Brachyur Culture
Way of Life for the People of the Sea Floor
Beneath the cerulean waves of the world, one may be lucky enough to find a bustling city, the water-dwelling races of the world calling coral formations and their buildings a monolithic city. Stones, coral, shells, and all manner of things stack and meld to build towers and halls that are just as regal as those found on the surface. It is in these places that the Brachyur make their homes, living on the sea floor where few others ever go.
Moreso than many other races, the Brachyur believe heavily in history and tradition, gathering and storing the histories of other races beyond their own as well as magical traditions that have been lost throughout time. The depth at which they live provides some safety from prying eyes and those that wish to cause harm to the knowledge that these people hold.
Their reverence for knowledge guides all that these people do, from gathering and preserving history to aiding those that are unable to aid themselves. The Brachyur find themselves a people of morality and humility, living a life that serves others while attempting to harm as little as possible. That being said, these people are a secretive one, choosing to remain on the ocean floor instead of adventuring out of their homes.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
The culture of the Brachyur can be seen as relatively simple as these people follow their divine task and little else. They are humble folk, choosing to live simply and with little waste, although many of their temples and archives are extravagant. A conscious decision is always made to honor the history they have discovered as they are nothing more than servants to their divine task.
Brachyur do not necessarily believe in a unified kingdom as their homelands are scattered throughout the oceans of the world. Oftentimes, they live in small scattered settlements but create means to travel between the cities and communicate with the rest of their people.
These beliefs drive the Brachyur and their way of life as they scour the oceans for lost histories and those that may require aid. Very few Brachyur harbor different beliefs as these are ingrained throughout their lifetime.
Beliefs
All races in Isekai have a set of beliefs that they consider their law. Brachyur see their law as a divine task they have been given and one that they must always strive to fulfill.- Knowledge is power, our shells are thick and our backs are strong not to inflict our will upon others but to endure the weight of the ocean above us.
- Aid is difficult to come by in a world of dark waters, if we can render it then we shall regardless of friend or foe.
- War is not to be taken lightly, there are few reasons for which we shall strike another down but the destruction of all we stand watch over will always be answered with the claw so that they may know better hereafter.
- We are to be humble, we do not soar through the waters nor through the air but we walk upon the sand like any other and find ourselves at the lowest point of all things not with resentment but with understanding.
Family
Family is an odd construct for the Brachyur as they rarely pay attention to lineage or familial ties. As these people come from eggs, they bear little attachment to their parents or any other part of their lineage. These people instead choose to make small groups of two or three that they might cohabitate with or they may choose to live entirely alone. These people thrive as individuals, creating their own identities through what they do with their lives instead of any relations they may have. Each of the Brachyur has their own duties in life that they wish to fulfill within the divine duties that were set before them.Property & Ownership
Brachyur, as a culture, own very little property, often viewing buildings and resources as communal property. Each individual may have items that have great value to them, such as trinkets or their shell, but other items are created by the group, for the group.Taboos & Insults
Taboos do not really exist in Brachyur culture as this is a social construct that they do not really understand or believe in. These people are known for simple lives and sharing shells, a life where there is only room for fulfilling their duties. The greatest insult to a Brachyur is to desecrate their sacred sites or places of knowledge.Brachyur Culinary Arts
Most undersea cultures do not practice the culinary arts as heavily as those on the surface, but food is a necessity that they must dabble in. The Brachyur choose to make simple foods using ingredients easily obtainable on the sea floor with techniques that are not hindered too much by flowing water.Algae Bubbles
Algae Bubbles are by far one of the Brachyur's most interesting food creations as it utilizes algae-based gelatin to encase flavored water or other liquids. These are often considered a candy that can be carried within one's shell for a sweet treat or a bit of sustenance during long travel. While a specialty of the Brachyur, many other undersea cultures have mimicked the creation with varying degrees of success.Shrimp Rolls
Much like crustaceans, Brachyur absolutely love shrimp and a large portion of their diet is made up of different shrimp dishes. Shrimp Rolls are the simplest to make and require little more than seaweed, shrimp, and any other ingredients that one chooses. These rolls are often steamed over the thermal vents that are prominent on the sea floor.Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Simplicity is at the center of Brachyur culture and that often translates to areas such as clothing and how they live their lives. History and tradition are important, allowing little to change over the centuries as well. These people are highly set in their ways but they believe that these simplistic ideals are what make them better stewards of the duties they were given.
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