Krovashi

Bold Sailors and Storytellers

The Krovashi embody the essence of adventure, embracing both the dangers of the sea and the beauty of artistic expression. Their culture is a tapestry woven with daring exploits, passionate performances, and cunning negotiations. To be Krovashi is to live boldly, speak poetically, and sail where the horizon never ends.

To be Krovashi is to embrace adventure. Arguably the greatest human sailors in the world, Krovashi value not only quickness of reflex for sailing and warfare but quick wit. Literature and philosophy are treasured, with play writing, song, and poetry taking center stage. The Krovashi treat performance with the same passion as they do everything else, seeing the art of words as just as important as skill with a blade. Their fearless nature and desire to see what lies beyond the horizon make them natural explorers.
The Krovashi are the most widespread human ethnicity, with their presence felt in nearly every major port, trade hub, and settlement that touches the sea. Their adventurous spirit has led them far beyond their homeland, where they integrate seamlessly into diverse cultures, bringing their love of storytelling and music wherever they go. Despite their frequent travels, Krovashi always remain connected to their maritime roots, often returning to the waves even after long stays on land.
Krovashi are typically olive-skinned with eyes of hazel or brown. However, some Krovashi are fair-skinned with blonde and light brown hair. These individuals often come from unions between the adventurous Krovashi and the Caelian of the north, bringing a blend of cultures and traditions to their lineage. Regardless of appearance, all Krovashi share a distinctive energy, an eagerness to engage in lively conversation, and an insatiable thirst for the unknown.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Abella, Camila, Isabel, Nilda, Rosario

Masculine names

Alfonso, Benito, Jayme, Ramon, Valeriano

Family names

Astorio, Calabra, Falone, Marivaldi, Ramondo

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Igrati

The language of the Krovian Empire, Igrati, is often referred to as the language of romance. Known for its flowing cadence and expressive nature, it is a language of poets, scholars, and dreamers. Rich with literary depth, Igrati is as much an art form as it is a method of communication, often spoken in a rhythmic, almost melodic tone.
Igrati’s vocabulary is vast, allowing for layers of nuance in conversation. A single phrase can carry multiple meanings depending on tone, context, and the speaker’s intent. This linguistic complexity makes Igrati an ideal language for theatrical performances, legal debates, and impassioned declarations of love or rivalry. Krovashi playwrights and poets take great pride in their ability to manipulate words, weaving intricate sonnets and ballads that stir the soul.

Notable Krovashi Sayings

"A drink in one hand, a dagger in the other, such is the Krovashi way."

"The sea speaks to those who listen."

"A tale half-told is a promise unkept."

"A silver tongue may win the day, but a sharp blade ensures the night."

Culture and cultural heritage

The Krovashi thrive on maritime trade, their extensive sea routes providing a foundation for a prosperous economy. Wealthy noble families rise to prominence through successful trade ventures, forming powerful merchant dynasties that dictate much of Krovashi society. These nobles employ skilled mercenaries and navigators to protect their wealth and expand their influence. Political and economic battles are waged not just through armed conflict but through strategic alliances, trade disputes, and the art of persuasion.

Shared customary codes and values

Oratory and artistic expression are deeply ingrained in Krovashi culture, with reading, writing, and music serving as both entertainment and education. Morality and philosophy are conveyed through poetry and performance, preserving knowledge in an engaging and memorable way. Krovashi philosophers, admired for their keen insights and persuasive rhetoric, often travel between cities, debating and teaching. Their lessons frequently culminate in theatrical performances, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is best shared through storytelling.

Common Dress code

Krovashi fashion is bold and extravagant, reflecting their flair for expression. Nobles and merchants wear elaborately embroidered garments with gold and silver accents, while sailors and adventurers prefer sleeveless vests and breezy fabrics that allow for ease of movement. Jewelry, particularly ornate belt buckles and rings, is common, signifying status and personal style. Women signal their interest in courtship by wearing flowers in their hair, an unspoken invitation for admirers to approach.

Art & Architecture

Krovashi art is vibrant with colorful murals and grand tapestries adorning public spaces. Intricate metalwork, particularly in jewelry and weaponry, showcases both craftsmanship and affluence. Theaters and open-air amphitheaters dominate major cities in the Krovian Empire, serving as gathering places for plays, musical performances, and public debates. Noble estates and public buildings often feature sweeping balconies with panoramic sea views, emphasizing their deep connection to the ocean.

Foods & Cuisine

The Krovashi’s love of the sea extends to their cuisine, which is bold, flavorful, and influenced by the many cultures they trade with.

Drunken Crab

A delicacy where crab is slow-cooked in wine and butter, infusing it with a rich, savory flavor.

Golden Harbor Pastries

Honey and nut-filled pastries wrapped in flaky dough, often gifted during celebrations.

Saltfire Tuna

A spiced, seared tuna dish marinated in citrus and rare peppers, known for its fiery kick.

Stormcaller’s Bisque

A creamy seafood soup made with shrimp, scallops, and herbs, believed to bring good fortune to sailors.

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• Bernick Kingdom
• Krovian Empire

Related Locations

• Davensford
• Krov, Crown of Tonarian
• Northern Wildwood
• Tonarian Grasslands

Relations with Others

Due to their widespread travels and trade power, the Krovashi influence much of the known world.

The Krovashi admire the wealth and wisdom of the Ahn' Kalin but find their meticulous nature frustrating in trade negotiations. Though the two cultures maintain a strong trade relationship, Krovashi sailors often see Ahn' Kalin merchants as overly cautious and slow to seize opportunity.

The Caelian and Krovashi have a long history of conflict, with Caelian raids targeting Krovashi outposts and cities for generations. To the Krovashi, the Caelian are bloodthirsty barbarians with no place in a civilized world, while the Caelian see Krovashi as pampered fools hiding behind gleaming armor and stone castles.

Strong trade relations and maritime cooperation currently bind the Garuthian and Krovashi in a peace treaty.

The Osloru and Krovashi rarely cross paths outside of coastal trade, with Krovashi sailors respecting the jungle dwellers mysticism. The Osloru, in turn, view the Krovshi as loud and brash, yet undeniably resourceful.

The disciplined and honor-bound Senkurai find the Krovashi’s carefree nature difficult to relate to, often seeing them as too undisciplined and opportunistic. Meanwhile, the Krovashi admire Senkurai craftsmanship and martial prowess but find their strict adherence to tradition limiting.

As two cultures built on diplomacy, the Krovashi and Thalorian often compete for influence in key trade routes and political spheres. While both admire each other’s wit and military sophistication, their rivalry is fueled by a constant battle of negotiation, outmaneuvering one another with words as much as wealth.

by Dean Spencer

Sailor Superstition

The sea is a fickle mistress, and the Krovashi have developed countless superstitions to ensure safe voyages. Sailors believe that whistling on deck invites storms, while a dolphin swimming alongside the bow is considered a blessing, ensuring fair winds. Captains often refuse to set sail on the first day of the week, believing it curses the voyage, and no Krovashi ship ever leaves port without a ceremonial toast to the sea.
Among the most feared omens is the Phantom Lantern, an eerie blueish green glow that appears on doomed ships, foretelling their demise before they vanish into the depths. Sailors also whisper of the Drowned One’s Toll, a spectral hand that loudly knocks three times on every closed door of a vessel in unison before a storm, warning that a soul must be claimed by the sea.

Popular Krovashi Games

The Gambit

A fast-paced fencing sport where victory is earned by disarming an opponent rather than drawing blood.

Poet's Reckoning

A competitive poetry duel where participants must craft verses in response to their opponent’s lines.

Sailors Folly

A high-risk game that challenges participants to leap between moving ships, testing agility and bravery.