Dance of Winds

The featherfolk use the term 'Dance of Winds' to mean two different things. It is the collective name given to the four Young Gods who gave new purpose to the sonvada, and it is also used to describe the society of the High Eeries and its satellite cultures, prescribed as it was by the gods.
The gods known as the Dance of Winds are:

• Tempest's Rise (Whee-ah, in sono,) the god of the sky and the hurricane; giver of authority and bringer of fury. This god is sometimes called the Lord of the Dance, and is the principle source of sonvadi cultural norms.
• Bends in the storms (ph'Eee-Weet'na) the god of clouds, rain and seasonal winds; god of night and courage. She is often called the Lady of War, and is the martial counterpart of Tempest's Rise.
• Gale's Glide (b'Un-ey'ya) the god of souls, trade and the trade winds. The so-called Lord of Coin is a god of intellect, as well as the consort of Bends in the Storm.
• Leap o' the Breeze (h'Ka-yhat) the god of motion, high currents and travel; patron of messengers and travellers. Called the Lord of Couriers, the god is the patron of the fleet and the duty.
• Turns in Stillness (sii'Ha) is the god of breath, of calm skies and of speed. It was this god, the Lord of light, who stole the voices of the unvada, and as such he is the patron of judicial punishments.

Socially, the Dance is the culture, ritual life and social mores of the High Eeries. It is built around the Fire Currents, the guiding principles of sonvada society.

1. Authority - the Eeries have a complex hierarchy, with an individual's position in society largely determined by their family's professional history, and their rank by competitive examinations and personal achievement. The Dance considers all featherfolk communities to be wards of a unified civic government known as the Auditorium.
   In theory, every featherfolk born into a profession has an equal chance of advancement, but wealthier wards always produce better examination results, in no small part because wealthier families can afford tutors and allow their children dedicated study time.
2. Strength - all adult sonvas are expected to serve in the Great Fleet for at least a year, and to act as part of the Fleet Reserve thereafter. They are also expected to defend the worthies, the holdings, the name and the people of the Dance, in that order.
3. Respect - Sonvas are expected to show deference to their social superiors and kindness to those beneath them. They are also expected to keep their world, speak the truth, and uphold their contracts and obligations.
4. Duty - Every sonva is expected to dedicate themselves to their hereditary profession, or to complete the demanding examinations which allow for a change of profession. In add­ition, all sonvas are expected to fulfil the duty of pass­ing messages above all else.
5. Life - Sonvas should treasure and respect life of all kinds, doing as little harm as possible in all situations.