The Nauts Ethnicity

The Nauts behave and respond like a family (sometime affectionate and loving and other times dysfunctional and acrimonious). Still, the family comes first. A Naut's duty is first to his crew, then to his Captain, and on up the chain of command to the Admiral. Yet as a whole, the family is still a business, and coin is needed to support them. Jobs are taken from any employer with the largest amount of coin, or by promise to supply new recruits (often times children). Regardless, to be a Naut is to be married to the sea and feel love in spending time sailing the ocean.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

All Nauts are learned in the Common language and any of the region in which they are stationed.

Shared customary codes and values

The Nauts follow the rule of the Sea and the Naut's Code: 

• Every person has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity (not an uncommon thing among them) makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a retrenchment.
• Every Person equal to their proper share. If one steals from another, they contented themselves with slitting the ears and nose of the person who was guilty, and set them on shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter hardships.
• No person to game at cards or dice for money.
• The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night: if any of the crew, after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, they are to do it on the open deck.
• keep their your equipment clean and fit for service.
• No wenches among those on the ship. If anyone were to be found seducing a member not of the crew, and carried them to sea, disguised, they are to suffer death; should a captive or stowaway be found on journey, a sentinel is immediately placed over them to prevent ill consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and quarrel to secure the captive's virtue.
• To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with death or marooning.
• No striking one another on board, but every person's quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and bow. (The quarter-master of the ship, when the parties will not come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shore with what assistance they think proper, and turns the disputant back to back, at so many paces distance; at the word of command, they turn and fire immediately (or else the piece is knocked out of their hands). If both miss, they come to their cutlasses, and then they are declared the victor who draws the first blood.)
• The Captain and Quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize: the master, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, and other officers one and quarter.
• To Disobey the Captain, or a superior officer is to result in the lash, to do so multiple times is to risk marooning or death.

Average technological level

Nauts are the most technologically and magically advanced at sea travel.  Their trade secrets have presented a success rating of 99% of their voyages at sea.

Common Etiquette rules

Be useful, courteous, and quick. 

Common Dress code

Nauts keep their uniforms, clothing, and equipment in good order.  Such dress is to be practical for sailing, swimming, and general work on the dock.  Specific ships have a standard uniform that is produced by their port's tailor. 

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Every Naut is easily identified by their facial tattoo (as a sign of rank), to not have it is to not be a Naut. 

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Baptismal rites are observed among the Sea-born.  This is typically done by anointing the baby in the sea and dedicating them either to the ocean or to the sea god Aquillia'Dante during their second year in the world.

Coming of Age Rites

The coming of age rite for a Naut is a successful voyage through a particularly dangerous storm at sea.  A Sea-sworn is not recognized as a full Naut until this rite is completed.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Funeral for a Naut is a burial at sea in full honors and company as is allowed under the circumstances.

Common Taboos

The greatest taboo for a Naut is to forsake the sea or impair their ability to go back to their ship.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

All Nauts are easily recognizable by their facial tattoos that are given to them when they come of age, or are sworn to their ships.  Crewmembers have basic designs around their eyes and mouth.  Officers, Captains, and Commanders have increasingly more intricate designs signifying their rank. The Admiral on the other hand has tattoos that cover their entire face and could possibly go further down to the whole of their body. 

Gender Ideals

It doesn't matter what sex or gender you are within the Nauts.  The only thing that matters is a person carrying their weight on the ship

Courtship Ideals

Courtship among the Naut are usually signified by forming a bond with the proposed significant other(s).  A sailor will typically present said person with a pearl or other precious item from the sea or from an island beach.  From there if the token is taken for what it was intended, the recipient will act as co-partner while at sea, sharing the same duties, supporting tasks, and acting as a first officer of sorts to the gift giver.  The end of courtship, the couple become Sea-Bonded in a marriage ceremony and serve together on the on ship. 

Relationship Ideals

A relationship among the Nauts is a co-equal partnership where they support each other in their duties at sea and on land.

Major organizations

The Naut ethnicity is governed by the Naut Organization.

Related Organizations

• The Church of the Seven

Sea-born v. Sea-sworn:
Those born on the Nauts ships, or on Naut controlled Islands, are called "Sea-born". These are individuals who grew raised within the culture from the very first moment they left their mother's womb. They receive training at a very young age in sailing, swimming, and sometimes magic. Not to mention, they've grown up their entire lives with the facial tattoos indicative of a Naut.

But while most Nauts are Sea-born, a small few are Sea-sworn. If asked what the difference is, most Nauts will claim that there isn't one. Yet Sea-sworn will argue that the Sea-born have an easier go of things having been raised in the culture and owning familial ties to the crew of their ships.

The Sea-Sworn on the other hand, are individuals recruited (or taken) from the "mainland". Usually this comes about from merchants or courtiers offering their children as payment for the Naut's expertise on some mission. The child then grows up as a Naut and receives the facial tattoos that signify their life change. Another occurrence (which is more rare) are those that willing swear themselves to the life of a Naut either as a teenager or as an adult. These individuals spent their early life within another culture, but chose to give up that life for the opportunities at sea.