Wind-Borne

The Wind-Borne are an orcish people who live on the Alcyone Islands in the western Phiora Sea. Once feared raiders of the Izgreve coasts, they have since shifted to a more pastoralist way of life, grazing their small herds of sheep on the islands upon which they live. Still, their traditions of raiding remain important to the Wind-Borne, and today they continue the practice in a highly ritualized form.

History

Once known as the scourge of the Izgreve coasts, centuries ago the Wind-Borne had a reputation as fearsome raiders that regularly struck from their island homes at the seaside communities to their northwest, or even at targets quite a distance up the Byala and Rekan rivers. Carried across the sea by their nimble galleys, Wind-Borne war parties would attack the fortified towns of the coast, stealing from stores of valuables and food then quickly setting off again before an organized response to them could be mounted. After the Viridian invasion of the region in Y9356^*, however, the Wind-Borne found their way of life brought to a halt, their raids stymied by the legions' new presence in Izgrev. While some continued to innovate new strategies for a time, most adapted to the new situation by instead shifting to pastoralist lifestyles, bringing herds of sheep and goats to graze in the Alcyone Islands.

The origins of the Wind-Borne are unclear. Even before the Viridian invasion, they had long considered themselves separate from the orcs of the nearby mainland, with whom they share some similarities in cultures but also a great many differences. Most Wind-Borne scholars and sages believe them to have arrived in the Alcyone Islands not from the Izgreve mainland but rather from the area that is now Erenon. Ancient tales recount a great voyage on their way to the islands, considerably farther than the relatively short hop from the coast to the northwest, with many trials and challenges at various stops along the way. These places have been identified with certain modern-day locations on the northern Viridian coast, though there remains much debate and uncertainty even amongst the Wind-Borne. At the same time, these ideas are stymied somewhat by certain cultural practices of the Wind-Borne orcs that are far more similar to those of Talgazan than anything found in historical Thadrian orcish communities.

Location

The Wind-Borne orcs live on the Alcyone Islands in the western Phiora Sea, off the coast of Izgrev. In the last few centuries they have begun to settle outside their traditional homelands as well, with some moving to Izgrev, others to Viridia to the south, and a small number as far away as Druzda.

Culture

Religion

Most of the Wind-Borne worship both the gods of the Talgazan pantheon and their ancestors. Haihaz, Vihansa, and Runo are especially important to their faith.

The keeping of detailed genealogies, preserved orally, are an important part of Wind-Borne religion, as it ensures that each family can entreat their forebears without inadvertently communing with evil spirits, referred to as demons by the Wind-Borne, that would lead them to harm.

Seafaring

Ships built by the Wind-Borne are a type of broad-hulled longship, designed to be fast and maneuverable in shallow waters. They are not intended for long-distance voyages but rather for short hops between nearby islands or between the islands and the coast. This style of vessel, in some ways similar to those used in Rothurland, is rather unique for the region.

Raiding

Though their raiding of the Izgreve coasts came to an end centuries ago, the Wind-Borne continue a highly ritualized form of the practice amongst themselves to keep the tradition alive, train each generation in seafaring and combat, and bring prestige to their clans. Even centuries ago Wind-Borne raiding emphasized not killing or maiming people if possible - after all, who then would refill the stockpiles that had been pilfered? - but in the modern day this idea has been taken much farther. Raids are now scheduled affairs, sometimes viewed almost as yearly holidays, in which both sides agree beforehand who is to take part, what the goal is to be, and when it will take place. Participants can still be injured in the process, as the lightened maces and dulled swords used can still cause harm, but no lethality is intended. Usually scheduled raids target the livestock of the raided clan - any successfully taken are viewed as the victor's by right, though they might very well be stolen back at a later date.

Food and cuisine

Wind-Borne cuisine is based roughly equally on seafood, particularly shellfish, and meat, milk, and cheese from their herds of sheep. Trade with merchants from Izgrev, Viridia, and Koritan also brings various other foodstuffs that might otherwise be difficult to grow or find on the islands.

Architecture and migration

As the islands upon which they live are not, on the whole, particularly large, on occasion Wind-Borne clans will move their herds, one ship at a time, to nearby islands where they settle before needing to move again. Seasonal moves, typically every three or four months, are common even when remaining on one island. Their distinctive semi-permanent dwellings consist of circular hide walls, perhaps six feet tall, under a curved, funnel-shape roof of thatch or sod, all held up by wooden frames.

Art

Wind-Borne artists are particularly known for their skill in weaving and fabric production. Their clothing often bears elaborate designs that signify clan affiliation, and the rugs they produce line the floors and walls of their abodes, used both for decoration and for insulation against the cold winters of the islands.