Osunan Knots

"This is a knot for good luck, a knot for love, and a knot for our family. Keep this bracelet with you always."

— A mother to her child

It is common knowledge across the Known World that the people of Osuno have a knot for almost every occasion. There are a wide variety of knots with an even wider range of uses.
Knots are made by tying a piece of rope in certain ways. They are usually made to tie things to other things. Once a crucial part of the fishing industry, knots are now considered art among Osunans and are quite widespread. To outsiders, it seems very odd that an entire country loves knots, but to Osunans, they are an expression of their lives. Their love of knots also spawned a subsection of art involving fibres, fabrics and textiles.

History

This practice first came from Osuno's fishing and pirating history, where different types of knots were used to tie things down. Boats were tied to ports, cargo was tied together, and fishing lines also needed to be tied to their rods. When Osuno moved from fishing towards engineering, the practice remained commonplace.
Sometimes, people would accidentally create new knots when fiddling around with rope. Many of these eventually found a use in a specific situation. Many sailors and Pirates would often carry some rope or a notebook with them specifically for these occasions. The new knots were taught to apprentices, who perfected or adapted them before showing the next generation of apprentices. Today, there are many combinations of knot created in Osuno, as well as those learned in other continents.

Common Knots

"Knots are a very personal thing. Some people see our obsession with them as weird, but they tell our stories."

— Jace Makai, a Pirate from Osuno

Lucky Knots

Many of the knots seen around Osuno are there to ward off bad sea spirits and to bring good fortune. Luck knots are usually hung on the outside of a building, or on the walls inside. Some are placed towards the front of a boat to call on friendly sea spirits to guide sailors' journeys.

Clan Knots

Also unique to Osuno are Pirate Clan knots. Every Clan in the country has its own knot, and each member will have that knot somewhere on their person or in their house. Most people in Osuno belong to a Pirate Clan, so they will have their own personal knot as a way to remind them of their ancestry.

Knotted Bracelets

Some people will wear a bracelet of small knots. Each knot on it reflects a certain part of their life, and the bracelet grows with the wearer. The bracelets are made with wool or string and can be decorated with beads or gems. Another common bracelet is a friendship bracelet, made in the same way as a normal one.

Primary Related Location

Known World