebel against the invasive forces of the great empires. If anyone knows who he is or what he looks like, they aren't talking.