Voermenn

With a slightly greenish tint to their otherwise fair skin, the Voermenn are fairly tall and it is not unusual for them to be extremely broad shouldered, even more so than the Ha'nahe. To the Imperials, they appear very strange in how openly that they display their emotions - and not only in the kind, open way of the siblings, or the more aggressive nature of the hellionites, but the full range of emotions. A Voermenn is quick to laughter and tears alike, which has historically put the Imperial colonisers somewhat ill at ease. In addition, Voermenn tend to have larger features than Imperials; big, round eyes, wide jaws and hawkish noses are all common traits. This is only more noticeable from the lack of hair common to many of the islanders, among men and women alike - not only atop their head, but eyebrows and eyelashes are also eye-catching in their absence.
A sort of open respect and acceptance is preached within Voermenn culture, something largely unseen on the Imperial Continent, where such a thing first has to be earnt. Historically, there has also been a sense of sharedness among the island people - if someone is in great need, and another has what is needed, most Voermenn are inclined to share. It is assumed that were the roles reversed, help would still be given; and even then, many Voermenn are inclined to do what they can to pay back a kindness - a family that is given food may, for example, help out on the ship or clean the house of the one that aided them. However, this openness has been largely eradicated after almost a full generation under Imperial rule. Though the Voermenn may still be inclined to help each other (and to a lesser extent their Storm-Screamer allies), they are possessing of an all-new, deep run suspicion to any that they do not know well, especially outsiders. The now free Voermenn has had a very real wake up to their own naivety, and are now quick to demand a return, or at least a promise, to any investment they make. The fact that up until recently they have barely been allowed to own anything has made the islanders put great focus on promises and honour, as under Imperial rule many Voermenn had little else to give each other than their word. Though a hint of the old Voermenn culture remains, years of abuse has made it more closely guarded.
Another unfortunate aspect of Imperial rule was the almost complete eradication of voerish architecture. Their walls were considered substandard and were therefore torn down. Their houses, while grand and spectacular in appearance, reminiscent most of ornamented, downside turned ships, were made for communal living arrangement - something the Empire was not ready to adopt. The few of these buildings that were not torn down for parts were transformed into barracks for Imperial soldiers, or effort was made to change them into manors belonging to those officials who had won General Irryck’s favour. The most notable building that remain of the Voermenn are their shallow, stone basins; made from dark grey rock and inscribed with twisting symbol, every island inhabited by the Voermenn would have at least one, often hidden away in some half-obscured cavern or deep in a jungle glade. The patterns which they create, and the optical illusion that seems to twist those patterns once the basin is filled with water, is a true marvel to behold. Either due to their remote, inaccessible locations, or through some hint of culture respect, the Empire did not have these sites destroyed. As holy sites to the Voermenn’s religion of the Transformed, it was decided that they be left alone in accordance with the Imperial Law of religious freedom.
Voermenn garb tends more toward the practical than the refined. Surprisingly, despite their lands close proximity to the Frigid Ocean, the temperature is surprisingly warm, the islands seldom much cooler than an Imperial summer evening, even in winter. Thus, their clothing is adapted to that; loose sitting pantaloons are common for both men and women, naturally coloured, though net-like skirts and kilts also occur often enough, especially after having lived under Imperial rule. A simple sleeveless vest, if anything, is worn on the torso, though some Voermenn have taken to a thinner version of the Imperial summercoat, especially those islanders who have taken up service upon Storm-Screamer ships. Headdresses made from weaved leather makes for the Voermenn’s most classic adornment, beautified with pearls and polished metal for those that have access to them; similarly weaved armbands and necklaces are not as common, nor are they particularly rare. Before the Empire came, the Voermenn did use shoes at all, and indeed, do not seem to require them to the same extent as an Imperial, although some wear them now.
While the Voermenn originally were not ruled as much as they were guided by a council of elders, whom’s main function was to settle disputes and ensure that everyone had enough to get by, the post-Imperial Voermenn have all but abandoned this practice. Currently, each island no longer under the Empire’s thumb is controlled by a Kath, an old Voermenn word meaning ‘First’. This individual, along with their closets, is given almost complete control of the people on their island, and may order them about as it pleases them. Traditionally, a Kath was only elected during times of crises, yet after the complete upheaval of Voermenn society, the islanders were much too angry to return to the soft, compromising ways of their councils, a ruling body that many Voermenn blamed for welcoming the Empire. Though most Kaths nonetheless are elders, and most at least make a show of listening to those that serve beneath them, there are those that are more ruthless and attempt to control by might and fear. None of the Unclaimed Isles are currently stable in their governance, with Kaths being replaced or killed with some regularly, either by their own people, Imperial Forces, or rival islands, but an equilibrium is slowly being reached. Further, while the Storm-Screamers and other Imperial rebels have no formal place in voerish society, any crew with access to a ship has a strong negotiating position with the islanders, in addition to the respect extended to them for the assistance in freeing the Voermenn. Both sides are keenly aware that they need each other to stand against the Empire, and make an effort not to step on each other's toes.
Most names among the Voermenn are lengthy things. They have their birth name, used only by family and close friends, which tend to be short and soft; “Voe”, “Zai”, “Taa” and similar are common birth names, which tend to be one syllable long, though occasionally two. Next is their public name, which are derived from two voerish words, meant to symbolise the individuals soul. For example, “Yagoch”, meaning lizard, and “Torsh”, meaning fast, may be combined into the name “Yagrsh”, roughly translating to “Fast-As-A-Lizard”. Next comes the name of their islands, which they use when interacting with Voermenn from other islands, as each individual is expected to represent their own isle in such circumstances - a practice which has somewhat fallen out of use after the coming of the Empire, as many Voermenn have come to view themselves more as one people than belonging to particular islands; these individuals tend replace their island’s name with “Voer”, in reference to their shared identity. Finally comes their positional name, either “Raz”, “Toem”, “Titoem” or, post-Imperial, “Kath”. The term Raz, meaning councilor, has almost completely fallen out of use, replaced by Kath. Most Voermenn are Toem, which means people, referring to them as valued members of their society. Less common are the Titoem, the not-people, which may sound as a harsh title, but whom the Voermenn view as individuals that require as care and looking after; being Titoem is not a negative in Voermenn eyes, rather it an individual who must find their own way to contribute. A surprising number of councilors (and now Kath) began as Titoem. A full voerish name may be “Taa Yagrsh Voer Toem”, though the full name is traditionally only used in the most ceremonial of circumstances.
Though the Empire may have set out with a vision to conquer then Imperialise the population of the Unclaimed Isles, for the first time in its history it seems as if its presence has had the complete opposite effect. While they may have at least controlled the Voermenn for a time, this very control has molded the once peaceful people into one that is aggressively and vehemently against the Empire, willing to do go to near any lengths to ensure that the Imperials never again create a foothold on their land. Without the personal recommendation of one of the ten Storm-Screamers crew that assisted in freeing the Voermenn, people of Imperial origin are killed on sight on the Unclaimed Isles, while those with the recommendations are suffered as long as they prove themselves to be useful and dedicated to the driving the Empire from the Isles.