Authoka

The Authoka were a well settled community along the Eastern coasts of the Kaivasa region, whose industry relied on the large River Kintuame along the southern border and the smaller branching rivers and eddies which break off from its serpentine body towards the sea. In ancient legends, a benevolent serpent hatched from the smallest mountain in the range and slithered home to the sea to join the abyssal creatures that swim in its depths, and for this reason the Authoka consider the serpent to be a very fortunate creature. Even in modern times, it’s not unusual to see someone who is aware of the old ways reflexively bow their head to depictions of serpents in archaic fondness for the animals. The Authoka were the first of the tribes in the northern portion of the continent to settle into agrarian communities and invented vast networks of irrigation so that canals criss-crossed their villages, and eventually cities, spanned by bridges and traversed by small rafters who would charge a fare to their riders. There were traditional Authoka songs and rhymes attributed to certain famous raft drivers who would sing or entertain their guests to attract more business over their competitors. Many of these songs have since been lost. The Authoka had ruddier skin than most of their Kaisava cousins, thanks to the extended summer of the southernmost regions and propensity for sitting outside smoking a soggy tobacco they grew along the coast. This tobacco growing and use has long since been strictly regulated to prevent addiction amongst the populace of the UPK, and is deeply reviled by the First Scion.